The horse was magnificent Jon thought as he looked at it, it's coloring was a black so dark that he was certain it would be impossible for anyone to see the horse when night fell. Jon had been sparring when he received the news that the king's gift had arrived for him, he had completely forgotten that the king had rewarded him for winning the duels and now as he stood looking at the horse he found himself very grateful that the king had not.
"She's a fine mare is she not." the man said as Jon turned to look at him.
"Aye, that she is, I thank you for bringing her" Jon said as he handed the man a gold dragon.
"No need to lad, my lord sent me and we're well paid."
"Well have a drink on me then, surely your lord won't mind." Jon said as the man took the coin and nodded his thanks.
The men had been sent from Highgarden, the horse having being bred by Willas Tyrell and as Jon noticed the colors and sigils some of the men wore, it made him think of his friends. He had spent most of his time with Joy since the tourney especially with her father away, but since Gerion's return and despite the increase in his lessons, he had found himself missing the times he'd spent with Margaery and her brothers.
As the men left though Jon put these thoughts to one side and began to pay more attention to the horse in front of him, he could feel an instant connection with the courser, she was young perhaps only a couple of name days old and she felt inexperienced but Jon could sense her eagerness for a rider and he too was eager to put her through her paces. Unfortunately however that would not be today as he instead was to accompany Joy to her first lessons with her tutor.
He led the horse away to the stables, he intended to ride her tomorrow no matter what and he needed to have a new saddle and reins made for her specifically, he had the coin after all. As he walked he could feel a tingling in the back of his mind, almost like a presence trying to make itself known, it had been something he had felt on occasion but this felt different somehow, more intense. He looked to the mare and she looked to be staring intently at him, before she turned her head and the feeling dissipated.
"Now that's a fine looking animal." Harlow the stable master said as he walked over to Jon.
"Aye, she is." Jon replied his hand stroking the mare's head gently.
"Does she have a name lad?"
Jon thought for a second and looked at the mare again, names flew through his mind so quickly that he barely had the chance to even register them, before finally a word kept repeating itself over and over.
"Winter, her name is Winter." Jon said and the mare neighed in response.
After the horse was settled Jon made his way to Joy's room to take her to her first lesson, it was just simple stuff, more to give the girl something to do than to actually teach her anything yet, but Jon knew she'd be nervous so he'd volunteered to sit with her the first time.
"Yon." Joy said excitedly as he entered her room.
"Hello Joy, ready for your lessons." Jon said as the little girl looked at him confusedly.
"No ssessons, Yon, yenture."
"Lessons first, then we'll go on adventure, we'll go see the birdies, you wanna see the birdies Joy."
"Birdies, pweety birdies." Joy said with a beaming smile and Jon couldn't help but join her, he walked over and held her hand as the two walked the short distance to the room put aside for her tutor.
Gerion.
Gerion had been back almost a moon now and the news of Trant's death had yet to make it to the rock, not that he really cared, killing the man had been incredibly satisfying, truth be told he deserved it. But if the news hadn't reached them by now then it meant that Gerion wasn't suspected, he had planned it out well though so he really shouldn't be surprised that he wasn't. Since he came back he'd found his sister had moved back in and taken over which brought a smile to his face, Genna really was a mother hen and he'd missed her while she'd stayed with Kevan.
Kevan was another matter and it was he that Gerion was on his way to speak to, he understood his grief although his own was much more muted, Kevan had always been closest with Tywin, while he and Tygett had continually butted heads with their older brother, Kevan had instead completely went along with all his schemes and plans. As he reached the Lannister offices he braced himself and walked in, this distance between them would be resolved today one way or another.
"Lord Gerion, allow me to show you to Lord Kevan." a young man said as he entered the building.
"Very well." he replied following the man.
Kevan's office made Gerion smirk, it was an almost faithful copy of how Tywin's solar had been before Jaime had changed it, whether it was a nod of respect to their older brother or Kevan was simply trying to portray the strength Tywin had, Gerion wasn't sure but he found it funny all the same. His nephew Lancel stood by Kevan's shoulder and Gerion couldn't help but shake his head, the boy was no Jon that was for sure. He watched as Lancel poured him some wine before he took his seat and got ready to begin.
"I think we should do this alone." Gerion said.
"Why, our Lord insists on having his page present, why should I not have mine?" Kevan said smugly.
"Because brother, I care not for such things, I'm here to speak to my brother and to speak of things a boy has no business being a part of, so either Lancel leaves or I do, the choice is yours."
After a few seconds, Kevan nodded to his son and the boy turned before giving Gerion a glare which he returned with a smirk and a nod, before the boy left the room. Someone needed to teach that boy a lesson and soon he thought, otherwise he'd end up an arrogant sod and there were enough of those carrying the Lannister name already.
"So to what do I owe this visit?" Kevan asked.
"I've come to try and help you pull your head from your arse." Gerion said as Kevan looked at him angrily.
"What did you just say to me?"
"I said you've got your head up your arse Kevan and it's time to remove it."
"Get out, get out now, I will not be spoken to this way." Kevan said as he jumped from his seat and slammed his hands down on the desk.
"Sit down brother." Gerion said looking Kevan directly in the eyes.
For a few moments both men just stared silently at each other, Kevan standing while Gerion sat, neither of them seemingly willing to give in, before finally Kevan took his seat.
"I'm sorry brother, that was a bit much of me." Gerion said as Kevan nodded.
"I've come because there's a rift between us Kevan, between Jaime and you and because of that your cutting yourself off from the rest of the family, even Genna has seen sense."
"It's not me who put it there, Gerion, I never wanted anything but our family to be united."
"Then why, Kevan, what is it that you find so troubling, is it Jaime's way of doing things, is it Jon. What is it? Tell me and together we can fix it brother."
"I don't know Gerion, I honestly don't know, at first it was the bastard, but since that I don't know, it's like every time Jaime does something there's a voice in my head telling me Tywin wouldn't approve." Kevan shook his head resignedly.
"I get that brother, but perhaps it's a good thing that he wouldn't. Tywin was too hard Kevan, too inflexible, just like father was too soft, there needs to be a middle way. Tywin's way would have been the downfall of this house in the end, we were hated Kevan and fear only gets you so far"
"I know that, gods help me I know that, but it's hard Gerion, I feel like I've been pushed aside and it's hard."
"You haven't though brother, you've moved yourself aside. It's time for you to come back, back to the family, back where you belong." Gerion stood up and walked to the other side of the desk before placing his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"How?" Kevan asked hopefully.
"Easily brother, come have dinner with us, you Dorna and the children, Joy and Jon will be there so they'll have someone to speak to and you rooms are always available." Gerion said noticing how Kevan flinched at the mention of Jon.
"Why does the bastard have to be there?" Kevan said in an annoyed tone.
"Kevan, his name is Jon, if this is going to work you'll need to get used to it, he may not be blood, but he is family."
"Why, I don't get it, what's so special about this boy, Gerion?"
"You'll see as you get to know him, please brother give him a chance, forget what you think of him for now and you'll see trust me."
Kevan nodded and Gerion felt relieved, Jon had told him that in the north there was a saying, when the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives, while the snows rarely fell in the west and winds where never white, Gerion understood the meaning of the saying, family is everything and needs to stick together and while they were not a pack but a pride, the principle remained the same.
Genna
Genna had missed this, running a household as large as the one at Casterly Rock was a full time job and anything which meant she spent as little amount of time with Emmon as possible was welcome. The man had given her four children and countless headaches, to put it bluntly he was an idiot, someone who no matter the simplicity of the task he was given would in some way manage to make a complete mess of it. So Genna spent as little time with him as she could manage, given how curt her tongue could be and how she would berate him when he annoyed her, it was probably for the best.
Jaime appreciated her counsel she knew and she and Tyrion got along splendidly, she was glad to see her nephew spend his time pursuing things other than the whores and drinking he had only started with to annoy Tywin. While she missed her brother and wished he was still with them, a part of her welcomed his death, she feared how far he'd have pushed his youngest son had he lived.
"My lady, we've replenished our stores completely since the tourney and the supplies the king's visit used up have been restocked."
"Thank you Alain, we shall be having a feast within the moon, please ensure the stocks are suitably prepared."
"Of course my Lady." Alain said as he bowed and walked out.
Now she was back there were things which needed to be resolved and amongst the first of them was to find her reticent nephew a bride, oh no doubt Jaime would excuse himself by saying how busy he was and that he didn't have time for courting, but he'd put it off long enough already and while the Lords weren't grumbling yet, it was only a matter of time.
A feast and a ball would be the perfect place to start, there were many houses in the Westerlands with daughters who'd love to be the lady of the rock, not to mention the wife of a man as handsome as her nephew, yes she would ensure that all of them would be invited, even if they didn't find a match at least they needed to be seen trying.
"What are you planning?" Gerion said as he walked towards her, that annoying smile of his present as always.
"Me planning something, whatever could you mean brother?" she replied as innocently as she could.
"You forget I know you better than that sweet sister." Gerion kissed her on the cheek as he sat beside her.
"If you must know I was planning to hold a ball sometime in the next moon, it's time our dear nephew did some courting brother."
"You should leave it alone Genna, he's not ready to settle down yet, he won't appreciate you trying to marry him off." Gerion said his voice more serious now.
"He needs must be seen to be at least trying Gerion, the lords will talk otherwise."
"Very well on your head be it."
"So where have you been brother?"
"Visiting our dear brother and trying to remove the stick up his arse." Gerion said and she couldn't help but laugh loudly.
"Any luck?"
"Aye I think so, I've convinced him to come to dinner anyway, him and the family, so feel up to a large family dinner?"
"Does it have to be our family?" Genna said dryly as they both began to laugh.
The two sat there laughing, she missed this, Gerion while occasionally being incredibly annoying always brought out her inner child, no matter how hard a day it had been or how much was on her mind he never failed to make her laugh like a little girl.
Tyrion
Tyrion stood beside Jon and Jaime as they looked at the contraption the builder's had made, the wind wheel was impressive on it's own but the accompanying pumps and trays were unlike anything he'd seen before. The system was simple, just as water pushing against a wheel created power to grind wheat into flour, a wind wheel would operate on the same system except with wind. This would when used in reverse, force the water to be pumped out rather than in, the trays would operate like large buckets and the water would be carried and spilled back into the nearby small lake.
But would it work, that was the question that Tyrion needed answered and why he'd only had a smaller version of the apparatus made up, the ones they'd need for Castermere would be almost four times the size. As they stood looking out into the rocky cove the construction had finished and they were ready to begin.
"Should we start milord." Areds the chief carpenter asked.
"Aye, go ahead." Jaime replied.
"Well here goes nothing." Tyrion said getting a small smile from Jon while Jaime looked on intently.
The wind wheel began to spin and the trays began to move, into the sea they went and a few moments later they returned, the pulleys and levers carrying the extra weight with ease, Tyrion watched on in awe as the tray flipped and emptied before continuing on to refill itself and repeat the same journey again and again. He could see the builders were shaking their heads, probably figuring that this was folly but as he watched it ideas began to form in his head.
This would be an incredible boon, not only would it work in Castermere but the wind wheel itself offered up so much potential, he looked at Jon and smiled, how the boy had come up with it was beyond him. He'd taken a look in the book Jaime said he'd found it in and while there where plans for water wheels, this was not even close to that, how had he made that leap?.
"Well done, Jon, that's incredible." Jaime said a tone of pride in his voice.
"Aye, it is, I've never seen the like of it." Tyrion said while Jon looked on.
Tyrion would need to carefully consider the other applications of this, windmills and water wheels were common in the west but this was different, it could be housed in a keep with no access to water or used to power bellows for forges. Tyrion's mind was working a million miles a second as the various uses came to him. Finally he shook his head, they'd need to design the larger ones for Castermere and be prepared for what they'd find once they removed the water, he shivered at the thoughts of all those bodies.
As they made it to the castle they were surprised to see some of Lord Manderly's men had arrived, the green merman sigil being worn openly, they had received their first shipment from the north a moon ago and it was too early for their second so Tyrion wondered what had brought the men here so soon.
He didn't need to wait too long for the answer as two of the men made their way over accompanied by Jon's guard Alyrs.
"My lords, these men say they have a gift for Jon." Alyrs said.
"For me?" Jon replied confusedly.
"Aye, my lord, Lord Wyman asked us to deliver it to you personally." the Manderly man said holding out a white ball of fluff.
Tyrion watched as Jon took it in his hands only to be surprised when it revealed itself to be a dog of some sort.
"Is that a dog?" he asked.
"No my lord, it's a direwolf."
"It can't be, no one's seen one south of the wall." Tyrion said shaking his head.
"Aye, that's true my lord, I'm not sure where he came from, only heard it's from the lads uncle at the wall."
"Benjen sent you." Jon said to the man before smiling as the little wolf licked his face happily.
"Aye, my lord, some crannogmen delivered it and we was asked to bring it to you, I has a letter here from you uncle." the man said as he handed Jon a letter.
"Is that thing safe?" Jaime said looking on concernedly.
"Aye, I believe so my lord, we've had it with us for almost a moon and a half and it's been as good as gold, doesn't even make a sound."
"Thank you so much for bringing him, here for your troubles" Jon said smiling at the men while holding out some gold dragons.
"Thanks my lord, but there's no need for payment, Lord Wyman asked us to deliver the wolf and that we did." the man said walking away without taking the money.
Tyrion and Jaime just stared at Jon and the wolf pup, they looked so right together like this was meant to be and Tyrion couldn't help but smile, the boy now had the living breathing sigil of his house and if anyone was in doubt he was a northerner they surely wouldn't be ever again.
Jon.
Jon lay on the bed with a large smile on his face, the last few days had been some of the very best of his life, he'd rode his new horse at great speed in the fields outside Casterly Rock, he had never felt such a connection with an animal before as he did with Winter. It was as if the mare knew exactly what he wanted, when to quicken up when to slow down, at one point they'd been riding so fast that Jon had almost slipped off, almost as if she could sense he was falling Winter slowed allowing him to correct his positioning.
But as close as he felt with her it was nothing compared to how he felt when he held Ghost in his hands for the first time or every time he's spent with the wolf since. He lay there with the wolf sleeping on his chest, and felt more complete, more whole than he'd ever felt before, it was like he had found a part of himself that he never even knew was missing.
When the Manderly man had handed him the wolf he felt an immediate connection, when he looked into those red eyes it was like looking into a mirror, the recognition, the intense feeling of being known was like peering into his very soul, the wolf felt it too, ever since he held him Ghost wouldn't let him out of his sight, silently following in his footsteps.
He looked to the letter his uncle had sent him, reading it had made him cry as he found he missed his family so much, he still wrote and received letters from Robb and his father, even received one which was basically a scrawl from Arya which had made him smile. But they were different than they had been, more detached, more removed, almost like strangers inquiring about another strangers well being.
The ones from his father were especially cold, while his father had never been the most open person, Jon knew he loved him, but as the letters started to become lesser they seemed more like courtesy than genuine interest, the questions seemed like a check list to Jon. How are you, do you need anything, have you got enough. All basic questions, not how do you feel, or we miss you, nothing like that. Which is why his uncles letter had such an effect on him, he reached over to read it again.
My dearest nephew,
I hope you are well and being treated fairly
I miss you Jon, miss seeing your face when I would come to visit.
I Miss talking to you and seeing you smile.
I hope you can forgive me for not saying goodbye,
I was upset at my brother and it cost me the chance to say farewell.
I hope you like your new friend,
He can protect where I can't,
If you get the chance send a thank you to Lord Reed,
It was he who told me where to find him,
Wherever you are Jon, you carry the north with you,
You are a Stark, no matter your name,
you are my nephew and I love you dearly.
Your uncle.
Benjen.
Jon felt the tears begin to fall and moved the letter back to the table so he could wipe his eyes only to find Ghost wide awake and looking at him, the wolf licked his face and did so again causing him to laugh.
"Stop it you little furball." he said laughing.
The wolf cocked his head to the side and just carried on licking his face, within seconds Jon was feeling better and the wolf stopped to look at him before laying his head back on his chest and falling off to sleep. Jon couldn't help but smile thinking about the adventures he and Ghost would get up to, Ghost, the name just fit the wolf perfectly. It had come to him the first day he'd had the wolf, how it would silently move, how it didn't even bark. just growled occasionally, especially at Lancel to Jon's amusement.
He moved over to his side and placed Ghost on the pillow beside him, the wolf curling into a small ball of white fur and as he stared at him he felt himself drifting off to sleep. He dreamt that night of white snow and a wall of ice, a great Weirwood tree and an old white haired man surrounded by children, he dreamt of a woman with long dark hair riding a horse as swift as the wind and man with silver hair playing a harp.
Jaime.
Jaime was nervous, he hated these things, feasts were bad enough but balls were so much worse, he knew he'd have to be a good host and would be required to dance with some of the ladies in attendance. As he struggled to get his coat closed, he heard Jon laugh behind him, turning he saw the white wolf was trying to grab one of his boots and smiled before turning back to fix his coat.
He'd been wary of the wolf when it first arrived but something about it gave him pause, seeing Jon so happy was part of it he knew but it was more than that, something he couldn't put his finger on. The more he thought on it the more he came around to the idea, if the wolf could be tamed and looking at how it was with Jon that seemed very likely then it would be as good a protector as could be without raising questions.
When Gerion had returned from King's Landing he'd removed the extra guards on Jon and just kept Alyrs and Jors with him, returning back to the normalcy they had before his sisters idiocy. There were still some restrictions in place and he kept the changes he'd made to the kitchen and servants that served the family, but things were much calmer now.
Although considering he was anything but calm about this ball perhaps that was a bit premature on his part. The dinner they'd had with his family the other night had been more to his taste, he was surprised his Uncle Kevan had come but things had gone well and his two young sons had got on really well with Jon, Lancel was still a problem but boys of the same age are always jealous of other boys, finally happy with his appearance he turned from the mirror.
"Ready Jon."
"Aye, my lord."
"You know you can't bring ghost right?"
"Aye, I know my lord, I'll drop him off in my room on the way." Jon said while the wolf looked at Jaime with a sad face.
"Sorry ghost, but you'll scare the ladies, not that it would be a bad thing." Jaime japed.
They left the room and walked down to Jon's, where the boy quickly left the wolf inside, before they made their way to the lift.
"Will he be all right on his own?"
"Aye, my lord, he has food and water, and I left him one of your shoes that he seems to enjoy chewing on." Jon said as Jaime turned to look at him only to see the boy smirking.
"All right, that does it." Jaime said as he pushed the boy against the wall and began to tickle him.
The two of them laughed as the lift came to a stop, both trying to compose themselves as befitting the lord of Casterly Rock and his squire and both failing miserably. They left the lift and walked to the door of the grand ballroom, Jaime squirming nervously while surprisingly Jon seemed calm, then again he wasn't who they would be trying to set up with every eligible lady, not yet anyway Jaime thought before he smirked.
Entering the ballroom Jaime felt like a piece of meat, he was used to ladies attention of course, but he had never paid it much mind, knowing that his vows kept him off the market allowed for a sense of distance. Women could look but not touch, something which to his chagrin made him more desirable, but even that didn't compare with being the Warden of the West and Lord of Casterly Rock for desirability.
He made his way to the high table and took his seat, his aunt Genna in the seat the lady of the rock would sit at, no doubt being given envious glances by all those who'd do anything to make the position their own. His uncles were sitting either side of her, his brother in the seat closest to his, Jon would sit with Lancel and some of the other sons and second sons, Jaime had agreed not to sit him at the high table for the ball, but that was as far as he'd go.
"My lord." Genna said formally.
"My lady aunt, you look positively ravishing, where's my good brother?" Jaime said knowing it'd get a rise out of her.
"You know quite well where he is." Genna snorted.
Emmon had come down with a serious case of food sickness, no matter how many times he or Gerion had inferred it, his aunt had continuously said she had not been the one who gave him the dish and that it was his own damn stupid fault, but still they knew it irked her so they kept pretending that she had.
"So which ladies have you set your heart on aunt." Jaime said resignedly.
"Lady Alysanne, Lady Jaena, Lady Sybil."
"Isn't Lady Sybil married, aunt." Jaime said.
"Not Westerling, Lady Sybil Banefort."
"Lefford, Banefort and Farman, Not the largest of houses are they aunt, I doubt father would approve." Jaime said haughtily.
"Your father would have approved of anyone you married, as long as it would have brought him an heir."
"Aye, but he'd have set his sights higher, don't you think."
"He would. What makes you think I haven't also." Genna said smirking at him.
Jaime gulped, he had hoped this would be the end of it, but apparently not, this was only the beginning, his aunt would no doubt be sending invitations and request to some of the more eligible ladies of the realm soon. He looked down and saw the three ladies in question were all looking eagerly towards the high table, no doubt getting ready for the dancing to begin.
Lady Sybil was a pretty girl, dark black hair and blue eyes, although she was far too young for Jaime at only ten and seven name days. Lady Jaena was a red head with green eyes and was tall and coltish and more age appropriate Jaime felt but still younger than him at one and twenty while Lady Alysanne was a beautiful blond with green eyes who reminded Jaime way too much of his sister for him to be interested.
Eventually the time for the dancing came and Jaime reluctantly made his way and asked the first lady to dance, trying not to show favoritism and really not wanting to do this anyway, he asked Lady Sybil as she was the one nearest to him, the lady unsurprisingly graciously accepted and she and Jaime made their way to the middle of the room. The dance itself was pleasant enough and he found Sybil to be quite charming, but she had no effect on him whatsoever.
He returned to his chair and sat the next few dances out before once again getting up and asking one of the ladies to dance, this time it was Lady Jaena and Jaime couldn't wait for the dance to end, the woman never stopped talking and Jaime could feel his head hurt after one dance, let alone the thoughts of speaking to her for any period of time. This time he didn't return to his seat and instead walked to where Lady Alysanne was sitting, he knew it was not the done thing, but he wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
"My lady would you do me the honor of the next dance." he said and smiled at the blond girl.
"It would be my pleasure Lord Jaime." Alysanne replied.
The two made their way to the floor and began to dance, unlike Sybil or Jaena he found he really enjoyed Alysanne's company, she was witty and smart and not above calling him out for leaving her to last.
"I had hoped you would ask me to dance Lord Jaime."
"I'm glad I did my lady."
"Really? I assumed by leaving me to last your were just being polite." Alysanne said a suggestive smirk on her face.
"No my lady, I'm just not used to asking beautiful women to dance, this is all so new to me, I wasn't sure how to approach it." Jaime replied honestly.
"Well in that case, I'm glad you approached me last then." she giggled.
"Why is that my lady?" Jaime asked confusedly.
"Because my lord, the first two dances must have been so awkward of course." she said and they both laughed.
The two danced another two dances before Jaime finally brought her back to her seat, the other two ladies were giving both of them death stares, obviously feeling Alysanne was now leading whatever race they thought they were in.
"Thank you for the dance my lord, I hope we shall have the opportunity to do so again." Alysanne said with a genuine smile.
"I hope so too, my lady." Jaime said before taking her hand and placing a kiss upon it.
He made his way back to his seat where he ignored Gerion and Tyrion's smirking faces, his aunt looked happy as he sat down beside her.
"So Lady Alysanne then is it." she said smugly.
"She's a fine lady." Jaime replied truthfully.
"That she is nephew." his aunt said and he could see the wheels turning in her head.
He wished he could tell her the truth and hoped she wouldn't spend her time trying to push him and Lady Alysanne together, she was a fine lady and in other circumstances who knows what could happen, but it could never be. Marriage was off the table for him, he was what he always had been, a Kingsguard.
Winterfell.
Wyman.
Wyman had looked forward to this trip ever since Wylis had returned from the tourney, he had been surprised when his son brought back news of a deal with the Lannister's of all people and that it was Jon Snow who had pretty much sealed it. When he had looked over the proposals he'd been stunned, this would be an incredible boon for his family and in turn the north itself.
The more he'd heard of Jon Snow the more surprised and delighted he had been, the young man had always been so sullen and kept to the background when Lords visited Winterfell, on his last visit he had insisted the boy join them at the high table and the smile and gratefulness on the lads face had convinced him he'd done the right thing.
The picture that Wylis painted of him however was completely different, no longer sullen or content to sit in the background the boy was showing signs of something he had thought when he spoke to the boy, one day that boy would grow into a great man and it seemed from what Wylis had witnessed that day was growing ever closer. Wylis said the boy was polite but outspoken when he needed to be and that the Lannister's treated him far better than his own family had.
When the proposal of the deal had been brought to his son, he had been cautious and quite hostile to it, something Wyman himself was when Wylis brought it to him. However when Wylis explained what young Jon Snow had said he too felt a sense of shame, the boy had rightly pointed out the benefits of the deal and then had proceeded to remind Wylis of their own history. He smiled now as he thought of it, there was a level of cunning in the boy he had not foreseen and it reinforced his view that the boy when grown would be formidable.
"We'll be arriving at Winterfell within the hour my lord." Artos his son's squire said as he rode towards Wyman's sleigh.
"Good, have my son come see me will you Artos." Wyman replied.
As he watched the young man ride away his thoughts again turned to the other young man who'd been on his mind. He had thought after hearing the details of the Lannister deal and Jon Snow's part in it that would be the end of the shocks he'd be receiving regarding Ned's son, but when Wylis told him about the duels he had been stunned into silence. He never heard of such a thing before, a squires duel was just not something anyone else had thought of and yet now he couldn't imagine why it hadn't been done before.
But to hear that Jon Snow had not just taken part and done well, but had actually won it beating lord's sons and even a lord himself, he felt an enormous sense of pride in the young boy, he had represented the north, just like his son and Ser Jorah had and he had shown the southerner's the true measure of northern men. To hear how he won that last fight had filled him with a small sense of regret though, oh to have seen it, to have witnessed it in person, it must have been incredible.
He had thought that would be all he heard about the boy for a while and then the strangest thing happened, he received a raven from Howland Reed asking if some of his men could join the supply run to the wall, he had agreed not seeing the harm but was even more surprised when the men arrived carrying a letter and a request from Howland.
A few moons ago.
Wyman sat in his solar as the two Crannogmen entered, they had asked for a private meeting to deliver a letter from their lord and he had granted it to them, his son Wendel sat beside him and they handed him the letter which he began to read.
Wyman,
My friend I need you help,
When my men return from the wall,
They'll be bringing something with them,
Something important for Jon Snow.
I ask your help in delivering it to him in Casterly Rock.
It's very important to us all that he receives this.
Your friend.
Howland.
To say he was intrigued would be an understatement and he had accepted and looked forward to see just what it was that was so important to both Howland and Jon Snow. While others in the north and south looked down on the Crannogmen and Howland, Wyman was not one of them. He had learned first hand just how good a friend Howland was and if the man said this was important than he would ensure it would be done.
After a few weeks the Crannogmen returned and what they were carrying was unbelievable to Wyman, he like all the men of the north had heard of direwolves but to see one south of the wall was incredible and though he himself followed the seven he couldn't help but notice the wolfs coloring. This was a gift from the old gods, white fur and red eyes, the wolf was the color of the Weirwoods themselves.
Unfortunately they had arrived after the first shipment to Lannisport had taken place, the next not due for another moon, however Wyman had no intention to wait so long, he organized a party to take the wolf to Seagard and to take one of his ships from there to Lannisport. If the old gods wanted Jon Snow to have a direwolf then he would see it delivered with haste.
As he thought back to the little wolf pup he smiled, to think that Jon Snow while in the heart of the west would be walking around with a living breathing representation of his house's sigil was something he'd love to see. He pondered on whether or not he should make a visit to see the young man himself, perhaps he would, after all it was thanks to him that they were making so much coin.
"You wished to see me father." Wylis's voice shook him from his thoughts.
"Aye son, I was just thinking on how we'll handle Jon Snow while at Winterfell."
"It's fine father, I understand, I'll not mention him in front of the trout." Wylis said laughing.
"On the contrary son, I think not only should you mention him, you should be loud in your praise of the lad." Wyman said as Wylis looked at him confusedly.
"Very well father, as you insist." Wylis finally said after a few moments of silence.
"Wylis, be sure to correct any mention of the boy's bastard status should it be brought up." Wyman said and his son nodded before riding away.
Ned.
Ned stood with his family lined up, Lord Manderly's retinue were spotted and would be arriving presently, he had been surprised at the raven from Wyman announcing a visit, not that he was against such a thing but just that he had hosted most of his banner men not too long ago and Wyman had been among them, for him to want to visit so soon meant there was something he wished to discuss and Ned was at a loss to what.
He noticed Jory give his uncle a nod and awaited the arrival at the gate, Wyman's sleigh was an overly elaborate thing in Ned's mind and the number of horses it took to pull it could be put to better use, but he put that from his mind as he watched the man step from it with some help and walk towards him, his son Ser Wylis following behind him.
"My lord it's good to see you, Winterfell welcomes you as always." Ned said while Wyman smiled at him.
"Lord Stark, it is my pleasure to be here." Wyman said with a bow.
"Lady Stark, as beautiful as always." he said while kissing his wife's hand.
"Lord Robb, you look more and more like a true northerner every day." Ned watched as his heir smiled at the man.
Ser Wylis made the same greetings his father had and Ned couldn't wait until it was over and they were inside, he hated this part of things, the formality that even here in the north had to be kept up.
Finally they were finished with the formalities and made their way inside, Sansa had smiled brightly at the mermaid brooch Wyman had given her, thanking him profusely for the gift.
He had noticed the sour looks both Wyman and Wylis had given Theon and resolved to keep the young man from them as much as possible, while his father deserved their scorn Theon did not, though Ned did not wish to correct his bannerman in public. They walked to the keep and Wyman and Wylis made their way to their rooms, there would be a feast tonight and he'd speak to Wyman in his solar later, for now though he was content to just go over some papers until he found out what it was Wyman had come for.
Later that day.
"Lord Stark, Lord Manderly and Ser Wylis request a moment of your time." Vayon Poole said entering the room.
"Of course Vayon, show them in."
Ned stood as Wyman and Wylis entered the room, Vayon showing them to their seats before he left to get some ale and some bread and cheese, though he was not hungry himself he was certain the Manderly's would be grateful for something to eat before the feast began a little later. The three men sat down and Vayon returned carrying the tray with the tankards and the small snack.
"Thank you Vayon." Ned said as his steward left the room.
"My lord, I thank you for welcoming me here." Wyman said.
"Of course my lord, I'm always pleased to see you, though I am surprised that you've come, since your last visit was but a few moons ago."
"I had some things I wished to discuss with you Lord Stark, that I felt were better done in person than a raven."
"Of course Wyman, what's on your mind." Ned said dropping the formalities allowing Wyman to follow.
"Recently Wylis took part in a tourney Ned, a tourney in Lannisport."
Ned stiffened, was this about Jon was he all right, had something happened to his nephew.
"Is Jon all right Wyman?" he asked agitatedly.
"Jon is fine Ned' more than fine, I'm sorry if I worried you, what I wanted to speak to you about is partly in relation to young Jon but it's also about the Lannister's themselves." Wyman said and Ned let out the breath he'd been holding.
"What about the Lannister's Wyman?"
"Wylis was approached regarding a trading deal with the west while he was there, a very good trading deal, one which he initially turned down." Wyman said to Ned's relief.
"However he was talked around in the end and accepted the deal, it was Jon who convinced him." Wyman added and Ned felt his heart shudder.
"Jon, my Jon, convinced you to deal with the Lannister's."
"Aye Ned that he did, it seems young Jon can be very convincing when he wishes to be, the lad pointed out the benefits to Wylis and that we were being a little hasty in distrusting the Lannister's. I have to agree with him on that, the deal is very beneficial and the relationship between the north and the west is one which needs must be better."
Ned nodded along, not sure how he felt either that the north was now dealing with the Lannister's or that by all accounts it was his nephew who'd brokered the deal. On one hand he felt pride in the boy but the larger part of him worried what the Lannister's were teaching him.
"There were also some events that took place in the tourney, Wylis managed to make it to the last five in the melee." Wyman said as he looked at his son with pride.
"Well done Ser Wylis." Ned said smiling at the man.
"I take it you heard about Jorah winning the Joust, Ned." Wyman said
"Aye that I did, it seems that's not all he won, we've all been invited to a wedding in Bear Island in a couple of moons time." Ned said as all three of them laughed.
"Aye, what the young lady will think of Maege will be interesting." Wylis said causing them to laugh more.
"Did you hear of the squire's duel my lord?" Wylis added.
"No Ser Wylis, can't say I've ever heard of such a thing."
"Aye, neither had I until Wylis returned." Wyman said shaking his head.
"It was a new thing Lord Jaime came up with, squires and pages below 12 name days competing in a series of one and one duels." Wylis said smiling.
"Young Jon was one those who took part, Ned." Wyman said as Wylis nodded along.
"What, why would Jon take part in a tourney." Ned's annoyance clear in his voice.
"It was open to all squires and pages my lord, for him not to take part would have shamed the boy." Wylis said determinedly.
"Aye, tis true Ned, Wylis own squire Artos took part also, not that he lasted to long when he faced your boy."
"Jon beat him." Ned said Incredulously.
"Not just him my lord, he beat them all, Jon won the thing." Wylis said proudly.
Ned just shook his head, he was proud of the boy, but this was worrisome, taking part in trade deals, fighting in tourneys, just what the hell was Jaime Lannister playing at. He knew the man had intended to knight Jon when he was old enough so perhaps he should have expected him to take part in tourney's but trade deals, what else was he planning, had he made a huge mistake, was Jaime planning on pushing Jon's claim.
Ned felt his breath grow shallow, his heart was racing in his chest, what would happen if he did, what would Robert do, who would he support, the brother he chose or his nephew, the boy was his blood but was it right to go to war for him, wasn't that what he tried to stop all those years ago.
"Ned are you all right?"
"Lord Stark."
The voices were far away, all Ned could hear was his sister's voice, promise me Ned, promise me. He shook his head and took a deep breath. Turning to the two men he nodded that he was fine and reached to the tankard and took a large swallow of the ale.
"I'm sorry Wyman, not sure what came over me, perhaps we can speak more later or better yet on the morrow."
"Of course Ned, we'll see ourselves out, do you wish us to send someone to see you, the maester or your steward perhaps.
"No I'll be fine Wyman, I probably just need some fresh air, I'll take a walk to the Godswood."
Ned waited until the two men left before he leant against the desk, his head in his hands, the voices in his head gone for now but he knew they'd return, what was he to do. If Jaime Lannister pressed Jon's claim it'd be war and the truth would be out, how would Robert react to it, would he call for Ned's head, he needed to think, he got up from the desk and headed to the godswood, picking up Ice as he left the room.
Wylis.
The feast the night before was a dull affair, Lord Stark was acting strange and his father had picked up on it, he left his father to speak to Lord Stark alone today and was heading to break his fast in the small hall. When he entered he saw all of the Stark children sitting at a table with their mother holding the youngest boy and made his way over, he ignored the Iron born hostage who smirked at him and resisted the urge to slap the smile off his face. His people had suffered far too much at the hands of the reavers and many a Manderly ship had been attacked by them.
He sat down opposite the young lord, he had spoken to him briefly the night before and had told him that he had met his brother while in Lannisport, the boy had been eager to hear more but his mother had heard them speaking and before he could tell him of the boy's adventures, the young lord had been whisked away. Keeping his father's words in mind he resolved to speak loudly about Jon Snow this morn and looked around the room happy to see Ser Roderik and his nephew present.
Speaking of martial arts with martial men present was always a way to ensure the conversation flowed and should Lady Stark try and remove Lord Robb now it would be noticed. He looked at the young man who would one day be his liege and sighed, the boy was all Tully where his brother was pure Stark. Right down to now having the living breathing representation of them with him far off in the west.
"Ser Wylis, you met my brother did you not?" Robb asked.
"Aye I did Lord Robb, I'm happy to say that Jon is doing well, he's doing really well, though I'm sure he misses you and his brothers and sisters." Wylis said noticing that while Lady Stark cringed her children seemed to be happy to hear this.
"What does he do there Ser?" Sansa asked to a look of shock from her mother.
"He does many things Lady Sansa, while I was there he was Lord Jaime's squire, accompanying him to meetings and he helped welcome the king and queen." he watched as Lady Stark tried to appear disinterested but was now hanging on to his every word.
"He met the king and queen." Sansa said excitedly.
"Aye that he did my lady, even received a gift from the king himself."
"A gift, why?" Sansa asked her face now open in it's wonderment.
"There was a series of duels lady Sansa, for squires and pages and Jon won them, he beat them all." Wylis said while the children looked on in awe, he noticed Ser Roderik and Jory paying more attention now.
"Why would they have a duel for bastards? who ever heard of such a thing." Lady Stark said mockingly.
"No my lady you misunderstand, the duel was open to all squires and pages of 12 name days and under."
"Surely they didn't allow a bastard fight against trueborn sons." Lady Stark said aghast.
"Aye they did my lady which side of the sheets your born on matters not in determining your skill, not only did Jon fight them, he beat them all, I've never seen the like of it before, the boy's incredibly talented." Wylis said while the woman shuddered.
"He really beat them all?" Robb said excitedly.
"He did my lord, the last lad he beat was Robar Royce a fine swordsman if I do say, but your brother, he beat him in seconds my lord, the lad never knew what hit him, it was a wonder to see."
Wylis looked around the room, the Stark children were enraptured at the tale, the men and women breaking their fast equally so, Ser Roderik looked on with pride in his eyes while his nephew just kept nudging the older man as if to say, you trained him uncle. Lady Stark however was reacting quite differently, the look of anger on her face was chilling to Wylis, no wonder the boy was miserable here, he would be too if he had to face the lady of the house when she was like that.
He decided now was the time to add the finishing touch, he knew what he said would not stay in this hall for long, the story of Jon Snow winning the duels would be spun around Winterfell, then winter town and through parts of the north in moons, but what he'd say now would be spread around the North quickly and would be spoken off for years to come.
"As I was saying the king decided to reward you brother after the duels with a gift, Jon chose a horse which I'm sure has arrived by now, but when I returned I found out it wasn't the only gift Jon was getting,"
"What else did he get?" Robb asked eagerly.
"A Direwolf my Lord." Wylis said to the gasps of the room.