291 AC.
Kings Landing
Jon Arryn.
Jon sat looking at the accounts and frowned, in not even two years they'd already managed to borrow almost four hundred thousand gold dragons from the Tyrell's, at some point something would have to give. He knew that despite their alleged willingness to be good subjects of the crown, the Tyrell's truly only had one goal in mind in lending that money.
They wished their golden rose on the throne, Jon had no problem with that as it would alleviate a lot of potential problems, not only was the Reach wealthy and strong but it also provided most of the food they consumed in Kings Landing. Tying the Tyrell's to the crown would ensure Robert's dynasty for years. With the Vale, Stormlands, Riverlands, Westerlands, North and then the Reach all tied in to each other through marriage, it would leave Dorne as an outlier.
The problem though, was Robert wouldn't go for it, no matter how much Jon prodded and cajoled, Robert would not marry a Tyrell into his family. Not only did both he and Stannis not forgive them for besieging their home, but Robert had his heart set on a Stark bride for Joffrey. No matter how much Jon tried to explain the benefits it seemed Robert was still living in the past and Jon felt the specter of Lyanna Stark's ghost hanging over them always.
"My lord, Lord Baelish is here to see you."
"Good, send him in."
Petyr had been a godsend ever since he'd brought him from the Vale, not only had he helped with the financial state of the crown, bud did so to such an extent that Jon had tried to have Robert appoint him Master of Coin, which for now at least had been put on hold, so instead he had begun working on expanding the income from trade just like he had in Gulltown.
His arrival had also improved Lysa's mood so greatly that she and Jon had been getting on much better together, so much better that they had even began trying for a child yet again. A few days ago he had been overjoyed to learn that Lysa was with child and unlike her other pregnancies Jon actually felt hopeful for this one.
"My Lord Hand." Petyr said as he entered the room.
"Ah Petyr, it's good to see you, come sit, some wine?"
"No my Lord, thank you all the same." Petyr said as he sat down.
"I wanted to discuss the finances again Petyr, we needs must reign in our spending or try to raise more coin somehow."
"Indeed my Lord, but how?" Petyr said before looking at him thoughtfully.
"Actually come to think of it my lord there are a couple of things we could do, we could increase the shipping taxes for docking and access to the trade in Kings Landing, that would raise some coin and we could also stretch out the loan repayments to the Iron Bank. It would of course mean more interest overall, but it would give us more funds for now." Petyr added.
Jon sat there and wondered if this was a good idea, the Iron Bank would squeeze them and the Tyrell's would offer better terms, if only the Lannister's hadn't shut their support off he though as he sighed. They really had little choice though, the more they relied on the Tyrell's the bigger the problem they would have if Robert didn't come around.
"Could you handle it Petyr, make a visit to the Iron Bank as our representative?"
"Of course my Lord, I'd be delighted to."
"Thanks so much Petyr, I won't forget this, I'll keep the king informed of your good work, we'll get you on the small council yet my boy." Jon said smiling fondly at the young man.
"Thank you my lord, how fares your lady wife?"
"She's well Petyr, both Maester Colemon and Grand Maester Pycelle say her and the babe she carries are doing well."
"Well that's great news, I shall pay her a visit before I leave for Bravos."
"She'll be delighted to have you, why don't you have dinner with us both tonight Petyr."
"You honor me my lord., I shall take my leave if that's all Lord Hand"
"It is and thank you again Petyr you've been most helpful as always."
"I live to serve my lord."
Jon smiled as the young man left his solar, Petyr always managed to leave him in better spirits than he found him in and he was very happy for both the man's help and company. He reached over and turned back to his financial reports, the queen's expenses were almost rising as much as Roberts ever since her family stopped paying for everything, He would have to speak to the woman as distasteful as that was.
Ever since the birth of the king's second son a couple of moons ago the queen had been even more irritable than normal and a conversation telling her to reign in her spending was perhaps something that could hold for a little while longer he hoped, he reached over and poured himself a glass of wine. Unlike Robert he had no real taste for the stuff but found lately a glass or two would alleviate the growing headache he felt when dealing with the royal family.
Varys
Varys walked through the Red Keep he was frustrated and becoming more and more annoyed lately, though to see him you'd never know it, his skills at hiding his true feelings having being developed over many years. His latest frustrations had been regarding events in the west, no matter how much he tried he couldn't understand what was going on with the Lannisters, what game it was they were playing, and it annoyed him no end.
Between that and not being able to locate the Targaryen children it added up to headache after headache for him. He had tried everything he could think of to both find the children and get some insight into what the lions were up to. However time and time again he'd been frustrated, a feeling he was having more and more lately with some of his plans.
He had attempted to place as many of his little birds in the west as he could and yet couldn't get them close to where they needed to be. Someone was stopping him and he couldn't figure out how the Lannisters got so good at the game with Tywin no longer running things. To make things worse the more he heard about Jon Snow the more the boy perplexed him.
When he had heard the young man had been taken on as Jaime Lannister's squire he had been intrigued though when he heard the result of the squires duel at the tourney at Lannisport it made sense, of course the Kingslayer would recognize a boy with a gift for swordplay. But certain stories and information regarding the boy was making him question just whether that was the only reason he had chosen him.
The reopening of the mines at Castermere was something no one had expected, Tywin Lannister couldn't come up with a solution to the problem he himself had created and when the news came that not only where the mines once again producing, but that the idea of how to do so came from the mind of Jaime Lannister's squire, people, Varys included were in complete disbelief, Surely this was some kind of jest, there was no way a child could come up with a solution when even the greatest of Maesters could not.
But it was apparently true, Jon Snow had succeeded where others had failed and in one stroke had made the Lannisters more than thrice as rich as before. The mines at Castermere weren't just producing gold and silver they were producing more than the rest of the west itself. In some ways Varys admired the boy, children were special to him and to see one achieve such a thing made a part of Varys's heart soar, but it just added to the mystery of the boy and it made him more determined than ever to get to the bottom of it.
His walk had taken him almost around the entire keep and he had found no respite or answers to the questions in his head, he turned to walk back to his rooms only to see someone he was in no mood to meet.
"Ah Lord Varys it's good to see you." Petyr Baelish said his smile as mocking as the bird of his sigil.
"You too Lord Baelish." Varys replied, meaning anything but.
"How fares the queen and the new prince?" Baelish asked the smirk on his face even wider.
"Very well my Lord, his grace is full of joy with his new son."
"I'm sure he is my Lord and with the hand also set to welcome a child, the keep is full of fatherly love it seems."
"Indeed Lord Baelish, it would seem it is, but I'm sure you're a busy man my lord don't let me keep you." Varys said and nodded.
"Aye, it's true I must leave and make my arrangements, I'm off to see some bankers it would seem." Baelish said before walking away.
For a moment Varys considered arranging an accident for the man, the simple truth was that a man like Littlefinger left unchecked would see the realm fall into chaos, however now was not the time for such actions and the man held little power anyway. He continued walking down the corridor and eventually decided that he would need to pay a visit to the west himself, in disguise of course but he needs must find out what was going on there, before he could concentrate fully on finding the Targaryen children, a spider had many webs to spin he mused.
Daven.
Daven was more and more sure that getting involved with Cersei Lannister had been the worst mistake of his life and he cursed his cock for getting him into this mess. The woman was a terrific lay, probably the best he ever had or would have, but she was also cruel, vindictive and he was starting to think more than just a little bit crazy. Not content with cuckolding the king she actually went out of her way to have him fuck her when they could get caught and while the thrill of danger was an aphrodisiac when he was thinking with the wrong head, it would also cost him the right one if he didn't put a stop to it.
This was what had led to his latest predicament and now as he wiped the blood of his injured forehead he knew that perhaps it was time for him to head back to the Westerlands. The problem of course was what would the crazy bitch do when he left. While to him their affair had been purely sexual, despite it resulting in two children that he actually cared about, to Cersei it had developed into some intense love story.
Just earlier that day before she threw things at him that was, she was telling him how they needed to take care of the king so they could rule together and Daven had done his best not to laugh. As if that would ever be a possibility. If the king died and she tried to put him anywhere near the throne or herself afterward, Daven would most certainly end up at least a head shorter.
So he had tried to talk her out of it and instead had done his best to divert her attention by fucking her as best he could. This did at least have the benefit of shutting her up for a while but once they were finished she had started right back where they had left off.
" My love, we really need to kill the fat oaf, don't you want to be able to do this all day with no one to stop us?" her voice soft and seductive.
" Of course I do, but we can't my queen, it would never work out."
" I would be queen regent Daven, I would decide everything, I could appoint you to the Kingsguard and then no one could send you away from me."
" I don't want to join the Kingsguard." Daven said shaking his head "Why would I?"
" We could be together then, no one could say anything and we wouldn't have to sneak around." Cersei said smiling at him before her hand began to slowly travel down his body.
" I need to go my queen, your husband will be back from his hunt and your guards will be returning soon." he said as he moved her hand away and began to dress.
" Don't you want me, don't you love me?" she asked desperately.
" Of course I do my love, we'll speak on this again." he kissed her softly and hurriedly dressed doing everything he could to get out of there.
" Your lying, your just like him, you want to leave me, no one leaves me." Cersei shouted and started hitting the bed with her hands.
" I'm not my love, I love you truly, I swear I do." Daven said trying to calm her down before someone heard the noise.
" Then prove it, help me kill my husband." she pouted.
" I can't Cersei." he answered as he finally finished dressing.
He moved to the door but was suddenly hit by something in his back, he turned to see what it was and unfortunately for him he turned right into the flight of the vase she had thrown, it struck his head and he could feel his blood as it flowed.
" Get out, Get out and don't come back." Cersei shrieked and he left as quick as he could.
As he finished wiping the blood he passed the nursery where his son was resting, he wanted so much to go in and see young Tommen but he knew that not only would they never allow him in this condition, the mere fact he wished to see the prince would raise some eyebrows. He had never even held either of his children, though he had been lucky enough to see them both. Tommen was a cute chubby little babe and Myrcella was a gift from the seven he thought, it was just a shame that Cersei was their mother, he shuddered to think of them turning out anything like Joffrey.
On his few run ins with the crown prince he had found the boy to be arrogant, spoiled and wilful and he hated the thoughts of his children being raised near the boy, but he really had no choice did he, he was in this now, this so called great game and he really was out of his element. He sighed as he walked from the rooms, all this trouble caused by his damnable cock.
Barristan.
Barristan smiled at the letter he had read, his king was doing well, very well by all accounts, he wished he could see him practicing his jousting, would he be like his father he wondered, he was glad at least that Jaime was putting him through his paces and that he was taking to it so well. The news of his kings achievements made him even more sure that when he made his claim the realm would be getting the right man.
He had been as stunned as the rest of the throne room when the news came in about Castermere, when the king had heard it was his friends son who came up with the plan he had been overjoyed, he proclaimed it loudly and often how Ned's boy was the one who did what Tywin Lannister could not. While Barristan took issue with him being called Ned's boy, he found the pride he felt hearing his king be praised overruled the annoyance of his true father not being recognized.
There would be time for that off course and when the truth was revealed then they'd know that it was Rhaegar's influence and not Ned Starks that had made Jaehaerys the man he would be. He placed the letter over the flame and allowed it to burn, it was time for him to do his duty yet again and once again he cursed that he'd have the misfortune of following the crown prince today.
"Ser Boros." he said as he walked from his quarters.
"Lord Commander." the knight nodded back.
He made his way from the tower and into the red keep, passing the guards along the way, he finally arrived at his destination seeing Ser Arys smile at him glad to be relieved.
"Ser Arys."
"Lord Commander."
"Anything I should know?"
"No Lord Commander, the prince has been quiet thus far." Ser Arys said with a reluctant smile.
"Very good, enjoy the rest of the evening Ser."
"Aye I will, good night Lord Commander.
Barristan watched as the knight walked away he sighed at the state the order had descended to, these knights under his control where no true brothers he thought, as clearly evidenced by Trant's dereliction of his duty. Where the knight had run off to was a mystery and had it been a true and proper knight, then Barristan himself would have led the investigation into his disappearance. But truth be told the man was no loss and Barristan not only didn't bother looking for him but didn't raise an objection when the King announced his replacement.
He had at least picked a man sworn to House Baratheon this time, but Barristan did not think much of Ser Richard other than he was a much better option that the queen's preference, Ser Daven had potential but he was not of the Kingsguard. To think an order that once contained the White Bull, the Black Bat and the Sword of the Morning was now reduced to this, he sighed and swore that when his king was crowned he'd rebuild it to an order worthy of him.
As he took up his position he hoped for the best, with any luck the prince would stay in his rooms this evening, he didn't look forward to the alternative. Joffrey was at best a troubled boy and at worst something much more dangerous, at times he was pleasant almost jovial but his mood could change quite quickly as most had found to their cost. He took great delight in making the most ridiculous demands and then throwing a tantrum when they were not followed.
Many a servant had felt his wrath and he had begun to see them punished now, where before he would take his delight in making them squirm at the thought of losing their jobs. When his father was present or the Hand was near the boy would limit his punishment, simply sending the servants from the room with cutting remarks, some Barristan was disgusted to see, the king would laugh at.
But when they were busy elsewhere or his mother was around then the servants really began to worry, Barristan shuddered to think what would happen to the realm if the boy ever made it to the Iron Throne, but he also felt relieved to know that it would never happen. His king would make his claim long before then and when the time came for it Barristan would be standing right beside him.
Riverlands.
Hoster Tully.
Hoster looked on as his son continued his rant about Ned's bastard and how the boy was going to usurp Cat's children's birthright, it was the same version of the same argument his son had made for almost a year now. Ever since that damanable raven had come from his daughter practically demanding they attacked the boy.
"We have to do something now father, the bastard is getting more and more popular, if we don't act then we'll be sorry."
"And what would you have us do Edmure?"
"I don't know father, you know what I wanted to do, you were the one who shut it down."
"Of course I did, you wanted to kill a boy Edmure, for what? For what reason? Because my daughter is worried about something that would never happen, you wanted to send people to kill a boy because of that, I have no love for the bastard but I'll not become a kinslayer because of it."
"He's no kin of ours he's a bastard, he's not even Cat's." Edmure's voice shouted angrily.
"Aye that's true, but in the eyes of most people he'll still be considered kin and if I'm to face my gods it'll not be with the stain of a dead boy on my hands."
"Then what should we do father, should he get the Westerlands support then they could take the north."
Hoster shook his head, was this his curse, to have raised idiot children, Lysa had almost thrown away everything for that damn boy from the fingers, his precious Cat was worrying herself over something that could never happen and his son and heir was showing all the strategic planning of a Frey. It was time to nip this in the bud before it got too far.
"You really think Jaime Lannister wants anything to do with the North, why, for what possible reason would he want the north? Edmure stayed silent. "Hmmm no answer eh, just like I thought, you need to think this through son"
"But what if he did. What if the bastard convinced him father, you heard what happened with Castermere, they say that was down to the bastard. The Lannisters owe him now and they always pay their debts."
Hoster reached over to his glass and took a sip of the wine, maybe Edmure had a point, maybe his boy wasn't as big an idiot as he'd thought he was. He hadn't considered that, the reopening of Castermere was an incredible boon to the west, it had at least doubled if not tripled the Lannister's wealth, would Jaime Lannister consider repaying that by giving the boy the North he wondered.
He needed to think on this some more, they needed more information about the boy, find out his temperament, if he actually cared about the north. The two Blackwood lads had met with him in Oldtown perhaps they could tell him more. He'd send a raven to Tytos and see if he could bring the boys with him the next time they visited.
"Leave it to me Edmure, I'll decide what's to be done with the bastard, not you, do I make myself clear."
"As long as you make a decision father." Edmure said and stormed from the room.
White Harbor.
Wyman.
The last year had been incredibly good to House Manderly, Wyman thought as he looked over the figures, the trade deal with the Lannisters had been expanded upon and they had plans to open a joint office in Bravos to help facilitate more trading opportunities. The more he looked on the figures the more he felt grateful that Jon Snow had spoken to Wylis, the boy had done them a really good turn and he was more than happy to pay the lad back when he could.
Which was why when that raven came asking for his help he was more than happy to provide it, though even he had been surprised who the recipient of that help would be. It seemed Wyman was not the only northern lord to speak well of Jon Snow, Ser Jorah too held the lad in high regard due in no small part to the present Wyman had helped him procure.
Wyman thought back to their trip to Winterfell, it had been eventful to say the least, when he had spoken up about the boy he'd been disappointed in his liege lord truth be told. The man had barely acknowledged what his son had done, his accomplishments bringing him no pride whatsoever and Wyman couldn't understand it. He had always been immensely proud of his boys, they were the bright spots of his life, his future, and he had reveled in Wylis showing in the tourney.
But Jon Snow had won his contest, he had been rewarded and praised more by the king than he had his own father, it perplexed him. Although that was the least he could say regarding Lady Catelyn's reaction. Wylis had done exactly what he asked and by all accounts the children had been happy for their brother, their mother though had been another matter altogether.
When she had stormed into the solar Wyman had been disgusted by the things she said, true the seven thought that bastards were to be feared and scorned but Wyman felt you judged someone on their acts, not their birth. He knew plenty of trueborn sons he wouldn't trust at all and yet this woman was screaming and raving that Jon Snow would take Winterfell.
From all the accounts he'd heard of the boy nothing could be further from his mind and given the reputation he had with the Lannisters it was just as well, for the boons he'd brought Wyman's family paled in comparison to those he'd brought the lions. Castermere had made the Lannisters even richer and when he'd heard the idea came from Jon Snow, he'd been understandably stunned, as he sat contemplating he was interrupted by a knock on his door.
"Come in." he shouted and was surprised to see both his sons accompanied by Maester Theomore.
"Father we needs must speak with you." Wylis said.
"Very well take a seat."
All three men took their seats and Wylis took out a letter and some parchment, before handing it to him, Wyman looked at Wylis who nodded eagerly and then looked to the paper. What he saw was a drawing which took his breath away, the ship was like none he'd ever seen before, it was multi decked and had three masts, the sails set out in both a pattern and shapes he'd not seen before.
The forecastle was lowered and the hull longer than any he'd seen, there were also some suggestions written beneath the drawing suggesting how to rig the sails so it could be operated with far less men than it would seem a ship this size would need. But it was the mast's and sails that were really the key, Wyman could already see the benefits of such a ship both in terms of speed and maneuverability and given the size it would accomplish what four or five ships did in terms of carrying cargo and do so much quicker he'd wager.
"Where did you get this?" he asked excitedly.
"Read the letter father." Wendell said.
Wyman placed the drawing down and took the letter in his hands,
Lord Wyman,
I trust you are well
I wish to thank you for all the help
You and your family have given me
Since I've come to the west.
I can think of no better way to express my thanks
Than to offer you this, a new design for a ship.
You should find that the design though difficult to build
Will both cut the time and amount of ships needed to make a journey profitable.
I hope you will accept this as a measure of my gratitude.
Jon Snow.
Wyman reached over and grabbed his mug and filled it from the ale jug he kept beside it, he drank it down quickly and refilled the mug before turning to his sons and the Maester.
"Maester what do you think?"
"My lord, I've not seen the like before, but given the drawing and the instructions I think it'll make sailing incredibly profitable."
"Aye I do too father, if that works we'll make a fortune." Wendel said his excitement as clear as Wyman's own.
"It'll cost a lot to build and take a lot of time, but I want it done as soon as possible, Wylis, Wendel, put our best builders on it, with ships like these we'll rule the damn seas." Wyman said laughing loudly.
The Vale of Arryn.
The Blackfish.
Brynden was tired of receiving ravens and letters from his niece, in the last year he'd received almost a dozen all on the same topic, Jon Snow. When he had received the first one he had almost ridden from the Bloody Gate to the Westerlands that day, the idea of a bastard usurping his trueborn grand nephew something he would not brook. But luckily he had not been able to leave that day and as he slept that night he thought more on it and realized he was acting stupidly.
He had seen the lad during the tourney at Lannisport and the last thing that boy would ever do was usurp his family in Byrnden's opinion, hell the boy seemed to hate recognition and almost refused a gift from the king. The more he'd thought about it the more he was convinced he was right so he had ignored the letter from Cat. The damn trouble was the letters kept coming, each one more and more outlandish than the other.
Each letter repeatedly mentioned their family words, like he didn't know them or live them better than any of his damn family. Brynden loved his family but Hoster had cared more for alliances than making his family happy and instead of living the words had tried to use them to shame him into doing what Hoster wanted.
"Ser Brynden, how fares you?" Nestor's voice forced him to look up from his table.
"I am well Lord Royce, you?"
"Good Brynden, good, have you heard the news from the West?
"No Nestor, I haven't, I care not what the lions are up to."
"Aye, neither would I usually but this was a surprising turn of events."
"What happened?"
"It seems they've managed to reopen Castermere."
Brynden was shocked, it had been almost thirty years since Castermere had been flooded by Tywin Lannister, the event sending shockwaves through Westeros and cementing the old lions reputation as a ruthless evil man. While he paid little attention to most non military things Brynden knew that for years Tywin had tried to come up with a solution to reopen the mines, to find out now that his son's had succeeded where he failed would have both filled the lion with pride and with envy, had he been alive to see it.
"How?" Brynden asked genuinely curious now.
"You won't believe me if I tell you, apparently the idea came from Jaime Lannister's squire of all people, some young bastard named Jon Snow."
Nestor was right Brynden couldn't believe it, surely it couldn't' be true, how the hell would a young boy know how to open a mine, a flooded one at that, there were no mines in the north where the boy could have come up with the idea, at least not to Brynden's understanding.
"That can't be true Nestor, there's no way a boy came up with that idea."
"It is Brynden, heard it from a number of people, apparently it was all him, that's who they're crediting with the idea anyway."
Brynden smiled, well done young man he thought, whatever chance of what Cat was worried about was certainly over now. There's no way that young man would ever be going back north now, he's way too important to the Lannisters, it was much more likely they'd give the lad a keep in the west as reward.
Winterfell .
Lynesse.
Winterfell was incredibly imposing she thought as they neared the castle, while not as beautiful as Highgarden or even the Hightower it had a certain sense of scale, that the closer you got to it the more it became clear that this castle was not like the others in the realm. The large grey walls were intimidating and yet they were also welcoming and she could see her husband seemed happy to see them.
He had been disappointed that Ned Stark had not come to either of their weddings, the one in Oldtown he understood but him not coming to the one on Bear Island had hurt her bear and while he may not show it, she knew it. It had made him appreciate that Jon Snow had come to their wedding even more, the boy showing more respect to her husband than his father did, it was because of this that she was sure they wouldn't be visiting Winterfell for a while.
So when the invite came for the Stark heir's name day she thought her husband would ignore it, but he had surprised her by saying they should go. The journey to Winterfell itself had been hard and unpleasant and she had been uncomfortable the entire way but they had finally made it. She got ready to get out of the carriage, though had they been in the south no one would have called the covered cart that, putting the coat she'd been gifted by Jon Snow on she smiled at the warmness it brought to her cold bones.
The coat had been a lifesaver when she first hit the harsh weather of the north and each time she put it on it amazed her how warm it made her feel. Jorah came to the side of the carriage and opened the door and helped her out, she looked out onto the courtyard and saw a man she assumed was Lord Stark standing there with his family.
"My lord." Jorah said with a bow.
"Ser Jorah it's a pleasure to welcome you to Winterfell.
"I'm honored my lord, may I present my wife, Lady Lynesse Mormont." Jorah said as he led her to meet his liege lord.
"Lady Lynesse, a pleasure to meet you." Lord Stark said kissing her hand.
"I thank you Lord Stark for your warm welcome." Lynesse said with a smile.
"Lady Stark, I'm honored to meet you." Lynesse said as she moved to the lady and curtsied.
She made her way down the line greeting the heir and his siblings, the oldest girl was staring at her intently, her bearing that of a young lady in practice she thought, her long red hair and piercing blue eyes only enhancing that impression, she was sure to be an absolute beauty when she grew older. The younger was more rough round the edges yet her eyes sparkled mischievously and Lynesse was reminded of her own sisters and the differences between them.
After the greetings were done and she had found out that the older girl was called Sansa, the younger Arya, she watched as the heir and some other boy who her husband scowled at ran off to do whatever it was that young boys do. The youngest girl who could not be more than two name days was picked up by her mother and carried as they made their way to the keep, her struggles showing that perhaps her mother made the right choice as she seemed eager to run after the boys.
"Lady Lynesse, you coat is so beautiful, may I ask where you bought it?" Sansa asked as they walked to the keep.
"Call me Lynesse my dear."
"Lynesse." the girl's voice said dreamily.
"I didn't buy it, it was given to me as a gift for my wedding, by your brother actually." Lynesse said smiling at the girl.
"Robb gave it to you?" the girl asked confusedly.
"No no." Lynesse said laughing "Your other brother Jon." she added noticing Lady Stark turning her head to listen.
"Jon gave it to you, it's so beautiful, where did he get it, has he got more, do you think he'd give me one, wait Jon was at you wedding?" Sansa rattled questions off in quick succession.
"That's enough Sansa, I'm sure Lady Lynesse doesn't wish to speak of your half brother." Lady Stark said snarkly.
"No it's quite all right my lady." Lynesse said before turning to Sansa "Your brother was with Lord Jaime as his squire so I assume he turned up as part of his duties, he's such a fine young man, his gift was so thoughtful, especially for a lady not used to the northern weather."
"I wish I could have gone, I'd wager it was so beautiful." Sansa sighed.
"It was, almost as beautiful as my coat." Lynesse said and giggled along with the young girl.
She did however notice that Lady Stark did not share her good cheer and was practically rushing them inside now, she looked to see her husband in deep conversation with Lord Stark and finally they were inside the castle itself. They said their farewells for now and Lord Stark signaled to a servant to escort them to their rooms. As they walked she was surprised just how warm the castle felt compared to both the outside and their own keep.
"There are pipes built into the walls that fill with hot water from the springs allowing the keep to stay warm." Jorah told her after she commented on it.
When they finally arrived at the rooms she quickly got changed into less warm clothes, there would be a small get together tonight since they apparently were the first to arrive. So she put on one of her pretty but less elaborate dresses, although given her husbands amorousness she was probably lucky to end up fully dressed.
"Not now my big bear." She giggled as she swatted his hands from her chest.
"I won't take long." Jorah said as he kissed her neck, right in the spot he knew always got her excited.
"If that's supposed to influence me, you'll find it won't have the effect you wish." she laughed as she moved away.
She watched giggling as her husband slinked off to sit on the bed, truth be told there was nothing she would have liked better than to just wrap up in his arms and join him. The road had been too long and far too cold and it had been a couple of sennights since they'd last lain together. But they needed to freshen up and make their way to the hall for their meal with the Starks and when they did lie together she wanted to make it last.
"We'll have the whole night together sweetling." she said as she kissed his forehead.
"Our whole lives my love." Jorah said and she felt her heart flutter.
Later that night.
The meal itself was much better than she'd hoped for, she had found the fare in the north to be more rich in terms of substance than she was used to. They sat at the hightable, Lord and Lady Stark to either side of her and Jorah, the children looked like they were enjoying themselves, although she did notice that Sansa kept looking at her longingly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't attend the wedding Jorah, I was called out to deal with some trouble with the Hornwoods and the Boltons." she head Ned say.
"It's fine Ned, both ceremonies went off well enough and my wife was happy which is all that matters." Jorah said and she smirked.
"Both Ceremonies Ser?" Lady Stark asked.
"Aye, my lady we married under the seven in Oldtown and in front of the old gods on Bear Island." Jorah said smiling at her.
She watched as Lady Stark shook her head, while it seemed Lord Stark looked on wistfully, she was about to say something but Jorah decided to speak up again.
"I want to thank you Lord Stark, the gift your son gave my wife for our wedding was much appreciated and Lynesse and I are most grateful for his thoughtfulness."
"Gift? When did Robb give you a gift my lady?" Ned looked at her confusedly.
"No my lord, it was your other son, Jon, he was the one who gifted me the coat you saw me wear earlier, he's a credit to you my lord, such a well behaved and thoughtful young man." Lynesse said with a smile.
Lady Stark quickly took a drink from her glass while Lord Stark looked at Jorah and herself with a look she couldn't quire place, what was that all about she wondered. She knew of course like all good southern women did that bastards were to be watched lest their worst impulses took hold, but the young man she'd met in Oldtown was as far from that as she could possibly imagine, so why were both Lord Stark and Lady Stark acting so peculiar.
When the dinner ended the conversation seemed to ebb and flow, she decided and it seems her husband did also not to bring up Jon Snow again and it seemed the night went much easier because of it. Later that night as she was preparing for bed she decided to speak to Jorah on it perhaps he was more aware of the situation than she. Maybe he knew something that would explain the reluctance of the Starks to accept what she and she knew Jorah had meant as compliments to their raising of the boy.
"Jorah, what do you think had the Starks so put off when you spoke about Jon Snow, is there something I should know about the boy?"
"No, not that I know of, I met him at the tourney, good lad, a true northmen, you saw him in the duels right?"
"Aye I did, though I was more distracted thinking about the bear who'd won my favor." she said seductively and smiled when Jorah began to quickly undress, her use of the northern drawl exciting him as always.
"So what do you think it was about then?" she asked.
"I don't know, nor at this point do I care about Jon Snow." Jorah said as he grabbed her and they fell onto the bed laughing.
"Me either my great big bear." she said as they began to kiss.
The next morning.
After breaking their fast Jorah gave her a quick kiss while he headed out with Lord Stark, his son Robb, and the other boy who she now knew was Theon Greyjoy an iron born hostage, although he was being treated more like a ward much to her husbands annoyance. She couldn't help but agree with the sentiment though Oldtown had never really suffered them as much as elsewhere, she knew that even compared to places like the Shield Islands her husbands home had suffered greatly from their attacks.
She was heading to an embroidery lesson with both Lady Stark and Sansa and had found the young girl to be a delight, eager to know about just about everything and swooning when she told her the tale of Jorah and her betrothal. How she'd danced with him and he'd asked her favor and how after winning the joust he'd crowned her and asked her father for her hand. To be truthful the tale did sound like it had came from a book, but she was so very thankful that it did not, her husband may not be what she had imagined when she was a girl, but he was so much better than she had ever dared dream.
She had noticed the scowl on Lady Stark's face at various times during their breaking of their fast and their walk but the young girls inquisitive nature had kept her from paying too much attention to it. The septa who walked with them was a dour woman she thought as they entered the small sewing room, there were a couple of girls already inside and Lynesse smiled at them as she sat down.
"What will you make Lynesse." Sansa said excitedly as she took out a beautiful sewing kit.
"I don't know sweetling." she said smiling "That's a very pretty set you've got there Sansa, did you father buy it for you?.
"No Lynesse, my brother Jon sent it for my name day." Sansa said proudly showing her the kit.
It was truly exquisite she thought looking at it, each piece well made and separated into sections for threads, needles and small spaces for beads. She handed the kit back to the girl and watched as she took up her pieces of fabric.
"That was very thoughtful of him."
"Jon's always thoughtful, he sends me fabrics and designs as well." Sansa said her smile beaming and Lynesse couldn't help but smile back at her, before noticing that both the Septa and Lady Stark did not seem to find it so amusing, she shrugged and began to sew her own work, interrupted constantly though she was by the ever excitable girl beside her.
"Your Lady Margaery's aunt aren't you Lynesse." Sansa said wistfully.
"I am, do you know my nieces and nephews?"
"Oh no, I just, I've heard of them, my lady mother has spoken of Lady Margaery before and how beautiful Highgarden is, isn't that so mother?" Sansa asked as Lady Stark turned to her.
"What's that sweetling?"
"I was just telling Lynesse that you spoke to me of Highgarden and since Lynesse is Lady Margaery's aunt she'd be able to speak to me more on it." Sansa said determinedly and Lynesse couldn't help but giggle, ever since she'd told the girl to call her by her name Sansa had acted like they were the best of friends and she couldn't help love the little girl a little for it.
"Indeed, I'm sure Lady Lynesse would be more than happy to tell you tales." Lady Stark said and Lynesse noticed a little bit of bite in the comment.
"I'd be more than happy too my lady, although truthfully she should ask Jon about my nieces and nephews more than I, he's quite friendly with them." Lynesse said and enjoyed the look of shock on the lady's face.
"He is, Jon knows Lady Margaery, do you think he'd introduce me, does he know Loras and Garlan and Willas as well?. Sansa's excitement clear to everyone now.
"He does sweetling, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to introduce you, maybe you should send him a letter asking him?" she added.
"Oh i will, thank you Lynesse." Sansa said her smile beaming as she turned back to her work.
"If you'll excuse me Lady Lynesse, Sept make sure the girls and Lady Lynesse are comfortable, I Just remembered there was something I needed to check on." Lady Stark said as she hurried from the sewing room.
Lynesse watched the woman run off and thought this stranger than ever, whatever it was about Jon Snow it clearly affected Lady Stark in a negative way, and she couldn't for the life of her understand why. The boy was clearly thoughtful and conscientious, his gift to her showed that, he also clearly loved his family very much as his gifts to Sansa showed. She could understand the lady not liking her husbands child, but he was far away and surely she should be happy that he was doing well, after all if he was doing badly then perhaps then he may resort to the things they feared bastards would do.
"Lynesse, for you." Sansa said grabbing her attention.
"What's that Sweetling?" she said turning to her.
"For you and Ser Jorah."
Lynesse looked at the handkerchief the girl had embroidered it was stunning, a black bear arms encircling a white tower with a flame burning from the top of it. It was absolutely exquisite and there was no way the girl could have made it all today meaning she had worked on it for a while. She reached over and hugged the young girl the tears almost falling as she did so.
"Thank you Sansa, thank you so much." she said as she wiped her eyes.
"Your welcome Lynesse.".