Jon.
Stepping out into the tourney grounds for the first duel Jon couldn't help but compare the setup to that at Lannisport. There Jaime had built a ready made arena, here it was simply a fenced off section outside the city itself. While Jon actually in some ways appreciated the open feel of the place, he preferred the arena in Lannisport. There the crowd felt part of the event, here they seemed oddly removed, they also didn't seem that interested in the early duels.
However as Jon faced his opponent something seemed to change in the crowd, excited hushed whispers were heard and people moved forward to get a look at him. Jon knew word had spread of what had occurred between him and Edmure and he welcomed it, Jaime had thought him early on that being known was helpful. So Jon intended to make a show for those watching, unfortunately his opponent wouldn't be much help for that.
Across from him stood one of the multitudes of Frey's who'd come to the tourney, in the melee there had been almost twelve of them and all but one had been beaten without defeating an opponent. The one who had actually managed to beat somebody only did so because the Hound had practically beaten him for him. The boy facing Jon was yet another Walder, he shuddered to think just how many of them there were.
"You ready to taste defeat bastard." Walder said and Jon sighed, why is it the least talented are always the loudest he wondered as he readied his sword.
Jon moved quickly, the thin sword flashed in a feint and then it was over, two hits, one to the sword hand and one to the arm and the Frey was yielding. Jon turned to the crowd and shrugged his shoulders much to their amusement giving the laughs and cheers he got, he walked to the back and when he got there he saw Loras smirking from the sidelines.
"Seriously, you got a damn Frey." Loras japed.
"I know, when are you up?"
"The fight after next, I'm fighting a Fossoway." Loras said and Jon noticed something off in his voice.
"Loras?"
"Oh what, it's nothing."
"Loras?"
"It's just that Garlan's been spending a lot of time with the Fossoway's, I think father sees a match for him there." Loras said sadly.
"I'm sure your brother would have come if he could Loras, now go out and beat your future good sisters kin." Jon said and Loras smiled.
The two boys waited together until Loras was called, Jon walked with him to the entrance.
"Remember, don't be too flash Loras, win, then show off." Jon said and Loras nodded.
He watched as his friend went out to face his opponent, the Fossoway lad had him beat in size, but Jon knew Loras would beat him as long as he reigned in his tendency to show off. Both he and Jaime had repeatedly told Loras it was a fault that would cause him problems if he didn't get it under control. Jon had gone so far as to say that he should use all the build up and after a match for showing off, but be completely serious during one.
Loras had seemed to listen and had improved tremendously, but this was the first real test, Jon had not been able to go to the tourney at Highgarden so didn't know if Loras took the lessons to heart there. Here though he would get the chance to find out and he looked to see Jaime up in the crowd watching intently also. Should Loras still show the same traits, both he and Jaime would be clear to show their disappointment to him, something he knew his friend would respond to.
In the end though it appeared all his worries were for nothing, Loras beat the Fossoway five to one, the one hit the other boy managed to get on him was one that even Jon would have had trouble avoiding. He smiled as Loras came back through the entrance, patting his friend on the back, they walked together to get him something to drink.
"You were good out there." Jon said and was happy to see Loras's smile.
"Aye, I need to be, this time you're getting beat Jon." Loras said and Jon just shook his head laughing.
The two boys continued to mess around and jape with each other, they mock sparred but really they were just killing time, there would be two more matches for each to face,in order to qualify for the melee which was tomorrow. Both had looked and identified those they felt would be the toughest opponents, Waymar Royce just barely managed to sneak under the age limit and would be a tough opponent, though not as hard as his brother would have been.
There was also a couple of boys from the Riverlands that Jon had caught looking at him earlier, no doubt the fish had put them up to going after him if given the chance. There were two other lads from the Vale, Mychel Redfort who Jon had seen during the tourney of Lannisport and Harrold Hardyng who was related to Jon Arryn, who were talented. But for Jon the biggest threat seemed to come from the large blond from Tarth, someone that Jon was certain was a girl, though she had disguised herself so she would not appear one.
She was at least a foot taller than he and Loras and broader than either, but it was her skill with a sword which impressed Jon, she wielded her longsword as well and almost as quickly as he did his thinner one. How she had managed to fool everyone he didn't know, but he was of the north, a land where warrior women were welcomed and appreciated. So it would not be Jon who raised an objection, he hoped and prayed that no one else would either.
"You're up, did you bribe the judges Jon?" Loras asked raising an eyebrow.
"What." Jon said laughing as he looked at his opponent.
"Wonder if this one's named Walder as well." Loras said and Jon shook his head.
He walked out to face his second Frey of the day, this one was not named Walder, though he may as well have been and just looking at him Jon could have sworn he was facing the same boy he'd already beaten. Could that be it, was that the hidden secret of House Frey, was there really not a large brood of weasels, but just one of each age who pretended to be many. Jon felt himself smile and readied himself for the fight to begin.
Walking back towards Loras barely a moment later he could see his friend almost falling to the ground in laughter, one hit, one solitary hit he'd gotten on the Frey before he yielded. We Stand Together indeed, they'd have to, they certainly didn't stand apart. Jon was frustrated, two victories were fine and everything, but he hadn't actually done anything, during this fight the crowd hadn't even bothered to laugh, it was over that quickly.
"Quantity certainly doesn't breed quality does it Jon." Loras japed as he reached him.
"No it bloody well does not." Jon said letting his annoyance out.
"Cheer up, at this rate they'll be calling you Freysbane by the end of the duels." Loras said and Jon couldn't help but break into laughter.
"Aye, well two down one to go, there surely can't be another Frey can there?"
"I don't know Jon, there are a damn lot of them." Loras said and both boys laughed.
Looking around the area Jon saw all three of the Vale lads milling around together along with both of the Riverlanders, they'd all managed to win their fights. The two Riverlanders, Jon had found out were a Vance and a Piper making them brothers or nephews of two of the men he knew to be friends of Edmure. Across from them sitting on her own was the girl from Tarth, she had earlier being going through her forms and Jon had been impressed, much more so than he had with any of the others.
"Well wish me luck, it seems this time it's a lad from the Stormlands," Loras said and Jon looked out to see his friends opponent ready and waiting for him.
His attention was torn between Loras and the girl from Tarth, luckily Loras won rather quickly and was back pretty soon. It seemed though his gambeson had been torn in the fight, nodding to Jon he headed back to where they stored their things to get a new one. Giving Jon the opportunity to go speak to the girl, he walked over to her and stood in front of her for a second, before finally speaking.
"My lady, you're most impressive out there, it shall be an honor to face you." Jon said, wanting the girl to now that while he knew her secret, he was fine with it.
She looked at him, her expression torn between panic and anger, which emotion would win he knew not, finally she made a decision.
"I shall look forward to beating you Jon." she said a forced smile on her face.
"Confidence without talent is a waste my lady, though you certainly do have the talent to back up your statement." Jon said smiling and getting an even warmer one from her in return.
"Brienne, Jon, you can call me Brienne."
"Brienne, may I?" Jon said pointing to the space beside her, she nodded and he sat down.
"So it doesn't bother you to see a girl fight in the duels then?" she asked staring at him.
"I'm from the north, did you not see Dacey Mormont earlier, if there's a reason girls can't fight as well as boys, then I know not of it." Jon said.
He watched as Brienne breathed a sigh of relief, the two speaking for a while until Loras returned and Brienne stiffened beside him.
"Loras this is Brienne, Brienne this is Loras." Jon said smirking when Loras's eyebrow raised.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Brienne." Loras said and Jon watched as once again she relaxed.
The three of them spoke and japed together, Brienne becoming more and more comfortable as the minutes passed, until finally it was time for Jon to face his final opponent of the day. He stood up and said his goodbyes to Brienne and he and Loras walked to the entrance. Jon looked inside to see who he was facing, but couldn't see anyone there, before a big lumbering boy bumped past him and walked out to the crowd.
"At least it's not another Frey." Loras said and Jon smirked as he walked out.
The lad he faced was another Riverlander though and as Jon swung his sword he wondered just how he had managed to make it this far. The boy had no talent for swordplay whatsoever, he just swung his sword as hard as he could and slow as he was Jon could have dodged the blows with his eyes closed. With a quick movement to the left Jon aimed two blows in quick succession to the boys hand, knocking the sword from his grip, a sweep of his leg later and the boy was on the ground, yielding to Jon's sword at his neck.
He turned and headed back to Loras, he had made it to the melee but felt no accomplishment whatsoever, each of this opponents had been as bad as the other, he shook his head. Reaching Loras they barely had time to talk as his duel was up right away, Jon watched as Loras went out to fight his opponent. While not as easy as Jon's victory, Loras won five to three and he too had made it to the melee. Jon breathed a sigh of relief, he may not be happy how he got there, but both of them had and in the end that was all that matters.
"Well looks like an early night for us tonight." he japed as Loras came up to him.
"Easy for you to say, I'm having dinner with my family." Loras said "You'll come won't you?"
"It's a family dinner Loras, I'd love to come but your family obviously want time to themselves." Jon said and he was speaking the truth, the thoughts of dinner with Margaery, Loras and their family was appealing, but he had not been invited, so he knew it was a family only occasion.
"You're family too Jon." Loras said and Jon smiled before patting him on the shoulder.
"Aye, you too Loras, now as you're family, go now and eat with the rest of them." Jon said laughing.
They messed around for a few more moments before Brienne walked over to head out for her match, Jon and Loras nodded and wished her luck, not that she needed it as she absolutely demolished the poor boy she faced. With her victory the melee field was now complete, Jon and Loras, Brienne, the two Riverlanders and the three lads from the Vale had all made it.
"I wish you good fortune for the morrow Brienne." Jon said as he and Loras bid their farewells.
"Aye you too Jon, Loras." Brienne said turning to leave.
Tyrion.
Tyrion sat at his desk in his office, Gerion sitting with him, Jaime had gone with Loras to speak to Lady Olenna and Lord Mace and inform them of their trip north. The duels had left them all, apart from Jon, in high spirits, Gerion had laughed at the lad when he was annoyed he'd face so little competition. Telling him he'd need all his energy for the morrow anyway, that the melee was a different beast altogether, something his aunt had agreed on, she was still not happy that he and Loras were taking part at all.
Genna, Emmon and the children had met up with Kevan and they'd all gone to welcome The Lion's Roar to dock before heading out for rest of the day,. The second pinnacle ship had been diverted here before heading to White Harbor as it would now be taking Jaime, Loras and Jon north also. After the events in the throne room Jaime was now even more eager to show both ships off to send a clear message to the crown, mess with us at your peril.
Jon had gone to the Inn the Northerner's were staying in, to both congratulate Dacey and Smalljon on their performances and to escort Ser Jorah and his lady wife here for their meeting. He'd spoken to him abut the offer to the Umbers and Tyrion had made a few small changes to the terms. But still they were more than favorable and he assumed the Northern lord would be amenable to them.
"Lord Tyrion, your guests have arrived."
"Show them in Lara." Tyrion said to the blond.
"This way my lord, my lady." Lara said and showed Ser Jorah and Lady Lynesse into the room.
Tyrion and Gerion both rose and offered them a seat, his uncle looking confused at Jon's absence.
"Is Jon not with you? Gerion asked.
"Aye he is my lord, he just went to fetch the wolf some food, he had a torrid time keeping it under control when we left the inn." Ser Jorah said a smile on his face.
"Aye, apart from him and Joy, Ghost doesn't heed anyone." Gerion said with a smirk.
"Joy my lord?" Lady Lynesse asked.
"My daughter, Joy Hill, she and Jon are very fond of each other." Gerion said.
"Come now uncle, it's more than that, Jon's basically her big brother at this point my lady." Tyrion said getting a sweet smile from Lynesse.
"My lords, My lady." Jon said as he entered the room.
"Ghost all right Jon?" Gerion asked.
"Hungry little sod, a whole leg of lamb I fed him this morn and still he wanted to rush off and eat from the stalls, sooner the better we're off in the north and he can hunt for himself." Jon said as he walked to stand behind Tyrion.
"You're going North Jon?" Ser Jorah asked.
"Aye Ser Jorah, Lord Jaime, Loras and I are going to White Harbor and then on to visit my uncle at the wall before heading to Winterfell, once the tourney is finished, actually I had completely forgotten to ask Ser."
"Ask Jon?" Ser Jorah looked at him.
"If, well I'm not sure how you plan on traveling home Ser, so I asked Lord Jaime and he agreed, if you would like then perhaps you, Lady Lynesse and the rest of the northern party could join us on The Lion's Roar. It would cut down travel time and you could travel back to Bear Island from either White Harbor or Castle Black which ever is easiest."
Ser Jorah looked at his wife and she smiled, before he turned back to Jon.
"Aye, that sounds like a fine idea lad, I could visit my father and introduce him to my wife and then travel from there, we'd cut down the travel home by many moons, I'll speak to the others, but I know Dacey and Smalljon will be fine with it, as I'm sure Ser Wendel and the Karstarks will also." Jorah said.
"Excellent, You'll find the pinnacle ships a much more pleasant way to travel my lady." Tyrion said "Now to business."
Jon reached over and got the glasses and bottle of wine, he poured out Tyrion and Gerion's before doing the same for Lady Lynesse and Ser Jorah. Then placing the bottle back down he reached over to the shelf and took the book down which showed their Westeros trade in wood and furs and handed it to Tyrion.
"Currently we import wood, furs and sundries from House Manderly and what we don't use ourselves we distribute through the west and beyond, lately though we've been unable to fully keep up with demand in the east.
What Jon proposed to me was that you could not only help us with the demand from your own stocks, but could also serve as a sort of base for supplies from other northern houses, they would deliver to you and we'd take it on from there." Tyrion said.
"Aye, that's what Jon said to us also." Jorah said.
"To do this would require an expansion of the docks to allow pinnacle ships to dock, it would also require a secure area where supplies could be left and I've also heard that you wish us to deliver foodstuff and other products from the Reach to you also?" Tyrion asked.
"Aye, that's true, though the cost of the expansion of the docks, the building of a secure area is something that at the moment we are not able to cover." Jorah said and Tyrion smirked at the look his wife gave him.
"Jon do you have the two sets of figures, thanks." he said as Jon handed them to him before he finished speaking.
"Our Westerosi trade should you cover it totals two hundred thousand gold dragons a year." Tyrion said watching as Jorah gulped and Lady Lynesse looked on calculatingly.
"How much of that would we stand to make my lord?" Lady Lynesse asked.
"Jon?" he said turning to the boy.
"My Lady, that's your end of the trading figure, that's what we'll be paying you, after expenses and costs, you should clear at least three fourths of that so around one hundred and fifty thousand a year give or take.
"Surely you jest Jon?" Ser Jorah said shaking his head in disbelief.
"No Ser, given the demand for wood, the need for furs, let alone should we find a market for other items, I'd say the minimum return would be that amount wouldn't you agree my lord." Jon said looking at Tyrion
"Aye I would, but what other items?" Tyrion asked wondering what Jon was speaking about.
"I was thinking my lord, Bear Island lies in the Bay of Ice my lord, I have some ideas I wish to speak to you on once I return from the north, there are some things I need to check first." Jon said and Tyrion looked on intrigued as did Ser Jorah.
"Very well Jon, I'm interested to see what else you come up with." Tyrion said "Now where were we, ah yes, the building work. Jon told me that labor is cheaper in the North than South is that true Ser Jorah?
"Aye I'd imagine so, probably half the cost given the more expensive prices you have here." Jorah said laughing.
"Is stone a problem my lord, does Bear Island have stone or would it need to bring some in?"
"Stone we have my lord, that we have in plenty."
"Good good, Jon remove the stone and slash the labor costs in half." Tyrion said and Jon frantically scribbled away before handing him a piece of parchment.
"You sure about this Jon." Tyrion said and Jon nodded "Very well. We estimate it'll cost one hundred thousand gold dragons to build the docks, a small keep and a large enclosed space to store both food and the wood and furs."
Ser Jorah gulped but Lady Lynesse smiled.
"As per Jon's request we're prepared to cover these costs with an interest free loan, which you can pay off at ten thousand gold dragons per year from the first year you receive payment from us, or should you wish, you can at any point pay off the balance." Tyrion said and both Ser Jorah and Lady Lynesse looked shocked.
"I, my lord, I don't know what to say. I, we thank you and look forward to doing business with your family in the future." Jorah said as Jon poured each of them another glass of wine.
When they finished the wine Jon escorted Ser Jorah and Lady Lynesse out of the room, both of them seeming incredibly pleased by the turn of events. It took a few moments for Jon to come back and when he did he sat down in front of the desk a large smile on his face.
"Thank you for that my lord, you didn't need to give them an interest free loan." Jon said.
"Aye, probably not Jon, but this will be a big benefit to us, no point starting off on the wrong foot and besides you wrote it down as a suggestion, this was your idea lad, really you should be getting paid in coin by us for it." Tyrion said looking at the boy.
"I don't want it my lord." Jon said shaking his head.
"Aye I know, which is why I have no problem with giving it to the Mormont's they'll take it after all and you're right you know, it will do us good and set us off on a better footing with them." Tyrion said.
"Now what was this other idea you had Jon?" Gerion asked.
"Ice my lord." Jon said as both of them looked at him in confusion.
Olenna.
After sitting down to dinner with her family Olenna made her way back to her rooms, the last few days were troubling to say the least. Every piece of information, every time she took a step forward it felt like the world was conspiring against her. The business with Jon Snow gave her pause, seeing him put the fish in his place at the feast had been fun to watch. What had been going throught the mans head trying to attack a boy she'll never know. Her grandson had been right there too, had he laid a hand on him she'd have fixed the fish herself.
Jon Snow did that for her though and she very much enjoyed seeing it, however what she saw the next day was something she had thought never to see as long as the stag was on the throne. She was appalled to see that after his disgraceful actions the night before, not only was Edmure Tullly unrepentant, but he was seeking to have the boy maimed for his own actions. Watching on as the boy though not only showed no fear of the potential outcome but seemed to relish the change to put the fish in his place yet again had been something she would remember for a very long time. To then add even more insult to Tully's injured pride Jon Snow went one step further.
To see someone stand in front of the stag king and defend the Targaryens, was incredible, for years no one dared speak anything that could be attributed as love for the dragons. But there in the throne room itself, a ten name day old boy put the fish in his place once again and at the same time called him and his house out for the oath breakers they were.
For years those houses that served Robert had lorded over the Targaryen Loyalists, House Tyrell being chief among the latter, sneers and outright scorn had been directed at them and they had to grin and bear it. But watching Jon Snow call out hypocrisy in it's simplest form was an absolute delight, the boy was something else, had she been gifted with a son like that, they'd rule the damn seven kingdoms already.
With him and Margaery tied together there would be no limit to what they could achieve, alas the boy was a bastard which ruled that out, but given the way her granddaughter spoke about the prince, even a bastard may be a better option. During dinner she had noticed both her granddaughter and grandson were quieter than usual, she waited and waited but since no one was willing to speak, she had decided to.
" So will one of you tell me what's on your minds, or am I to sit here and try to guess." she said impatiently.
" Mother please, I'm not thinking of anything." her son said and she snorted.
"I was speaking to the children you silly oaf, the last thought you had in your mind flew by so quickly you never even realized it was there."
" Grandmother." Margaery said the reproaching nature of her voice surprising her, but while she admired her little rose growing a back bone, she did not like it directed at her.
" Well are you going to tell me then?" she asked as she looked directly at her granddaughter.
" Fine since you want to know, Joffrey is a monster, an absolute monster and if you think I'm marrying him than you're as much a monster as he is." Margaery said loudly.
Olenna gasped, never had her granddaughter used such a tone with her, she was lost for words for a second, before her rose jumped up from her seat and ran to her, throwing her arms around her.
" I'm sorry grand mamma, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." Margaery said tears falling from her face.
" Hush child, hush, tell me, everything." she patted her rose's back and held her tightly to her.
Shaking her head at the memory she sat down and poured herself a glass of wine, what Margaery had told her had rocked her, the boy was an absolute monster, her granddaughter was right. Neither he nor his father respected their family, or the coin they were spending that came from them. The queen wanted to see them humiliated constantly and given the monster her son was, growing strong or not she was no longer sure she could allow them be tied to that family.
She had thought she at least had the Hand on her side, that at least a political mind such as Jon Arryn could see the benefits of her family and the crown being close. But what Loras told her had happened at the meeting with Lord Jaime and the Hand made her re-evaluate that also.
" He asked Lord Jaime to help the crown out financially, told him it would be good for them to be closer with the crown. When Lord Jaime brought us up and questioned them they became defensive grandmother.
Lord Jaime asked why they needed his coin if they had ours, just how much were they spending, why should he help if they couldn't pay their debts, it was most strange grandmother."
" What else Loras?"
" Lord Jaime told me to tell you grandmother, to let you know, though I know not why."
" It's fine Loras and all else is well with you?"
" Aye it is, though I'm looking forward to heading north."
" North, what do you mean your going north?" Mace asked loudly.
" Lord Jaime, Jon and I are heading north after the tourney, I'll get to visit the wall and Winterfell and see where Jon is from." Loras said happily."
Olenna poured herself another glass of wine, she was never really a drinker, one or two glasses were her limit. But the headaches wouldn't go away. She needed to speak to Jaime Lannister, to speak openly and honestly and the thoughts of it caused her distress. How long had it been since she'd spoken openly and honestly with anyone, how long had it been since she hadn't played a game of some sort.
But the bad news, the setbacks, the idea that things were afoot that she was unaware of wouldn't leave her head. The only piece of actual good news she'd had today was the increased trading deal she was doing with the north, she had been pleased when Lynesse and her husband had come by to negotiate increased trade, she'd even ensured they got a really good deal. When she heard then that the Lannisters were involved and that once again Jon Snow had been the one come up with some of the idea she'd been taken aback.
Everywhere she turned it was the Lannisters and Jon Snow, from the moment he'd appeared on the scene the Lannisters had been playing a different game to everyone else, trade deals, gold mines, ships and wind wheels. The list was never ending and there right at the heart of it was Jaime Lannister and Jon Snow.
When she heard that she'd missed Jaime Lannister earlier she'd nearly shouted in frustration, he had come to speak to her regarding her grandson going north and she had been stuck elsewhere, listening to the condescension of his sister. No she would not leave this tourney without speaking to Jaime Lannister and once and for all finding out what the hell game they were playing and more importantly perhaps, was there room for one more player.
Jon.
After reading Joy her story and helping tuck her in, the little girl had needed both he and Gerion to stay with her until she fell asleep, as she was not liking her new room at all. Jon headed to his own room to do some reading and to get some sleep. He took the egg from the fire which had long since burned out in his absence, placed it beside him on the bed and began to read the book he'd borrowed from Tyrion on the building of Kings Landing.
As he read it he began to think someone other than Maester's should write these things, some were so dull and boring that he wondered how even someone who loved to read as much as Tyrion did, could manage to get through them. Reading about how Aegon founded it and how his family had expanded it for years afterward should to Jon have been far more exciting than Maester Aelmond wrote it.
As it was given his tiredness Jon was already starting to doze off, he placed the book on the shelf, undressed and got ready to get into bed. His mind kept being filled with the idea that something about the duels was off, but try as he could he just couldn't grasp what it was. He had been annoyed at the quality of those he fought against, with how little they had challenged him. Honestly Jon expected the fact it was in Kings Landing that the standard would be higher than the Lannisport tourney.
But since for whatever reason he couldn't grasp it tonight, he decided to get his rest while he could, he curled up against the egg, holding it tightly against his chest. The warmth from the fire had faded yet the egg still felt warm to him, the movements inside had become less frantic and more calm over time. It was almost soothing to him now when he felt the dragon inside move, for he was in no doubt there was life in the egg and it wanted to be freed, thinking of this he fell to sleep.
The hole in he wall was small but he squeezed through it, moving swiftly across the ground he heard the whispers around him, the voices, the clanging of metal, but he didn't care, he had to find her, he had to find her. He moved past the two foots, their metal claws dripping with the life blood of the two foots he recognized, some of those two foots had given him food, some he had scratched when they came too close or tried to touch him.
He belonged to her, only her, one of the two foots tried to catch him with his metal claw but he was too fast, too used to them for him to be caught. He kept tight to the walls after that, moving onward, ever onward, he was close, he knew this place, she would bring him here, they would play and she would hold him tight against her chest. There were more two foots he recognized laying on the ground, eyes open but never moving, they lay still and something in him changed, something he had felt only once or twice in his life, he felt afraid.
Would she be all right? would she be safe here among these two foots who harmed her friends? would he make it in time? he had too, he needed too, he could take her with him, take her to hide in the places only he knew. The deep dark places where no two foots would go, where she would be safe, he was in the room now, could smell it everywhere, death had come to this place. He moved faster now, this was her place, but she was not here, he felt something then was this hope? had she ran like he had? had she managed to get away?.
He needed to know, so he searched, he passed her small bed and saw the two foot she loved the most, she had been hit with the metal claws, she lay as still as those two foots outside the room. He could almost hear her, hear what she called this two foot, hear how she cried when she got hurt and how this two foot would hold her, just like the girl would hold him. Mother, he knew that was what the girl had called the two foot, though he knew not what it meant.
More two foots came into the room and he ran past them as they tried to strike him with the metal claws. He ran to the other place, the place where he and the girl would play, where they would hide, before the girl would jump out yelling and making noise, would she be there waiting? was that where she went?. He had to know, he needed to know, there were two foots in the way but he moved past them unseen, he saw her then and he moved towards her.
She was laying on the floor, her eyes open, she was as still as the others, he pushed against her as he usually did, only this time she didn't push back, she didn't smile and tell him to stop, she didn't call his name and tell him no. She just lay there, eyes open but she never moved. He was grabbed by a two foot, his eyes looking at him as he dragged him closer, he scratched then and moved as quick as he could, he felt the pain as he got away.
He felt the blood drip, the pain from his ear slowing him though he wished to begone from that place. To never see it again, to never see her like that, it took him time but he finally managed to get to the safe place, he curled into a ball and lay down. The pain from his ear and it's blood still flowing, yet for him all he could feel was a much deeper pain, he had been too late, he hadn't made it in time and he knew now that he would see the girl no more.
Jon woke up and almost fell from the bed in is eagerness to get away from the dream he'd just had. he couldn't even manage to stand properly and instead fell to his knees and then crawled to the corner of the room. He curled up into a ball and began to cry, he had seen her, seen his sister, seen what they had done to her and for the first time in his life Jon Snow knew what if felt like to hate.
Varys.
He had arrived back in Kings Landing a week ago, had spent his time in the shadows, watching and waiting to announce his arrival. The trip to Illyrio's had been illuminating, the boy was growing well and would make an excellent king, but there were far too many variables for Varys's liking. The two biggest of them were who he'd spent the last week watching, Jaime Lannister and Jon Snow.
When his little birds had for the first time ever failed him Varys had taken a more direct role in events in the Westerlands. He had made numerous visits, spent a considerable amount of time and energy on the place and found out barely anything. On Jon Snow he found a boy who was well liked both by lords and the smallfolk, one who treated everyone he met politely and with respect. On Jaime Lannister he found a lord so very different to his father, one who the smallfolk adored and the lords were happy, not afraid, to serve.
He had tried and failed to get near the inner circle at Casterly Rock, couldn't even manage to get in with Lord Kevan's in Lannisport and his attempts at infiltrating with the servants had continually delivered no result. Each time he'd gone back he'd found that the only servants he could get information from were not worth it, what they had to tell he already knew. How Jon Snow doted on little Joy Hill, how he bought her presents and spent so much time with her.
Varys knew because he'd seen them together, disguised as he was he saw the boy and girl and thought nothing of it, there was nothing substantially special about the boy to Varys's eyes. Yet each time he came back it seemed he was proven wrong, from trade agreements, to ship building the boy seemed to be involved right at the heart of everything the Lannister's did. He then thought he hit upon a piece of luck, a servant from the inner circle got ill and didn't have the money to pay for treatment.
" I can help you Alessia, I understand how expensive it is to see a healer and how little the lords care for those who work under them."
" I don't know, Lord Jaime's been very good to me."
" It's fine all I need is a little information."
But it had backfired and he had needed to practically run for his life from Lannisport, the girl's loyalty too tied into the Lannisters and worse as he found out later, it was damn Jon Snow who helped her get treatment. The boy foiling his plans without even trying, he had made one or two more subtle attempts, had one of his little birds get close to Lancel Lannister, only for yet again the route to become blocked. It was all so tiresome, yet he persevered it was what he was good at after all.
Over the last two years each time he received news from the Westerlands he shuddered, not at the nature of the news itself, but simply on the basis he like everyone else was in the dark and he cared for it not a bit. In Kings Landing he was king though so when the fat stag announced a tourney he began to plan and wait.
He told everyone he would be heading to Bravos and instead snuck out into the city and waited in disguise, let them believe the spider to be elsewhere, while there in the shadows he spun his web and waited for the flies to land. He had leaned quite a lot this week, learned that perhaps the Lannister's and Ser Barristan were in it together, learned that it was Tyrion Lannister and not Jaime that seemed to be the one playing the game. He had known about the Lannister's tavern and had tried to infiltrate it a number of times only for his little birds to return with clipped wings.
So he had resorted to another plan, if he couldn't see what was happening inside, he would instead see what happened once they left. His little birds followed and he watched and waited and in the end he received his rewards. Following Jon Snow to the tavern his little birds had found him while he had been catching up on his correspondence, he had left the little room he'd rented and made his way to the house opposite and waited.
Seeing Jon Snow leave, followed by Ser Barristan a few moments later had been enlightening to say the least, watching the way the knight followed, one would almost think he was acting a Kingsguard and that was when it hit him. He followed to the altercation with Ser Arys and to the farce in the throne room and after that it was as clear as day.
He knew almost all now, he'd have to check to be certain but he knew what they were up too and he could kick himself for not knowing sooner. But what to do, what to do, did this help him or hurt him and if it was the latter then how should he go about fixing it.
The little girl would keep Jon Snow in line, but he abhorred harming children and there was no way out of it if he went that route, though should it be necessary then he would not hesitate to do it. Just coming out and telling the king the truth would split the realm and allow for Aegon to come in, but would Aegon be accepted after the realm learned of Jon Snow's true origin. He began to worry that he would not, that one son of Rhaegar hidden and protected was one thing, trying to then pawn off another would be something the realm would not accept.
He would need to speak to his friend, there were too many variables, especially given Jon Snow's friendship with they Tyrell's, should they join with the Lannisters they'd be practically unstoppable. Even if Aegon brought Dorne on his side, they along with the Golden Company couldn't win in a straight fight and they would not gain other allies now. Perhaps it was for the best if the boy had an accident, simply remove a piece from the game, yes he thought that seemed to be the best option, he would speak to Illyrio and they would decide.
"Lord Varys will you be heading to the melee?"
"Aye, I think I will Lord Mace."
"My son's competing, he's one of the favorites." Mace said puffing his chest out.
"Aye, him and his friend my lord."
"Jon, he's a good lad, always does right by my Loras, a good friend to have." Mace said smiling.
"We all have friends we do right by my lord." Varys tittered.
Jon.
Loras knocking on his door had finally brought Jon out of the state of despair and agony he was in, the image of his sister's mutilated body was there every time he closed his eyes. How long he had sat there weeping he knew not but he was cold and felt as if he had been crying for hours. He shouted to Loras that he'd meet him to break his fast and placed the egg back in the fire, holding it brought him a small measure of relief. But it wasn't until Ghost arrived while he broke his fast, that he could begin to not think of Rhaenys all the time.
The young man had then come from the smiths to measure him for his armor and when he asked what design he wanted for his shield Jon had looked at him like he had two heads. What did he care what was on his shield given what he'd seen the night before, he had almost snapped at the poor boy only for Ghost to push up against him. Taking a breath and closing his eyes Jon saw an image and asked for some parchment to draw it on.
"Are you sure my lord." the boy said laughing.
"Aye, I am and I'm no lord it's just Jon." he said to the boy.
"Well Jon, this is bound to raise some eyebrows."
"Good." he said handing the boy a few coppers which the boy was most grateful for.
When he'd left Jon took another piece of parchment and began to draw yet again, the face was exactly as he seen it, chubby and pale with small pig like eyes, the sigil a black manticore on a red field and Jon memorized them both before throwing them in the fire. He walked to Tyrion's room and found him alone going over papers.
"My lord."
"Jon, how can I help."
"I was wondering my lord do you have a book on sigils?"
"I'm sorry Jon, I forgot to bring one with me, maybe I can help though, I do have a good memory, though given what I just said, perhaps I don't." Tyrion japed before his face changed back to one more serious.
"A black manticore on a red field my lord."
"The manticore's House Lorch, but the red field's Amory's personal sigil."
"Amory my lord?"
"Aye, Amory Lorch, a horrible unpleasant man my father used to… , what's this about Jon?" Tyrion said shaking his head.
"Nothing my lord, just saw the sigil and wondered whose it was."
"Are you sure that's all Jon?" Tyrion asked his concern clear.
"Aye, it is, I think maybe I'm just nervous about the melee and I'm focusing on silly stuff my lord." Jon said hoping his smile would reassure Tyrion and satisfy his inquisitive nature.
"You've nothing to be nervous of Jon, although you do have a lot of coin on you." Tyrion japed and this time Jon actually laughed.
A few hours later.
He had tried his best to put the thoughts out of his mind, had reassured both Loras and Jaime he was fine and he and Loras had been given a talking to by Jaime about what to expect. So now standing there facing the king Jon wasn't sure if it was the dream that was making his heart race, or the thoughts of the melee to come.
Ever since yesterday there'd been a voice in his head telling him something was off about this melee, something not quite as it seemed was going on. Now as he stood there in front of the king waiting for it to start it was getting louder and louder saying it over and over again. He had said hello to Brienne and tried to do the same to the others but they had just ignored him, thinking no more about it he had lined up. But as the herald introduced them and the order was given to begin, he realized he should have paid attention to the voice.
Brienne faced off against Waymar Royce of to the side while the four other boys approached him and Loras, all of them walking slowly towards them and as Jon looked to the king's position he saw it, the smile on Jon Arryn's face. He'd been set up, the duels had been rigged, all to place him here now where he could actually be hurt, he turned to Loras who seemed to have come to the same conclusion.
"Loras to me." Jon shouted and Loras and he stood facing the two Riverlanders and the two Vale boys.
"Four to two, this should be fun." the blond Harrold Hardyng said as he swung his sword at Jon.
Jon and Loras maneuvered as best they could but quickly found themselves back to back, facing two opponents at the same time hadn't been something they had trained at. Loras had told him and Jaime that his brother had started to do it, but Jaime had said that while it would help they wouldn't need it for a long time. Had the situation he was in been less likely to end with him being hurt, then Jon would have found the irony funny. As it was though he was finding it easy enough to fend them off, but almost impossible to take any of them out.
The simple truth was that Jon worked better when he moved, it was his quickness, his movement that was his greatest strength. Being able to dodge and make an opponent miss left far more openings to exploit than standing still and facing them, but with Loras there he needed to protect his friend as much as himself. So he reigned in his natural instinct and instead hoped he'd wear them out as the two Vale boys hadn't been able to land a hit on him yet.
"What are you the bastards protector, can you imagine that a son of a lord protecting a bastard." one of the Riverlanders said as the other moved to join the Vale boys in attacking Jon.
"He's better than any of you." Loras said and Jon shouted as Loras moved away from him to attack the boy he knew now was a Vance.
The other Riverlander a Piper had joined the two Vale boys now and while Jon wasn't happy Loras had given up his position, it did free Jon to move, which he took full advantage of. His sword flew swiftly at Mychel Redfort, quickly and precisely and the other boy was forced back. Piper moved in and Jon deflected a strike only to see Harrold Hardyng smirk as he went to attack Loras from behind.
Jon in moving forward and Loras in moving in the opposite direction had put almost fifteen feet between them, he now also had Mychel Redfort and the Piper in front of him blocking him from Loras and as he saw Hardyng move towards his friend he knew he would be unable to help.
"Loras watch out." he shouted as Hardyng swung for his friends head, Loras managed to duck but it was over for him.
Jon looked on as he was caught across the side and then Hardyng hit him an elbow to the back of the head, Loras crumbled to the ground. The two boys in front of him laughed as they saw the expression on Jon's face, he looked to see Waymar Royce yield and heard Hardyng speak to the Vance boy.
"You go occupy the freak, we'll take the bastard." Harrold Hardyng said as the Vance went to Brienne.
Jon felt it then, felt it deep inside of him, the fire rising, he let the flames engulf him, let it wash over him and he turned to face the two boys in front of him. He saw the smug look Harold Hardyng was giving him and the flames yearned to be let loose, to burn that look from his face. He nodded and moved towards Redfort and Piper and the dance began.
He moved to the left as Redfort swung, before he spun and caught the boy across the side, moving closer he turned so he was holding his sword blade behind him, its hilt facing Redfort he moved in. the first blow caught him under the chin, the second on the jaw and Mychel Redfort fell unconscious to the ground.
Jon turned to the Piper and smiled when he saw the boy's look of shock, without giving him a chance he was on him. A dodge right, a parry and Jon was behind the boy, he raised his foot and kicking backwards he heard the popping of the boys knee, swinging his sword without looking he caught the boy hard across the back.
He looked to Harold Hardyng and relished the look of fear on his face, in the corner of his eye he could see Brienne beat the Vance and then he looked to see Loras laying on the ground, he looked back to Harold Hardyng and ran towards him. Ducking underneath the swing of the boys sword he again used the hilt and in his fist he slammed it into his stomach.
As Hardyng fell to his knees, Jon still holding his sword hilt out brought it up and slammed it against his chin, watching as the boy who had looked so smug just a moment ago fell back his eyes were closed as was knocked out. Standing now facing Brienne he nodded and threw the sword down before running to Loras, he knelt down and checked on his friend glad to see him coming round.
"You'll be all right, just a bruise or two, you idiot." Jon said smirking.
He helped him up and turned to take him to the back but Brienne interrupted.
"Jon it's still you and I, left." Brienne said.
"No it's fine, I yield, the day is yours."
"What, no don't, I don't want to win it that way, please." Brienne pleaded.
"I'm fine Jon, I mean I will be. Fight her."
"Are you sure, it's five thousand dragons, there's no shame in winning like this?" Jon asked looking to Brienne.
"Would you call this a win?" Brienne said and Jon shook his head.
"Fine, then lets do this with honor."
"With honor." Brienne agreed.
"If you both don't mind I'll just sit here for a second." Loras said and Jon smirked as he almost fell to the ground before sitting down.
Jon walked back to get his sword and looked at the carnage he'd brought, people were carrying the three unconscious boys back and Jon found he cared not, they had hurt his friend and they had paid the price. He looked up at Jon Arryn and couldn't resist the urge to smirk, before bowing.
"It seems we have one more match your grace." Jon said and smiled when the king laughed.
Facing off a few moments later against Brienne, Jon knew he was in for a different fight, the fire was gone, he felt no urge to hurt Brienne, no urge to humiliate or show her up, he respected her. Which given the stance she had taken up was the right thing to do, whoever won would win on merit, so be it.
"To five or a yield Brienne?"
"You think you can make me yield Jon?" Brienne asked and Jon couldn't help but laugh, one she joined in when she realized it was with her and not at her.
The first hit caught him by surprise, the power behind the blow almost knocking him to one side, but he began to move, she was good, very good and apart from Ser Jaime he didn't think he'd faced anyone better. She was strong, Jon was quick, she was exquisite in her technique, so Jon was unorthodox in his strikes. The second point went to him as did the third and fourth, but Brienne won the fifth.
Jon faked a spin and she fell for it, he caught her on the side, but she responded with a quick hit making it four to three, the two were concentrating so hard on their moves that neither could see the smiles on each of their faces. She moved forward and Jon jumped back, she pressed and pressed, and he danced away, she grew frustrated and he struck, the blow harder than he'd intended caught her arm and her sword fell.
He moved towards her and raised his sword to her neck, she nodded.
"I yield."
"Well fought Brienne, well fought." Jon said.
He turned to walk to Loras and she walked with him, even as the herald announced him as the winner he was helping his friend to his feet and Brienne helped him half carry, half drag Loras to the back, there were more important things than winning after all.