A/N: Jon while with Aemon and elsewhere will think of and be thought of as a Targaryen so he'll be called Jae/Jaehaerys at some points here and Jon at others.
Jae.
?
He walked across the grass and made his way to the cliffs, his hand being held tightly to make sure he didn't let her go. When he closed his eyes momentarily they were inside the castle gates, she led him through the doors and smiled warmly at him as she showed him their ancestral home. The Stone Drum Tower was imposing, it's great hall impressive though welcoming, at the front the throne beckoned but he passed it and entered the room behind it. The Painted Table showed the map of the seven kingdoms and was built at the conqueror's behest, the large seat at the top where Dragonstone would rest was raised above the table and Jae made his way and sat in it. As he l ooked down on the map she walked to him and smiled before waving her hands over it.
" This is our family's birthright Jae, this is your kingdom waiting for you to claim it."
He closed his eyes and he was once again back on the cliffs, her hand wrapped in his, he looked out onto the sea which stretched beyond them, in the distance he could make out lights and watched amazed as the sea was replaced by a city he knew, the large imposing visage of the Red Keep loomed and she held his hand tighter. Within moments they were in a room and he looked on as a small frail dark haired woman leaned over a crib, he heard the sobs coming from beside him and so he grabbed her and held her tight refusing to let her go until they stopped.
When they did he watched as a tall silver haired man walked in carrying something in his hands and stood beside the woman, before placing the object in his hands inside the crib. She led him towards it and they looked inside, the babe was small and dark skinned with deep purple eyes. He looked from the babe to her and back again and knew then who lay in the crib, he felt her hand reach out and as he looked on she touched the egg, it's whiteness even more stark against her tanned skin and the blue flecks almost shimmering in the light.
She led him away though he had no wish to leave, but she nodded and he followed, they walked down the corridor and entered another room and he saw a small girl playing with a black cat, her smiling face making him wish nothing more than to sit and play too. But he watched the girl suddenly step up and walk to the corner before she tried and failed to carry the egg, as he watched it fall and roll across the floor he laughed only for the girl beside him to frown.
A few moments later he watched as a tall dark skinned bearded man wearing a white cloak came in with the little girl, the man bent down and lifted the egg and he and the girl left. They followed walking down the corridor yet again and came once more to the room with the crib, both the silver haired man and the frail woman were standing by the crib and he watched as the little girl walked up to them.
" For my brother." she said as the dark skinned man held out the egg.
" No Rhae, that's yours" the silver haired man said.
" NO it's my brothers and mine." the girl said determinedly.
He watched as the man reluctantly took the egg and walked to the crib, he placed it inside and then the screams began, he reached back in and took the egg out and they stopped suddenly. The silver haired man looked around the room and he watched on as he once again placed the egg in the crib only for the screams to be even louder this time. The man then walked back to the little girl and knelt down looking her in the eye.
" I told you Rhae, it's yours not Eggs."
" Its mine and my brothers, it's Jae's" the girl said and there were gasps all round.
" Jae, who is Jae?" the woman asked.
" My brother." the girl said rolling her eyes as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
" Rhae you don't have a brother called Jae, his name is Egg." the man said.
" My other brother silly, Jae." the girl said laughing.
" Rhaenys there is only you and Egg, there is no Jae." the man said his voice annoyed.
" No, the dragon must have three heads father." the girl said and the man stood up stunned.
He felt himself being dragged from the room and though he was stronger than her he couldn't stop her, she pulled and pulled and he gave in, when they left the room he found himself on the cliffs yet again the sea back where it had always been.
" Rhaenys I don't understand." he said.
" You left me, you left me all alone, why did you leave me" his sister said crying.
" Rhaenys I didn't, I didn't know, I'm sorry, I won't, I'll never leave you again."
" Promise me Jae, promise me you'll visit me, promise me you won't ever leave me alone."
" I promise sister, I promise." he said grabbing her and hugging her tight to his chest.
When he let her go she smiled at him and he watched as she walked to the edge of the cliff, she turned to look back at him and she nodded.
" Only death can pay for life Jae." she said as she jumped off the edge.
" RHAENYS… RHAE… NOOOO." he shouted as he ran to the edge.
He watched in awe as the dragon flew up towards him, it's white body almost reflecting the light of itself, when it reached him it opened it's bright blue wings and hovered in front of him before landing and moving towards him. He felt it as it's head nudged his chest and he looked deep into it's dark purple eyes.
Only death can pay for life he thought before the dragon faded away.
Castle Black Aemon's quarters.
"Jaehaerys, Jaehaerys are you all right." he heard the worried voice of his uncle.
"I'm, I'm fine uncle."
"Did it work Jaehaerys, did it hatch?" Aemon asked.
"No uncle, it didn't hatch but it worked, I was, I saw them, I was with them."
"Who?"
"My family uncle, my sister, I saw my sister, I saw Rhaenys."
"You said her name Jaehaerys, before you.."
"Before I what uncle?"
"You were here Jaehaerys, then you weren't you were gone but it was only minutes ago."
"No uncle it was a lifetime ago" Jae said sadly.
Jaime.
After putting their horses away Jaime sent one of the guards to fetch Loras, he and Dacey were going to tell her family their news and he wished Loras to be present when they did so, he would have liked Jon there too but he knew he had other things to do. It took them a few minutes to find everyone, Dacey's sisters had gone with the Smalljon to look over the areas in which they could help the watch, while Jorah and Lynesse were resting in their rooms.
"You were looking for me my lord?" Loras said when he arrived.
"Aye I was lad, come with me I have some news to share."
"Is it about Jon is he all right?" Loras asked worriedly.
"I saw him a little while ago Loras he seemed fine, but no it's not about Jon, come we'll meet up with the others in the Lord Commander's office."
The two of them walked together meeting Dacey and her sisters on the way, the smile she gave him he eagerly returned and they entered the room to await Jorah and Lynesse. Inside the Lord Commander was sitting back at his desk, a black raven walking up and down it like he owned it, Jaime and the others laughed as the raven cawed for corn which he was given reluctantly by Jeor. Once he noticed them he shooed the bird away and the raven flew to the window.
"You wished to speak to me?" Jeor asked.
"We did Lord Commander though I'd rather wait until Lord Jorah and Lady Lynesse arrive." Jaime said.
"Very well Lord Jaime."
It took no more than a few moments for Jorah and Lynesse to arrive both still wearing the same happy looks they had since she had revealed her news the previous night. When they were seated Jaime looked to Dacey who smiled and nodded to him.
"Lord Commander, Lord Jorah, my ladies, as you know I asked Lady Dacey to accompany me to the heart tree earlier today, there was something I wished to discuss with her." Jaime said and there were nods around the room so he stood up and walked to Dacey and took her hand in his.
"Lord Jaime asked me and I consented, we are to be married," Dacey said her smile larger than he had ever seen.
"For true?" Jorah asked.
"Aye my lord." Jaime said and the man jumped up and patted him on the back, followed not more than a few seconds later by his father doing the same.
"You have my congratulations my lord, I am more than happy for you," Jeor said.
"Mine too my lord." Lynesse said giving him a small kiss on his cheek.
"Aye congratulations my lord, my lady." Loras said bowing to Dacey before trying to do so with Jaime only to be dragged into a hug instead.
It was then the turn of both Dacey's sisters and while the congratulations were heartfelt the warnings he got from them were equally so.
"Should you ever hurt my sister." Lyra said.
"We will both show you just how much being hit with a mace hurts" Jory added.
"You have nothing to fear my ladies, I believe my betrothed is well capable of introducing me to her mace herself" Jaime said and both girls laughed,
"Aye that is true, we welcome you to the family my lord, though how our mother will react," Jory said and while Lyra laughed he saw Dacey wince just a little.
"Dacey are you all right?" he asked walking to her.
"I just, I didn't think, the wedding my mother, she'd never accept a southern wedding." Dacey said worriedly.
"What about both?" Jaime asked.
"What?"
"Lord Jorah, Lady Lynesse you were married in both faiths were you not?" Jaime asked.
"Aye we were," Jorah said looking lovingly at Lynesse as he spoke.
"Do you think your mother would be all right with that my love?" Jaime said and couldn't help but grin at the blush which suddenly appeared on Dacey's face.
"Aye I think so, and you, your fine with it, two weddings?" Dacey asked apprehensively.
"I would never ask you to give up your gods my lady, it's your faith, to marry you I'd do both aye," Jaime said and Dacey smiled even as both her sisters and Lynesse swooned just a little.
After some more congratulations and some more talk about the wedding itself, Jaime looked to Dacey and grimaced at what he needed to do next, he had to discuss a dowry.
"My lord about the dowry, I was thinking," Jaime said before Jorah interrupted and Dacey looked at him angrily.
"I'm sure we can come up with a suitable dowry for my cousin my lord, I shall make sure one is paid to you in full."
"My lord, I think you misunderstand me, I wasn't asking for a dowry, I was talking about the one I would be paying," Jaime said and Dacey now looked at him in confusion.
"Is it not the other way around?" Loras asked.
"I don't care about that, call it a betrothal gift or a wedding gift, if it's the name which is the problem" Jaime said smiling.
"Jaime you don't have to," Dacey said.
"What if I want to, can I do it then?" he said with a chuckle.
"If it's so important to you then you can." Dacey said laughing back at him
"I was thinking my lord, forgiveness of the loan and a pinnacle ship of your own." Jaime said stunning Dacey and Jorah as well as the rest of the room.
"My lord that's too much." Jorah said.
"I beg to differ with you my lord, it's not enough," Jaime said reaching out to take Dacey's hand in his yet again "What do you say my love, would you like a ship named after you for your family?"
"You know, I think I'd really enjoy that." she said as she kissed him softly on the lips.
"By the gods, get a room." Jory said sniggering.
Loras.
He was delighted to see Jaime so happy, Dacey was incredible she was absolutely perfect for his lord and more importantly even Loras could tell that they made each other happy which was all that matters. He knew that marriages in the seven kingdoms were to form alliances, to help your family grow strong as he'd heard his grandmother say, but Jaime was already strong, a marriage wouldn't make any difference to that. His lord was not only the richest lord in the seven kingdoms but was the man helping put the rightful king on the throne, no alliance was more important than that one.
Thinking of alliances he wondered about Jon and his sister, would his friend be one day more than that, would he call him a goodbrother one day, he hoped so, he could think of no one better for Margaery than Jon. They both liked each other too that was clear, he knew his father dreamed of his sister being a queen one day and just thinking of her and Jon ruling the realm made him smile. The picture of him standing beside them wearing a white cloak filled his head for the rest of the day.
After Jaime had told them the news he had Dacey had left to talk, at least that's what they said and Loras had wisely decided not to press further, so he walked back to his room to find Ghost sitting inside guarding Jon's bed, his friend lying resting in it. He quietly left and wondered where Jors or Alyrs were only to find them both walking up from the opposite stairs carrying something hot and steaming.
"Loras, Jon still resting?" Alyrs asked.
"Aye, did he speak to you?"
"No, just said he was tired and was heading for a nap, told us to get something warm to eat, the stew here is surprisingly good." Jors said as he sat on the small chair across from their room.
"I think I may try some myself." Loras said and walked off towards the hall.
Entering the hall he found that Jojen and Meera were sitting with Benjen Stark and the grumpy Edd he had met the night before, he walked to the side and took a bowl of the stew, the supplies they had brought already been put to use. Carrying the bowl he went to sit with the Reeds and Benjen watching as Thorne and the other man Rykker who had sworn to Jon gave him a friendly nod which he returned.
"Jon not with you?" Benjen asked.
"No he's resting, he and Ghost are up in the room."
"Is he all right?"
"I believe so Benjen, his guards just said he was tired and he sent them to grab some food so I think he's fine."
"Good." Benjen said relieved.
"So what have you all been talking about?" Loras asked eager to join in the conversation.
"Nothing much, Edd here was telling us how boring it is being a black brother, though he seemed thankful the food's improved at least." Meera said with a snort.
"You would too if you'd had old Hobb's cooking before today." Edd said grumbling.
"Well at least now he has better ingredients." Loras said tasting the surprisingly tasty stew.
"For now, when those run out we'll be back to the usual, god I'll miss meat." Edd said making them laugh around the table.
"You should try frog, you'd no doubt love it." Jojen said and Meera burst out laughing.
"A jape from you, brother whatever next." Meera said looking at Jojen.
"I can jape, besides this table's only big enough for one grump." Jojen said and this time all except Edd laughed.
"See, can't even get respect from children, thank god I'm not ever likely to be in a position of responsibility." Edd said.
"The day Eddison Tollet is in charge is the day the wall falls." Benjen said to another round of giggles.
"Aye, I'd probably survive and have to face the consequences of that too." Edd grumbled to more laughs.
The meal continued like that for a while and as they were getting ready to leave he heard the commotion as the white wolf entered and ran toward him, his head sticking into his bowl to eat the remainder of his stew, before he coughed loudly.
"I keep telling you they use salt Ghost." he heard Jon's voice say.
"Finished your beauty sleep eh." Loras said and then ducked the swinging slap from Jon's hand.
"You're one to talk, I thought I loved my hair, you should see this one in the morning uncle." Jon said taking his seat.
"Well your both very pretty, and no doubt spend more time on your hair than I do." Meera said with a chuckle.
"Nah, your hair is lovely too." Jon said and Loras giggled as Meera blushed.
"Everything go all right Jon?" Benjen asked.
"Aye, it went really well uncle, actually I was wondering if we could speak?" Jon asked.
"Of course, you want to do it now?"
"I don't know, where's lord Jaime, Loras?"
"Is he not in his room?" Loras asked.
"No I checked before coming, never mind if he asks I'm with my uncle, fancy going for a ride uncle?"
"Sure why not, this side of the wall though right?" Benjen asked.
"Aye, this side, Loras I'll talk to you later, you too Jojen, Meera." Jon said and patted him softly on the shoulder to make him turn to look at him.
He looked to see Jon give him a reassuring look and a nod, before he walked off with Ghost and his uncle, a part of him felt a little left out, but he understood the family stuff needed to be private. He knew that Jon would tell him anything important later anyway, turning back to the table, he watched Jojen look after Jon with a strange look in his eye.
Benjen.
It didn't take long to saddle up their horse and just watching his nephew as he rode in front of him was liking stepping back through time, when Jon winked at him for a race he couldn't resist and they had set off at speed. Had he any doubt about Jon being Lyanna's son then seeing him ride would have dispelled it in seconds, his sister had been half centaur, the best horse rider in the north, he would bet after seeing him that Jon was the same.
He and his horse moved effortlessly away from him and Jon's guards, only Ghost seeming to be able to match his pace. He had been impressed with the guards Jaime had assigned to Jon not only were they diligent and protective but it seemed that they actually liked his nephew, more than once he had caught them laughing at something he said or japing with him. Though it still bothered him that he had needed to go to strangers to be treated as family, something he would not forgive his brother for.
He too though was not entirely blameless here, had he stayed, had he not joined the watch he'd have been in a position to help Jon himself, he'd have been able to raise him, he knew he would have. As he caught up with Jon who was leading his horse to a nearby stream he tried to dismiss the thoughts of his failure from his head. He couldn't do anything about the past, not now, all he could do was ensure his nephew knew that he was here for him from here on.
"Gods you're slow." Jon japed when he made it to the stream.
"I'm old Jon, besides I was still quicker then them." he said pointing back at the guards who were now trotting slowly well behind.
"Jors and Alyrs know better than to try and keep up with Winter, besides I wished to speak to you alone uncle, on things they cannot know, not yet."
"I understand, come I know a place, just a little bit from here, we'll walk though, that way I can keep up." Benjen said with a chuckle.
They came to the small clearing and the tiny hunter's cabin, tying their horses off Jon knelt down to Ghost who quickly rushed off, he then nodded to his guards and he and Jon entered the cabin. The fire was already set and he thought about lighting it but in truth it wasn't that cold, so instead he took his water pouch out and poured he and Jon a mug before sitting down.
"Uncle there are things I'm going to tell you that may seem strange, I swear though they are the truth." Jon said softly.
"Jon you can tell me anything, I want you to know that, whatever it is, you can come to me you understand?" he said and Jon nodded.
"Uncle, among my mother's things were some letters and some things which were left for me, a sword, my mother's maiden cloak and father's harp and a dragon egg." Jon said and Benjen gasped.
"A dragon's egg?"
"Aye, uncle the egg, it's well, it's alive uncle, there is a dragon inside and I have to, no I need to release her." Jon said his voice shaky but determined.
"Her, what do you mean release? Jon there haven't been dragons for over one hundred years."
"I know uncle, but there will be one soon, its what I'm supposed to do."
"What do you mean? Why do you have to do this?" Benjen asked worried about what his nephew may do.
"It has to be me, I'm the prince that was promised uncle."
"The what? Jon what are you talking about?"
He watched as Jon took a letter from his cloak and handed it to him, reading it he felt the tears begin to fall as he recognized the handwriting and the way his sister spoke. He could barely comprehend some of the words that his sister was saying though, letters, there had been no letters, he knew that, had there been his father wouldn't have, would he?. But it was the other things, Lysa, who was Lysa, the only Lysa he knew was Cat's sister, no it couldn't be, she wouldn't, she couldn't.
He hastily reread the letter, Robert, Jon Arryn, Lysa, his father, he could feel the rage build up in him and so he carefully placed the letter on the table. He needed to hit something, anything, he looked around the room and saw nothing and so he began to hit himself, harder and harder, until he felt his nephew grab his hands, heard his voice pleading for him to stop.
"Uncle please, please don't." he heard Jon say his voice full of panic.
"I… I'm sorry Jon." he said and grabbed his nephew and hugged him tightly
"It's all right uncle, it's all right, I feel the same way."
It took him a long time to let his nephew go, after his rage had dissipated he felt himself break down, how long he cried he didn't know only that Jon had cried with him which lessened though didn't remove his embarrassment. He had lost his family to plotter's and schemers, men who wished to rise above the station they had and were willing to do so on the bodies of innocents, even his father may have been involved. But Brandon he knew was not, Lya was not, Jon's siblings that were lain at the feet of the stag were not, all for a crown, he looked worriedly at his nephew he too was going after a crown.
"Jon I know you want vengeance, but I can't lose you, I can't lose more family, maybe you should let it be." Benjen said though he knew that it was a forlorn hope and one he himself would never accept.
"You think it's vengeance I want uncle, I care not about vengeance if that was all this was I'd not follow this through, but no it's not vengeance I want, it's justice These men took everything for me, I intend to do the same to them, to bring them a reckoning. Winter is Coming for the stag and the falcon uncle, Winter is Coming with Fire and Blood." Jon said his voice full of determination.
Benjen shivered at how cold Jon's voice got when he spoke but it filled him with pride too, his nephew may be a dragon but the blood of the first men ran in his veins also and he was just as much a wolf.
"Uncle, tell me about her, please." Jon said his voice much softer now.
"Of course Jon," Benjen said smiling as he began to speak of his wild, fierce sister.
Dacey.
While kisses and caresses where very good and damn Jaime certainly knew how to inflame her passions, no matter how much she had pressed for more, he had always been far more concerned with her honor than she was. Perhaps it was a southern thing she had thought at the time, but the more she really examined it the more sure it was because of his feelings for her, something she found incredibly sweet. As she lay on top of him on the bed though he had found yet another reason why they couldn't finally give into the urges that both of them shared.
This one though she had to agree with, even if it annoyed her, no on this he was right, this was not the right place for their first time together and so they had resolved to wait, which was incredibly frustrating. What made it worse though was when she attempted to find a way to relieve that frustration he had refused, which was probably lucky for him since had he agreed to a spar, she may not have been able to hold back.
"What are you thinking about?" Jaime asked.
"Hitting you over the head with a mace." she replied.
"Really not even wed yet and you already wish to beat me up" he laughed.
"Aye, it's your fault though, you won't let me do what I really want."
"We won't have long to wait, besides anywhere but here has to be better right?"
"Aye, doesn't mean I like waiting though." she said and he laughed again.
She was happy though, blissfully happy, despite her doubts about Jon and what Jaime and he were doing she knew she was making the right choice, she loved him and she knew he loved her and in the end the rest didn't matter. They had talked about Jon and what it meant that he would be going for the throne and while Jaime didn't have an actual plan or timetable, he had reassured her that it wouldn't be reckless. They would bide their time, pick their spot and then make their move.
It was when he explained how much of everything they did was Jon's idea she really began to wonder just exactly what the realm would be like with him as king. Jaime told her about Lannisport and how basically the whole town was working now, how people were earning coin and how much better off they were now than they had been under his father. He told her of White Harbor and Bear Island, of Karhold and Last Hearth, asked her how much better off the north would be with the increased coin coming in.
When he had told her of what Jon had done with his winnings though that was when she knew, he had taken the coin Robert wasted on a tourney and used it to help feed those with nothing. He had gotten the Tyrell's to somehow agree to match it, though Jaime did say it was mainly Loras's sister who did so. Then because of that Jaime had given his own winnings to them to help even more, she had smiled broadly at him but what he had said really showed just how much Jon had influenced him.
" I've won I don't know how many tourney's Dacey, won more prize money than I can count, I've bought golden armor and fine clothes, had I not met Jon I'd have done the same here. Instead I gave the money to him to use, that's why he's the king we need."
" Why, because you gave your prize money away?"
" No, but because a young boy inspired me to do so, imagine what he'll inspire as a king."
As she drifted off to sleep she found herself agreeing with him, it would be a long dangerous road ahead but it was what was right and she had agreed to stand with the man she loved and so she would.
How long she slept for she didn't know but it was Jaime moving from the bed rather than the knocking on the door which woke her up. When Jaime opened the door she wasn't surprised to see Jon there, she knew that he'd come to see them when he was finished speaking to his uncle and that Jaime had been waiting for him. She got up from the bed when Jon came into the room, walking to the table she poured herself a small mug of water and drained it quickly.
"Are you all right?" Jaime asked.
"Aye my lord, you?" Jon asked raising his eyebrow which made her giggle.
"I am, we are, Jon I have, we have something to tell you." Jaime said turning to look at her she smiled and walked over to him.
"Dacey and I are to be married." Jaime said taking her hand in his.
"My lord, My lady, I wish you both the very best, I am overjoyed by the news." Jon said his smile beaming as he looked at them both.
"Thank you Jon so are we." Dacey smiled back.
"Have you decided where and when the wedding will take place my lord?"
"I, no we're in the process of it, we've agreed to two one in each faith." Jaime said.
"Good, I don't think Lady Genna would have liked to miss out on throwing her favorite nephew a large wedding, nor I'm sure would Lady Maege." Jon said with a chuckle.
"Oh gods I forgot that, wait what do you mean favorite, Tyrion's her favorite."
"Really my lord, Your both her favorites." Jon said smirking and then ducking the clip around the ear Jaime aimed at him.
"I'll leave you both alone, my lord, my lady, I really am very happy for you both." Jon said as he looked at the two of them and left the room.
"He's right my aunt will want to throw a huge wedding." Jaime said worriedly.
"So, we'll have a huge wedding then." Dacey said walking in front of him to place her arms around him.
"You don't mind? I thought northern weddings were simple?" Jaime asked.
"Aye, the wedding itself, the feast that goes with it though." she said laughing.
"We'll need to plan this out won't we?" Jaime said a small smirk on his face.
"Aye, what did you think, That all it needed was a tree?"
"I thought that all you northern heathens needed was a tree." he said his smirk bigger now.
"Just like all you southern fools need is a man to spout off rubbish about maidens and smiths." she smirked back at him.
The both laughed loudly before he looked into her eyes, almost as if she had no control she found herself kissing him deeply and passionately, damn this room she thought as he once again broke off.
"Lets go get something to eat." he said and she nodded feeling her hunger rise, food would all she would be getting to satisfy it tonight though.
Aemon.
Ever since his nephew had revealed himself Aemon had felt a sense of urgency he hadn't in years, his energy levels had risen and he had found his thoughts of family to be as they once were, happy ones. Touching the dragon egg had been something he had never expected to experience, not the egg itself but the fact that there was a dragon alive inside. He had felt it move, felt it come to life under his fingertips and he had no doubt that his nephew would be the one to wake the dragon from stone.
Like every Targaryen he had heard the prophecy and knew what it had cost his family, Summerhall just the latest attempt and though it had been over five and twenty years after he had left for the watch, he knew well the reasons for the attempt. Over the years he had read up as much as he could on the prophecy, when Rhaegar wrote to him claiming himself the prophesied prince he had thought so too. All the signs had been there, but it had turned out not to be and his death and the death of his line had convinced Aemon that the prophecy was false.
But now he was sure it was not, while the egg had not hatched it had not deterred his nephew one bit, he was even more determined and more than that, the hint of sadness he felt wasn't as strong as it had been. It was as if the boy had a question he never expected to be answered, only to find out that he himself knew the answer all along. Jaehaerys had left the egg in his fire that night and when he had got up early the next morning Aemon had removed it and placed it back in it's chest. It had disturbed him at first when he didn't feel the life inside, but when his nephew had dropped by all had been made clear.
" Jaehaerys, the egg I can't feel it?" Aemon said and heard his nephew open the chest and breath a sigh of relief.
" I can uncle, come check with me." Jaehaerys said and he did so finding to his delight the life even stronger than before.
The egg and the boy were tied together, bonded already and that was how he knew that his nephew would be the one to fulfill the prophecy, it was his job to help however he could. So while Jaehaerys broke his fast, Aemon went to work lifting the floorboards up to find the things Brynden had left behind all those years ago. He wiped off the dust and placed them under his bed, they would help he had no doubt, though it was only the magic in his nephew's blood that could make them work once again.
Clydas arrived not long after carrying a meal and some warmed milk for him to break his own fast, he had refused to join his nephew instead wanting to ensure things here were ready for him upon his return. So was glad that the boy had sent his steward to bring him his meal and as he sat down to eat it he thanked the man and sent him on his way. The supplies his nephew and Jaime Lannister had brought with them had been sorely needed and they would be put to good use, the boy who would be king had done more for the watch than any of his ancestors had, apart from perhaps Aemon's own brother.
After finishing the meal he called for Clydas only to find the man gone, so instead he went and got the parchment, ink and quills himself, his nephew would need to search the library for the books and scrolls he suggested but they could help him greatly. He found himself almost as giddy as he had been as a young boy when he would yearn for knowledge and would be excited at what the future would bring. Just the idea of his family being restored, of dragons flying once again made him feel like the boy who had died many years before.
"Uncle." he heard his nephew call.
"Over here Jaehaerys." he called softly back.
He listened to his nephew's footsteps as he drew closer, before he pointed down to the items under his bed.
"When I arrived here many years ago I did not travel alone Jaehaerys, my brother sent an honor guard led by Duncan the Tall and cleared out the prison too, you know the prisoner I traveled with?"
"Bloodraven" Jae said as he pulled out the sheet which contained the objects his uncle had held for so many years.
"Aye, how many eyes does Lord Bloodraven have?" Aemon said a small smile on his face.
"A thousand eyes and one." Jae said.
"Brynden and Shiera were ever interested in magic Jaehaerys, they studied it, some say practiced it, but it was Brynden himself who told me the truth of it."
"Which was?" Jae asked eager to both open the sheet to see what it contained and yet still waiting for his uncle to give him leave to do so.
"That they were servants to it." Aemon said and bid him to join him by the fire.
When they had both taken their seat, Aemon asked him to open the sheet, what he found inside clearly shocked him given the loud gasp he made.
"A thousand eyes and one nephew."
Jae held the glass candle and looked at it in awe, he had of course read about them but that was different than holding one in your hands. The candle was black and covered in sharp edges, it was no more than two feet in size and as he looked back down at the sheet, he saw two more of the same color and one that was a bright green. He took all four out and placed the three black ones on the table, the green one though he felt drawn to, as he held it all four began to burn.
"Uncle they….they are lighting?" Jae said his voice excited.
"I knew it, I knew you would light them. Look carefully tell me what you see."
A small silver haired girl cried herself to sleep, while beside her an older boy with the same color hair held her tightly. A large group of men and women wearing furs screamed as they were attacked by something they couldn't stop, a man in a tree beckoned him forward, while a small child held a glowing object in her hand. A creature of ice looked towards him it's blue eyes as clear as the sky, a man strode forward a war hammer in his hand, a blond boy laughed cruelly, a dragon rose to the sky.
After the visions had stopped all four of the candles stopped burning and Jae placed the green one on the table, but no sooner had he done so than he felt the need to lift it back up. This time when Jae picked up the green one and looked to one of the others it burned again, he closed his eyes and the black candle went out. The green one in his hand did not and as he turned to another it too lit up, he looked from one to the other and each time he did so one lit up while the light from the other went out. Finally he took his hand off the green candle and it's light too diminished and Jae found his attention drawn to the other items in the sheet, but before he could look through them his uncle coughed.
"Are you all right uncle?" Jae asked.
"I am nephew, what did you see?" Aemon asked a smile forming on his face.
Jae told him everything he saw and his uncle listened attentively, he asked for some water and Jae got up and got him a mug full.
"The man with the hammer must be the usurper."
"Aye I think so to uncle."
"The man in the tree I do not understand that or the child." Aemon said his voice confused "The men and women in furs can only be the wildings, as for the creature of ice there is only one thing which matches that."
"An other." Jae said gulping.
"Aye nephew though the tales are old and long thought myth."
"The boy and girl uncle?"
"Your aunt and uncle Jaehaerys, your father's brother and sister."
Jae looked at Aemon stunned, they were alive, he had more family out there, why didn't he know this? Why hadn't Jaime told him? Why hadn't he asked?. He began to feel ashamed as he remembered he knew of them, he knew of his aunt and uncle and somehow he'd put them out of his mind, he'd forgotten about them completely.
"I forgot uncle, I forgot about them." Jae said his voice shaky.
"Yet you remember now Jaehaerys, you must help them, find them. A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing. Take it from an old man who knows."
"I will seek them out uncle, whatever I can do for them I will." Jae said determinedly.
"You have much of my brother in you young Jaehaerys, you too have a noble heart, there will be those who seek to take advantage of it, seek to destroy it, do not let them, be the king you should be."
"I will try Uncle."
"That is all any of us can do nephew." Aemon said smiling.
Jae looked to the sheet and took out the other objects that were there, the first was a banner, a white dragon on black with red eyes and red flames coming from it's mouth. There was also a pin made from ivory, with a green and blue gemstone set in the middle of it and a signet ring, it's sigil was the three headed dragon though it was quartered.
"Is this?" Jae said handing the ring to Aemon.
"Aye, it belonged to my father and my brother, Egg gave it to me when I came here and I give it to you now, one day a child of yours may wear it Jaehaerys." Aemon said hopefully.
Jae smiled as he looked at the ring, he placed it back beside the pin and took the candles and put them back beside the banner and the rest. Dark sister, his fathers harp and now these items were all that he knew for certain remained of the legacy of his family, everything else lost or destroyed though he could not be certain, but if nothing else he now had something even more precious, family.
"Jaehaerys, I need you to search the library for the books I've written the names of, they will help and some you need to take with you." Aemon said.
"Uncle I cannot, they belong to the watch."
"No Jaehaerys, they belong to you, these are mine own, they belong to my kin." Aemon said with a soft smile.
Lynesse.
She and Dacey had spoken just briefly since the news had been shared of her wedding and after Jorah and Jaime had spoken more of the alliance, she was glad to see her bear to be even more happy for the two. She already knew that Dacey and Jaime were in love with each other and even if it had taken them a little longer to realize it, she was happy for them both that it was leading to a union. The last couple of days though had been where things had almost gone of the rails, the simple logistics of throwing a wedding had been beyond them.
Firstly Dacey had wanted the wedding held on Bear Island and it was only eventually when Jorah had pointed out Jaime's status as a Lord Paramount had she agreed that it wouldn't be possible to do so. Then Jaime had suggested White Harbor, they already got on well with the Manderly's and it would be easier to hold a wedding there, though the distance from the godswood to the keep was a bit of a problem. This time though it was Jon Snow who came up with the solution and it was as simple as it should have been.
" My lord, my lady, it has to take place at Winterfell." Jon said.
" What, why would I want to get married there?" Jaime asked surprising them until he looked at Jon.
" My lord, Lord Jorah is correct, if you don't allow for the rest of the north to attend it would seem like a snub, but if you hold it in White Harbor it would be an even bigger one, you would be shaming Lord Stark." Jon said looking at Jaime and then Dacey.
" Would he even allow us to have a wedding there?" Jaime asked.
" Of course my lord. The Mormont's are his lealest supporters he would be honored to do so." Jon said.
" Very well, Dacey?"
" I think it's the best idea Jaime, what else can we do?"
" Lord Jorah?"
" I agree, though it seems I will have to miss the ceremony." Jorah said sadly.
" Why?" Dacey asked annoyed.
" It's me or your mother Dacey, your sisters too, someone needs to stay on Bear Island."
" Lynesse you're coming though right?"
" I'm afraid I cannot, though we could instead go to the other ceremony." Lynesse said.
" Aye we can do that, I doubt Maege would like to go to a wedding in front of a septon." Jorah said laughing.
So it had been decided and the rest of their visit had went really well once it had been, Jaime and Dacey had spent most of their time together much to Lyra and Jory's annoyance. While Jon and Loras had alternated between spending time with Benjen and the Reed children or the Maester, though given how much time Jon spent in the library that was not a surprise. It had allowed her and Jorah to be left pretty much to their own devices and despite her condition and the fact of where they were, it had not cooled Jorah's amorous nature at all, something she was more than happy about.
Tonight though was the farewell feast as tomorrow they would set off, she, Jorah and Dacey along with Jory and Lyra would be heading back to Bear Island, while the others had accepted an offer from the Smalljon to visit Last Hearth. She had been caught by surprise when Dacey said she'd be accompanying them and not going with Jaime but she understood the girl wanted to see her mother and other sisters and they would travel from there to Winterfell for the wedding.
She heard the mumbles of her bear from beside her and couldn't help but giggle, she had worn him out it seemed, she quietly got up and began to dress, standing there for a moment she looked down at the small swell of her stomach. Though it really hadn't begun to show as much as she expected, to her she could see it. could feel the small bump and she longed for her babe to grow so everyone would know. She had gone back to the Maester when she felt sick one morning and he had given her some ginger root to add to her tea, which had made her sickness go away almost immediately.
"Morning my love." Jorah said as he rose from the bed.
"Morning my bear, did you sleep well."
"Aye, I did." he said as he came up behind her and moved his hand softly over her stomach.
"Morning little cub." he whispered and she couldn't help but smile.
"Shall we go break our fast?" she asked.
"Well we could or we could go back to bed." Jorah said kissing her neck exactly in that spot he knew she loved.
"No the cub needs food my love." she said her voice husky.
"Aye, then we should feed her." Jorah said as he kissed her cheek.
"Her?"
"Aye a little she bear."
"You'd not rather a son?"
"As long as they're healthy my love, boy or girl it matters not." Jorah said and this time she kissed him.
Jon.
The last week had been hectic, his time in the library had been overwhelming, finding the books had been difficult enough, but while he was there it had quickly become clear there was far more here than just what his uncle wished him to have. He had found himself at times being drawn to a scroll or a book and had rewritten numerous passages that he knew meant something important but that he couldn't make sense of. Even speaking of them to his uncle hadn't yielded any more insight as of yet.
He had tried to spread his time evenly, spending time with both his uncles and also with Loras so his friend didn't feel left out. He had shown both Loras and Jaime the heirlooms his uncle had given him and when they saw the glass candles burn they had been stunned. Though neither of them had been able to see a vision from the candle yet he had been able to do certain things with them which were surprising, though they soon sapped him of his strength.
He had also talked to both Jojen and Meera, he did not know if their father had told them the truth and he had thought long and hard about it, but Jojen was the only one who dreamt as he did and he knew it comforted them both to know of the other. So he had asked his uncle to allow them all visit the top of the wall and he had told them everything he could.
" So you're the rightful king?" Meera said.
" Aye."
" You're going for it aren't you the throne?" Jojen asked.
" I am, I've seen what Robert's like, what Jon Arryn is like, the realm deserves better."
" Our father supports you?" Meera asked.
" Aye he does."
" Then you have my oath and my brothers, is that not right Jojen?"
" Aye it is. You are my king from this day until my last." Jojen said kneeling.
" My king." Meera said as she did likewise.
" Please rise." Jon said.
Later that night he and Jojen had talked about the dreams, he had explained how his had involved his family and his sister especially. He then took out the dragon egg and showed it to him, Jojen had looked at it in shock and almost feinted when Jon touched it with him and he felt the dragon move.
" Is that, it's alive."
" She is?"
" She?"
" Aye she." Jon said smiling.
He had shared one of the papers from his uncle's collection with Jojen, one which covered green dreams and dragon dreams and the differences which had led to a discovery. His and Jojen's dreams were different, where Jojens dreams were simply dreams his were more visions, more real. When he had explained that he could actually feel his sister's hand in his, that when he saw her through Balerion's eyes he had felt it all, smelt the blood on the floor and walls, Jojen had gasped.
" I believe I'm a greenseer Jon, long have I seen things that come true, some which have scared me, until you came along." Jojen said.
" I don't understand."
" I saw myself die Jon, in a field of ice with a great Weirwood in the distance just out of reach."
" Jojen, maybe it's not real, maybe it was just a nightmare?"
" Aye it could be, but your dreams Jon do you believe they're real?"
" Aye."
" I do too, I had this dream for most of life, but then when we spoke, when you told me you dreamt too it changed, it's gone Jon, I see myself as an older man playing with a small boy, teaching him how to catch frogs and to watch out for lizard lions." Jojen said smiling.
" You think this changed because of me?" Jon asked curiously.
" I do, I think you can change things Jon, I think your dreams are different."
A few days ago he and Jaime had spoken of his family across the sea, they both agreed they couldn't send a large force as word would no doubt reach Robert and they also had no idea where they were. So they had agreed to help in a different way, one which Jon hoped would keep them safe until he could reach out properly and bring his family home. Jaime had been concerned about Viserys making a claim for the throne instead of him and he had tried his best to reassure him that they would handle it should the need arise.
In the end though they had agreed to discuss it more once they returned home and Jon had smiled at the thoughts that he considered Casterly Rock more of a home than Winterfell, he missed it, he missed the people there. He hoped Joy wasn't missing him as much as he missed her, hoped that at least with Balerion she had a friend to keep her happy.
"Are you coming or not." Loras said as Jon shook his head.
"Nah, gonna take the black, I mean that stew we had yesterday, that's worth swearing off everything is it not." Jon japed.
"Not funny Jon, now come on, we need to set off soon."
Jon just nodded and looked around the room, he had enjoyed his stay here, he had met family, made some friends and gained some allies, the books and scrolls and the gifts from his uncle would all be put to good use. He walked from the room and found that Jaime and the others were all almost ready to go and so he quickly made his way down the stairs. He saw Jorah and Lynesse saying their goodbyes to Jeor and beside them Dacey and her sisters doing the same.
To his left Smalljon was having a conversation with the dour Edd who'd joined them mainly when they ate and he was surprised to see a smile on the man's face, he and Smalljon clearly getting along. He saw his uncle Benjen and walked towards him not quite ready to say goodbye to him just yet.
"Uncle, I wish I could stay longer, or that you could come with me." Jon said as his uncle hugged him.
"I do too Jon, but you're right this you must do on your own, I'll have my time with my brother." Benjen said.
"Uncle I..I love you." Jon said and felt his eyes water.
"I love you too Jon, be safe, be well, be happy nephew."
"You too."
As he mounted his horse and looked up to the walkway he saw his other uncle there, he had said his goodbyes to him in private wanting to be able to not have to hide how he felt. There had been tears and Jon had sworn to himself that when he was crowned his uncle was leaving this place, he would not die here alone and without family. As he looked to Jaime and they rode out the gate he turned and took a last look at them both, Benjen standing there a small sad smile on his face and above him Aemon looking on with pride. He thought back to what Aemon had said to him and smiled, the man's wisdom was something the realm had missed out on.
" Allow me to give my kin one last piece of counsel, the same counsel that I once gave my brother when we parted for the last time. He was three-and-thirty when the great council chose him to mount the Iron Throne. A man grown with sons of his own, yet in some ways still a boy. Egg had an innocence to him, a sweetness we all loved. Kill the boy within you, I told him the day I took ship for the Wall, It takes a man to rule. An Aegon, not an Egg. Kill the boy and let the man be born.
You are but a third of the age that Egg was, and your own burden is a crueler one, I fear. You will have little joy on your journey, but I think you have the strength in you to do the things that must be done. Kill the boy, Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born."
"I will uncle, I will." Jon said as he and Winter rode to the front, Ghost running alongside him.