Chapter Text
"To Jon and Loras!" people around them shouted; lords from the Reach, Stormlands, North, and even the Riverlands were seated around them at the Reach table, it had gotten a little cramped, but neither he nor Jon really minded it, something he could not say for his grandmother who left almost immediately once lord Beric and a large group of Stormlanders joined them, Left and Right escorting her back to their rooms.
Father was in an excellent mood and was conversing with Lord Jason Mallister and Pakster Redwyne while mother and Margaery were discussing something with lady Dacey. Smalljon had put Garlan up to a drinking game, and Loras doubted his brother could beat the giant. Jon was sitting on the other end of the table, laughing along with his sister Sansa, Elinor, Samwell, and even Dickon. Everyone was in a good mood, and he was grateful for that, considering what happened earlier that day. He was sitting with Renly opposite of his father and mother.
"Two Clegane's downed in a single day, you and Jon make quite the pair," Renly said. "The people are still gossiping about him using my brother's hammer."
"I could not ask for a better friend; he is always there to watch my back when I need him.
"And also, sometimes when you don't need him."
"You are not going to let that go, are you?"
"I'm just messing with you; he is a good lad. My brother has taken a liking to an idea of having a Stark in his Kingsguard, so when either one of them kicks the bucket or is dismissed from the service, either he or someone else could take that place," Renly said, looking at Loras.
"You mean me."
"I do, yes."
"Honestly, I would love nothing more, but," Loras looked at Jon, "there is still time for that."
"Well, if I was king, I would name you lord commander."
"Oh really," Loras said, looking deeply into Renly's eyes.
"Sure, why not? You are a skilled fighter and would look good in a white cloak."
"I'm honored, Lord Renly," Loras chuckled. "Who knows, maybe one day you will be king."
Renly looked at the high table, moving his gaze to his brother and then to the crown prince. "That is an unlikely scenario."
"Well, if it even happens, you will have my sword and the Reach."
"Surely, you jest?" Renly asked, surprised.
"No, my lord."
"I would never go against Robert, our relationship might not be perfect, but he is still my brother."
"Willis, Garlan, Margaery, and Jon are my family, and I would never do anything to hurt them," Loras said.
"Well, I will drink to the man who saved you today," Renly said as he raised his cup. "To Jon Snow."
"To Jon," Loras said and raised his cup; the two cups clanged when they hit each other.
"So tell me, why didn't you joust him? By the looks of it, you could have defeated him."
"I didn't want to fight a man who just saved my life," Loras looked and Jon, "and besides, he is not at his full strength; winning like that would not mean anything."
"Truly noble of you, a knight from a tale truly," Renly said the last part said in a seductive tone.
Jon
His shoulder hurt like hell, but the milk of the poppy did manage to alleviate most of the pain. He and Loras shared the victory, and he was honestly glad he had not faced his friend because he would have probably lost in one or two tilts being in the condition he was now. The Hound sure did a number on him. Seeing his sister smile when Loras crowned her made it all worth it; she had not stopped smiling since. Everything was how it should be; he had the best friend a man could ask for, he had Margaery, and his family loved him.
When Loras was attacked, he acted on instinct, and for a moment, he thought he would not make it, but the gods had blessed him this day. Honestly, he does not know what he would do if he lost Loras., he was the first person who did not treat him as a bastard beside Robb and Sansa back at Winterfell.
He looked around the table and saw that everyone was happy, from lord Mace to Lord Beric. Loras and Renly were sitting together and laughing, seeing his friend happy with someone brought a smile to his face. "It may work out," Jon thought about the two.
As usual, the dancing started on time, and once again, people took to the floor, elegantly moving across it. The first person he asked to dance was his sister Sansa, then with Elinor, Jon even managed to persuade Arya into dancing. The one he truly wanted to dance with above all was Margaery, but he knew he danced with her already once and twice might cause people to start asking questions. Not even Garlan can help him this time. The final person he asked for dance was Mira, knowing she would probably want, judging by the last two times.
They danced, and when the time had come for the dance to end, she grabbed his hand firmly. She looked at him, an uncertain look on her face. "Jon, could we have a moment?" she asked. The first thing that came to mind was that something was from due to her expression, but she nodded. "Not here; I think it would better to go somewhere quiet.
"Lead the way," he said and followed his friend. They made their way out of the great hall and to the hallway outside; there was no one there right now. He looked around and then to her. "What is it Mira, is something wrong?"
"No, nothing is wrong, I just..." She said, and took a deep breath, "I just..."
"Mira, you know you can tell me anything, you know that?" he told her in a sympathetic tone.
"I love you," she said in a barely hearable tone.
"What?" Jon asked, confused.
What came next, he never expected. She brought her arms around his neck and pushed their lips into a kiss. Jon was taken back by the suddenness of the action, and he did not know how to react. Finally, he got a grip on his senses, put his hands between them, and removed Mira from him. She looked back at him with a surprise in her eyes.
"Jon?" A voice said, but it was not Mira's; he looked at his right to see Margaery and Loras standing there with shocked faces. He did not know what to do; his mind completely froze. He knew how this looked like, but it was not like that. "Jon?" Margaery said once more, tears starting to fill her eyes.
He finally got the strength to speak, "Margaery, this is not what it looks like."
"Margaery?" Mira asked, confused.
Jon and Margaery stared at each other for a long and painful moment, Loras only staring at him. "Why?" she asked in a hurt tone.
"I swear this is not what it looks like." His words fell to deaf ears, and the next thing he saw was Margaery running away from him.
"Margaery! he shouted, hoping she would stop, but she did not. "Margaery wait," he begged, but nothing changed, so he ran after all. They ran through the Red keep until he caught up with her and grabbed her hand. She looked back at him, tears in her eyes.
"Let go!" she ordered.
"Margaery please," he said.
"Let go!"
"Just listen to me, please!"
"Listen! Listen! I don't need to listen. I saw enough."
"What you saw was not what happened."
"Really, so you and Mira did not just kiss in the middle of the hall," she said, tears still flowing down her cheeks.
"I did, she did, but it was not what you think."
"Really, then tell me what it was?"
"She kissed me; I wanted no part in it."
"Then why did you leave with her?"
"She asked me to go with her; I was concerned," Jon shouted. He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Margaery, please, I swear I would never do anything like that to you; I would never wish to hurt you like that."
She looked at him with an angry glare; he was not sure if she would believe him, but her look soon softened, and instead of a glaring angry woman, there stood a woman with a hurt and sorrowful look on her face.
Silence filled the ear on the long corridor as their eyes met; Jon was hoping that she would remember how much he loved her and that what happened moments ago was something he would never do.
Margaery sighed. "I-I believe you," Jon let go of her arm, "but I still want to hear it from Mira. Get her and bring her to my room; we will talk there." Jon relaxed and thanked the gods she decided to use her reason and not act on anger.
He nodded. "I will," he said and left to find Mira. Lucky for Jon, it did not take long for him to do so; Mira was on her way following him and Margaery, a confused Loras by her side.
"Jon," Mira said as he approached.
"Come, Margaery wishes to talk to you," Jon said.
"I-I sorry, I didn't know," Mira said, her voice truthful.
"I know, let's just get to Margaery's room and get this over with." Mira nodded and followed Jon, looking at the stone floor the entire walk to the Tyrell quarters.
"What happened back there?" Loras asked; he was clearly surprised, confused, and everything above.
Jon sighed, "It's a long story, we will tell you everything, I promise."
"You better,"
They made their way to the Tyrell quarters in quiet until they entered Margaery's room, finding her standing in the middle of the room, her arms crossed, the angry glare once more on her face.
Margaery
She stood in her room waiting for Jon and Mira to arrive, he was furious, but her fury wasn't just directed at Jon and Mira. It was directed at herself. She knew Jon; she knew he is not the man that would try to seduce another girl, and she was angry at herself for thinking that could even be a possibility. When she saw them, she had never felt more betrayed in her life; sadness and anger all came to her in that single moment. She will get the answers she seeks. Soon they arrived with Loras with them; Margaery immediately turned her gaze to Mira.
"Margaery I..." Mira started but was cut off by Margaery.
"I know you are going to say you are sorry, but first, I want an explanation. Why did you kiss Jon?"
"I-I did so to show him that I love him." Margaery felt her anger rise again, but she told herself to calm down; now, with a cooler head, Margaery stared to put the pieces together, the dancing, the hand-holding, the worry, shy moments it all made sense now. She put the tow and two together, and he could see that Jon has done so too.
"How long?" she asked.
"I don't know, I been feeling like that for some time now, but I never tried to act on those feeling, afraid that," Mira paused, "afraid that they won't be returned. And it seems I was right to fear that," Mira said; Margaery could see that she was on the verge of tears. Jon looked at Margaery, whose expression softened and was not looking at Mira not with anger but with remorse and pity.
"Mira..." Margaery started.
"I'm sorry, Margaery, I did not know you had feelings for Jon. If I did, I would never…," Margaery let reason take over once more and looked at her friend, Yes she was in love with the same man as she was, but Mira had no clue that Jon and Margaery were together, the northern girl acted on her emotions just like she did and she could not be blamed for that.
Margaery took a few steps towards her friend and brought her into a hug. "I know, what's done is done, but I don't blame you for it. Something like this was bound to happen eventually." She was still a bit angry, but Margaery understood.
The two broke the hug, and Mira wiped her tears with her sleeve, "I'm sorry truly, Margaery."
Margaery looked at her with a forgiving look in her eyes. "I know and enough of that."
"Why, why do you two keep it hidden? You love each other, right?"
"We do, but it's more complicated than that," Jon said, looking from Mira to Margaery.
"We wish nothing more than to be able to stop with the mummery, but we can't." Margaery continued.
"Why?" Mira asked.
"You know why," Jon said, bowing his head.
"Oh, "Mira said, finally realizing why. "I promise that I won't tell anyone about this, I swear to you both."
"Thank you, Mira," Margaery said.
"Yes, thank you," Jon said.
For a moment, the three of them just looked at each other, not knowing what else to say, Loras being the one to fill the silence. "So, are you going to tell me how long has this been happening?" Margaery and Jon looked at each other, trying to determine who will give Lora the answer. In the end, Jon was the one to speak first.
"A few years now," Jon said sheepishly.
"You two managed to keep this hidden for two years!" Loras said, stunned. "I don't know if I should be glad for you two or angry for keeping it from me; I'm your brother Margaery..."
"We are sorry for keeping it from you, Loras. We just… weren't sure how you would react, how you would feel about us being together," Margaery said.
"You are my sister; all I want is for you to be happy, for both of you to be happy. Frankly, I've kind of relieved it's Jon and not someone else." Loras snickered, "And you chastised me for being with Renly."
"You are with Renly?" Margaery asked, surprised.
"Yes, I thought you figured it out by now," Loras said.
Margaery thought about it and noticed a pattern, every time her brother and Renly would spend time with each other during the feast or the day and after the feast would leave together or separately, Loras returning to their rooms later or in the morning. "I saw you two were getting along but never thought you two were sleeping with each other. He is the king's brother."
Before Loras could continue, a knock was heard coming from the door. "Yes?" said Margaery.
"It's me. Can I come in," Garlan said from the other side of the door.
"Yes," Margaery said, and her brother came in.
"So, what's going on here? Father had gotten worried when you all left and have not returned."
The four looked at each other, Loras beating the other by speaking first. "Jon and Margaery are together," Loras said bluntly.
"Yes, so?" Garlan replied.
"Wait, you know?" Loras asked.
"Yes, I was the one who encouraged Jon to dance with Margaery the other night," Garlan answered.
"How did you figure it out?" asked Margaery.
"You two aren't exactly subtle as you think you are, stealing glances every chance you get, the smiles, and besides my room is just down the hall from Jon's, I hear things." Margaery blushed deep red and turned her gaze away from her brother in embarrassment.
"Does anyone else know?" Jon asked.
"Grandmother for certain, Willis too, and I think mother suspects something going on between you two," Garlan answered. Margaery wasn't worried about Willis; she knew that her brother would never do something to split her and Jon up, but what did worry her was that besides lady Olenna knew everything, her mother was in on the secret as well. Alerie was a loving mother, but Margaery still feared the possibility of her mother telling her father.
"Seriously, I'm the only one who did know about this?" Loras said, clearly annoyed by the fact that the entire Tyrell family knew about their little secret but him.
"Lord Mace?" Jon asked.
"Father is clueless," Garlan said, and Margaery felt relieved. Jon built and good relationship with her father, the man being like a second father to him, but she still feared what the man would do if he found out that his daughter was in Love with a bastard. Lord Mace might be cheerful by nature, but not even he would let that slide; if he found out, he would probably send Jon back to the North, far away from her.
"At least I wasn't the only one," Loras said.
"Why is Mira here?" Garlan finally asked.
"She kissed Jon, and Margaery and I saw it; we were sorting things out when you arrived," Loras explained.
"You kissed Mira?" Garlan said, looking at Jon, a hint of anger in his voice.
"It's not his fault; it's mine. I did not know that Jon and Margaery were together. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused," Mira said, and Margaery could see Garlans face soften.
"You have nothing to apologize for; I already told you that," Margaery said in a carrying tone.
"Well, if that is done, I suggest you come back to the feast, or should I tell father you retired for the evening," Garlan said.
"The night is still young; I say we return to the feast," Loras said.
Margaery could see that Mira was hurt because of what happened; she loved someone who did not love her. A broken heart is a hard wound to heal, but mother always says the music is a good cure for the problems of the heart. "Fine, let's go," Margery said, and they all followed Garlan back to the great hall. On their way there, a thought came across Margaery's mind.
"Mira, before you always repressed your emotions towards Jon, what made you change your mind?"
Her friend looked at her.
"Elinor was the one who first encouraged me to go for it," Mira answered.
Margaery chuckled slightly, "Of course it was Elinor."
"And lady Olenna did as well."
"My grandmother?" Margaery asked, surprised.
"Yes, she sat me down, and we talked, and she told me to follow my heart, not to miss a chance." Margaery stopped walking gears started turning in her head. Her grandmother was responsible for this; she should have known. Using someone as a tool in her plan to split them up was low; using her friend was even lower. The anger came back tenfold; her own grandmother was responsible for this.
"Margaery?" Mira asked, concerned.
"I need to talk to my grandmother," Margaery said and stormed back towards the Tyrell rooms, Mira, Jon, and Loras looking at her as she did.
Olenna sat in her room annoyed at the events that transpired today, her grandson being attacked being just one of them; what truly bothered her was that now everyone sees the bastard boy as a hero, a warrior reborn. She was not ungrateful for him intervening and saving her grandson from Tywin's mad dog, but if Clegane knew how to actually use a blade properly instead of just swinging in around, maybe her bastard problem would have been solved, but she had no such luck, for now, all hopes rested on the northern girl.
As she continued to think about the potential future her plan might bring, she heard a commotion coming from outside her door.
"Forgive me, my lady, but lady Olenna said that she wishes not to be disturbed," said Left.
"I don't care; I need to talk to her. Now!" Margaery shouted. "Get out of my way."
"My lady," said left, and then the doors opened, and I came Margaery, a look of anger she had never seen on her granddaughter's face.
"You," Margaery said as she glared at her. Olenna looked at Left, who stood at the entrance and motioned him to leave, which he obliged.
"What happened, dear, what made you so upset?" Olenna said in a caring tone
"You know well what," Margaery said with fire in her eyes.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Don't lie to me; I know about your little plan."
"My plan?" Olenna faked her surprise.
"Do me a basic courtesy and don't lie; I know you too well." Olenna changed her expression to a stern look.
"Fine, if that's what you want. So, what do you know about my plan?"
"You talked Mira into going after Jon; well here a some new for you, it didn't work,"
"Damn useless northern girl," Olenna thought, "Can't even seduce a man right." She and Margaery continued to stare each other down.
"So, what's your excuse? Why would you do this to me?" Margaery said in a hurt and angry tone. Olenna felt terrible seeing her granddaughter upset like this, but it was for her own good she had done this in the first place.
"I did it for your own good girl, the world is not a fairy tale where true love prevails, he is a bastard he has nothing, he is nothing, you are a daughter of a lord paramount and will be queen one day."
"I love him!" Margaery shouted.
"Love will not get you far in this world. You wish to be queen, I know that, but you can't be that with that boy following you around like a dog; he is a burden."
"Jon is not a burden; he is loving, caring, honest. He loves me for who I really am."
"You wish to be the queen, don't you?"
"Yes," Margaery answered.
"Then you cannot have both Love and the crown; that is not how the game works. You can't sit beside the king during the day and have the bastard in your bed by night."
"Why not? Kings had affairs; why not a queen?"
"And how would you do that?"
"Jon will join the Kingsguard."
"And is that what you have installed for him, to be a glorified mistress for the rest of his life. Kings have affairs, yes, because they can, but a queen cannot. This world is not kind to women; a queen can be easily replaced. You can't have both."
"I can, and I will! Do something like that again, and you will regret it, grandmother." Margaery said and stormed out of the room. The way Margaery said those words made Olenna take them seriously; her little rose has thorns after all.
"Poor love-struck child," Olenna said to an empty room.
Arya
Arya and Jon were walking through the keep going to see the wolves. With the tourney being over, it was a matter of time before Jon returned to Highgarden and took the wolves with him. They spoke to Lord Mace and his wife about them, and although reluctant at first, lord Mace agreed to Jon's proposal, Margaery Loras helping Jon convince his father to let the wolves stay at Highgarden.
"News arrived from Winterfell Bran is awake," Arya said with a cheerful smile, and she could see a joyful expression form on Jon's face when he heard that.
"That's great; I knew I would pull through."
"Yes, me too."
"When will you be leaving?" Arya asked her older brother.
"Soon," Jon replied.
"When will we see each other again?"
"I'm not sure; maybe you could persuade father to send you to Highgarden with me; I'm sure lord Mace would love to have another ward."
"You certain?"
"Yes, I'm certain."
"Maybe I will, you and Loras are a better company then Sansa, that's for sure."
"So, you finally took a liking to Loras, Sansa practically loves him, but you, that's a surprise," Jon said with a smirk.
Arya punched Jon in the leg. "I'm not like Sansa, he is just a good warrior, and he is your friend who refused to fight you in the joust; he might be a pretty face after all."
Jon chuckled. "That he is."
"You were so brave out there; you refused to back down even when injured. Are you always like that?"
"Pretty much, I never back down from a fight."
"Father called you stubborn."
"Maybe I'm."
Arya paused for a second, "I overheard father saying something."
Jon looked at her, interested. "What did he say?"
"He was sitting alone at his desk; he said that you are as stubborn as your mother."
"My mother?" Jon asked, surprised.
"Aye." Arya could only guess what was going on through her brother's head right now. They rarely spoke about Jon at Winterfell and never about his mother.
Jon's lips formed a sad smile. "At least I got something from my mother; everyone keeps saying I'm a copy of our father; it would be nice to have something from my mother." Arya could not help but feel pity for her brother; he never knew his mother, never knew anything about her; no one should go through life without a mother.
She decided to change the subject. "So what will you do once you leave?"
"Spend some time in Highgarden, maybe fight in another tourney; one thing is certain I'm going to spend a lot of time with Willis at my back."
"Why?"
"As soon as the Direwolves arrive, he is going to be all over them. He breathes horses and hawks and generally loves animals."
"The Red viper broke his leg, right?" Arya heard the tale from some servants in the keep a while back.
"It was an accident, they jousted, and Willis's horse fell on top of him," Jon explained.
"Shame, such bad luck," Arya said; she could not picture herself as a cripple.
"He might have lost his leg, but he still has his mind which is sharper than any sword, believe me. He is a lady Olennas grandson and heir for a reason, not just because of his birth."
They arrived at the stable where they fed, petted, and talked to the two wolves trapped there. She had to push away her wolf, but she felt comfortable knowing Jon would take them far away from this city and the king, queen, and prince.
"What's father been up to? I had barely talked to him since the joust," Jon said.
"I don't know, he and Jory went somewhere, the street of steel, I think."
"Father went to get something made?"
"I don't know, maybe."
They spent some more time with the wolves before leaving, returning to the tower of the hand.
Margaery
Margaery was furious; she had not slept the entire night; all she could think about was her grandmother and her wish to separate her and Jon. Her mother came and asked what was wrong, but she told her it was nothing and sent her on her way. She did not know how to calm down; her grandmother's plan racing through her mind.
Manipulating Mira was wrong; the fact her grandmother used one of her friends made her furious even more. She poured herself a glass of water and sat down in a chair, trying to regain her composure when the doors opened, and her knight in shining armor came in.
"Margaery, is everything alright? Lady Alerie says you have not left the room the entire day."
She looked at Jon. "Close the door," she told him. He gave her an odd look but did as she told him.
"What's going on?" Jon asked.
Margaery sighed. "It was my grandmother who told Mira to go after you; it's she who was behind it all along." Jon looked at her, stunned, they both knew Olenna disapproved, but they did not think she would do something like this until now.
"Lady Olenna," Jon said.
"I took care of it; she is not going to separate us; no one will," Margaery said as she put the palm of her hand to Jon's cheek, looking into those dark gray eyes.
"What did you do?"
"I told her to stay away, or she will regret it if she tries something like that again," Margaery answered. Jon did not say a word only looked at her with uncertainty in his eyes. They talked a bit more about Olenna's plan before Jon, not wanting to talk about it any further, decided to change the subject.
"Remember your idea to help the poor of Flea Bottom?" asked Jon.
"Yes, I have been preoccupied with the tourney and being worried sick about you to give any more thought, unfortunately," Margaery said.
"Well, I have an idea that you might like, Loras and I have won a great sum of coin in this tourney, coin we don't really need compared to the people living in Flea Bottom, so I thought we use it to buy food and medicine and give it to them."
"Loras agreed to this?"
"I have not yet told him, but I have no doubt he will join us."
"Using the king's coin to feed the people he won't, that's brilliant; I can talk to my father and ask him to match your winnings."
"That would be even better."
"So, we have a plan now; all that remains is to talk to father and buy the supplies."
"I will see it with Loras."
Margaery gave Jon a quick peck on the lips. "It seems you have more in your head than just swords and songs, my white wolf."
"White wolf?" Jon asked.
"Yes, I think it sounds better than Wolf of the south, and your wolf is white, so it kind of suits you."
"White wolf," Jon said once more, "I will think about it."
Eddard
The boy had the wolves' blood like his mother and Brandon for sure, he was as skilled on a horse as his mother and as stubborn, he was injured twice, yet he refused to back down. When Jon started singing, time stopped, and he swore he was back at Harrenhal, hearing Rhaegar sing; their voices were different, but the way he sang it was like listening to Rhaegar.
He kept this secret for all these years; if someone was to figure it out, the war would be inevitable, and he would be forced to choose between a man who was his brother by choice and his nephew, who he swore he would protect.
"Maybe sending him to Highgarden wasn't such a good idea," Eddard muttered to himself.
As he continued to go through the events that happened before his foster father's death, the door opened, and in came one of his guards.
"My lord, your son is here to see you," the guard said.
"Send him in," Eddard ordered, and the man nodded and left the room, Jon entering moments later.
"You wished to see me, father?" Jon asked.
"Yes, take a seat," Eddard said, pointing at the chair in front of him.
Jon sat down, looking at him. "What's this about?"
"I just wanted to see if you are alright," Jon's hands were still bandaged up, and by the way he moved, Eddard could see that his shoulder was not getting better as fast as he had hoped.
"I'm aright, father, just a few bruises, nothing more."
"Jon, Arya told me about Ser Jaime and what he said to you," Eddard said, and Jon immediately frowned.
"They deserved it," Jon said bitterly.
"That might be so, but later fighting against both Clegane's while you were still hurt..."
"The Hound was just an opponent in the joust, and the Mountain wanted to kill Loras. What was I supposed to do to watch my friend die?"
"It was noble of you to save Loras, I don't deny that, but it was still perilous; the Mountain is not like most men you faced; he has no honor; he is nothing more than a mindless killer."
"I know, father, that's why I had to stop him."
"Jon, don't take this the wrong way I-I'm just worried about you."
Jon's frown softened. "I know, father, and I'm sorry I made you worry that much, but doing so was the honorable thing to do."
"That it was."
There was a moment of silence before Jon spoke again, "Father, what was my mother like?" Ned looked at Jon, his eyes wide; he was unsure what to say to the boy. "Father?" Jon's asked, but still, no answer came. Jon's expression became one of sadness. "She was stubborn, wasn't she?" Ned was even more taken back now.
"How do you know that?" Eddard asked, doing their best to keep his composure.
"Arya overheard you saying in."
Eddard sighed, "Now is not the time to talk about your mother."
"But father," Jon pleaded.
Eddard gave him a stern look. "We will talk about your mother some other time."
"As you wish, father," Jon said, displeasure clear in his voice. "Do you need anything from me, or I'm free to leave?"
"You are free to leave if you wish," Eddard answered.
"Thank you, father," Jon said and left the solar.
This was not how Ned wanted things to go; it seems that everything was getting worse and more complicated since he arrived south. He asked himself what Jon would do if he ever found out the truth.
Two days later
Loras
With the tourney over, his family started packing their belongings and would be departing the capital in a few days, while he, on the other hand, has decided to stay for a while more to keep Renly company.
"Almost done packing, are we?" Loras asked Jon as he entered his friend's room.
"Yes, it's a long ride back to Highgarden. You sure you want to stay here?"
"I'm, it's been a long time since I was last in the capital; I think I will stay for a while longer."
"And it's not just about Renly?" Jon asked with a smirk.
"You don't get to question my choices; I'm still getting over the fact that you have slept with my sister." Loras paused. "So Margaery told me about your plan and what you intend to do with the coin we won."
"So, you are not against it?"
"Why would I be? Besides, you don't say no to Margaery." Both men chuckled.
"That's true," Jon said.
"Margaery wanted to stay and help with the supplies, but grandmother wants to go home, so we tasked Harlan with making sure everything goes according to plan, and I might stop by to see how things are going while I'm here."
"Loras Tyrell, the knight of the people, has a good ring to it, doesn't it," Jon said with a smile.
"It does, as good as the White wolf," Loras said with a small grin.
"She told you about that?"
"She did, it does suit you somewhat, but I still say Wolf of the south is better."
As they continued to jape with each other and talk, Jon's sister Arya ran into the room, a distressed look on her face.
"Jon!" the little girl shouted.
"What is it? Has something happened?"
"Father, he was attacked," the girl answered quickly.
Loras's and Jon's eyes went wide in shock. "What, by who?" Jon asked.
"Jaime Lannister." Loras looked at his friend, a look of shock changing to one of fury; his eyes hardened; they look completely black now.
"Is father alive?" Jon asked.
"He is, but he has been wounded while fighting."
Jon's fists clenched. "Where is the Kingslayer?"
"I don't know; lord Baelish just brought father in."
"Father is in his rooms with the Maester."
Loras looked at Jon, fury still on his friend's face. Jon turned around and went to his chest, opening it and grabbing his sword. "What are you going to do?" Loras asked, concerned as Jon put his sword belt around his hips.
"First, I'm going to see if father is alright, and then I'm going to hunt and skin that lion."
"Jon, he is a Kingsguard and the queen's brother."
"That man just attacked my father, don't tell me you wouldn't do the same if that happened to Lord Mace," Jon was right. If this happened to his father, he would do the exact same thing.
"I'm coming with you," Loras said.
"What?" Jon asked.
"Lord Eddard is a good man, an honorable one. I will go with you to see him, and after that, I will help you find the Kingslayer."
"Thank you, Loras," Loras nodded.
"Where is Sansa?" Jon asked.
"In our room with Harwin."
"Good, she is safe," Loras quickly walked to his room, grabbed his sword, and met Jon in the hall.
"Let's go," Loras said. As the three of them walked through the hall, they came across mother, Garlan, and Margaery. He could see their surprise at them brandishing swords in the middle of the hall.
"What's going on?" mother asked.
"Lord Eddard has been attacked," Loras said and could see the confusion on their faces.
"By whom?" Margaery asked.
"Ser Jaime."
"Is he hurt?" mother asked.
"Yes," Loras said.
"Arya listen to me; I want you to stay here with Margaery and lady Aleire until someone of father man comes for you."
"But!"
"No buts, you are staying here. Margaery, Lady Alerie, I would be grateful if you would do this for me."
"Of course, Jon," mother said.
"What are you going to do?" Margaery asked.
"Check on Jon's father and then hunt the culprit down. He needs to answer for his crime," Loras said. They all gave them worried looks as they continued to the tower of the hand.
Once they arrived at where Lord Eddard's solar was, they were met by a dozen Stark guards standing opposite of the Lannister household guard and one Kingsguard, every man had a hand on the hilt of his sword; it looked like as if a fight could break out at any second.
"Let us pass," Jon said to the Lannister men.
"Why should I?" said a soldier in red armor.
"That man is the hand's son; show some respect Lannister," Allyn said. The man turned around to see him and Jon standing there. Realizing who they were, the Lannisters moved to the side and let them enter the hands solar, the King and Queen already there.
"Father!" Jon said as they entered, seeing lord Eddard laying on his bed unconscious, a bandage around his leg. He quickly ran to his father's side, passing the royals without a word.
"Your graces," Loras said with a bow.
"Ser Loras, why are you here?" the queen asked.
"I came here with Jon when we heard what happened."
"With a sword," the queen said as she looked at his blade.
"Yes," Loras said coldly and returned his gaze back to Jon.
"How bad is it?" Jon asked as he moved his gaze from his father to the king.
"Pycelle says that he will pull through. Don't worry, lad, your father is a strong man," the king said.
"What will you do with the Kingslayer?" Jon asked.
"The Kingslayer fled the city immediately after the attack, so right now nothing."
"Nothing?" Jon asked, agitated.
"My brother's actions were justified," the queen said.
"The coward fled; your brother is a man without honor!" Jon shouted.
"Careful, remember who you speak to; Lady Catelyn abducted my blood, and your father attacked my brother."
"Lies, my father would never attack a man unprovoked."
"He was returning drunk from a brothel when it happened." the queen said.
"Enough woman," the king said.
"My father is not a man who would do either of those things, your bother on the other hand."
"You will not talk about my brother like that bastard," the queen said angrily "your very existence proves otherwise," the queen said in a mocking tone. Jon grew even more agitated.
"Enough woman!" the king shouted, "Leave, now."
"I will not."
"You will, and you will do it now!" the king said in a booming voice. The queen only glared at her husband and left the room.
"Loras get the horses ready; I will see with Alyn if some of the men could come with us."
"You will do nothing, lad," the king said.
"What? You can't be serious. My father has just been attacked, the man you see as a brother."
"I'm aware, but I can't let you start a war. If you do that, the kingdom will be split in half."
"Are you really ready to defend a man who has done honor, who already killed one king, he attacked the hand, what will stop him from doing the same to you when it's convenient."
"Enough lad, as you king, I command you to stay here and not chance after Jaime Lannister. Once your father I awake, I will settle this with him."
"But your grace."
"My decision is final; you will abandon this notion of revenge and go back with the Tyrells, is that understood?"
"It is your grace," Jon said bitterly and stormed out of the room, Lora's following close behind. Most of the Lannister soldiers were gone; only a few and the Kingsguard remained. Loras could sense the fury coming from Jon; he had never seen his friend this angry before. Jon might want nothing more than to kill the Kingslayer right not, but he will follow the king's command. One thing was certain Jon now hated the Lannisters almost as much as the Martells do, especially the twins.