Oaths of Honor

Jaime.

The last two days had been a nightmare, after he had told Jon the truth the boy had asked him to leave and had since stayed in his room and refused to see anyone, not even Joy had been allowed to see him. He knew that the news he'd given him was life changing, that he'd spun the world on it axis and now he was starting to regret both the way he did it and the mere fact he'd done it at all. He had tried his best to break the news gently, but the shock of it, of everything, was obviously weighing heavily on Jon.

He too had closed himself off, though not as much as Jon had, he'd taken his meals as normal and tried to appear as if nothing was on his mind. But he was fooling no one and if things didn't change soon, he knew he'd have to answer questions he just wasn't ready for. Tyrion and Genna were already beginning to question him and Gerion wouldn't be too far behind, he went over the moment he told Jon the truth in his mind constantly, trying to figure out if he could have been more gentle with it.

" Are you my father?"

" No, Jon I'm not, but your more a son to me than any I could ever have."

" Then who?"

" Your father was Rhaegar Targaryen, your mother Lyanna Stark."

Jon looked at him before his shoulders slumped, it took him a moment to realize what may be going through the boys head.

" No Jon, it wasn't like that, they were in love, they married." Jaime said quickly.

" But how, what about Princess Elia?"

" I'm not certain Jon, but there's a letter both from her and your mother, I'm sure there are answers there."

" Where's the letter my lord?"

Jaime moved to the chest and opened it.

" Your mother kept these things for you Jon it's your birthright." Jaime said as he took the letters out and handed them to him.

" What's that?" Jon said picking up the cloth covered sword,

" It's yours Jon, from your father." Jaime said as Jon uncovered Dark Sister.

" Is this?"

" Aye Jon, Dark Sister, the blade wielded by Visenya herself."

He watched as the boy looked at the blade, the same awe and reverence on his face that he himself had no doubt shown when he saw it. Finally Jon put the sword down and Jaime handed him the cloak, he turned it over in his hands, his fingers slightly caressing the wolf sigil.

" Your mother's maiden cloak." Jaime said and saw Jon's eyes begin to tear up.

He turned away and picked up the dragon egg and held it in his hands while Jon looked at the cloak, when he eventually put the cloak down, he handed him the egg.

" Is this a dragon egg?" Jon asked as he took the egg in his hands.

" Aye it is?"

" It's warm and it's moving." Jon said shocking Jaime.

" Are you sure?"

" Feel it."

Jaime placed his hand on the egg and nearly jumped from his seat, the egg was hot almost scalding and he could definitely feel movement under the scales, he looked at Jon who was staring intently at the egg, almost like he was in a trance before he finally put the egg down on the bed. Jaime reached over to touch the egg again and this time it was cold, no movement at all, he couldn't understand it, was it a Targaryen thing, he wasn't sure, no one had ever spoken of such a thing to his knowledge.

" So what now?" Jon asked.

" That's up to you, Jon, whatever you decide I'll be there for you." Jaime said as Jon just nodded, the look on his face one he couldn't quite place.

" I think I need to be on my own for a while." Jon said.

" Very well, Jon these things no one can know of them, you understand that right?"

" I do, thank you my lord."

As he sat there playing events over and over in his mind, he was unaware that after two days, it seemed that Jon had enough time to work things out in his head.

"My lord, may we speak?" he heard Jon's voice and turned to see the boy smiling at him.

"Of course Jon, how are you feeling?"

"Much better my lord, thank you."

Jon sat down and Jaime stared at him intently, he looked much better than he had when he'd left him, much more settled and Jaime hoped he'd begun to come to terms with the revelations.

"What do you want to speak of Jon?

"What do we do now my lord?."

"That's up to you Jon."

Jon sat down and Jaime waited on him to speak, whatever he decided Jaime would go along with, if he didn't want the throne then that would be fine. But he hoped he would embrace his heritage, the realm needed a king they could be proud of and Jaime was in no doubt that Jon would be that king.

Jon.

After having spent two days trying to come to terms with the revelation of who he was, who his parents were Jon still had trouble trying to get it straight in his mind. Combined with the fact he now also had a dragon egg which for some reason he could hear speaking to him and was feeding it blood and it was a wonder he hadn't gone as mad as his now known to be grandfather.

He had decided that sitting around stewing over things had gone on long enough, the egg had thankfully stopped calling him for now. Though he'd left it resting in a still burning fire, with Ghost watching over the room so no one could enter. Now after making his way to the one man who could give him answers, he found he was lost for words, the questions he wanted to ask all jumbled together in his head.

"Jon are you all right?" Jaime asked.

"Sorry my lord, I was just thinking." he replied sheepishly.

"That's understandable given what you've learned." Jaime smiled at him which he returned.

"Did you know when you met me my lord?" Jon asked after a moment.

"I suspected when I saw you first. But it took me a while to be certain."

"So that's why you wanted me as your squire." Jon said his voice tinged with sadness as he looked down at his lap.

"Jon, Jon, look at me." Jaime said forcing him to look back up "Yes, originally when I saw you that's why, but Jon don't think that's the only reason, I wanted you to live a better life, to not have to worry about people looking down upon you, you were born a king Jon and you deserved more than you'd been given."

"But if I hadn't been, then it wouldn't have mattered would it?"

"Honestly I don't know, but what I can say is the more time I spent with you, the more we sparred, talked and japed together, the less it became about the king and the more it became about it being you."

Jon looked Jaime in the eye, he could see he was speaking honestly with him, could see the way he was looking at him that he was both worried and concerned about him. It was the same look he gave him when he was recovering from his illness after the tourney, he knew that look, had longed for it all his life.

Years before at Winterfell he'd see his father look at Robb when he was learning how to ride that way, had seen Lady Catelyn look at Sansa when she had hurt herself from falling and was having the scrape on her knee attended to. Yet for him that look never came, not when he fell ill, or suffered a hurt, not even when he cried himself to sleep after the Lady had told him he was not her son, but a bastard.

"Thank you my lord." Jon said.

"For what Jon?"

"For bringing me here, for allowing me to spend time with your family."

"Jon you're a part of my family, never doubt that, you're as much a part of this family as Tyrion or Gerion is, you understand, you're more than just my king Jon."

Jon could feel his heart swell at Jaime's words, from the moment he'd come here he'd felt different, being treated differently, he wasn't the bastard of Winterfell here, he was Jon. Here he had friends, people who cared about him and for the first time in his life he was allowed to not be ashamed of what he was, or what he thought he was. Suddenly a thought hit him and he couldn't shake it no matter how much he tried.

"Do they know, Tyrion, Gerion, do they know the truth?" he asked worriedly.

"No Jon they don't, they treat you as they do because of you Jon, not because you're the rightful king, but because to them you're someone more important, you're family."

Jon nodded his head, he didn't know what he'd think if they'd known, if they'd been treating him this way because of who he really was rather than who they thought he was, with Joy it was simple, he loved the girl and she him, simply because of who they were.

"Who knows my lord?"

"Apart from me, your Uncle Ned and Ser Barristan."

Jon felt his breath catch in his throat, Ser Barristan, the bold himself knew the truth, he had briefly met the man and tried to remember it in his head, tried to remember if there had been a sign he'd missed. But he couldn't, as far as he could recollect there was none.

"How does Ser Barristan know?"

"At the tourney Jon, he saw you, saw some of the same things I saw, but when he saw you fight Jon, he knew. So we spoke and he declared himself for you, he's been working with me in the background ever since." Jaime said as he looked to him.

"Declared himself for me." Jon said his shock clear.

"Aye, both he and I are the first to declare for Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name." Jaime smiled at him.

"Why my lord, why me?"

"You've seen the king Jon, seen the queen, from what I've heard the prince is no better either, not only are you the rightful king but you'd be a better one than that fat oaf or his son."

"But how do you know my lord?" Jon said shaking his head.

"Jon, do you know that the king borrowed a million gold dragons from my father, despite being left a full treasury he managed to waste it all on tourneys and fine wines, feasts and whores. This is the king we have on the throne Jon, this is the man who stole your birthright."

"But how do you know I'd be any better."

"Jon, look what you've done here already, look at my niece, my nephews, what you did at Castermere, with the ships, the trade deal with the north, that was all you Jon, no one else, why did you do those things?"

"I, I, because they were the right things to do my lord."

"That's why you'd make a better king Jon, you do the right thing, naturally without thinking about it, without thinking of how it'd benefit you, you just do it. Would you accept Castermere."

"NO Castermere belongs to Gerion and Joy after him." Jon said loudly horrified by the notion.

"You see, who else would do that, for what you've done giving you lordship of Castermere would be a small price to pay, yet you wouldn't accept it, not just now because you know Joy would get it, but had I offered it to you, you'd have told me to keep it. You didn't do what you did for a reward Jon, that's what a true king should be like."

Jon sat there trying to take in what Jaime was saying, was it true? A king should try to make the lives of his subjects better and Jon knew should he ever be in a position to do so it would be his first priority, but was that enough? Surely there was more to it than that.

"So it's just you, Barristan and my uncle then, no one else?"

"As far as I know Jon, that's it."

"The Tyrell's?"

"What, no, why would you, Jon they're your friends because of you Jon, trust me if the Tyrell's knew of you, they'd be looking to make an alliance immediately."

"So Loras being sent here isn't that then?"

He looked at Jaime who for a moment seemed deep in thought.

"Why that conniving old witch." Jaime laughed.

"My Lord?"

"Olenna, the queen of thorns, I missed it, she actually managed to pull one on me." Jaime smirked as he shook his head.

"My lord, I don't understand?"

"You were almost right Jon," Jaime said and Jon felt his chest tighten, if they knew then it meant Margaery knew and that would mean that everything they shared, letters, gifts, the times they'd met had all been an act, she wasn't truly his friend, she was playing a game.

"Jon, they don't know all right." Jaime added when he saw the look in Jon's face.

"But Loras my lord?"

"Jon, Loras was sent because Olenna wants to find out about what we're doing, probably about you too, not because they know or even suspect the truth, but because of what we're doing in the west, what you've done Jon, you've made waves." Jaime said proudly.

Jon nodded his head as he breathed a sigh of relief, the thoughts that Margaery didn't see him as a friend had luckily only been brief, Jon didn't dare think how he'd have felt if it had been the truth.

"My lord what do we do now?" Jon asked.

"As I said Jon that's up to you, do you want it, the throne, your birthright?"

"I do my lord, it's what my mother wanted for me, what my father wanted and I want it my lord, I want to be king."

Gerion.

He looked out at the ship as it was being prepared, the whole family would be traveling on it and even though he had no desire to go to Kings Landing, the thoughts of them all going made the trip seem worthwhile. He knew how much Joy would love sailing, especially on this ship, as he'd been stunned to see just how luxurious there cabins were.

When he'd come to see the ship close up for the first time he'd been amazed, it dwarfed the largest of their ships considerably and yet somehow it could still manage to dock just as easily as a much smaller ship. The captain had tried to explain it to him but he drifted off, the man speaking of things he knew not nor cared not to find out about.

Instead Gerion had been much more interested to see the ship in action, to see how it glided across the water, to feel how steady the deck was as you walked on it. When he'd gone down to see the cabins he'd been amazed by their quality, there was a large dorm style segment for crew and a number of cabins for the officers all of which were of much better quality than paying cabins he'd used before. The guest cabins though were something else, each of them as large as three normal cabins, fitted out with a comfortable bed, a desk, space to store your things and a place to wash up. All in all the trip to Kings Landing would be very comfortable.

Quick too if Kevan was right, these ships moving almost twice or sometime three times the speed of one of their smaller ships. How Jon had come up with the design for such a masterpiece of ship craft was beyond him, but the boy's achievements should no longer really surprise him, given Castermere alone.

Thinking of Jon made him worry for the lad, he'd not been himself since he'd arrived back from Castermere, even seeing him with Joy seemed off somewhat. He'd spoken to Tyrion and Genna about it and between them had resolved to make sure that on the journey to Kings Landing they'd find out just exactly what was going on with the boy.

"My lord, everything's in order I trust?" Darpas the Captain asked.

"Aye, it is Captain, this ship is, I've never seen the like."

"Aye, it's special my lord, a pleasure to sail and captain is the Lady Joanna."

Gerion smiled, the flagship of the Lannister fleet wasn't named after his brother, Jaime having gone out of his way to keep Tywin's name and legacy as far away from anything they were doing now, even Kevan had agreed once he saw the true horror of Castermere. So the five pinnacles of the Lannister fleet had been named instead, The Lion's Mane, The Lion's Roar, The Lion's Tail, The Lion's Bite and the Lady Joanna and Gerion couldn't help but smirk at Kevan's naming process.

" Uncle, the next one is to be named after my mother, you can have another lion later." Jaime said exasperatedly.

" Of course my lord, I'll ensure the last one is more suited for family as is befitting the flagship itself."

Having checked the ship thoroughly Gerion disembarked and walked to the tavern that Tyrion owned, it had taken his nephew a while but he'd finally managed to turn the tavern into something he was incredibly proud of. Now every time they were in Lannisport it was here they'd go for a meal or a drink, rather than stop off at Kevan's residence.

His brother had begun work on his seat and it would be incredibly impressive, looking out into the bay itself, the Castle he was building was huge and would take many years to complete. But he knew that for Kevan just like him with Castermere he wasn't building it for himself. Until then his brother had stayed in the large residence they owned when in town, which he was more often than not now, although now with the fleet he did sail a fair bit also.

"My lord." the serving girl said as he walked into the tavern.

"The usual, Karon." he said and sat down.

After a few moments the girl brought him his meal, some clam soup and white wheat bread to start followed by a crab pie, with some northern ale to wash it down, courtesy of their deal with the Manderly's. The ale had been a surprise hit in the Westerlands, something about it making the seafood fare taste much better and adding to the flavor, had made it most sought after.

He sat in silence and finished the soup quickly before taking his time to savor the pie, the creamy sauce spiced just the right amount he relished every bite as he washed it down with the Ale. After drinking another mug of ale he called Karon over and paid for the meal, the extra silver stags he gave the girl making her smile that much bigger.

They'd be leaving on the morrow, so he left for the ride back to Casterly Rock, Genna had said she'd prepare Joy's things and his little girl was looking forward to the adventure no doubt, he smiled. If there was one thing he really appreciated about having Jon come stay all those years ago, then it was his daughters love of adventure. He nodded to his guards, they having already eaten earlier had allowed him to have his meal alone, got up on his horse and they began the ride home.

Jaime.

He and Jon had spoken for close to an hour or two now and while they'd discussed some of what was needed they hadn't really gotten to the heart of the matter. He was happy Jon had decided to aim for his birthright, had he not he'd have supported him of course, but the boy belonged on the throne and he was glad he hadn't just came in and told him he didn't want it.

"You hungry Jon?"

"Aye, I could eat my lord."

"Come on lets grab something, we can come back here to finish our talk afterwards."

"Aye, sounds good."

Jaime got up and walked to the door with Jon following, they made their way down to the dining hall passing Ghost on their way, Jon leaned down to pet the wolf before quickly walking into his room, Jaime deciding to follow. When he got inside he was surprised to see the fire burning in the fireplace and he looked on as Jon added more wood, before he noticed the white scales of the dragon egg in the grate.

"Is that the egg Jon?"

"Aye my lord, one more thing we need to speak about."

Jaime nodded and they left the room, Jon closing the door and leaning down to Ghost again, he looked up to see the wolf ready to follow them and as they walked they bumped into one of the servants.

"My lord, Jon, your room, I, should I clean it now Jon?" the girl asked.

"No it's fine Alyce, I'll look after it, don't worry on it all right." Jon said smiling at her,

"All right Jon, as you say, My lord." she smiled at Jon before giving him a small curtsy.

They entered the dining hall to see Genna sitting there with her boys and Kevan's two youngest sons and Joy who immediately ran to Jon.

"Jon." she said happily as he grabbed her and gave her a spin.

"Hello Joy, what've you been doing?"

"Auntie, made me sew and wouldn't let me ride Apples." the girl said looking daggers at Genna.

"That's not very nice is it."

"No, can we ride Jon, please," she looked at him her eyes large and lip quivering and Jaime couldn't help his smirk, the boy had no hope.

"Lets eat first. then I'll find Loras and we'll go for a ride all right."

"Loras sad Jon."

"Well, me, you and Ghost will cheer him up won't we." Jon said and Joy nodded enthusiastically.

They sat down and immediately the boys peppered Jon with talk of spars and the tourney, asking him if he'd fight in the duels and could they join him on his ride. Jaime looked to his aunt who smiled at him, happy just like him to see things returning to normal. They ate a small meal, Joy feeding a clearly happier Ghost from Jon's plate and Jon laughing with the boys, who all seemed glad to see him.

"Everything all right?" his aunt said quietly nodding to Jon.

"Getting there Aunt, getting there."

After they finished the meal, Jon said they'd speak later this evening, so he allowed the boy go off and have some fun, they'd be discussing some things that wouldn't allow for it much later he knew, so he might as well enjoy himself for now. He decided to head to Tyrion's solar, knowing that his brother would be preparing for the journey.

Loras.

Loras lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling, he had tried to speak to Jon but hadn't been allowed into his room, while Jaime at least was speaking to him, their spars had stopped and Jon hadn't been out of his room since he called him a bastard. He had felt terrible at the time once he realized what he'd said, he was in disbelief that he actually said it, ever since he'd been trying to replay it in his mind, trying to figure out just why he'd called Jon that.

He had never thought of Jon as a bastard, sure he knew it was the truth, it was what he was, but Jon was so unlike any bastard he had known that he never saw him that way. Jon was as his sister called him Just Jon, he was fun and kind and he loved the same things Loras did, from the moment he'd met him he had felt him a friend and ever since coming to Casterly Rock he felt that more keenly.

Loras knew he was different, he felt different, when girls would smile at him he'd be polite and friendly. But when a boy would do the same, it felt different, more intense somehow, but with Jon it felt different again. With Jon it was like being with Garlan except without the feeling of inferiority, even though just like Garlan, he was much better than Loras at things. With Jon it always felt like he wanted Loras to improve, to get better, where at times with Garlan it felt like he was disappointed.

Jon was like a brother to him in a lot of ways, he was what at times he'd hoped Garlan would be, an older brother who didn't judge or belittle him when he got stuff wrong. He loved Garlan and his brother didn't mean anything by it, but still at times it hurt. With Jon though it never felt that way, when they ribbed each other or japed at the other's expense, it felt different.

"Loras can I come in." he heard Jon's voice at the door and jumped from his bed.

"Yes, of course, please." Loras said.

"Jon I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it I swear, I don't know why I said it." Loras babbled as soon as Jon entered.

"It's fine Loras, I know that, look we're heading out for a ride, why don't you get ready and come join us."

"You, I can come with you."

"Of course, you're my friend Loras, friends say stupid stuff to one another all the time, it's done, forgiven and forgotten."

Loras grabbed Jon in a tight hug, he was glad to feel his friend hug him back.

"Now come on, Joy's probably driving Alyrs and Jors crazy, apparently she's not been allowed near Apples while I was sulking." Jon said with a laugh.

Loras laughed back and went to grab his things, he and Jon walked down to the lift together, laughing and joking all the way and Loras felt relieved, his friend had forgiven him, he would do everything he could to ensure that he earned that forgiveness.

That evening.

The day's riding had been fun, Jon and Joy had raced off as usual with Ghost chasing after them, he and the boys had slowly trotted, none of them willing to engage in a race with the best two horse riders in the rock. Joy was incredible to watch on a horse, just like Jon on Winter, seeing her on Apples was like seeing someone born to ride a horse.

They had raced, mock sparred with the boys, had some food by the stream they usually went to, at one point, Joy had tried to climb onto Ghost's back much to the wolf's annoyance. Finally they had come back to the rock, the evening meal that night was the best he'd had in a few days, the food itself nothing special, but the company so much more so. They had laughed and japed and he could see even the older Lannister's seemed happy to have Jon back amongst them.

"Are you excited about the tourney?" he said to Jon as they walked towards his room.

"Aye, you?"

"Definitely, I'll bet my sister will be glad to see you also."

"I hope so, I missed the last tourney, was she very cross?"

"No, Marge's not like that, she was disappointed, but it couldn't be helped, besides your letter cheered her up."

"Well, I shall do my best to stay healthy this time." Jon laughed,

"Good, I want the chance to face you in the duels."

"Really, that eager to lose are you." Jon bumped his shoulder forcing him to laugh also.

"Who knows, maybe I'll surprise you this time." Loras looked at him out of the corner of his eye.

"Aye, you may do." Jon nodded "After the tourney I'll be heading north for a while, I'll probably be gone for six moons or so."

Loras felt he heart drop, the two days without his friend had been the longest he'd known, six whole moons without him would be unbearable.

"Can I come?" he asked his voice quiet.

"You want to?" Jon asked looking him in the eye.

"Aye, what are friends for." Loras smiled.

"I'd love for you to come, if your sure it's what you want?"

"Aye, we'll have fun, traveling besides I've never seen the north."

Loras felt excited for the journey as he lay in his bed that night, first the tourney and then a trip to see Jon's home, it would be an adventure and he was glad he'd asked to go, the look on Jon's face had made it worthwhile. After the look he'd put there calling his friend that word, he had resolved never to even think it, let alone say it again, seeing the look on Jon's face when he asked to join him, was priceless.

Jon.

Jon didn't realize just how much he needed to spend the day with everyone just enjoying himself until he did it, riding with Joy, playing with the boys, speaking to Loras, all of it made him feel so much better. He stoked the fire and put more wood on it, the egg covered in the flames, when he was certain the fire would hold he walked down to Jaime's rooms. He had read Joy her bedtime story and kissed her goodnight and the smile she gave him when he left the room made him feel much better.

Nodding to Alyrs who seemed glad to see him walking around and was now heading off to his own quarters, Jon walked down the corridor and when he arrived at Jaime's he knocked before entering. Jaime was sitting at his desk waiting apparently and Jon took a seat and got ready to begin.

All day he'd gone over what they'd discuss when he came back and it kept coming back to one thing, what had happened that day in the Red Keep. He took a breath and got ready to ask the one question he'd never asked Jaime once, why had he killed the king. He could see from the look in Jaime's eye that he knew what he was about to be asked, the worry and regret clear in his expression.

"You want to know don't you." Jaime said resignedly.

"Aye, I'm sorry my lord, I know it's hard, but I need to know."

"Very well, but Jon there's some of it I won't say, I'm sorry but some of it your too young for, I'm not hiding anything and if you want to know then one day when your older I'll speak of it, but for now I can't all right?"

"That's fine my lord, tell me what you can though." he smiled as reassuringly as he could but it had no effect he could see.

"Your grandfather was exactly as you've heard Jon, he was cruel and violent and as the days went on it was clear he was losing his mind, the mad king was the moniker he was given and it was an apt one.

After Duskendale it got worse, he grew paranoid, thinking everywhere there were people out to get him, to overthrow him, or just plain plotting against him.

He blamed my father mostly, never really forgave him for it. So from then on the relationship between them was strained, My father had wanted Cersei to marry Rhaegar you see and your grandfather threw it in his face, I won't marry a prince to a servants daughter your grandfather said and my father I believe never forgave him for that.

When I was named Kingsguard it was the second proudest day of my life Jon, it was only later did I realize it was not an honor but a slight to my father, the final one he'd accept as he resigned and went back to the Rock."

Jaime stopped for a moment and took a large swallow from his mug which he refilled with water before looking at Jon and nodding his head and continuing.

"When the rebellion started, your father was nowhere to be found, we know now why that was, but Aerys, Jon, Aerys saw betrayal everywhere, he ordered Ser Gerold to find him and bring him to him and refused to allow Elia and the children to leave, believing he needed them as hostages.

Your father soon arrived and I begged to be allowed join him in battle, I pleaded with him Jon, but he refused, Aerys had never seen me as a Kingsguard you see, to him I was a hostage too, used to ensure my father's complicity.

The last words you father ever spoke to me was to tell me to keep his family safe, to protect them until he returned, that things would change when he did so, and I failed him Jon, I failed them."

Jon jumped from his chair as Jaime began to sob, he rushed behind the table and threw his arms around the man, when he had broken down it was Jaime who had comforted him and Jon did his best to do the same.

"You didn't fail them all my lord, I'm here, I know the truth thanks to you." Jon said and refused to let go of the crying man.

It took a few moments for the tears to stop, for Jaime to stop shaking, Jon never let go though and only when Jaime nodded to him did he move away.

"We don't need to discuss anymore my Lord, we've spoken enough." Jon said.

"No, Jon I need to tell you what happened, you need to know."

"If your sure my lord?"

"Aye I am."

Jon moved back to his seat and sat down and waited for Jaime to continue.

"When news hit the Red Keep of the Trident and your father's death, Aerys ordered the gates closed and preparations to be readied for the siege, he also ordered his new hand Rossart to make sure the surprise was ready.

When my father arrived at the gate Varys advised your grandfather to not allow him to enter, Pycelle that toad advised he should trust my father, which he did much to his regret. My father's men sacked the city and when your grandfather realized what had happened, he ordered me to bring him his head, he ordered Rossart to light the wildifire and shouted that he would Burn Them All."

"Wildfire my Lord? Jon asked.

"Aye, he had planted it all thorough the city, one spark would be enough to set it off, he'd kill all his enemies and like a true dragon rise from the flames, or so he believed."

"But the people, surely he realized that he'd kill all the people my lord."

"Jon he was beyond mad at that point, he didn't care, I can still hear him saying it, Burn Them All, Burn them all, I couldn't let it happen, I… I had no choice, you must believe me Jon, please, you must believe me."

"Jaime, it's fine, you did what was right, what was just, don't ever think otherwise, I don't." Jon said and Jaime looked at him shaking his head.

"I broke my oath Jon, my oath to your family, I was supposed to protect the king, instead I stabbed him in the back."

"Look at me." Jon said and Jaime looked up at him "You did what was right, what honor demanded and even if it didn't, you saved countless lives, you're a hero Jaime, a hero, don't ever let anyone tell you different."

"But.."

"No, anything after the word but is bullshit, am I your king?"

"You are, of course you are."

"Then as your king I pardon you, I forgive you and if I say you're a hero, then dammit Jaime you're a hero."

"I broke my oath," Jaime said angrily.

"To a mad man, you broke an oath to a mad man, but you upheld an even greater oath, you protected the innocent, how many did you save that day, how many men, women and children lived, how many grew to have children of their own?"

"I killed you grandfather." Jaime said softly.

"Who killed my other grandfather and uncle, you killed a kinslayer Jaime, a mad man who would have laughed as thousands burned to death, no man has ever deserved to die more than he."

"I didn't save them, don't you get it, I didn't save them." Jaime cried loudly.

"Did you know what your father had planned?"

"No, of course not." Jaime's anger clear in his voice.

"Then you thought you had saved them, Jaime, look at me." Jaime looked up at him "It wasn't your fault, you hear me, it wasn't your fault."

Jon watched as the tears fell from Jaime's face, it took a few moments but finally he nodded at him and Jon nodded back. Jaime got up from his seat and walked into the other room, he was gone for some time. Jon sat there on the chair thinking over what he'd been told, it had never sat right with him that the man he knew as Jaime Lannister, was the same man people called oath breaker and Kingslayer.

The Jaime he knew was honorable, he realized that very early on, so him breaking an oath didn't make sense, he had heard his fath..uncle once say that Jaime had killed the king on the orders of his father, but that made no sense to Jon, not now he knew him. Jaime held no love for his father, the things he'd done disgusted him, he'd seen that clearly at Castermere, so his uncle was wrong. But why hadn't Jaime told anyone, why had he allowed his name to be sullied when his actions should have brought him acknowledgement, when people should have realized just exactly what he'd done and why.

"Do you wish to talk more, or should we leave it for the morrow?" Jon asked when Jaime walked back in the room.

"No, lets finish as much as we can tonight, we'll be busy tomorrow with the preparations for the journey, your still going right?"

"Aye, I want to see it, I need to see it." Jon said determinedly.

"Good, then what?"

"I don't know, I think I want to travel north, I need to speak with my uncles."

"Your uncles?"

"Aye, all three of them, Benjen and Aemon at Castle Black and I needs must speak with Uncle Ned, I have to know, I need to know, I.."

"I understand, but why Castle Black?"

"It's about the egg and other things, I've been hearing things, seeing things, I don't understand it, there are voices and dreams and this." Jon said holding his hand up.

"When, How did that happen." Jaime said worriedly looking at the cut on his palm.

"I did it." Jon said looking down at his lap.

"You, why?" Jaime confusedly asked.

"I.I don't know how to explain it, ever since I held the egg, there's been a voice in my head calling me, telling me to wake it up, I don't know why but when i heard the voice I felt the need to cut myself, to allow the blood drip on the egg. Now though the voice has stopped as if I've done what I'm supposed to. Now just keeping it in the fire always keeping it warm just seems right, I don't know, it just feels right."

"Fire and Blood." Jaime whispered.

"What?"

"Fire and Blood, your house's words, this must be something to do with that."

"That's why I need to speak with Aemon, he's the only family I've got that would know, that and my mother's letter told me to talk to him, that I need to talk with him."

"All right, well what if we take the ship north after the tourney, we could sail to Eastwatch and go to Castle Black from there,

"Aye, we could do that, I need to speak to Benjen too, we could travel to Winterfell afterwards."

"Jon, are you sure that's what you want? Are you really ready for that?" Jaime asked concernedly.

"I need to my lord, there are things only my uncle would know, also the letter, my mother, the things she said if true my lord, I need to know."

"Not Jaime eh." Jaime japed.

"Ehmm Sorry my lord." Jon said shaking his head.

"Earlier you called me Jaime, I think for the first time."

"I, you were upset my lord, I thought it appropriate."

"No Jon, it was fine, I prefer it, this my lord stuff is too formal anyway."

"It's proper my lord, should anyone see different it would raise questions."

Jon watched as Jaime nodded in agreement, at some point the dynamic between them would shift, it had probably already started too, but until Jon was crowned, Jaime was a lord and he was just a squire.

"Very well for now we'll keep it as it is, but you're my King Jon, at some point we're going to have to address what that means."

"I know my lord, we can discuss it more as we go on."

"As you wish your grace." Jaime said with a smirk.

"Careful, I can order you about now you know." Jon said and they both laughed.

"Aye, you can, anyway, is there anything else or is that it?" Jaime asked.

"We need to tell them my lord, soon."

"I know Jon, I've wanted to tell them for a long time." Jaime sighed.

"Why didn't you?"

"I needed to tell you first, before anyone else, it had to be you knowing first."

Jon smiled at that, he was glad that no one else knew just yet, what they'd feel about the news when they heard it worried him a little, would it change how they thought of him, how they acted around him, would he go from being Jon to being Jaeharys in their minds, he hoped not. He hoped they'd see him the same as they did now, that they accepted him just as they had when he'd arrived, but he worried all the same.

"It'll be fine Jon, they'll take it well."

"What if they don't?"

"Then we'll figure things out." Jaime said and Jon nodded in agreement.

"We should wait to tell them until we come back from the north." Jon said determinedly.

"Aye, I think that's for the best, so we're agreed, we'll go north after the tourney?"

"Aye." Jon replied.

"What about Loras?" Jaime asked.

"We're good my lord, we've spoken, all is well, he wishes to come north with us."

"Fine if that's what you want, it's getting late and we have an early move to make on the morrow, lets get some rest."

"Aye, I think your right my lord." Jon said as he got up from his seat.

He walked to the door only for Jaime to call him back.

"My lord?"

He watched on stunned as Jaime took out his sword and knelt on the ground.

"I Jaime Lannister, do hereby pledge my sword and counsel to the true king Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name, I shall shield his back, smite down his enemies, do his bidding and follow no orders but his. This I swear from this day to my last."

Jon felt his heart soar, his lord, his friend, his mentor had sworn to him, to a boy raised as a bastard, the greatest knight in Westeros had sworn his blade to him.

"I vow that you shall always have a place at my hearth and meat and mead at my table. I pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you into dishonor, I swear it by the old gods and the new, Arise, my lord, your king welcomes your service and will always value your counsel."

Jaime stood back up and Jon grabbed him in a hug.

Jaime.

They broke their fast early the next morn, Joy barely awake as they ate, she actually fell asleep in Jon's arms at the table and Alessia needed to grab her to take her down to the waiting carriage. He had sent a raven to their property in Kings Landing to ready it for their arrival, also with a note for Vylarr to ensure the surprise was ready for Jon and Loras once they arrived.

That morning during their spar he had felt lighter than he had in a number of days, Jon too was back more to himself, the two had japed more and he was happy to see that while the news had changed some things between them, most still stayed the same. He watched on as their horses were loaded onto the ship, Winter and Honor would be coming with them and Loras had asked to bring Bluebell too, so Jaime had agreed. For the rest of their retinue north he'd purchase horses in White Harbor, Jon having convinced him to make a longer stop off there than he'd planned.

"My Lord we're ready to cast off as soon as you are." Darpas said.

"Very well Captain, give the order.

Everyone else had quickly made their way down to their cabins all but Jon who stood at the ship's bow holding an excited Joy who was waving at the people on the docks, Ghost lay in front of them and Jaime couldn't help but smirk at the uncomfortable look on the wolf's face, Jon had needed to coax the wolf on board earlier. He walked towards them and could hear his nieces voices repeating what Jon said as he drew closer.

"Say bye bye Joy.

"Bye bye,

"And to the birdies."

"Bye bye Birdies."

He saw Alessia and called her over, tasking her to take Joy down to her father.

"No want to stay, Jon."

"I know princess, go with Alessia for now, I'll come down in a little while, I promise.

"Promise?"

"Aye, princess." Jon said and Jaime smiled a his niece saw him.

"Bye bye nuncle."

"Bye bye princess." he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

Once Alessia and Joy were gone he stood beside Jon watching as Lannisport faded from view, things would change once they came back from this journey, the rules of the game would be different.

"You ready for this Jon."

"Aye, I was born ready." Jon smirked.

"That you were my king, that you were."