Oaths of Honor

Jon.

Jon followed Jaime and Lord Reed from the hall, Ghost walking alongside him, his wolf was acting strangely, almost as if he was nervous, though considering Jon was too perhaps it wasn't a surprise. Ahead of him Jaime tried to get Lord Reed to give them a clue where they were going and why, but the diminutive crannogman was giving nothing away.

They walked from the New Castle itself, down into the city streets, Ghost beside him drawing stares though for some reason the wolf was on his best behavior. He could see Jaime getting more and more agitated by Lord Reed's reluctance to explain where they were going. Moving forward Jon touched him on the back and when Jaime looked at him Jon nodded and smiled, calming him down for now.

Eventually after walking for some time he saw it in the distance and realized exactly where they were being led, the black stone and crumbling walls were a sharp contrast to the white washed buildings nearby. Ahead of them was a gate and two guards stood sentry, both carrying tridents that were taller than they were, Jon looked on as Lord Reed walked forward the two guards were not looking eager to allow them access, it took a while before they finally gave in.

"Follow me." Lord Reed said, his first words to him since he'd come to them while they were breaking their fast.

"What's this about?" Jaime asked his annoyance clear.

"All in good time my lord, there's a place inside where we can speak freely."

Jaime shook his head but both he and Jon followed the lord into the Wolfs' Den itself, Jon was in awe as he looked around, for centuries this fortress had held the White Knife from raiders. Though just like Moat Cailin it had fallen into disrepair it was still clear just how impressive this would have looked at one time. As they walked inside a man came towards them with some more guards. The man had one leg and one eye and leaned on a crutch to walk and yet Jon could see there was a strength to him, Lord Reed stopped before him and smiled.

"Ser Bartimus, it's good to see you old friend."

"Aye you too Howland, but what brings you here." the man said gruffly though not without a hint of fondness.

"I wish to pray in the Godswood, my companions too."

"Very well I'll see you're not disturbed, you know the way, I'd escort you but I don't get around as well as I once did." Bartimus said with a hollow laugh.

"None of us do anymore Bartimus." Howland replied.

Ser Bartimus turned and walked away and Howland led them onward, eventually they came to the Godswood, the Weirwood at the center was huge so big that it's branches passed through the nearby windows. The face carved into the tree leaked it's red sap, it's eyes crying almost as if it looked upon them with great sadness. Jon watched as Howland knelt before it and began speaking so softly that the words could not be made out, after a few moments he stood up and looked at them.

"Jon you know what they say of an oath spoken in front of the heart tree?"

"Aye my lord, that to break such an oath is to risk the wrath of the gods."

"Aye and what do they say about lying in front of one Jon?"

"That it cannot be done, that the gods will know if you don't speak the truth." Jon said and Howland nodded.

"I brought you here so you'd both know that what I said was the truth and that any oath I swore would be sworn in front of mine own gods"

"Very well my lord." Jaime said looking to Jon confusedly.

Howland suddenly got down on one knee and Jon felt his breath catch in his throat, he felt his heart beat race and his chest grew heavy, Ghost immediately came to him and Jon reached his hand into the wolfs fur, feeling the lightness return almost at once.

"I swear myself to the one true king, Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name, I shall offer my counsel, my sword, my fealty to he above all others, I do this in the name of the old gods, the true gods and let them strike me down should I fail to honor this oath or fail to speak the truth this day."

Jon looked on stunned a feeling that Jaime seemed to be matching, he had never expected this, had thought perhaps that he may if luck was with him hear tell of his mother from Lord Reed. That the story of how his mother and the crannogman met at Harrenhal could perhaps be related to him, even if the nature of his relationship with her was considered more a nephew than a son. But knowing that Lord Reed knew the full truth opened up so many questions in his mind, so many possibilities that he was actually dumbstruck.

"My lord please rise, I… I don't know what to say."

"Will you accept my fealty my king?"

"I will my lord, with great honor and humility." Jon said and watched the smile appear on lord Reeds face as he rose.

"No doubt you have many questions Jon, you too Lord Jaime. I suggest you take a seat we may be here some time there is much you both need to know."

The three of them looked around the heart tree for somewhere to sit, Jaime looking at Lord Reed with suspicion still, something Jon found surprising, why if the lord had pledged to him was Jaime not overjoyed? What was it he wasn't seeing here? It took him a few moments to figure it out and when he did he too began to look at Lord Reed the same way.

"My lord, how did you know Lord Jaime knew the truth?" Jon asked and noticed Jaime nod to him thankful he asked the question on both their minds.

"Ever since Lord Jaime asked for you to be his squire I've wondered why he did so Jon, wondered why he'd take a northern lad as his squire, no doubt you're talented and what you've achieved since you've gone west is incredible. But that still doesn't answer why Lord Jaime Lannister would take the bastard of Winterfell as a squire, forgive me for calling you that Jon."

"It's fine my lord." Jon waved off the apology with a shake of his head.

"So I've watched and waited and last night and today I saw it, how Lord Jaime looks when someone unknown comes to speak to you, how he almost bristles when someone looks as if they may disrespect you, when I asked to speak to you both, it was you Jon who gave Lord Jaime a nod, here as we walked to this place it was you who did the same. Why would the Warden of the west be taking orders from his squire? For what reason would he be following your lead?

The simple answer is he wouldn't no matter how highly he thought of him, of you, but for his king well that's different." Howland said a soft smile on his face.

Jon nodded and looked to Jaime who nodded in agreement, they would need to speak together later to see if anyone else was beginning to notice or was Lord Reed just more intuitive because he already knew Jon's truth.

"My lord, can you tell me of my mother, of what happened, can you tell me the truth?" Jon asked his voice trembling with emotion.

"It would be my honor Jon."

Howland.

He had knelt before his gods and then his king both feeling equally as right to him, the weight he'd carried deep within him for over ten years was finally something he need not bear. As he sat looking at Jon and Jaime he wondered where he should begin, Harrenhal, the Tower of Joy both were as important as the other, perhaps the beginning would be best, he sighed and began to recount the worst days of his life

"Ten years ago I made a pilgrimage to see the Weirwoods on the Isle of Face's after which I went to Harrenhal, which is where I first met your mother Jon."

"Aye, the knight of the laughing tree." Jon said smiling.

"You know this tale?"

"Some my lord, but you lived it did you not?" Jon said and Howland nodded.

"Aye that I did, Your mother was special Jon, strong, determined and fierce, when I was attacked she stormed right up to those boys chasing them off with a wooden sword. She tried to get me to ride against them to regain my honor, but I was no horseman then or now, nor could I joust. So she took it upon herself, rode them down all for honor, something I'm glad to see you replicate."

"You heard of the joust?"

"Aye, just like your mother you are lad." Howland said and watched as Jaime smiled at the boy.

"What happened after the joust my lord?" Jon asked.

"I was close to your mother Jon after she saved me I spent a lot of time with her, saw her with Robert and with Rhaegar, one who loved her for who she was and one who loved the idea he had of her. There's a big difference you know when you see the one you love, see the person you're supposed to be with, all else just fades away, reason, thought, all of it is somehow lost while you're caught up in the hope"

"The Hope?" Jaime asked a curious look on his face."

"Of what's to come my lord, the hope of what's to come. Nothing else makes us hope so much as love, it makes us see things we had not dared to dream before, I felt it when I first saw my Jyana. I believe your father and mother felt it when they saw each other for the first time Jon."

He took a breath as he watched both Jaime and Jon sit with differing looks on their face, both of them picturing or perhaps trying to imagine what he was saying.

"What about Robert my lord?" Jon asked.

"He never loved your mother Jon, despite what he said, at Harrenhal he..he shamed her, more than once, not for the first time I learned later, but your mother was not one to accept such a thing, so she did not. I do not know when she first told him but I do know she did, she would not marry him no matter what, I do know he did not take it well."

"Did he…" Jon asked his hands trembling.

"No Jon not that I know of, had he done so he'd have never left Harrenhal alive. Brandon may have been wild and Ned quiet, but had he laid a hand on your mother they'd have killed him."

Howland watched as Jaime reached his hand out to hold the boy's shoulder, before Jon nodded for him to continue.

"Over the course of the tourney your parents fell completely in love Jon, I do not know of the details, there's only one man alive who does, but I know they met often and in secret and when I'd look at them well I've never seen a man or woman look so happy."

"What happened after the tourney?" Jon asked.

"When Aerys gave up his search for the Knight of the Laughing tree, when the Joust was done and the smiles died as people say, though they forget to mention the smiles on your mother's face or your fathers. People can call them foolish if they want, but not to me not when I'm present, I'll not have them speak of those they did not know.

When we left to travel home your mother was different she was happier, though she spoke to no one of what had occurred between Rhaegar and her, had she done so then perhaps…." Howland said and had to stop to brush a tear from his eye.

"Do you need some water my lord?" Jon asked moving towards him.

"No thanks Jon I'm good, where was I?"

"You were heading back home my lord."

"Aye, we traveled and parted at Moat Cailin and I went back to the life I'd had before, until the news came from Kings Landing and the banners were called."

"You didn't know of the kidnapping?" Jaime asked.

"There was no kidnapping." Howland said loudly.

"Aye I know, I meant you hadn't heard of Lady Lyanna's disappearance?"

"Oh, no my lord not then, it wasn't until later I found out, the war had started though and we were in the thick of it, nothing about your mother would have helped them. Ned was lost in grief you see so when I tried to speak to him he would not hear of it, which I can understand."

"He should have listened, perhaps then." Jon said.

"No Jon, he was not in the right frame of mind to not then, his brother, his father, no I may have mine own disagreements with your uncle, but on this I'll not let it be said, hearing of your mother wouldn't have stopped what came next."

"He's right Jon, war focuses the mind on one thing, survival." Jaime said and Jon reluctantly nodded his head.

"Before the trident though I thought then he might. Robert was well, well he was enraged and loudly proclaimed he'd kill your father for taking your mother from him, loudly proclaimed his love, while every night he would even more loudly entertain some whore or camp follower." Howland said his disgust clear in his voice.

"He..he did that, while claiming to love my mother, he did that." Jon stood up and Howland watched in shock as he began to punch and kick the heart tree in his rage, the red sap flowing freely as he did so.

He moved to stop him but Lord Jaime held his hand out and walked to the boy, grabbing him tightly he watched as Jon's punches grew softer against Jaime's chest, before finally stopping. The two standing there together, Jaime speaking softly as he held the boy close, it took a few more moments before they returned and Jon sat down once again.

"I apologize my lord, I shouldn't have." Jon said and Howland nodded knowing he wished to speak no more of it.

"I tried to get Ned to parlay, tried to explain there was no way your mother would have been taken, even tried to explain that I believed them to be in love. But even if Ned was willing to think on it Robert and Jon Arryn were not, after I was doing speaking to him then they would start and by the end it was pointless, the story was written and not one of us had the power to change it.

You know what happened next and there's no point in repeating it here, nor shall I speak of Kings Landing, not now. Other than to say after what happened in the throne room your uncle's eyes opened regarding Robert, when we were sent to break the siege he had all but decided never to speak to the man again. When we heard your mother was in Dorne, it filled us with a sense of purpose, we could at least bring her home, but when we got there we found we were too late."

Jaime.

He felt the emotions of his king as keenly as if they were his own, his anger, his rage, his helplessness as the crannogman laid out secrets that he had thought forever lost. He had known Robert to treat his sister with contempt, to lay with serving wenches, whores and any who took his fancy. He had known of his fathering a bastard in the Vale and another at Storms End.

But that he was acting the same with Lady Lyanna was a shock to him, he remembered all the times he'd heard the drunk king claim her as the love of his life. Yet he was the same as always, even with her, it angered him all the more for some reason. Despite his own feelings toward his sister he had perhaps accepted that Cersei had no chance to compete with a dead woman, but now knowing that none could compete with Robert's own appetites it had angered him greatly.

Though whence compared to Jon's his anger was a small brief thing, he had never seen the boy this way, jumping up he'd stopped Lord Reed from going to his king. As he held the boy tightly, he could feel the sobs against his chest, the emotions forcing him to take deep breaths just to stay composed.

" How could he, how could he." Jon's voice was muffled against his chest.

" Let it out Jon, just let it out."

When he calmed down, Jaime walked with him back to Howland Reed and listened on as the rest of the tale was told. It wasn't until he got to speaking of Dorne though that Jaime's interest in what was being said perked up. Until then he'd been far too busy watching Jon's reactions, far too concerned with his feelings to listen too attentively to what was being said. But now he would find out what had happened to his brothers, to Arthur.

"When we arrived at the tower three men stood facing us, the Kingsguard, your Kingsguard Jon. Your uncle, myself and five others, against three of the finest knights in the land, one of them the Sword of the Morning himself.

I tried to interject tried to have them see reason, but tempers were frayed and words were spoken in haste, when the scream came from the tower all was lost."

"My mother she..she was alive when you got there?" Jon said his voice near breaking.

"Aye, she was, which made the situation more desperate and meant calmer heads would not prevail that day.

Ser Gerold fell first though he struck a blow on Martyn Cassel which would be the end of him when moments later Ser Oswell took him down. I do not know who struck the blow on Ser Oswell but it was six of us left against Ser Arthur, we had him outnumbered though it was us who were outmatched."

Jaime smirked despite the seriousness of what was being said, six blades against the finest swordsman that ever lived.

"He cut through us like we were nothing, like mere boys against a man, his blade was so quick so fast that none could get close and one by one they fell Mark, Theo, Ethan, William and then I." Howland said sadly,

"You my lord?" Jon asked doubtfully.

Howland stood up and pulled aside his cloak, reaching in to open his undercoat and take out his shirt he showed the scar where the blade cut him clean through the side, had Arthur wanted him dead he'd have lain with the others, but for some reason he had let him live.

"Aye a wound though a bad one, I lay down as your uncle and Arthur fought, though it did not last long."

"My uncle slew him." Jon said softly.

"No Jon he did not, as I watched I saw Arthur disarm him and I mistook his intentions, had I not then I would never but I thought he was about to kill Ned, I took my blade and stuck him while he faced your uncle down, the blade cut through his back and out his side, and he fell."

"You, you killed Arthur, you stabbed him from behind like a coward, you killed the greatest knight, the greatest man I've every known, like a damn coward." Jaime said his voice full of rage.

Grabbing Howland by the throat he pushed him towards the heart tree, let him die close to his gods he thought as he pushed him against it. He could feel a pressure on his arm, a pulling and he tried to ignore it, but it got more persistent, in his rage he lashed out only to miss whatever it was he was aiming at. He turned back to the crannogman, this small unimportant man who'd killed a legend, this man who'd allowed Ned Stark take credit for killing the Sword of the Morning, pulling his hand back he prepared to end him.

"Jaime as your king I command you to stop." Jon's voice said loudly and he deflated almost at once.

"He killed Arthur, please Jon don't stop me." Jaime said his pain clear, before he got the chance to reply Howland spoke.

"I didn't Arthur Dayne lives still."

"What do you mean, Arthur's alive?" Jon said as Jaime moved away from Howland in shock.

"Aye, he's alive I swear it on the old gods."

Jon looked from Howland to Jaime who was pacing like a caged animal, he walked over to Jaime and stopped in front of him, reaching his hand out he placed it on his chest.

"I, he can't be Jon, he'd have never, had he known he'd have never." Jaime said his words tumbling from his mouth.

"We need to find out what happened Jaime, Howland's telling the truth, but we need to let him finish, can you do that?"

"Aye I can."

They walked over to Howland who had regained his composure and his breath, he looked at Jaime warily but when Jon nodded to him he relaxed somewhat.

"After Arthur fell Ned ran to the tower, I followed a few moments later, when I got there your mother was… she was, she hadn't much time left." Howland said shakily before continuing.

"She told Ned what happened, that she and your father were married, how she was sorry it had gone so wrong, she begged him to protect you from Robert, to let you lead the life you should have, to be the man you should be. She held you in her arms one last time, kissed you on your head and told you she loved you, that you were her dragonwolf."

Jaime turned to see the tears falling freely from Jon's eyes, he watched as Jon wiped them away after a moment and bid Howland continue.

"When Ned told me what he planned I, we, we didn't agree. I wanted to take you back to Greywater Watch, you'd have been safe there, we could have… it doesn't matter, he was your uncle and my liege so he made me swear not to speak of it and I did not, until now."

"Why now?" Jaime said voicing the question he knew Jon would, if he wasn't as upset as he clearly was.

"I..I dreamed of Lyanna, she told me to." Howland said and Jaime saw Jon turn quickly to face Howland a look of concern on his face.

"What happened with Arthur?" Jon asked a moment later surprising both Jaime and Howland that this was the question he chose to ask.

"We needed to bury the bodies, to prepare for your journey and bring your mother home, the midwife was a woman named Wylla and she agreed to look after you. She was from a village a couple of days ride from the tower and gave Ned the name of someone he could buy a cart from and get supplies, so Ned rode of and after tending to my wound I went to take care of the bodies.

When I got to Arthur he was still breathing, he shouldn't have been, the wound may not have been enough to kill him but the poison on the blade should have done so."

"You used poison?" Jaime said angrily.

"Look at me Lord Jaime, how am I supposed to beat a knight? you're damn right I used poison and I'd use it again."

"What of honor my lord?" Jon asked.

"What use is honor if you're dead Jon, honor serves a purpose and it's good to live up to it or to try to, but when you're fighting for your life the only thing that matters is that you win." Howland said as Jon looked at him curiously.

"So the poison should have killed him my lord?" Jon asked.

"Aye, how he was still alive I knew not, but he opened his eyes and the first words out of his mouth made me save him."

"What did he say?" Jon said looking at him intently.

"Are Lyanna and the babe safe."

Both Jon and Jaime smiled at this, even facing death Arthur was a Kingsguard, where another man may ask for mercy or even a clean death, his thoughts were as they always were, with his duty.

"I always carry some antidote just in case, poisoning blades can be tricky and should someone get a hold of mine own blade during a fight and use it on me, well its better to be prepared. So after telling him about your mother and that you were alive and well, we spoke some. I gave him a choice, if he promised to leave and not return unless I asked it of him, if he'd promise it on his honor, on his king, then I'd save him, if not he'd leave me with no choice."

"And Arthur accepted." Jaime said shaking his head doubtfully.

"No he laughed at me, he actually laughed at me, before he spoke." Howland said remembering it as if he was still there the image clear in his head as he repeated the words.

" You think my life is some precious thing to me, that I would trade my honor for a few more years of….of what. I am a Kingsguard my lord and the child is my king, yet you would ask me to what, to walk away and leave him helpless and without protection?"

" His uncle will protect him."

" Ned Stark is a good man and true, but not of the Kingsguard, would he lay his life down for the boy, put him before his very own family, Would he forswear the oaths he swore to the usurper who sits his nephews rightful throne, if you can tell me that and call it true my lord then I call you a liar and bid you to allow me die."

" You need to leave Ser, to live, I give you my word here and now that one day I shall send for you, one day when the boy needs you most I shall send for you, I swear it on the old gods, I swear it on the love I bore for the woman who should have been our queen."

" For Lyanna, for her boy, you swear it for them?" Arthur asked.

" I do Ser."

"Then i swear on my honor, not to return until you send for me, i swear it on the old gods and the new."

"So we came to an agreement, I gave him the antidote and he recovered, we covered an empty grave and the Sword of the Morning was no more. When your uncle came back we left the tower and gave Dawn back to the Daynes before making our way home."

"So where is Arthur?" Jaime asked.

"Volantis."

"You can contact him?" Jon said.

"Aye I can, should I?"

Jon looked to Jaime he nodded.

"Aye, tell him it's time to come home, his king has need of him." Jon said.

Wyman.

This day had been strange to say the least, after waking he went to break his fast only to find, Lord Jaime and Jon had gone off somewhere with Howland and that Loras and the Mormonts had gone on a shopping spree of all things. Luckily his granddaughters and son's were still there which gave him an opportunity to speak to them about Jon Snow. Sitting at the table though he knew that this would not be the place for the talk he wished, the hall while not full still had far too many eyes and ears, so he instead spoke far more simply the he wished.

"Did you enjoy the feast last night girls?"

"Aye we did grandfather, the dancing was most fun." Wylla said her ever present smirk on her face.

"What about you Wynafred?" he asked noticing his other granddaughter was a little quieter.

"I did it was fine grandfather."

"Wynafred?" he looked at her questioningly.

"It's nothing grandfather I just, I thought I'd get to dance more with Jon, but Wylla and the other girls kept interrupting." she said scowling a little at her sister.

"It's not my fault, he was a much better dancer than Loras." Wylla said mischievously "You're lucky it wasn't me who accompanied him, I'd have never let anyone else dance with him." she added.

The two girls continued to jab at each other and Wylis just looked on fondly while Wendel looked at him and rolled his eyes, forcing Wyman to give a short snort. After breaking his fast he asked Wylis and Wendel to his solar, he wished to hear of Wendel's discussions with the Karstarks and their own impressions of their guests.

"So how goes it with young Harrion and Torren?"

"Well father, I think they can more than cover the shortfall if Bear Island supplies the west, also it's far easier to bring it or collect it than it is from some of the other lords."

"Very well done son, the quicker turnaround in delivery will help reduce costs, this could work out very well indeed."

"I think Wynafrred may have taken a liking to young Jon." Wylis said with a smirk.

"What think you of the match?" Wyman asked raising an eyebrow.

"If he was trueborn I'd be all for it immediately, even with his baseborn status it would be an interesting match, though perhaps Lord Robb is a better choice father."

"I'm not so sure, but you're probably right, it is something to ponder on, you were right about Lord Jaime son."

"Father?" Wendel said confused.

"Aye, he dotes on the boy, it's far more than squire and knight, he looks on the lad as if he was his own." Wyman said and both his son's nodded in agreement.

"Will you speak to him about Lord Stark and Lady Catelyn?" Wylis asked.

"Aye, he should know what he's heading into, given what happened with her brother the lad may face an even more hostile reception."

"Should I accompany them father? I could let Lord Stark know what happened." Wendel asked.

"No son, I want to find out how Ned reacts, lets wait and see for now."

His sons looked at him trying to figure out his mind, but Wyman was far too practiced for that, his liege had disappointed him enough in relation to the lad, lets see if he took his wife's side on this also. He would warn Lord Jaime and let him know what to expect, but he was interested to find out if everything Jon had done would be appreciated by his father. The boy had helped the north out greatly, his father should be proud of him, just like he was with his own sons.

Loras.

Watching as Jon and Jaime left with Lord Reed, Loras felt a little left out, though soon enough he had another person to occupy his mind. His aunt and her husband had arrived and sat down at the table, his aunt seemingly in better spirits than she had been as she ate ravenously at the table. The small smile she gave him warmed his heart and made his thoughts of being alone feel lessened.

"On your own this morning lad?" Ser Jorah asked.

"Aye, Lord Jaime and Jon have gone off with Meera and Jojen's father, I'm sorry I can't remember his name." he said apologetically to the girl sitting across from him beside her brother.

"Howland, my fathers name is Howland, Loras." Meera said with a smile.

"So you've nothing to do then?" his aunt asked.

"No not for some time anyway."

"How about you accompany me to the seamstress, I know you've ordered a new cloak but perhaps we can find some other items for you to wear."

"Aye, I'd like that." Loras said smiling.

They finished breaking their fast and he, Lynesse, Lady Dacey, her sisters and Meera made their way to some of the shops and stalls in the center of White Harbor. He was surprised to pass a clearly worried Jors and Alyrs who he had thought had gone with Jaime and Jon, seeing him they quickly came over.

"Have you seen Jon, Loras?" Jors said.

"Aye, he and Lord Jaime went off with Lord Howland." Loras said.

"Lord Reed, Loras." Meera said with a smirk.

"Sorry, I mean Lord Reed, I'm not sure where they went though, do you know Meera?"

"I don't, but Ghost was with them and they'll be back shortly, you have no need to worry for them, not here."

Jors and Alyrs nodded though Meera's words clearly had not had the desired effect and Loras was tempted to go with them looking for Jon and Jaime, but his aunt grabbed his arm and left him in no doubt she wouldn't appreciate it. For the rest of the day they had gone to shop after shop, stall after stall, Loras was glad in the end that Jon wasn't with them, had he been then he'd now be carrying even more packages.

He had been surprised at the quality of clothing available, while his new cloak was still a few days from being ready, he had found some new boots, some warm doublets and some breeches that were far warmer than his own. Some of the clothing needed to be altered but he was glad he had found warmer clothes and that they were in his family colors had been a surprise. His aunt had bought him a beautiful belt for him to hang his sword from, it's red leather and green inserts appealing to his more colorful taste.

"I'm very glad to spend this time with you nephew." his aunt said handing him the belt.

"Me too, I had feared once you went north you'd rarely be seen again aunt." Loras japed.

"Aye me too, I'm glad for the chance to visit with family, though not too many make the visit to Bear Island." she said sadly.

"Perhaps when the work is done with the docks it may become easier, with regular journeys by the pinnacle ships maybe they could stop off in Oldtown?" Loras said smiling.

"I hadn't thought of that, you're right, that's an excellent idea nephew." his aunt said giving him a hug.

"What are you two so happy about?" Dacey asked

"Loras just had a great idea, he was telling me once things are up an running with the trade deal, we'll be part of a trade route down the coast, Bear Island to Oldtown could be done in half the time with the pinnacle ships."

"Aye, a trip from Lannisport to Bear Island even quicker." Loras said and noticed the look his aunt gave Dacey.

"Do you think Lord Jaime would allow for passengers on a trade shipment?" his aunt asked.

"I can bring it up with him, I can't see why he wouldn't." Loras said glad he could be of use.

"Do you hear that Dacey, we could be having regular visits between Lannisport and Bear Island soon." his aunt said and Loras looked on as Dacey gave her an odd look.

Before he could figure out what he was missing, Meera and Dacey's two sisters came back from their own little shopping adventure. All three girls having no interest in buying clothing had instead rushed to the nearest smithy, something Loras was now jealous he had not. Meera was holding a long dirk in her hands, while the two Mormont sisters were both holding daggers, the quality was far better than he expected.

"Look at this Dace, isn't it beautiful." Jory the youngest of Dacey's sisters said.

"Mine is prettier." Lyra said beside her.

"They're both pretty, but I'd take Meera's dirk over both of them." Dacey said and the dark haired girl smiled.

"Aye." Meera said and Loras smirked at the quick moves she made while holding it in her hand.

Woe to the fool who thought any of these women were easy pickings he thought as he looked at the northern ladies. They began to walk back to the New Castle and he was happy to see the white wolf running towards him, it's tongue sticking out it licked his hand before doing the same to each of the others. Surprisingly even when Jon and Jaime and Lord Reed arrived the wolf sat beside his aunt and only moved on when she did, Jon looking at the wolf confusedly.

"So what've you been up to?" he said turning to Jon.

"Nothing much, ehmm can we talk later you and I." Jon said and Loras nodded, the strange look his friend was given him filling him with concern.

Jojen.

Jon Snow was more than he expected, while not trained his control over his Direwolf was very impressive, the connection the two had stronger than he had thought it would be. Just passing the two he could feel the strength of their bond, but still it was almost as if it was muted somehow. When the dream came telling him to come here he wasn't sure what to expect, sometimes he received it perfectly clearly, others it was only part of the puzzle. With this one it was simple, go to White Harbor and meet Jon Snow.

So he had told his father and for the first time in years his father had left their home, traveling wasn't easy on him Jojen knew that but the chance to see Jon Snow was something he wasn't going to give up. When they arrived he had waited and waited and yet nothing, no dream, no vision, all he knew was he was where he was supposed to be. Last night after the feast that had changed, he knew now his purpose was to teach Jon how to control his bond with Ghost and with any other animal he would find as his familiar.

The sheer magical power that resonated off Jon was incredible, his own felt insignificant compared to it, his fathers minute, it was as if they were mere fireflies while Jon Snow was the sun itself. He knew his gods had a purpose for the boy, no one would be given that power unless it was for some grand design. His part was simple, teach him how to control parts of it, to learn how to warg, to be able to do it at will, that he could teach easily, but he wondered if there was more, did Jon see like he did? did he dream?

A part of Jojen thought he didn't, hoped he didn't for it took a lot to see those things, magic usually had a price his gods had shown him this, it weighed heavily on him, but on Jon he sensed no weight at all. So maybe he was the only one, the thoughts of being alone filled him with both fear and a sense of sadness, for no one else to be able to understand you was a horrible way to spend a life, or as much of one as you were allowed to have.

"Why didn't you come with us?" Meera said walking into their room.

"I didn't feel up to it."

"You should have come it was fun Jojen." Meera said a sad smile on her face.

"Aye, I know, we'll have plenty of time to get to know everyone and have lots of fun on the way to the wall Meera."

"What, why are we going to the wall? Does father know?"

"No, not yet, but I'll tell him when I see him next, don't you want to see it? To see Winterfell?" he said a note of excitement in his voice for once.

"Aye, but why are we going Jojen?"

"I've to teach Jon, Meera, teach him how to use his gift."

His sister just looked at him before shaking her head, he knew she'd accompany him anywhere, but it still made him sad that she did so out of concern and love more so than out of want. That her own feelings usually got put to one side in order for his, she deserved better than that and he almost cursed the gods for giving him this burden.

"Come I think they're doing some sparring in the yard." Jojen said trying to do something Meera liked for once.

"You hate sparring." she japed.

"Aye, but I like watching my sister put silly boys in their place." he said and got a laugh in return.

"Very well, lets go brother."

Jaime.

After hearing what Howland said they had begun to walk back, the small lord was still speaking but it was all just noise to Jaime as he was trying to come to terms with everything he'd learned. Arthur was alive and would be coming back to Westeros, coming to see Jon, to see Jaime, what would he think of him? Of what he'd done? Would he still think him a brother?.

Even though Jon had tried to put a brave face on it, the things they'd learned had affected his king, so on their way back he told Howland he needed to speak to the boy and he and Jon went to find somewhere to talk. Why Jon had picked the docks though he had no idea, but they walked to the edge of the water and watched as ships were unloaded. The Lion's Roar had been joined in the largest section of the dock by the Manderly flagship, The Western Wolf.

They walked over to the ship to take a look at it and Jon smiled at the white wolf figurehead. Though a slightly different take on the same idea, due no doubt to different builders, to see it close to their own pinnacle ship was to see two sister ships, identical but different like two sides of a coin. They walked past it and came to the outskirts of the Manderly ship builders, they could see the frame of another pinnacle ship and one further along in it's building, Jon stood looking quietly for a moment before he turned to him.

"Secrets my lord." Jon said

"What?"

"You were about to ask me what I was thinking of." Jon said with a small smile.

"How did you know that?"

"Because if you hadn't been then I would have asked you my lord." Jon said and he laughed.

"How are you feeling Jon?"

"I'm good, I think. You?"

"Tired." Jaime said and Jon laughed again.

"Why do you think they did it my lord, why not tell everyone from the start, why hide it?"

"Your grandfather would never have accepted it Jon, Robert would never have accepted it." Jaime said and noticed how Jon cringed at the mention of Robert.

"I can't understand it, can't get my head around it, secrets and lies, secrets and lies, my life was torn from me because of damn secrets and lies." Jon said his voice rising as he spoke "No more, you hear me no more."

"Jon, I don't, what are you saying?"

"I can't do it Jaime, I can't lie to people I care about, not anymore, I know there are those we can't tell, I know the time isn't right, but Loras, Margaery, I can't I just can't." Jon said holding his head in his hands.

"Look at me Jon, look at me." Jaime said and Jon turned to him "You are my king, I follow your wishes, do you want to tell them?"

"Aye I do, I need to Jaime."

"Then I'm ready to face what comes next, you have my support my king, now and always."

For the second time that day Jaime found himself hugged by his king, this time less angry and emotional than the last, yet he felt it the same, this was what he was supposed to be, the support his king needed. They stood there for a few moments before Jon looked to him and they began to walk back, he could see the weight had been removed.

When they had finally met back up with Loras and caught back up with Ghost who had run off as soon as they left the Wolf's Den, Jon looked to him and he nodded and they all made their way back to the New Castle. He walked in silence next to his squires, he could see Dacey out of the corner of his eye and smiled at her, which Jon caught with a smirk. When they arrived at the keep, he was surprised to see Ser Wylis waiting for him.

"My lord, my father wishes a word if he may."

The last thing he wanted to do after the day he'd had was speak to Lord Wyman, he enjoyed the man's company, but his head was pounding and thoughts of Arthur and the future wouldn't leave his mind. But he nodded and watched as Jon, Loras and Dacey and her sisters walked to the sparring yard, something he now wished he could go to see. Instead though he followed Ser Wylis through the corridors before coming to a room where two large men holding tridents stood guard.

Lord Manderly's solar was a large room even bigger than his own at Casterly Rock, seated at he table in front of him the large Lord of White Harbor greeted him with a smile, he nodded and took the offered seat. Within moments a serving girl arrived carrying a plate of breaded crabs and some wine, he barely ate but found the wine very welcoming.

"My lord, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you, the business we share has contributed greatly to my city and you and young Jon and your brother, Tyrion is it?"

"Aye my lord."

"All of you have been greet friends to my house and to the north."

"You're welcome my lord, we've benefited greatly also." Jaime said nodding while taking another drink of the wine,

"I believe after this you're off to the wall and then to Winterfell is that right?"

"Aye my lord it is,"

"May I ask why the wall?"

"Jon wishes to see his uncle, he felt it would be wrong to come to the north and not visit him and while we could have tried to have him meet us in Winterfell, maybe his duties wouldn't have allowed the visit."

"I see, the reason I wished to speak to you Lord Jaime is about Winterfell, about the reception you or more precisely young Jon may get when you get there." Wyman said.

"Is this about the fish." Jaime said and Wyman laughed.

"It is my lord, I visited there some time ago, while I was speaking to Lord Stark, Lady Catelyn came in shouting about how Jon was going to steal Winterfell from her son and how he lad couldn't be trusted."

"Only she didn't call him lad did she Lord Wyman."

"No she did not." Wyman sighed "I fear with her attitude and with what happened in Kings Landing, she may not welcome Jon how he may expect."

"And Lord Stark?" Jaime asked raising his eyebrow slightly,

"May not welcome him as fondly as he may hope."

"I see, I thank you my lord, I shall think on this."

"He's a good lad he deserves better." Wyman said with a soft smile.

"He has better my lord." Jaime said as he got up to leave "But what he deserves is everything."

Jon.

Arriving at the sparring yard Jon was surprised to see the Smalljon and the two Karstark brothers engaged in a spirited spar, Ghost sat down by his feet as he watched the large Umber lord move swiftly around the Karstarks. When he saw he had an audience though he began to show off, began trying to embarrass the two brothers, something which backfired when Ghost popped his head up to stare at him. Watching as the Smalljon took a step backwards inadvertently leaving an opening and then being caught with a blow from both brothers, soon had everyone other than the heir to Last Hearth laughing riotously.

"Damn Jon can you keep your wolf away from the sparring yard." the Smalljon said grimacing.

"No, Ghost would miss his good friend, wouldn't ya fella, go, go to Smalljon Ghost."

"Keep him away from me." the Smalljon's voice rose far higher than a man's should causing even more laughter.

"Aye you're right Ghost, it is much better staying here with me than going to the scared man."

After the Smalljon had calmed and they were joined by Meera and Jojen Reed, the two youngest Mormont girls decided to try their luck against the Karstark brothers. Loras stood beside him as they watched a nervous look on his face, he'd been stupid and should have been more subtle telling him he wished to speak to him. He turned to his friend and gave him his most reassuring smile before the spar began in earnest in front of them.

Just like their sister both Mormonts favored the mace, watching them wield it Jon was sure that they must be given them as soon as they're born on Bear Island. The Karstarks were strong but slow, both of them put far too much into swinging and not enough into moving and it didn't take long for them to be caught out and defeated. Loras looked to him but Jon shook his head, his mind wasn't in the right place to spar and he worried he could lose control.

Instead it was Meera Reed who offered to face Loras and Jon tried his best to talk his friend out of it, despite her size and the crannogmens lack of standard martial training, the way she moved and picked up a trident should have given Loras pause. Whether it was the crowd, or even Loras trying to prove something to the northerners, Jon couldn't talk him out of it. He could hear the sniggers beside him from Dacey and her sisters at the confused look on Loras's face at both Meera's stance and choice of weapon.

The spar itself was over far too fast and Jon could almost feel the embarrassment that Loras felt at being defeated, not by a girl, his friend had seen enough to know how talented and fierce anyone could be. But in the ease and quickness of the loss, Loras had moved forward raised his sword and thrust, which Meera had parried, she had then thrust the trident and Loras set himself to parry. But at the last moment she pulled it back, twisting it she used the prong to take Loras legs from under him and he soon found himself with the trident at his neck.

"I yield." Loras said before Meera offered her hand which he was happy to see Loras took with no issue.

"Are you sure you don't wish to try Jon?" Meera shouted to him.

"I was reluctant before, now even more so." Jon said to loud laughs.

"Some other time then?"

"Aye, perhaps on the morrow."

They watched another couple of spars before Jon asked Loras to come with him, it was time to tell his friend the truth. They walked past the sparring yard and found a quiet corner of the keep where some plants had been laid, he looked to Ghost who took up a position where anyone coming towards them would be faced with a Direwolf, which hopefully would put them off venturing closer.

"Loras what I'm about to tell you, no one can know, not yet. I need your word on this, you can't speak to anyone about it, not even your family."

"Jon you have it, you don't even have to ask, I'd never betray a confidence you know that."

"Aye I do, but this is beyond that, should this come out, Loras it could mean my life." Jon said and watched Loras pale.

"What is it Jon, what's going on?"

"Lord Stark is not my father Loras." Jon said and heard his friend gasp.

"But that can't be, everyone knows of you, I mean that you're his son."

"Aye I know, but it's a lie, a lie to protect me, or at least I think it was." Jon said before shrugging, "My father was Rhaegar Targaryen, my mother Lyanna Stark." Jon said and felt relieved saying it out loud.

"But that can't be, I mean, Oh Jon I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Loras said clearly disturbed, it took Jon barely a second to realize why.

"No Loras it wasn't like that, they were in love, they were married."

"But he was already married Jon."

"The marriage was annulled, Elia was happy to do so I believe, though I'm not certain." Jon said and wondered why he'd not considered that before, had he been so wrapped up in his own head that he'd never thought that maybe Elia had been set aside against her will.

"So you're the heir to the throne, wait you're going for the throne aren't you?" Loras said his excitement taking Jon from his thoughts.

"Aye I am. Robert, Jon Arryn, they stole the throne from my family they are the reason my mother, my father, my brother and sister and their mother are dead, they're running the realm into the ground, I intend to take back my birthright, with fire and blood"

"I'll stand by you Jon, you know I will, if you wish it that is." Loras said softly.

"You're my friend Loras, I need you with me." Jon said.

Loras began to get down to one knee but Jon stopped him.

"Please I want to."

"One day soon Loras, let me speak to your family first, to Margaery first, don't pledge to me until then, just be my friend please." Jon said looking to Loras.

"I have been and always shall be your friend."