Jacob III

Winterfell was in a state of worry and concern, as Jacob heard about Bran Stark falling from the Broken Tower, as he stood in the middle of the Great Hall.

He had been hunting with Uncle Robert, Lord Stark some of the other Northmen, as his uncle insisted because of how he is capable of hunting on his own.

The servants were running around during the day and the direwolves were howling all night, leaving Lord Jacob not getting any sleep for the night.

He didn't care anyways, but he had to contend with cousin Joffrey's whining and spoiled attitude throughout the night.

This morning, Jacob strolled through the halls of the Great Keep, as he knew this time would complicate Lord Stark's travels to the Capital and assuming his position, as Hand of the King.

He found Lord and Lady Stark beside Bran's bed, as the body almost looked comatose and had no life to him.

Jacob didn't like having feelings of pity because it made him weak, but the boy was a great climber and never had an accident.

It made Jacob think a little, after seeing Lady Catelyn weaving a prayer web like her life depended on it and never thought of much else.

"I cannot express my sincere apologies for what has happened to your son, my lord and lady." Jacob said politely, remembering his courtiers from Highgarden.

"Don't worry about it, my lord, it's not your fault." Lord Eddard replied.

"I know," said Jacob. "In any case, if there is anything I can do to help, anything at all."

Lady Catelyn looked up from her prayer web. "Thank you, my lord, you are most kind."

"Will he live, Maester?" Jacob had to ask, as he didn't want to see a boy so young scum to the Stranger so quickly.

The aged Maester spoke. "I think so, but he will never walk again though. He will recover in time."

Jacob gave a small bow, and left the area to go and see his youngest cousins before the royal court was to leave the North and go back to King's Landing.

He was outside of the Great Keep, as his eyes and ears caught Cousin Joffrey and Lord Tyrion, it seemed the Imp was scolding his nephew.

This was a welcomed sight to see, since Jacob was about to leave the North and go back to Dragonstone, but not without its entertainment from Joffrey being scolded by his Uncle.

Jacob moved a lot closer to hear what was going on, he was hiding behind the wall so he wouldn't get caught by any of the Lannister men at arms.

"You will go Lord and Lady Stark and offer them your sympathies." Lord Tyrion said.

"What good will my sympathies do for them." Joffrey asked, in his usual arrogance.

"Nothing." The little lord admitted, "It is expected of you, your absence has been noted."

"Joffrey scoffed, and positioned himself, like a mummer's king. "The boy means nothing to me, can't stand the wailing of women."

Jacob expected this kind of selfish and ingrate behaviour from his cousin, as it seemed his Lannister mother's influence is ingrained in him, he had the urge to slap him silly. Unfortunately, the Imp beat him to it.

The young lord rolled his eyes, at the sight of Joffrey being slapped again, he closed his lips to stop a loud laugh from exiting them.

Joffrey was meant to be the Crown Prince, the future King, but he was just a little boy whimpering like a toddler for such a harmless punishment, but it was good he was getting some much needed discipline, something his mother and father failed to give him.

"One more word and I will hit you again." The little lord warned his spoiled nephew.

"I'm telling mother." Joffrey yelled.

Lord Tyrion slapped him again, causing Jacob's cousin to whimper, like the spoiled child he was.

"Go ahead, but first you will go to Lord and Lady Stark and you will offer them your condolences. Do you understand?"

"You can't," The prince objected, as his Uncle slapped him again.

"Do you understand?"

Jacob saw his cousin give a reluctant nod and walked away, then some words shared between Lord Tyrion and the Clegane knight with a frightening look about him.

The young man came out from the hiding place and rubbed his fingers together. Jacob knew he was going into hostile territory, as it's where the Queen and her brothers were, alongside his younger cousins.

Jacob was ready; he learned from the Queen of Thorns, knowing your enemies is the best way of being able to beat them at their game.

He made his way into the Great Hall, where his cousins and the rest of the Lannisters were, eating their breakfast of eggs, ham, bread and fish and ignoring his presence.

Jacob had a sickly feeling in his stomach, as it was just after breakfast and he didn't feel too good, it didn't stop him from spending the last few minutes with his younger cousins.

Tommen and Myrcella were good children, had none of the spoiled and vain behaviour Joffrey had.

The two always had questions, as Jacob was happy to tell them stories about Dragonstone, how the stone dragons above the island were dragons, whom were frozen by powerful magic from the Far East of Essos.

The only question Jacob couldn't answer was why the royal children were different to Jacob in terms of looks, as he didn't know the answer neither.

Tommen and Myrcella were the only ones, who smiled brightly in Jacob's presence, but the Queen's eyes were like sharp assassin's daggers, ready to kill late at night. Her nose wrinkled upwards, as she was hesitant in being the presence of anyone from the King's immediate family.

In otherwise, the Queen's brothers Ser Jaime and Lord Tyrion were indifferent, but were still suspicious of Jacob, as he was of them.

"If I had to choose between the Fighting Pits of the East or facing the Lannisters, then I would choose the Pits, at least I have a chance of being alive at the end." Jacob thought cleverly.

"Is Bran going to die?" Princess Myrcella asked. Jacob smiled, it seemed she and Tommen had a sweetness Joffrey lacked and something they could use to their advantage, when they are old enough to play the game.

"Apparently not, he is still alive, but it will take him a long time to recover." Jacob replied.

Tommen and Myrcella smiled, as they were delighted of the thought of Bran still living in this world, but Queen Cersei looked concerned, as it showed in her face.

"What do you mean?" The Queen said, with her voice stern and blunt. She didn't like the Baratheon young lord's presence, no more than he did of her.

"The Maester said he would survive."

The Queen and the Kingslayer exchanged a look between each other, as Jacob caught it and wondered why such a faint and disappointing look on their faces. He knew Lord Tyrion caught it as well, but didn't say anything.

"Know your enemies, the Queen of Thorns taught me and I know them well." Jacob thought.

"Will he be alright?" Tommen asked.

Jacob looked at his younger cousin, even though he and his sister looked much like their Lannister mother. "I'm afraid, not his back is broken from his wall and if he wakes up, he will never walk again." He said, brushing his fingers between his cousin's fair hair.

"When he wakes up, is that likely?" The Queen now looked wary, not sure about how to feel.

"Northerners are a tough bunch, but it's in the hands of the Gods."

"Even if the boy lives, he will be a cripple. Lord Eddard should end his suffering; it would be mercy-." The Kingslayer added.

Jacob couldn't believe a man so honourless can think of such a thing, giving Bran a mercy death, like he was a horse unable to live its life on a pasture. For a man, who killed his king, he had no right to say whether someone lived or died.

Maybe, it was how he killed the Mad King and got away with it, without any form of punishment.

"Bran isn't a lame animal that should be disposed of, he is a child. Just because he can't walk, it doesn't mean he has to surrender his life to the Strange, especially for someone so young," Jacob said, in a forceful tone. "You should know about mercy killings, as it was what got your current moniker."

Jacob succeeded in getting the attention of Lord Tyrion and Queen Cersei, as the two of them were dumbfounded, not knowing how to react. Ser Jaime raised his hand in defence and was a little agitated around the eyes, as Jacob's words must have rattled his cage.

"I'm not sure what my past has to do with the present." Ser Jaime huffed, in a bit of agitation.

"Nothing, but if I remember correctly, Willas Tyrell is similarly hampered, by that dreadful tourney, but it didn't stop him from living his life. I didn't see his family plotting to end his existence, since I fostered with them." Jacob replied.

"Must be dreadful, a man like yourself surrounded by chivalry and such foolishness in the Reach."

"I pity you, Ser Jaime. Having to serve a king, who has little to no regard for your sister. My uncle should make an effort to at least respect her as his wedded wife and queen, not to dishonour her in front of our Northern hosts." Jacob said quietly, not to have the prince and princess hearing him.

The Queen's eyes saddened, but quickly her expression turned to distain and a coldness on her face. "You are nothing like your uncle, yet you share his looks and his blood."

"Have you played cyvasse, my queen?" Jacob asked.

"No, my lord." The Queen replied hastily.

"It's a good game, good for political strategy and time away from ruling the kingdoms."

"Are you going back to Dragonstone?" Myrcella questioned.

"I have to; my father doesn't like me being away from home too long." Jacob said.

"Can you awaken the stone dragons?" Tommen said, but it made Jacob smile.

Both the little prince and princess hugged their older and gruffer cousin, as the other Lannisters ignored the sight.

A child should be free and innocent, until they are forced to grow up fast and become pawns to the game of thrones.

"Poor kids, when they get older. They will be targets of the high nobility and those who want to get close to the Iron Throne." Jacob thought.

Jacob left the Great Hall, as it was an interesting mind exercise, debating with the Lannisters over the subject of life and death.

As the Queen of Thorns taught him, Jacob had gotten to know his enemies a lot better than he did previously, but he was sad to say goodbye to Tommen and Myrcella.

Jacob had found Robb and Jon in the Godswood talking about things he couldn't quiet catch. As the young lord approached, the two of them gave him a polite smile.

Being the realm of the Old Gods made the young lord feel strange, as he was a worshiper of the Seven, being a regular visitor of the small Sept in Winterfell, of Lady Catelyn being born a southerner and wanting the comforts of home with her.

"Mind if I joined you." Jacob asked attentively, as he knew it was the last time he would see them.

"Sure, we could use your company." Robb replied.

"Has Bran always been a good climber?" Jacob started to ask.

Jon nodded, making himself feel small. "I've seen Bran climb anything, from rain, snow, sleet and whatever. Every time he was surefooted."

"He has never fallen."

The Stark heir shook his head, "Never, if he had then we would have never let him climb as often."

"Hmmm…..suspicious." Jacob thought to himself.

"Jon is going to join the Night's Watch." Robb announced

Jacob knew what the Night's Watch had become, a once well-trained, well organised band of professional warriors had slowly transitioned to be a horde of thieves, murderers, rapists and green boys, who have never used a steel sword.

The young lord knew joining a dangerous endeavour at such a young age was a cause of concern, but he didn't blame him. Jacob had seen Lady Catelyn become in short of cruel to him, she merely tolerated him, as it was like walking on hot stones.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jacob asked, as he didn't want Jon to make a mistake he could never come back from.

"I'm ready to swear the oath." Jon added.

"If you are prepared, then you must be aware of the state of the Night's Watch, it's not as grand as you think."

"Are you trying to change my mind?"

"No, my father always said when a boy turns into manhood, then they are allowed to make their own choices, as foolish as it sounds."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's good you want to choose your own path, make the best of what you have. However, judgements based on naivety and emotions will make you a lot of enemies."

"What do you suggest, my lord?"

"Watch out for yourself, and only trust those who seem genuine and not those at the Wall, who might want to kill you because of who you are."

It was time to depart from Winterfell, as Jacob had to move forward with his voyage with Ser Davos, Devan, Colin and Erren back to Dragonstone.

Jacob saw the two brothers embrace each other one last time, as he wished he had a brother, but having Shireen around made him feel at one with himself.

The Baratheon lord extended his hand towards the Stark heir and he shook it in reply. "I hope we see each other soon, not as enemies, but as allies."

"I hope so too, Lord Jacob."

After the simpering goodbyes, it made Jacob miss the North a bit, but he rode Misty down the King's Road and it was uneventful.

Uncle Robert wanted Jacob in court with him, as he felt alone and isolated without his father Stannis, as Master of Ships.

Jacob respectfully declined the offer, as he didn't want to spend more time around the Lannisters than he had to, before he would kill one of them.

He felt guilty, as Uncle Robert didn't want to speak to him anymore nor did he want to see his rigid nephew again.

The young lord was ready to leave the grizzly North and go back home. "Are you sure about going to the Wall?"

"I'm ready to swear the oath and fulfil my duty to guard the realm." Jon replied.

"I'm not going to change your mind, because you are a man grown and it's your own choice to make."

"Not going with your uncle."

"No, returning back to Dragonstone is the best thing for me." Jacob said sternly, "However, you never know, we might see each other again, as allies."

After Jacob Baratheon and Jon Snow shook hands, the two young men made their own separate ways towards their future destinations.

Jon rode towards the Wall and Jacob was following the horses of his comrades, as he was going home; to see his family for the first time in a long time.