Chapter 57: Family and Friends or Friends are Family

Casterly Rock 294 AC.

Walder.

He helped Jon back to his feet, took out the cloth he used to clean his axe and gave it to him to stem the flow of blood. Once the worst was over he looked to see his eyes were bloodshot and he seemed a little dizzy. He was thankful however that Jon was awake and alert, seeing him fall he had found himself back in those woods again.

The men rode fast and he felt the arrows hit home, though the pain itself was only minor. He looked to Jon who was laying there unconscious, no not unconscious, was he warging? Before he had time to think too much on it they were upon him. There were nine of them in all and as he began to swing his axe he knew there were too many, he would die here, Jon would die here today. But he would take as many of these fuckers with them as he could manage.

His axe caught the first man on the shoulder and almost cleaved him in two, the second lost his head, the third blocked it and Walder hit him hard with his head feeling the man fall back to the ground. As the fourth and fifth came towards him he saw two move to Jon, he felt his rage build and swung wildly as he moved to cover his king from them. Suddenly the sky darkened and he looked on as the two men nearest Jon where enveloped by a flock of sparrows.

He saw a dozen gulls attack another man as yet another fought off a giant eagle, in the confusion he brought his axe down on a mans head, the axe going right through until it reached his neck. Around him it was carnage more animals had joined the fray he saw a man on a horse be covered in what looked to be hares and rabbits. Another horseman attacked by deer while a man on foot was impaled by an elk's antlers.

The leader turned and began to ride away and he had made it no more than ten feet, the horse not yet into it's gallop when a white blur took him from the horse knocking him yards away. The winded man never made it to his feet before Ghost was upon him and the wolf didn't give him the mercy of a quick death. Then it was over, the birds flew back to the sky as if they'd not been there, rabbits, hare, deer and elk simply blended back into the woods.

Were it not for the bodies strewn around him you'd never have known what had just occurred here, he heard a moan from a man who was crawling away, his hands reaching for a bow. He saw it then , the arrow in Alyrs throat clear in his mind, was this the man who did it? He knew not, but he would suffer for it all the same, how many blows he hit him with before the man died he couldn't tell, but what was left of him was barely human.

Walder ran over to Jon and lent down, placing his hand on his chest he was relieved to feel his heart still beating. He waited then and Loras and Jors were first to arrive followed by Lord Jaime and all of them shared in his relief that Jon lived still. After Dacey arrived it was decided to take Jon to Seagard and Walder couldn't agree with Jaime more. While he didn't know the Frey's the look on Jaime's face was enough and so he watched as Loras and Jaime ride off he prayed to the old God's that Jon would recover.

Shaking his head of the memories as Jon handed him back his cloth, he was happy to see color starting to return to Jon's face. What was even more surprising however was the large smile he wore, as he helped him back to his feet and they walked down the stairs he needed to ask him what had happened.

"You are well?"

"Aye Walder, I'm more than well." Jon said nodding.

"What, what was that?"

"Ghost he needed me, he needed me to see, he's dead Walder the man who killed my brother, who killed Elia, he's dead."

"The prince killed him?"

"We killed him." Jon said and Walder seeing the smile on his face asked no more.

They took the lift back down to the family wing and no sooner had they left it than they were met with worried gazes. With servants running to tell Lord Jaime and Lady Genna and worst of all for Jon, Margaery and his sister arrived with the two small wolf pups standing by her side .

"Jon, Jon, what happened, the blood are you hurt." Margaery asked her voice full of panic.

"It's nothing, I swear it's nothing, just a nose bleed." he said and she moved to hug him only to be almost brushed aside from Jon by Sansa who moved even quicker.

"You promise, it's just a nose bleed right, nothing more?" Sansa said her arms around her brother.

"Sansa, it's just a nose bleed, I need to change my clothes and we can speak then all right?"

She nodded before Jaime, Genna and Loras and Arthur came running, Jon held up his hand to stop them speaking and moved over to whisper something in Margaery's ear, which she smiled at and then nodded to.

"It's just a nose bleed, I need to change, perhaps we can speak then?" he said to Jaime and looked to him then.

"Aye, all right Jon." Jaime said.

"Daeron could you and Loras walk with me for a moment." Jon said and they followed him down the corridor.

A moment later Margaery took Sansa's hand and led her in the opposite direction leaving him standing there with Jaime and the others the black pup hesitating before following the grey one. Once he saw Margaery and Sansa were out of earshot he turned to them.

"He's well my lord, it was just a nose bleed, he may have a headache too in a bit, but I think he wished for Margaery and Sansa to leave before he told you what happened. It was almost like the woods my lord, but different lesser, I'm sure he wishes to tell you of it himself, so I'll not speak further."

"Very well." Jaime said and he Genna and Tyrion turned to walk down to Jon's room as he following behind.

He stood outside the door while they spoke, leaving it to Jon to explain, it took some time but eventually all of them left and he and Arthur followed Jon and Loras as they went looking for Margaery and Sansa. It didn't take them long to find them and when they did he saw that they were with Joy, bringing a smile to Jon's face. He and Arthur stood outside while Jon and the girls along with Loras laughed and japed in the room while the two wolf pups rolled around on the floor.

"These episodes of his do they happen often?" Arthur asked him.

"No, when we were attacked and now, I think he's using more power." he said softly.

"More power?" Arthur asked confused.

"Aye, magic. That's what warging is a kind of magic."

"I'd not known of it, apart from tales I was told as a boy, I'd not heard of it as being a real thing."

"It's very real and I think when he's older, there's no limit to what he can do with it." he said and Arthur looked on with interest.

Jon.

Stepping out from the lift he knew it would be the last two people in the world he'd wish to see him like this that he'd bump into first. Had it been Joy she'd have told him he had an ouchie and kissed it better, but it being Margaery and Sansa a kiss wouldn't cover it he thought, as he caught himself looking at Margaerys's lips briefly. He was touched by her concern and did his best to reassure her, Sansa too. When Jaime and the others arrived he knew he'd need to explain it all, which would mean Sansa needed to be elsewhere.

He leaned into Margaery and whispered in her ear.

"I'll tell you everything later I promise, I'm unhurt I swear it, but I need to tell the others first. Can you stay with Sansa until then for me?"

When she nodded he smiled and asked Arthur and Loras to come with him, he looked to Walder who he knew would speak to Jaime and then they walked down the corridor. Once they got to his room though he asked for a moment, he needed to share this with Rhaenys alone first. Arthur reluctantly agreed but thankfully Loras was far more understanding and so he walked into the room and was immediately lectured by his sister.

"What happened to you, is that blood, who did it? Take me to them now, how dare they lay hands on a dragon." Rhaenix said and he knew the angry chirps could be heard from outside the room.

"I'm unharmed, it was just a nose bleed, it happens sometimes when I warg." he said as quickly as he could.

"Your chest, let me see your chest, you have blood on your chest." Rhaenix said still agitated.

He took his tunic and shirt off and showed her the blood had just dripped down from his nose, she actually made him turn around and had she not been so angry and worried about him, he'd have laughed.

"See I'm well sister."

"Good, now what do you mean it happens when you warg, if this happens then I forbid you to warg again." she said and he reached over and picked her up before sitting on the bed.

Holding the dragon in his hands he stroked her neck while looking into her deep purple eyes.

"I have to, I had to. Oberyn needed me. He did it sister, he killed him, he killed the mountain." Jon said and fought back the tears as he looked at the sadness in her eyes.

"Oberyn he is well, his daughters?" she asked.

"Aye, they are safe, they'll return soon. Your mother is avenged Rhae, Egg is avenged. It's not enough to bring them back, but the monster who killed them died at our hands, Yours, mine and Oberyn's."

She didn't say a word and he sat there silently just looking at her for a few moments before she flew to her chest and just lay quietly. He put on a clean shirt and walked to the door to let Arthur and Loras in, as he was doing so Jaime, Genna and Tyrion arrived and he looked at them with a small smile on his face trying to show he was well.

With them all in he told them what happened, how Ghost had reached out to him, how he had warged into him and saw Oberyn about to fall, how he had known he'd not make it and so had warged into the Mountain.

"How? Is that even possible?" Tyrion asked.

"I don't know how my lord, as for it being possible I did it. I showed him visions of birds attacking at him and of a blinding white light and he dropped his sword, I warged back into Ghost as I saw Oberyn raise the sword."

"So you can warg into any of us?" Genna asked her voice full of fear and it almost broke his heart that he was the cause of that.

"No, it doesn't work like that. I couldn't control it." he said and saw that made it worse "No not like that my lady, I mean I saw Oberyn was about to die, I was desperate and reached out and that's what happened, I can't do it again, I don't think."

"But you don't know Jon?" Tyrion asked.

"No, but I know I wouldn't." he stood up and took a knife and walked to Arthur "I could stab Arthur my lord, but I wouldn't would I?"

"No you wouldn't?" Jaime said and he was glad to see Genna nod.

"That's what this is like I think, there are many things we can and can't do, but we hold back because of who we are. I wouldn't stab Arthur because that's not who I am, it's not who I ever will be. I wouldn't use this the same way. But." he said stopping.

"But?" Genna asked.

"If it was anyone in this room, if it was someone I cared for, if their life was in danger, there's nothing I wouldn't do to save them, nothing." he said and Genna smiled at him.

"So you're saying that the warging here was like that, Obeyrn's life was in danger and you did whatever you needed to save him?" Loras asked and he nodded.

"Were any of his daughters harmed Jon or that Knight of his?" Jaime asked.

"No my lord, the Mountain and his men, and." he closed his eyes to seek out Ghost finding the wolf standing by while some bodies wearing Lannister colors were placed on a cart "We lost five men my lord." he said sadly.

"Wait did you just? Was that this warging thing?" Genna asked.

"Aye, I was in Ghost." he said and she looked on in amazement.

After convincing everyone he was well and after promising Genna to explain more to her, once they left he, Loras and his Kingsguard walked to find Sansa and Margaery, finding them playing with Joy in her room. He played with them for a bit the black wolf pup alternating between leaning into him and rolling on the floor with his sister. He motioned to Loras to take Sansa and Joy elsewhere while he spoke to Margaery and then together they walked down to his room the black pup following behind him.

"Thank you for Sansa, I want to tell her, but I.."

"She's not ready yet Jon, you're right to wait."

"Am I? I feel like I'm lying to her, like I was to you."

"That was different." she said as they walked into his room, she sat on his bed while he took the chair,

"How?" he asked as the black pup lay down and fell asleep at his feet.

"Sansa is, she's. You're her brother, she needs that, finding out you're not.."

"I am, I'll always be her brother." he said quickly interrupting her.

"I know that Jon, but for Sansa finding out you're not, that you're her cousin and a hidden prince, a king and not a…"

"Bastard." he said softly.

"Don't you ever call yourself that, you're not that, you've never been that. You're more than that Jon." she said annoyed.

"No I'm not, I'm Jon, Just Jon." he said and she smiled at him before giggling.

"Aye, Just Jon."

"So Just Margaery, I promised to tell you everything."

He told her it all then, how Oberyn was on his side now, how they'd spoken, of Elia's letter and what it said and how Oberyn had avenged her by killing the Mountain. He told her his part in it, the warging, the bloody nose all of it and in the end she sat silently for a moment before laughing loudly."

"Margaery?"

"Oh, I was just thinking, when you promise to tell the truth you really go all out don't you." she said and he laughed too.

"Aye, I want no secrets between us, not us." he said and she looked at him her smile gone before she nodded

"No secrets." she said.

They spoke then on other things, her family was leaving in a day or two and she invited him to their going away dinner which he accepted. When he told her that he was heading to Lannisport she offered to come with him and he was sorely tempted to say yes.

"I'd really like you to, but I need to do this myself, to speak to Ellaria and let her know Oberyn is well and just to speak to her."

"I understand."

"How about we all go on a picnic, you, me, your ladies, Sansa and Loras, Joy and Brienne. We'll pick a nice day and all go, near the river, I know a great spot." he said then and she gave him the brightest smile he'd ever seen.

"I'd love that, aye, lets do it." she said and he stood up waking the black pup whose yawn and stretching had them both laughing.

He checked on Rhaenix and then he, Margaery and the black pup left the room, Walder and Arthur following behind, he walked her to where Sansa and Loras were speaking to Joy who on seeing them ran over. They talked for a bit before he and Loras said their goodbyes and walked to the lift, he turned to Arthur as they walked.

"I need to go to Lannisport to speak to Ellaria, also our friends too." he said and Arthur nodded.

They took the lift down and Walder and Loras went to fetch the horses, while he wasn't supposed to ride, he found he didn't care, he'd use only his good arm and with Winter all he needed to do was hold on anyway. Arthur looked at him strangely and he knew he wished to speak to him, before they got the chance though Loras and Walder arrived with the horses. With Walder still needing to be found a horse he'd stay back while they rode to Lannisport, he helped him onto Winter though before they departed.

Lynesse.

The wedding had been even more extravagant than her own in Oldtown and she had enjoyed it immensely, seeing Dacey in her dress, seeing how happy Jaime made her, she was glad she'd fought Jorah on coming. With the babe so young she'd thought about not, but the pinnacle ship had waited offshore for them making the journey so much easier. Wendel had even done them the boon of coming to Bear Island rather than take his own ship and go the other way.

Jorah had been even more reluctant than she had and while her bear hadn't demanded they not go, he had strongly suggested it. But she had wished to see her friend married and in the end Jorah wouldn't deny her that, he had also wished to speak to Jon and Jaime too, though he'd have waited if she said so. Finding out the truth about Jon hadn't been as shocking as it should have been, a part of her knew there was something different about the boy, something special, finding out who he really was just confirmed it.

Not that in the end it made any difference, Jon had won their loyalty and support long before they knew the truth of him, pledging to him wasn't just the right choice it was the only choice. But still when Maege had arrived back after the wedding, both with the pride of a mother and the weight of the truth she carried, they had known something was up,.

Three moons ago.

They stood on the small docks watching the longboat as it pulled it, Maege standing at the front almost daring anyone to try to take it from her. The building work on the pier and dock had begun, but the new keep being built was basically some small wooden structures for now. When Maege and the girls got off the boat they rode back, Lynesse in the covered cart while the others rode their own horses.

Once back at the keep Maege asked her how she was doing, with the birth just a little away she was tired but all was well according to the Maester. Though Jorah fussed more than ever making sure she was comfortable and asking if she needed anything almost every few minutes.

"Jorah is both a gift from the gods and incredibly annoying at the same time." she said laughing.

"Love makes us all act foolishly Lynesse, men most of all." Maege said with a nod.

They ate dinner and when they were laying in bed that night Jorah asked her if she'd noticed anything off with his aunt. She told him that she had acted somewhat strangely which he seemed to agree on. It was upon breaking their fast the next day that she told them the truth.

"We need to talk about Jon Snow, Jorah."

"We do?"

"Aye, we do, you too Lynesse."

"Jon Snow is not Ned Starks son." Maege said and she looked on surprised though Jorah for some reason didn't seem to be.

"He's hers isn't he?" Jorah said a soft smile.

"Hers?" she asked.

"He's Lyanna's boy, her and the prince's" Maege said as she smiled broadly.

"Oh the poor boy." she said thinking on the stories she'd heard.

"It was never rape Lynesse, she'd have gutted any man who tried, no they loved each other. He married her in front of the old gods and the new."

"Elia?"

"I know not the truth of it, only she gave her consent." Maege said.

"He's going for it isn't he, the throne he's going for it?" Jorah asked.

"Aye he is and this Mormont is with him, as is his uncle and Wyman, I'll not abandon Lyanna's boy Jorah, so what say you?" Maege said looking at her bear who looked at her and nodded.

"Bear Island stands with Lyanna's son." he said and Maege nodded proudly, as did she.

Now.

Gerold had arrived a sennight later, screaming and bellowing his way into the world a true bear if ever there was one. Jorah had been worried and almost needed to be restrained at the sound of her screams during the birth, but seeing them both healthy and well, seeing he had a son, she'd never seen him so happy, apart from their wedding day. Naming the boy had turned out to be a chore, from wanting to honor Jorah's family, to honoring her own, to honoring the boy who'd ensured her son would have the future he deserved.

In the end they'd chosen to honor the man who gave his life to protect the future king, her grand uncle Gerold had died as he had lived as a Kingsguard protecting a king, this one a worthier one than the last. She laughed at the belch her son made as he finally took his fill, he had a healthy appetite and even with a wet nurse she nursed him herself when she could. She dressed him and was about to head out for a walk when there was knock on the door.

"Give me a moment." she shouted as she put her breast back inside her dress and covered up before going to open the door.

"Lady Lynesse, we came to visit the babe, if that's all right?" Margaery said and she smiled letting her, Sansa and Joy into the room.

She looked to see each of them carrying small boxes and sighed at the idea that the girls had brought presents. Not that she wasn't appreciative but Gerold was far too young and the girls should be spending coin on something else. But still she put a smile on her face and took them from each of them.

Margaery had gotten her a small silver rattle, with some kind of beads inside and she thanked her as she shook it making Gerold laugh. Joy surprised her as the present was a wooden teething ring in the shape of a bear, she looked at the girl wondering how she had managed to pick out such a thing.

"Margaery this is beautiful thank you. This too Joy." she said holding the ring.

Sansa had made her a beautiful cover to put over Gerold, it wasn't quite a blanket nor a shawl, but the designs were as intricate as the ones on her handkerchief, the girl was a natural with needle and thread. She placed it over Gerold and he immediately grabbed it and threw up a little forcing Sansa to look on horrified.

"He loves it Sansa, he's just like a bear, marking his territory." she said and saw the girl smile.

"He smells funny." Joy said and she leaned in thinking he'd soiled himself only to find he hadn't.

"That's how babes smell Joy." she said not sure if the girl was being rude.

"It's nice, I wish I smelled like that." Joy said a moment later and she laughed at the girl.

"You smell nice too Joy." she said getting a large smile from the girl.

She watched as the girls cooed over her son, almost getting visions of the future, thankfully that was a long way away and she had many years where she could enjoy watching her boy grow up. Dacey arrived an hour later and the girls left her and Dacey to get caught up, even offering to take Gerold from her though she refused. By the time Jorah had arrived she looked to see most of the day gone and she'd not left her room once, what was more she had no intention to, sending him to grab their meals.

That night she lay in bed, Jorah asleep beside her, Gerold in the make shift crib, she thought back to the invitation to the tourney of Lannisport five years earlier, to the girl she'd been. She had come looking for adventure, looking to perhaps have a knight wear her favor and to harmlessly flirt and now here she was back here again and that silly little girl was no more, she found she missed her not.

Lannisport 294 AC.

Ellaria.

Sleep was always hard to find when Oberyn didn't share her bed, though those days were rare the parting still left her raw. She found her appetites for pleasure left when he did which meant her bed remained empty until he returned. Sarella kept her company as best she could, but their interests were so different and when they weren't speaking of Oberyn and her sisters the conversation became stilted between them.

What made it worse was the girl worried just as much as she, each day without news only making the fear intensify, but Oberyn always came back, always found a way. Many years earlier they had been traveling through Essos when her love got bored and when Oberyn was bored there wasn't much he'd not do to relieve that boredom. They were in Meereen when he decided to take part in the fights in the fighting pits, at first she had laughed thinking they were just spars, when she had found out it was to the death though she had worried.

But as usual he had laughed it off and Oberyn's confidence, his sheer belief in himself was as arousing to her as his looks, they had made love fiercely that night and the next day she found herself looking on as he readied for his fight. He swallowed his wine, picked up and twirled his spear and then she watched in horror as his opponent walked in. The beast for he was clearly not a man must have been eight feet tall, he was firmly muscled and the axe in his hand was almost as big as he was.

" You're going to fight that?" she asked worriedly.

" I'm going to kill that." he said smiling.

She smiled now as she remembered how he'd spun in the air, how he moved like a shadow on the sand, always just out of reach and always present. He had played with the man, tired him out and in the end taken him down as if he was a dwarf and not a giant. She let that thought comfort her as she dressed, no matter the size of the man he faced, he was Oberyn Martell and her love would prove the stronger. She was breaking her fast alone when Sarella came in, the girl carrying a book she had brought with her from Dorne.

"Good morning daughter."

"Morning mama" Sarella said and she smiled, it had taken a while for the girls to call her that, but now each of them even Obara did.

She was not trying to take the place of their own mothers, though all but Nym's were long since passed. But she wanted them to know she was there for them, they could come to her and she would treat them as she would her own girls, they were Oberyn's daughters making them hers too. After breaking their fast they lounged around the house a bit before going to have a look at some of the stalls and merchants of the town.

She found the wares not to her taste, but Sarella found a book on kings she bought and so they ate lunch in a tavern and headed back to their residence. As they and their guards pulled up to the gate she saw Jon Snow waiting with his a guard who looked Dornish to her and the young Tyrell boy. For the briefest moment she felt her heart stop, her breath refuse to come, before the boy turned and looked at her and smiled.

Knowing he wasn't there to bring her terrible news she relaxed and together with Sarella walked over to him. He was a handsome young lad, which given the truth of his birth made sense. She had not known Lyanna Stark but when he wasn't cursing her part in his sister's death, Oberyn said she was beautiful. As for Rhaegar everyone knew of the silver prince and seeing their son in front of her, apart from the coloring the boy had clearly taken his looks.

"Lady Ellaria, Lady Sarella." Jon said as he greeted them.

"Jon Snow, I'm glad to finally meet you, Oberyn has sung your praises." she said and saw Sarella look at her.

"I'm sure Prince Oberyn exaggerated my lady." he said humbly and she nodded "May I present Lord Loras Tyrell and my guard Ser Daeron Sand." he said and she looked to the guard.

"Lord Loras a pleasure." she said as he kissed her hand. "Ser Daeron it is good to meet one of my brothers so far from home."

"My lady." the guard said with a nod and she thought him a handsome man, though the dye in his hair did him no favors.

"My lady, I was wondering if I could speak to you alone." Jon said before looking to Sarella "Perhaps Loras can show you some of the lesser known book merchants my lady, I'm sure there'd be something of interest to find."

"I'd like that very much, I've not found much so far." Sarella said.

She walked into the house with Jon and the guard while Sarella, her guards and Loras's walked back into the town, heading off in a different direction than they had earlier. Once in the sitting room, she ordered tea and watched as Jon's guard took his place on the inside of the door, she sent her own guards outside and when the tea came she poured them both a cup.

"My lady, I came to tell you that Prince Oberyn was successful and is at present on his way back here." Jon said and she almost jumped up and hugged him at how happy the news made her.

"He is unharmed, he and the girls?"

"They are my lady."

"Ser Daemon too?"

"Aye my lady. The Mountain has fallen and Elia and Aegon have been avenged." he said a soft smile on his face.

"Did they send you a raven?"

"No my lady, it's complicated, I'm a warg." he said and she looked at him confused.

"A warg?"

"I can see through an animals eyes my lady, control them too." he said sheepishly before catching her dumbfounded look.

She watched then as he closed his eyes and a few moments later a small bird flew in through the window, she looked to Jon as the bird landed on his shoulder before looking at her and chirping. Jon held out his hand and the bird walked down his arm and sat in his hand as if it was his nest, before flying away. Once it did so Jon opened his eyes and she looked at him with a mixture of shock and surprise, before she laughed.

"That's quite a useful little trick you have Jon."

"Aye it is, my wolf Ghost is with Prince Oberyn so I've seen it through his eyes, I assure you my lady they are well."

"How far away are they?" she asked.

"A week I'd say, unless they travel quickly, but I'd expect them within a week."

"He likes you, you know?"

"I… I 'm glad to hear it my lady, we share some blood." he said softly.

"You share more than that, he told me you're his nephew, that his sister demanded it of him."

"Elia was too good for this world, on that Oberyn and I agree."

"As do I. if you are Oberyn's family Jon, then you are mine too."

"I… my lady, I.."

"Ellaria, my name is Ellaria and you can call me aunt, nephew."

The boy did his best and she could see him fighting back tears, she thought of hugging him but he won the battle and she felt it best to let him be for now. They talked of her daughters and she was happy to see his interest seemed genuine, when he talked of his sisters and of his friends she saw it then. Saw why Oberyn had taken to the boy, he cared, he genuinely cared, for his family, his friends, just like Oberyn there was nothing he'd not do when it came to them and Oberyn had seen that in him.

" The boy is her son, he may not have her blood Ellaria, but he has her heart."

He asked about the girls then about whether they knew and if he should tell them, when she told him Oberyn would he asked about Sarella and her learning, of her desire to learn more of the things she wasn't allowed to. He seemed annoyed by the Maesters and their reluctance to allow women to learn, annoyed that they held onto knowledge as if it was more precious than gold.

"I was wondering when she knows the truth, of me and of Rhaenix, do you think she'd like to stay here, to learn more, to see a dragon grow?" he asked surprising her.

"I think she would, I think she would more than anything, you wish her to stay?"

"My sister needs company, someone who could help her with things, someone smart and clever. In time Sarella may come to understand her chirps, I can help and perhaps in time they could speak together." he said and she smiled.

"You may never get Sarella to leave again if she can learn to speak dragon." she japed making him laugh.

"Lord Tyrion too, he has an extensive library. I'm sure she'd find books she's never imagined there. Also there are things, I don't know, things which I see, I feel, having someone eager to find out things would help me too."

"When Oberyn returns we shall speak some more on this." she said.

He stood up and nodded to her getting ready to say his farewells, though she wouldn't let him leave with a simple nod. So she took him in her arms and hugged him tight, feeling him hug her back. After he left Sarella arrived carrying a half dozen books and an excited look on her face, yes she would speak to Oberyn when he came back, having his daughter spend time with his niece and nephew would please him greatly.

Jon.

Once leaving Ellaria's he had waited outside until Loras arrived back, when he had and he said goodbye to Sarella he let Arthur lead them to the tavern the Velaryons and Lord Darry were staying in. Arthur had spoken to them both and Lord Raymun was more than pleased to hear from him, the tavern though was unfortunately not Tyrion's and so once he met them he asked them to meet him there within the hour.

"Sorry you had to spend time with Sarella, Loras, I needed to speak to Ellaria alone." he said as they made themselves comfortable in the room.

"It was no problem Jon, she's a smart girl and we had fun together."

"Good she may be staying with us when they leave."

"She may?" Arthur asked."

"I need help with Rhaenix, someone who'll stay with her, someone I can trust."

"Is there a problem with her?" Loras asked.

"No but, I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions, it's as if I've not enough time for everyone. I don't want her missing out on being with family just because I'm too busy for her."

"You know we're all here for you right?" Loras said.

"Aye I know, I've no problem with it, it's just finding a balance, but even then I want someone with her when I'm not." he said smiling at Loras.

The Velaryons arrived first, followed by Lord Raymun and Jon had Loras stay in the room as he spoke to them.

"My lords, it's an honor to speak to you without pretense." Jon said smiling.

"You too your grace." Monford said.

"Please my lord, call me Jon, we can keep the titles for when I have a crown." he said and both Monford and Aurane nodded.

"Lord Raymun, you and Arthur have spoken?"

"We have Jon."

"I wanted to thank you my lord, for what your family has done for my own, all of it, your brothers, Ser Willem, Ser Jonathor, there's a saying in the north my lord, The North Remembers. I may be a dragon but I'm a wolf too and there's northern blood in my veins, I promise you my lord, I remember and shall always remember, what your family lost, when I'm crowned I intend to pay back some of the debt I owe you. Owe you both." he said looking to the Velaryons.

"There is no need Jon, our family and your own go back to before Aegon the conqueror, we stand with you now and always." Monford said

"Aye as do I my king." Lord Raymun said.

"But still my lords, I intend it still. To that end I shall be speaking to Lord Jaime about how best to bring you into our trading deals, we shall need to do so under cover my lords, so I can't help with ships just yet." he said looking to the Velaryons "But we shall I think be able to find some way where we can at least help you grow stronger while we're preparing."

"We need to be careful Jon, the stag and falcon will take notice if we suddenly start doing business with Lord Jaime." Raymun said.

"I think we can use the Essosi trading to cover that my lords, almost have it so you're responsible for a part of it, make it so that it's your own contacts in Essos and that we're acting as just transport." Jon said.

Monford looked to Aurane and then Raymun and smiled.

"I think that could work, we could also divert the funds so it seems we're just making some coin, but nothing that would bring the stag down on us." Raymun said.

"What of the other families Jon, Celtigar and Sunglass, Bar Emmon and those in the Riverlands too?" Aurane asked.

"In time my lord we'll reach out to others, for now we keep it to those we've told, Ser Richard will be in touch and he'll decide if it's the right time." Jon said and Aurane nodded.

Jon looked on as Raymun, then Monford and Aurane took a knee, each of them swearing fealty, he bid them to stand and looked to see both Arthur and Loras looking on happily. He asked Lord Monford and Aurane for a moment alone with Raymun and spoke to him more on his brothers. He asked of Ser Willem and Ser Jonathor and laughed at some of the tales he was told, once done he asked for the same with Monford and Aurane.

He talked with them of Valaena and Daemon of Corlys the sea snake and Laena, he spoke about Alyssa mother of his namesake and of Corlys the first Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. They shared japes and stories of his father and Monford spoke of his grandmother. Before they got ready to leave he looked at them both, trying to find the right words to say.

"My lords, our families are intertwined, none share a history such as ours. I want you both to know I respect that history my lords, I am honored and humbled by it. Your family has suffered far more than most because of your support of mine own, I cannot promise it won't suffer for a while longer. But I swear it to you here and now, I swear it on fire and blood that when I am king House Velaryon shall not be forgotten."

He saw both men look at him and see how much he meant the words he'd just spoken, Lord Monford bowed while Aurane just smiled and as they both left he felt he'd done his family proud, he'd ensure the truth of his words when he had a crown, but until then he'd do what he could to help their house rise again.

They rode back to Casterly Rock and he felt lighter somehow, felt he'd if not exorcised some ghosts of the past at least began to put them to rest. Loras put Winter away for him, his mare having been grateful to have him back, he promised her he'd take her out riding properly soon and she rubbed her head against him in gratitude. After taking the lift to the family wing, he walked to his room and spent some time with Rhaenix, when he told her of his plans with Sarella she seemed excited at the idea.

He went to the chest he kept his father letters in, he still hadn't the time to separate the personal from the lesser ones, but today had brought it home, he may never get the time he needed to do everything. Some things he'd need help on, all he could do was try and not miss out on the important ones, so he grabbed the letters and walked down to Tyrion's rooms finding him unsurprisingly reading.

"My lord, I have these for you to read, when you have the time." he said handing him the letters.

"Are you sure, I thought you wished to go through them Jon."

"I did my lord, but I trust you to do so." he said and Tyrion smiled at him.

"I will, I've found some things out already, I'll read these though and then we can speak."

"Is there anything I need to know?"

"Don't worry on it for now, go it must be time for dinner." Tyrion said and he nodded.

"You're not coming my lord?"

"No I've reading to do." Tyrion said and Jon laughed to see the excited look on his face.

Olenna.

Trying to explain to Mace why they would be staying on had been hard enough, trying to explain why they'd be cutting off funding to the crown was an exercise in frustration she did not have time for at her age. In the end she told him she had plans for the coin and she would deal with the crown, when he brought up the marriage between Margaery and Tommen, that no one would hear of until the boy reached his majority, she resisted the urge to smirk.

The marriage she had agreed to was a much more advantageous one and the reason behind this one not been publicly known actually made sense. She had even found herself agreeing when Genna had suggested that Margaery and Jon not be told they'd reached an agreement. Once again finding the reasoning sound, which was more than could be said about Maces's arguments.

"Oh do please shut up Mace." she said finally having enough of it.

"Mother." he said shocked.

"If they intended to give us a wedding, they'd give us a wedding Mace, instead they intend to string us along and spend our coin."

"But Lord Arryn…"

"Is a duplicitous fool. Leave this to me Mace, I'll deal with the crown. Now I do actually have a job for you to do when your return to Highgarden." she said and saw him smile at the crumb she'd just thrown him.

"Of course mother."

"I want you to begin speaking with Lord Stark, since we're going to be having his daughter stay with us, we should begin offering him a better deal on the crops they take from us, perhaps allowing them to buy some more."

"I shall see to it at once Mother,"

"Remember Mace, a friendly price." she said and he smiled.

Once he was gone she walked to Alerie's room knocking on the door and waiting until the woman answered herself before entering.

"Olenna?"

"I wished to discuss Margaery, Alerie. Margaery and Jon Snow."

"They're just children Olenna and he's a good lad, most respectful. I don't see the harm in them being friends."

"Nor do I Alerie, in fact I think we should be encouraging them to be so."

"Olenna?" Alerie asked suspiciously.

"Alerie, there are things I can't tell you yet, but you've seen them both together, forget his birth for a moment, do you think they'd make a good match?"

Alerie looked at her, studying her silently before she nodded and Olenna smiled back at her.

"Good, I do too, so while we won't push them together, we won't discourage them either, agreed?"

"Agreed." Alerie said and Olenna walked back to her rooms.

She would speak to Lynesse and Jorah on the morrow, organize the prices for their deals herself, between the discount she'd give them and the one Mace gave the Stark's the North would be growing stronger very soon. The coin they'd make up in other ways, not paying the crown for one, she sat down and began to write the letter she'd send to Kings Landing almost giddy at the thoughts of it. Once done she readied herself for dinner and walked to the small dining room.

Garlan and his betrothed were already there and while she had no time for the apple lords, she found she approved of the young lady and she made her grandson happy which was a an added bonus. When Loras and Margaery arrived they were speaking animatedly and she had no doubt of the topic. Her rose was so wrapped up in the dragon's embrace she wasn't even aware of it, thankfully the boy felt the same and she smiled at the thoughts of the truth outing and the future they'd build together.

She did however glare at Loras, he had hidden the truth from her and while she respected his reasons, he still deserved a clip around the ear for it. Another time, another place she thought as she sat down, when Mace and Alerie arrived they began and she found her appetite to be ravenous as it had for he past few days. Her initial annoyance about being out of the loop, had soon been replaced with excitement of what the truth meant to her family.

"Grandmother is something wrong?" Margaery asked.

"No sweetling how was your day?"

"It was fun grandmother, I spent some time with Lynesse and the babe and Jon invited Sansa, Joy, Elinor, Megga and I to a picnic." Margaery said smiling.

"A picnic?"

"Aye, there's a nice spot by the river we've gone before." Loras said "It's most safe grandmother." he quickly added seeing her scowl.

"Very well if it's what you'd like to do go then by all means." she said and Margaery nodded happily.

She cornered Loras at the end of the dinner and brought him back to her room, leaving him sitting there stewing in silence for a few minutes.

"Your reasons?" she said staring at his face.

"He is my king, I swore an oath."

"Above your family?"

"In this yes, I'll not betray his confidence grandmother, not even for you." Loras said and she resisted the urge to smirk.

"So you'll keep his secrets, will you shield his back too?"

"If needed." he said determinedly.

"Silly boy, go I'll speak to you later." she said dismissively and waited until he reached the door "Loras, I'm very proud of you." she said and on another day she'd have slapped the stupid grin which made him look too much like Mace from his face.

Ser Richard.

He could see Ashemark up ahead and was glad of it, he had rode hard and while he enjoyed sleeping outside, he found he missed nights in a warm room and a soft bed. Carrying the Lannister seal allowed him be treated far better than a normal traveler, he was given better rooms and food and drink simply because of it. As he rode up to the gates he was surprised to see guards in a celebratory mood, he bid his greeting and was shown into the castle itself.

Lord Damon greeted him not long after his arrival and had him shown to a nice set of rooms where a warm bath was already waiting, he enjoyed it immensely, redressed and walked to the hall for his meal once again finding people celebrating. As he went to take an empty seat he found to his surprise that Lord Damon seemed eager for his company so he took the seat he was offered and the lord began to speak.

"What brings you to Ashemark, Ser?"

"Ser Myles my lord, Myles Dalt."

"You're a long way from Dorne Ser Myles."

"I'm a hedge knight Ser I'm a long way from anywhere." he said and Damon laughed.

"You come from the tourney?"

"I did, fell far too fast." he said and Damon looked at him.

"You must have seen my son there, Addam."

"Ser Addam, he didn't compete my lord."

"No he was on more important business." Damon said and he heard some chuckles around him.

"If I may ask my lord, has something happened everyone seems in a jovial mood?"

"Nothing wrong with joviality Ser."

"Indeed my lord." he said with a smile.

"But you're not wrong, the mountain has fallen, Gregor Clegane is dead." he said and Richard held back the shout of joy he was about to make.

"He is, who was brave enough to go up against that monster?"

"My boy played his part, there were others also." he moved close to him "Heard the Red Viper took part somehow." he whispered.

"The prince, he is well?" he asked adding extra concern as befitted a Dornishman.

"He is Ser, your prince lives. Now come since we both have something to drink on for now, join us."

The hangover he woke up with the next morning was more than worth it, he washed and dressed before breaking his fast and then said his thanks and goodbyes to Lord Damon. Two days later he passed the Golden Tooth and another two he was in the Riverlands itself. It would take him another three days to reach Raventree Hall. Lord Tytos was a tricky man to deal with, but if there was anyone who knew of bandits in the Riverlands it would be him, it was time for Richard to step out of the shadows once more.