Arisen

Jaehaerys IX

Time both seemed to fly by and drag on at the same time, something he only ever really experienced whilst on the battlefield. Except, when he was on the battlefield he always knew it was going to end at some point. Whether that be him falling or walking out the other end victorious. It was strange to him knowing that this was his life now. Jon had gotten accustomed to waking up just as the sun was breaking on the horizon. Standing on the balcony that joined on to his and Dany's room which overlooked the sea as the sky turned from black to pale orange and then to numerous shades of pink and purple. Every day it looked different, and it was something he had grown to really enjoy.

In Winterfell, sunrises were something he had always enjoyed. But there was something about seeing them reflect on the calm waters that made it seem magical in a sense. As if his life didn't need any more magic in it. It had felt like he had simply blinked since Dany had told him she was with babe, and he was still coming to terms with it now. He had long made peace with the fact he would never marry nor would he ever have a child, how life likes to laugh at him. Now he's married to one of the most beautiful people in the world and with a child of his own on the way. A child that was a miracle to both parents. Some people were beginning to talk within the castle, noticing the way his wife always had a hand resting against the slightly swollen area.

When he had found out, he had wanted to run around the castle screaming it aloud for everyone to hear. But he had respected her wishes on the matter on wanting to keep it quiet as she was rightfully terrified. For years she had been barren, had accepted the only children she would ever have would be Drogon and Rhaegal. Despite accepting he would be someone who would never father a child, he couldn't deny it was something he had always wanted. When all his siblings were born both he and Robb would coo over them all- well, when Catelyn wasn't around. He'd been thinking about her a lot lately and he had no idea why he was doing so. She was dead, had been dead for years. But he couldn't deny how much he had wanted to look her directly in the eye and state he wasn't a stain on her honour at all.

Hence why it had gotten a little strange with Edmure just before he had left after publicly swearing fealty. The Catelyn he spoke of was decidedly different to the one he had grown up around, but the King had assured the Lord he didn't hate her for her treatment. It was difficult for him to do so, but many people were taught from a very young age that bastards are sinful and only out to better themselves and nothing else. The older wanted to apologise to his sister because she had been murdered at his wedding, but knowing he couldn't do so and having no one he could vent to other than his wife who wasn't even a part of it as she was held hostage by her father too.

What kind of a person holds their own child hostage? This was one of many times where he was glad he never had the misfortune of meeting Lord Walder Frey. At least the man had met a fitting end- albeit a rather gruesome one. He knew Arya was brutal but feeding someone's own children to them in a pie was bordering barbaric. People applauded her for it, and if asked she was happy to go into morbid detail on it. From the way she had looked him dead in the eye as she told him exactly what he had been eating to the way his face went green as he tried to puke up what he had already consumed. It made him feel queasy just thinking on it.

"Something on your mind, brother?"

Jon jumped a little in fright before noticing he had made his way to the Weirwood. A young boy sat down on a chair with wheels right in front. It had been a few days since Bran had arrived on the rocky shores and the difference was striking. He'd only been reunited with his brother a year before and he had been met with someone who just looked and sounded like Bran. Yet there was a small sparkle in his eyes he'd not seen since before he had been pushed by Jaime out that damned tower. What had surprised him was that he had not come alone, a young Meera Reed alongside him. It didn't take Jon long to notice they cared deeply for one another and he couldn't help but muse to himself that it would be a good match. As a second son Bran was expected to marry a loyal vassal to his own House, and the Reed's had proven time and time again how loyal they were. Especially Howland considering he had kept silent on him for his entire life.