Of Lions, Wolves, and Dragons (Jon Snow)

7. Tournament

Time in King's Landing was seeming to move slower and slower.  Joellyn knew why, but it didn't help speed time up.  First, she missed Tyrion.  She and Tyrion had always been good companions on top of being siblings.  He didn't view her as the person that killed their mother, and Joellyn viewed Tyrion beyond simply being a dwarf.  They had a lot in common and could talk for hours on end about nothing in particular and everything.  It was a lot more dull without Tyrion around.  She was expecting that he would be back soon, but it didn't feel like it would be soon enough.  Second, she still hadn't really mended her relationship with Jaime.  Joellyn let her feelings get the better of her and avoided him for most of the journey from Winterfell to King's Landing.  In her heart, Joellyn knew that Jaime was really trying to do the right thing by trying to get her to forgive Cersei, but Joellyn could not move past Cersei's blatant disrespect of the Starks.  Joellyn had promised herself that she would make up with Jaime once they arrived back at King's Landing, but he became so busy with his duties in the King's Guard that she had not had the chance to talk to him.  Thirdly, and most of all, in spite of her communication with Robb in an effort to get to know him better and the familial love she realized she had for Ned, Sansa, and Arya Stark, she could not get Jon Snow out of her head.  Jon bore such a resemblance to Ned that every time Joellyn looked at Ned she was reminded of the kiss she and Jon had shared.  Joellyn felt immensely guilty, but she was not sure how to overcome this infatuation with Jon and transfer these feelings to Robb.  Especially as it was clear through his letters that Robb was either falling for her or at least putting on a very good show like he was falling for her.

The day that the tournament in honor of Lord Stark accepting the position as Hand of the King began, she had received another letter from Robb.

My dear Joellyn,

I am sorry to hear that you are still at odds with Cersei and Jaime.  I know this will sound strange coming from me, since you know I do not have the highet opinion of either of them, but you really should make an effort to fix those relationships.  If not with Cersei, make sure you do with Jaime.  There are few people that you can truly count on in the world, and family should always be part of that list.  I know you and your sister have always had a trying relationship and there may be no way to fix that, but you and Ser Jaime are not the same way.  At the very least, make sure you go to him.  I'm sure you both will be happier once you are talking again.

Since I am talking about siblings anyway, I have news on your brother Tyrion and my brothers Jon and Bran.  Tyrion just recently left the Wall and passed through Winterfell to journey back to King's Landing.  He told us that the view was magnificent from the Wall and that he thoroughly enjoyed his time he spent with the men of the Night's Watch.  According to him, Jon is settling in nicely at the Wall, though he also said that Jon may have realized that tales of the bravery and honor of the Night's Watch may have been exaggerated.  Your brother came through Winterfell for the purpose of bringing something to Bran.  Apparently word reached Jon at Castle Black that Bran had awoken, and Tyrion wanted to make sure that Bran still felt whole, even without use of his legs.  Your brother made plans for a saddle that will hold Bran in place and allow him to ride a horse!  We have to actually make the saddle and train the horse, but Bran is overcome with happiness.  I must confess that I am happy as well.  Bran has not been himself since he woke and found out that he is no longer able to move on his own.  The prospect of seeing him on a horse, able to forget about his brokenness, fills me with joy.

I have another confession.  It pains me to admit this now, but I was not happy at the prospect of an arranged marriage to a Lannister.  I had never heard a single good thing about a Lannister.  Joellyn, you have completely changed my opinion, and I am ashamed to remember how upset I was when Father told me who I would be marrying.  You have shown me that a person's family is no indicator of who they will be.  Your brother, Tyrion, has shown me this as well.  I am counting the days until you come join us here again.  I feel that writing letters is not a good enough way to get to know you and spend time with you, especially since I do not get to look upon your lovely face while I am writing and reading letters.