"Wind & Words"

Failure & Treachery

3 months later
Jon

    "Dany it's time to wake up! Arya and Sansa will be here by noon. We need to get ready and baby Robb ready to go out a meet them at Blackwater Bay."
     Jon watched his tired wife sit up and yawn, she glanced toward their window and saw darkness.
   "Jon it's not yet dawn, let little Robb and I sleep just til dawn. Then I promise you we will be as enthusiastic as you are my love."
Daenerys plopped herself back down onto their bed and went back to sleep. Jon walked over to little Robb's cradle to see if he had waken up but he was fast asleep.
    Robb was three months now almost four, he was chunky. His brown hair was curly, like Jon's and his eyes were a deep violet, darker than his mother's eyes without a doubt. Dany was right he was looking like him more and more as each day passed. But when you'd look into his dark purple eyes you could see his mother. At least that's what Jon saw, he adored his little boy. Jon wanted to wake him but Robb looked so peaceful Jon just let him be.
    He sighed to himself, perhaps it was too early to be waking everyone but he was so excited he couldn't go back to bed.
So Jon decided to have an early breakfast, he hoped Martha was in the kitchens, she always accommodated for him at his strange eating hours. Jon was walking through the halls of the Red Keep and he heard foot steps behind him. He turned around and saw Sam and Gendry in conversation, they hadn't noticed him yet.
   Jon stopped and faced them, "Good morning! I'm glad I'm not the only one awake this early." Gendry and Sam gave their best friend a chuckle, quickly making their way to his side.
   "Your Grace good morning!" Said Gendry as he gave Jon a slap on the shoulder.
Jon wrinkled his face in disapproval at the formal greeting, "Oh piss on that Gendry, don't be so formal, just call me Jon. I've told you this before, only use formalities at council meetings and formal occasions. When in the presence of others, remember?" Gendry laughed, "I know it's just weird because I forget. I don't know why you named me your Hand I don't know shit about it. I've barely mastered how to use a damn fork Jon." Sam laughed, "Maybe he gave you the position because he knows you're an idiot and he can get away with whatever he wants." Jon laughed with his friends as they walked to the dining hall to break their fast.
   "If I'd not have been named Grand Maester I'm sure Jon would've made me Hand. Isn't that right Jon?" Samwell stated giving Gendry a smug smirk. Gendry rolled his eyes, "Oh I'm Samwell Tarly and I'm so smart because I read all day- everyday." Gendry mocked and Sam punched his shoulder. Jon chuckled at their teasing banter, "Actually Sam I truly wanted Ser Davos but he was already appointed to a different position. I think you are right where you should be because you're an excellent Maester. I chose Gendry here because he's a fast learner and he has untapped potential. For the meantime Gendry, just try to act like you know your shit. I don't want everyone thinking I've chosen an idiot as my Hand. Oh and Gendry, let's not mention that fork bit anymore. Got it?" Sam chuckled and Gendry smiled and nodded.

When they entered into the dining hall Jon walked to the back, where the kitchens were. His friends followed him as they continued to converse and tease.
  "Martha darling, good morning!" Jon said as the sweet lady made her way towards him. Jon gave her a tight embrace. "You're a sight for sore eyes you know that?" Martha blushed at her Kings flattery.
"Good morning my dearies! Oh ya boys keep me on my toes and I'm glad to serve ya my dear king. So my handsome lads, what do ya wish to eat today?" Sam and Gendry had now adopted Martha as their favorite kitchen person as well. So she'd begun to spoil them also but she had a soft spot for her King Jon.
Jon knew this and loved it because anytime she made a special pastry or new recipe she'd send it up to Jon and Dany's chambers. Martha was the only woman Dany allowed Jon to be alone with no matter what the hours were and he was grateful.
"Hmm." Jon over exaggerated his body language thinking about what he wanted to eat. He stood leaning on one side with his hand stroking his beard as he thought.
Gendry and Sam stood there smirking at Jon's playful gestures towards Martha.
"Tell you what Martha, surprise me! I'm so hungry I could eat just about anything. Whatever you'd like to make us will be perfect just make sure you have three pitchers of ale brought out for us." Martha chuckled, "Oh as ya wish my dearies. I'll have Jane bring out the ale, just don't drink too much ma lads, it's too early for drunken escapades."
Jon, Gendry and Sam all chuckled at Martha's statement and they all said, "Aye Martha," at the same time. She went back into the kitchen to prepare their food.
The group of friends sat down at the long dining hall table.
Sam began to talk about some new medical concoctions he had blended together to help assist with childhood fevers. He wanted to have it tested to assist the poor people of Kings Landing because there were many children who had died of simple fevers in the past due to lack of resources and compassion. Jon told him he would be provided with whatever he needed to see this through. It was actually a good idea and very impressive.
Gendry went on about how his new Lordy titles had gained him favor with the ladies but that he was conflicted because he loves someone who didn't know about his affection. Jon noticed when Gendry spoke about this love of his, he seemed uncomfortable.
Jon just ignored it but he was sure he was speaking of his sister. Which made Jon cringe a bit because he will always think of Arya as a little girl, not a woman. Even though he knew she wasn't a little girl anymore because she was indeed a certified killer. She had tortured and murdered Cersei Lannister then after Jon had found her she said she was going to Bravos with an 'Old Friend', to return some things she'd taken. He allow her to go even though the details were vague. Jon worried about Arya at times because of the whole faceless man thing. Arya was not the same person anymore but he still adored her and wanted to keep her safe.
While Gendry and Sam went on for a few moments they all noticed a small thin girl come from the kitchens struggling to carry a large tray with the three pitchers of ale.
Jon sat up and gave her a beaming smile and her pale skin turned pink. Gendry stood up and helped her balance the tray as she leaned over and placed the pitchers on the table.
"You must be Jane." Jon said with a squinty welcoming smile. "Are you new here? I don't recall your face."
The girl smiled and told Gendry thank you for his help then answered her King.
"Yes Your Grace, I'm Jane, I've just started not two days ago. I thank you for the opportunity to work I'm needing money now days."
Jon was intrigued by what she said he wanted to know more. "Why is someone so young needing to find work? You can't be more than seventeen?"
The trio of friends were now curious about this young girl's story. She blushed again and answered humbly.
"Your Grace I am sixteen and I had to find work because my father passed a month ago, leaving me and my little sister orphaned. I only know how to cook and clean but couldn't find any work so we begged. I was in the market two days ago and Martha saw my sister asking for money on the street. My sister brought her to me and asked if I knew how to cook, I did so here I am. I'm so grateful for the opportunity because if not for this we would still be starving, my little sister was already very sick from dehydration."
Jon couldn't believe the situation this young girl and her sister were in. He knew if Dany heard this story she'd be more than willing to help them, especially since they were alone. Jon looked around at his friends and they nodded to him in agreement, knowing their King's kind heart.
"Jane where is your little sister while you work and where do you live? Also, the Queen and I have established soup kitchens all through Kings Landing, did you not know?"
They saw the young girl shift her eyes to the floor then she revealed something Jon didn't know.
"Your Grace some of the men who run the soup kitchens only allow the women and girls get food if we let them to violate us or worse..." she trailed off and Jon felt angry he couldn't believe this was going on. He let her continue before he said what was on his mind for a solution. Jon noticed the girl wrap her arms around herself, he watched as her eyes began to water and tears slowly dropped down her boney cheeks. He felt such sadness for her and failure as a king to a helpless subject. Jon knows how men can be and knew she had endured something tragic for the sake of her sister.
"A week ago they wouldn't let my little sister have any food...I begged them because she was so frail. They said she could have bread. Only if she gave them something in return but I said no, Evelyn is only six, they're monsters."
Jane trailed off again sobbing and Jon urged her on. Gendry was still beside her and he put his arm around her for comfort.
Jon told her, "Go on Jane tell me, I need to know so I can bring justice to those perverts! I don't want anyone else suffering what you have endured."
Jane nodded and continued, "That's when they said I could compensate for her. I-I didn't want to Your Grace...but-but my sister was sick. She was dehydrated and starving. I'm so ashamed and it hurt so much, I've never known a man before. That day four of them forced themselves on me, I tried to get them off but I failed. When they were done with me, all my sister received was a piece of stale bread."
Jon pounded his fist on the wooden table, he had heard enough, Sam and Gendry had the same angry look about them.
Martha came in with the tray full of food. Jon no longer had an appetite but he thanked Martha for the food.
"Jane dear what ever is the matter?" Martha asked full of concern watching Jane wipe her tears. She placed the plethora of food down on the table and went over to embrace the young girl. Jon felt horrible making this poor girl relive the day she was raped but he was glad he now knew of the corruption. He was going to put a stop to it right away.
"Martha did you know what happened to Jane here?" Jon asked Martha, she nodded 'No.' Jon then asked Jane, "Jane where is your sister while you work?"
Jane gulped her sadness, "She is in our small quarters by the bay, she stays alone until I get home. We didn't have much when father was alive but he would catch and sale fish in the markets for money. I'd sew a few things for people we knew but I wouldn't get more than a few coppers. He was able to rent us that room and now I can afford to keep it."
Jon watched Martha smile at Jane but Jon wasn't satisfied that they lived alone.
"Sam get a room made up for Jane and her sister...?" He trailed off forgetting the little sisters name.
"Evelyn, Your Grace." Jane told him.
"Ah yes, for Jane and Evelyn. Jane can continue to work in the kitchens and little Evelyn will be taught by Gilly along with little Sam. Jon looked at Sam and he nodded in approval of his idea.
   "Is that alright with you Jane?" Asked Jon.
Martha gave a proud smile to her King and glanced at Jane who was speechless.
Tears ran down her face and she tried to speak with a quivering lip, "Y-Your Grace, surely I'm unworthy of this gift. It's too much, I-I can't accept I have no way of paying you back." Jon smiled at the servant girl and placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
   "Jane it's not too much, it's a way of apologizing for not going and checking on the well being of my subjects. I'm attempting to soothe your horrid experience. I'm just sorry I wasn't there to stop predators like those men. I know you're not the only victim, I need to speak with Grey Worm, this ends today."
  Sam looked at Gendry and back to Jon all three nodded in agreement.
   "Jane go and fetch your sister this instant and bring her here. Bring your belongings along with whatever you hold dear. Your chambers will be ready and I'll have you escorted by my personal guard to make sure you have no problem." Jane smiled at Jon, nodded and Martha took her to the kitchen.
   Jon sat back down to eat with his friends and had Grey Worm summoned to the dining hall.
   "That was a horrible story." Sam said as he ate some blood sausages. Gendry was shaking his head. "The both of you grew up in a castle, you've never been around scum like I have. That's probably why you didn't bother to check how things were run. Men pay off soldiers to turn a blind eye. I know what she's going through because I've seen it all my life in these streets. The men are like that towards women, girls and sometimes even little boys. It's worse for the poor ones who just want to eat. If you'd like Jon, I can personally over see all of this. I know how it is to live on the streets and see atrocities like Jane experiences."
   Jon gulped some ale and nodded, "Very Good then Gendry. Seems you're the best qualified man for the job, just make sure you capture all the men who are doing this to the women and girls. I want to teach people like that a lesson, those men will be hanged for their crimes in the square. That is a promise, I will not tolerate rape and abuse in my Kingdoms."
   "So Jon." Sam began, "are you excited about seeing your sisters, for the Prince's name day Banquet?" Jon was about to answer when Gendry began to choke on his ale.
Jon laughed, "Are you alright Gendry?"
Gendry nodded trying to control the reflex, "Arya's coming?" Is all he managed to choke out.
Jon smiled and took a sip, "Aye she is. Is there a problem with Arya's return?"
Gendry sighed, "No problem but now I'm nervous. I haven't seen her since she left Winterfell to come cross Cersei off her list. I missed her and I'm also anxious to see her."
  Sam laughed, "I find it quite ironic that Lord Gendry here is scared of Arya. She's a tiny thing, not only that but damn it Gendry pull yourself together, tell her how you feel. I'm the fat one of the group, you'd think I'd be having woman issues but I'm the one who had the most stable relationship first."
   Jon and Gendry sent echoes of laughter throughout the hall at Sam's statement.
"That's easy for you to say Sam, you're not in love with an assassin." Gendry blurted our and then looked at Jon so fast to see if he'd caught his words. He did. Jon turned to Gendry smiling, "Did you think I didn't know mate? It's quite obvious actually. I wish you well I couldn't think of a better man for my little sister. Just don't piss her off she may murder you in your sleep and wear your face. I believe I've told you this before." Jon hit Gendry with his elbow while they all erupted in laughter again.
 
  A few moments later, it was dawn and Grey Worm entered the hall. Jon filled him in on what's been going on in the soup kitchens and he was upset as well.
   Jon ordered for the unsullied soldiers to now be the guards at the soup kitchens. They couldn't be bought, like the previous Lannister soldiers who were currently in those areas. The Unsullied were loyal to their Queen, who never tolerated that behavior towards anyone. Jon also instructed for two unsullied soldiers to accompany Jane to retrieve her sister and bring them safely back to the Red Keep. Grey Worm went off and did as his King commanded.  On his way out he bowed to his Queen as she entered the dining hall.
   Jon stood up when he caught a glimpse of his wife. Sam and Gendry followed his lead, gave their 'best behaved' smiles for their best friend's wife, who was also their Queen.
Jon watched his Dany walk to him, she looked at him and smirked, he couldn't help but feel butterflies in his stomach. This feeling made him reminisce about the first time he'd laid eyes on her, in Dragonstone. That day seemed like a lifetime ago. He was just a bastard King in the North who was adamant on getting dragon glass and aid, while she was stubborn as an ox about him bending the damn knee.
   Jon looked down at the marble floor and smiled to himself at their stubbornness.
Now look at them, King and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms with a son. He was grateful to be alive and actually blissfully content with his life.
    Jon watched his wife come to a stop, "Good morning My King, Lord Samwell, Lord Gendry. I see Jon has had company at the early hours."
Jon watched his friends shake their heads and spoke in unison to Dany, "Yes Your Grace."
He chuckled at their propriety, he saw Dany turn her attention to him.
   "What's so amusing Jon?" Dany asked.
"Oh it's nothing my love, just watching these two change their total demeanor is comical to me." Dany smirked making her way to him, he opened his arm for her and she took her place next to him. He wrapped his one arm around her waist as she stared at the spread of food.
  "I see you all have had Martha busy in the kitchen. Thank her properly for me later Jon. She needs a few days off, don't you think?" Dany stated as she reached for a piece of burnt bacon. Jon gestured for her to sit and she did as he said.
    "Yes she does deserve a day off but then how will I survive without my midnight meals Dany? I'll waste away. Not only that I will not have the energy to do what I like doing with you in the late hours of the night."
   Jon watched his wife turn two shades of pink as Sam and Gendry pretended that they did hear what he just said.
"Jon!" She said as she smacked him on his chest with he back of her small hand.
He chuckled he couldn't help it, he loved to tease her. "Well it's true, Dany but I'll tell Martha she can have a week off. But she needs to have pre cooked meals for me ready at least." Sam, Gendry and Dany laughed at Jon's entitled request.
  "Oh is that all you demand Your pork-ness?" Teased Samwell and Gendry continued.
"It must be nice to have a meal ready at all hours of the day. Bet you had that type of luxury in Winterfell growing up as well."
Jon made a mocking face, "Ha very funny, so I'm always hungry what if it? Anyway back to more important matters. Dany we have to tell you something about a servant girl who just started helping Martha in the kitchens."
Jon, Sam and Gendry told the Queen everything about Jane. They spoke about the solution and how Gendry was going to over see the the soup kitchens on a daily basis.
   Daenerys was upset about poor Jane's situation, she was happy with what Jon did for her and her sibling. Dany wouldn't tolerate that kind of abuse in her Kingdom, she wanted justice for all the women and girls who were harmed. Dany told him that when they came back from getting her sister that she wanted to be notified because she wanted to meet her. So she could thoroughly apologize for not having her people safe from harm. Jon knee how she felt, it was a horrible feeling being responsible for the neglect of your people but they'd learn from this and do better, starting with justice.