The Lone House of Fire

Chapter 5

        Jon Snow had watched his father send away the savage, whom he later found our was named Oliver, to send letter to The Just Kingdom. He had prayed to the gods that this had in fact been real and not just some tale Oliver had told to escape death. His hopes hadn't been high to begin with, and they only seemed to lower the longer he waited.

        Yet, here came a blonde man dressed in layers of scraps holding a letter high in the air, five months later.

        "I've got it! Here it is, what you wanted," Oliver announced catching everyone's attention, including Lord Eddard's.

        Ned walked down to where he stood, and Oliver promptly bowed down. 

        But Ned simply waved his hand, "Don't bow to me, I am no king." 

        He then took the letter out of Oliver's grip and opened it hastily. Despite the cool and calm demeanor he kept, the last few months had been hard for them and their last hope was encased in a white envelope. He unfolded the letter and read it silently to himself.

        Ned then brought the letter to his lips and kissed it sweetly. A smile broke on his face and suddenly everyone began to cheer. 

        Ned spoke, "They have invited us into the kingdom to make a treaty, boy," He walked over to his wife, Catelyn, and hugged her, "Our prayers have finally been answered."

        Jon felt a smile take over and he then joined in to the cheering. Theon Greyjoy, an acquaintance of his, began to say something  about inviting everyone to a pint of beer and going to the brothel. But Jon snow payed no attention to him. His thoughts were still on the dagger he had seen months earlier and the possibility of his home being saved.

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        Ned barged into the room of his bastard child.

        "Get up," he demanded in a gruff voice.

        Jon merely rolled over in his bed and looked at his father questioningly. What could he possibly want? 

        To say that Jon was in a foul mood was an understatement. He became distressed when he was reminded by Lady Catelyn that he was a bastard and couldn't join them in their trip. When he heard this, he left to his room trying to stop the trail tears rolling down his cheeks.

        Today was the day that the rest of his family left to The Just Kingdom, and he dreaded this day with a passion. So instead of getting up to wish them goodbye he decided to play sick and stay in bed.

        Which brings him to the present. His father kept hitting him with a pillow.

        Again Ned demanded, "Get up, you bum."

        Jon didn't want to disrespect his father, as he still thought that he owed him in more ways than one. With a groan, Jon got up from his bed.

        "Yes, what was it you need me for?" he asked.

        Ned looked at him hard, "Why are you not ready? We're leaving at noon."

        Jon stared at him confused. Hadn't he been told that he wasn't going to be able to partake in the journey? Sure, it had been Lady Catelyn whom had told him, but then again, it was Lord Eddard's word that was law.

        "Oh, I almost forgot," Ned turned to him and threw a small satchel, "take care of that for me. Wouldn't want it to get lost."

        Jon looked at the bag in question and slowly began to take out it's contents, which included of a wrapped item. As he undid the cloth, he saw golden scriptures. His father had trusted him to take care of the dagger. As he looked up at him questioningly, Ned smiled and winked before exiting his room. Jon then smiled at the realization that he was going to be able to go and began to quickly pack his things.

        This is certainly going to be a trip.