Bringing the Dawn

VII.

Jaeron Targaryen

Winterfell, 299AC

They had all been dreading this moment for days, and all thought they had been prepared for it. But as they watched their own entourage leaving the courtyard after the three of them, it became a reality. Jon spotted Robb's facial expression flicker for a moment before adopting that lordly mask he had perfected over the last couple of years. By now, Rickon was punching Catelyn's leg and screaming for a response to why they were leaving them. Normally, the Lady scolded such behaviour. He should know, he's been at the end of it a lot more often than his cousins considering for many years she had thought him to be a stain on their family. To an extent, he was a stain to the family. No matter what, he was always going to be an outsider apart from his colouring which confirmed he had Stark blood in him. Blood that everyone apart from a select few believed to be from Ned Stark and not Lyanna Stark. Or had she been Lyanna Targaryen as she had married his father?

That was a question he would need to ask Catelyn on. He'd made note that the Queen was introduced as Cersei Lannister and not Cersei Baratheon. Was that just a different decorum for those who were royalty? Jon rarely saw the Queen, seemingly keeping to herself. But on the few occasions he heard her he got the impression she was spoiled and believed herself to be higher than everyone else. A sense of entitlement that was well-known with the Lannister's. He'd even got that feeling from Tyrion for openly calling him a bastard and trying to compare himself to being one as well when he was not. Yes, the imp of Casterly Rock was looked down upon by many, but he had a higher pedestal to most. Everyone knew the Lannister's; everyone feared the Lannister's due to Tywin's approach to leading his family to be at the top of the pyramid of other houses.

It was eerily silent when they were the only ones left, workers immediately going back to what they were doing previously. Catelyn knelt now to pick up her youngest child and it hurt seeing Rickon punch her chest. She didn't openly chastise him, but she did give him a stern look which only made his wailing amplify. Robb gave Jon a challenging look, but the younger could see the sadness in his features. Both made their way to Robb's solar now, it being much different to Jon's. First, it was considerably larger. Second, instead of books everywhere there was maps and documents. He knew that Ned had started asking him with answering to letters to better prepare him for taking over once no longer could.

"Is this how you felt when you found out the truth? Being thrust into a position you don't want and don't feel ready for?"

Jon could only nod as he walked over to some of the maps. Obviously, the largest Kingdom was the North. It alone being the same size as the rest put together. Yet, the combined population of it was less than the population of Kings Landing. It was said the city was filthy and constantly stank of shit, but that could all be lies. However, it was true that the city was filled with spies and people who would betray everyone without a moment's hesitation. They would be travelling via the Kings Road. A single straight road that went from Castle Black all the way down to Kings Landing hundreds of miles away. They would be passing the easternmost parts of the Barrowlands, going by Moat Cailin, through the famed swamps of the Neck, bordering the Vale and Riverlands, before entering the Crownlands to the city.

"What did you say to Sansa earlier to have her smile so much? I don't think I can recall her ever smiling at you for many months."

The younger traced the road a few times with his finger, also imprinting in his mind where the castles and holdfasts were situated.

"I gifted her and Arya something for when they depart. I got Arya a small sword in a similar style to Dark Sister which she was delighted with. Sansa, I got her a bracelet commissioned. I also told her I don't plan on pressing a claim any time soon and if the Prince truly makes her happy, then I'll respect the match."