The Proposal

Time Together

Jon woke up at the crack of dawn , miraculously he did sleep soundly considering everything . The climate and environment just suited him. He decided to go visit the training yard before breakfast . He informed the guards he would he going to the training yard .

When he got there he had seen that the the training yards had been further expanded and that the premises were immaculately maintained . When he looked down from the parapet he saw their were classes going on girls as well as boys involved in all sorts of training exercises .  He saw Robb there training with another boy and there was a girl there watching both as they were training with their swords . Robb and the young man he was training with seemed evenly matched and they were clearly enjoying their sparring , the girl with them was laughing and seemed to be an enthusiastic spectator . Robb was quite talented , he seemed to be a naturally gifted swordsman . Jon couldn't help himself he went down to see his son training .
By the time he reached the area , Robb was fighting against the girl . The girl was holding her own but Robb was clearly holding back . She was however very impressive , but of course was hampered by the size difference with her opponent. When they saw him , the girl dropped her sword .

" Your Grace ."

Jon recognizes the girl as Joanna Lannister . Jon was surprised to see her .
" Joanna , I'm surprised to see you ."

"As I am you . How is my uncle Tyrion ?"

"Well ."

"Do you know Robb?"

Robb answered for her , " Yes is there a problem your Grace ?" He asked with a bit of bite to his tone .

"No . I was just surprised that's all ."Jon winced at his tone and the title he took to address him.

" I just came to see Robb and Little Sam train . I'm
afraid I am not much competition for either of them."

Robb just looked at her. Little Sam " You're quite talented Joanna don't sell yourself short ."

Little Sam was not so little Jon noted . So
this was his best friends son .
" You must be Sam and Gillys son . Nice to meet you ."

"Thank you Your Grace .Father says you were the best swordsman of your time . Would you train with us for awhile?"

" I'm sure he's busy" replied Robb .

" No , I would love to," countered Jon.

They sparred for awhile and both boys were excellent . Little Sam has strength , but Robb had speed and agility .  Jon was thoroughly impressed .

" Who taught you boys ?" asked Jon .

" My father ," replied Joanna proudly .

"Uncle Jaime of course along with Aunt Brienne . He used to train with us everyday he was here even with his one arm . Then he said we needed special training because he said he taught us everything he knew . So he brought in a special maester who trained us with blades and chains . He made mother learn how to use a blade and defend herself too because she used to travel alone a lot ." Robb stated gratefully .

It galled Jon to think Lannister is the one who trained Robb and made Sansa take self defense . That was his job not anyone else's . But he swallowed that down and just nodded . He should be grateful not jealous .

They all returned to the breakfast hall together snd found Sansa waiting for them . She was surprised to see them all entering at the same time . Joanna walked over to Sansa and pecked her on the cheek.

" Good to see at breakfast you Lady Sansa , we haven't had our breakfast together in a long time ."

" I'm glad to be here Joanna . I have asked cook to bring everyone's favorites this morning ."

" You're Grace, King Bran will be joining us shortly ."

"There is no need for formality Sansa ." replied Jon .

"As you wish" replied Sansa .

Jon noticed that the cook had made his eggs exactly the way he liked .
The cook came out to ask Jon if he wanted anything and Jon thanked him for preparing his breakfast with his eggs the way he liked them and with all his favorite foods . The cook informed him that Sansa had given them instructions prior to breakfast on what to serve him.

"Thank you Sansa , you remembered how I liked my breakfast ."

" You are our guest . We'd like to make your stay comfortable,." Sansa said diplomatically .

" I'd like to think that the North is still my home and I'm not truly a guest here ."

"Home is where your family is and your family is in King's Landing," Robb states unequivocally .

Joanna " Robb !"

" What have said something inappropriate or am I wrong ?." Robb retorted .

"No sweetling you are right ." Sansa whispers .

"Robb , I have family here too . The Starks are also my family." Jon states .

" Is that why you've never been back in almost 2 decades ? To to see the Starks ? Doesn't sound very familial to me ." Robb continues .

Jon doesn't know how to respond .Bran and Meera
arrive and the discussion is tabled , at least for the moment .

Of course there is bitterness . Jon deserves it he is fully braced for the resentment and anger .

Bran and Jon catch up.
He has seen Bran and Meera over the years because they have made official trips to King's Landing . He has not seen Arya in years but he occasionally will receive news from her about her and Gendry's travels . He wonders if Arya knows about Robb and why she never told him.

" When was the last time Arya was here ? "Jon asks .

" She was here a few  years ago , I believe she traveled to Kings Landing with Gendry after that ." replies Sansa .

So clearly Arya and even Gendry knew . He can't believe Arya would not tell him . It hurts to think that even she would keep him away from his son .

" I see ." Jon says .

Sansa knows exactly why he is asking and what he is thinking but there was no choice and Arya agreed with her in the view that Daenerys was ruthless when it came to defending her crown . She couldn't trust Jon to not tell his wife .

So many people knew and nobody told me thinks Jon .

Breakfast finishes and Jon decides to go  in pursuit of Sam . His wants to reconnect with his best friend . He also wants to know what Sansa's true health condition is .

" I intend to stay for awhile Bran ." Jon states .

" Yes Jon I thought that you would , and we intend to make your stay comfortable ."

Bran glances over at Sansa and she nods .