Arya was all smiles as she left, letting him change before he escorted her to the Tower of the Hand to change for the feast. He wore a black doublet with streaks of silver through it beneath a gray jerkin Sansa had embroidered as a thank you for lending her Ghost. It had white wolves with crimson eyes near the collar with lines of white done as trails of snow. Around his waist he wore his sword belt but had removed his sword, leaving only the dagger and a small pouch which held Myrcella's favor. When Arya came out wearing a light blue dress he held out his arm with a smirk. "Lady Stark."
Though she rolled her eyes she took his arm and let him escort her to the feast, bringing her to the high table where Sansa rose and gave him a quick hug. "You were amazing, Jon!"
"Thank you, Sansa," he said with a laugh, patting her back before she backed away.
"She speaks true, son," Ned said rising to embrace the boy. While patting his back, he whispered to him. "They would be proud."
Jon nodded against his shoulder before backing away with a solemn smile. "Thank you, father."
"You should have been there, Arya," Sansa said looking to her sister sat beside her. "I would have thought you'd want to watch Jon."
Arya glanced to Jon, who shrugged. "I was there," Arya said with a smile. "I just had better seats."
Sansa glanced at her and chuckled. "Sure."
Ned seemed pleased it didn't lead to a fight while Jon gave them a nod and turned to leave. That was when he heard a voice call out, "Snow!" They turned to find Robert leaning forward in his chair to look at Jon with a grin, motioning for him to join them. The only ones at the table seemed to be Robert, Tommen and Myrcella who wore a red and gold gown to match the crown of roses sat atop falling golden curls that framed her face. Cersei and Joffrey were thankfully missing, though Jaime was also nowhere to be seen.
Making his way over Jon bowed to Robert. "Your grace."
"You did well today, son," Robert said with a grin. "Bet more than a few of those knights looked down on you even though you're a lord's bastard. Hells, probably because of it. But you put 'em in their place today, didn't you?"
Jon offered a smile. "I look forward to spending their gold."
Robert laughed at that, then glanced back at Barristan who gave him a small, relenting nod. With that he rose to his feet and looked to Jon. "Jon Snow of House Stark," he boomed, quieting the room as all eyes turned upon him, "kneel."
Jon wasn't the only one to go wide eyed as Robert was handed a sheathed sword he drew, turning to Jon who sank to his knees while Robert walked around the table. Placing his sword upon Jon's right shoulder he asked, "Jon Snow, do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to protect all women and children, to obey your captains, your liege lord, and your king, to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?"
Meeting the man's bright blue eyes he answered, "I will do all I can to help others, the realm and those in need of protection, your grace."
Robert nodded, moving his sword to Jon's left shoulder. "Arise, Ser Jon."
Bowing his head, Jon rose while the room broke into applause as the king handed off his sword. "Thank you, your grace."
Robert turned to him with a laugh, clapping his shoulder. "You earned it. You've more than proved yourself capable."
Robert turned to make his way back to the table as Jon glanced to Myrcella and saw her beaming with pride while Tommen grinned. He then walked toward Ned, who rose and shook his hand, looking relieved as he met the boy's eyes. Sansa was wiping her eyes of proud tears while Arya kept hers in.
At the end of the table Ser Barristan met him and shook his head. "You did well, Jon. I couldn't be prouder of a squire."
Jon smiled, glancing at the king. "Did I truly earn it?" He asked quietly. "Does it even count?"
Barristan met his eyes and nodded. "It will when I knight Aegon tomorrow morning." Jon's surprise pleased Barristan as he squeezed the boy's shoulder, "Go celebrate."
Making his way to the lower tables he found himself stopped by near every man he passed who shook his hand and congratulated him. Eventually he arrived where Dom, Loras and Sam stood to greet them with clasping hugs, calling him Ser Jon. They all sat and started on their first course while downing wine.
It was on his second cup that Loras leaned over and elbowed Jon sat to his side. "I want to dance."
Jon looked at him with a laugh. "Then go find a partner."
"You're the champion," Loras said turning to him. "go ask the queen of love and beauty so I can cut in."
Jon glanced toward the table where Myrcella and tommen had moved to sit with Sansa and Arya while Ned spoke with Robert. He had to admit she looked pretty with the curls of her hair seeming more pronounced as it flowed from the crimson crown, her emerald eyes shining in the light as she smiled and laughed.
Downing the rest of his cup he rose and made his way to the table. Even that took some time as he was stopped by Andar, Robar and Yohn Royce, Patrek Mallister, and plenty of others, even Aron Santagar, the master-at-arms of the Red Keep who had ignored him near his entire stay. Perhaps without Cersei there they felt more at ease speaking to him, though surely they knew as much as he did that Meryn Trant's presence meant she would know whatever he saw.
By the time he reached the table his smile faded in embarrassment as he stood before the Baratheon and Stark siblings. "I was told the champion should start the dancing with the queen of love and beauty," he said hoping she understood his put upon words were spoken for others.
His tone seemed forced, but Myrcella saw the flicker of a smile on his lips when he met her eyes and was sure it was false. A show he put on for the court, much like his speech when he gave her the crown.
"If we were going by old traditions then you should have taken me to your saddle and ridden me around the grounds after crowning me," Myrcella said teasingly. She laughed when she saw Jon swiftly turn to shoot a look to Loras, who reeled back with laughter along with Dom and Sam. Rising from her chair and drawing his attention back she said, "Though I would love to claim the first dance of the newly knighted man who considered my beauty beyond others which surpass it."
Thankfully the moment Jon guided Myrcella to the floor others soon joined them. Loras made his way to the table and asked to dance with Sansa while Dom asked Arya, who reluctantly agreed. She ended up enjoying her dance with Dom, as he spent most of it telling her what he knew of Harrenhal after Jon had mentioned telling her of it, and she talked of her water dancing lessons.
"You look pretty," Jon said was he held Myrcella's hand, turning with her.
"As do you," she said before wincing slightly, "look handsome I mean."
Jon chuckled. "And I put so much effort into looking pretty tonight."
Myrcella giggled as he turned her, catching her and letting out a breath of relief when he caught her hand and avoided stepping on her toes. "Thank you, Ser Jon."
"Now I can't tell you I'm no ser."
"You were always better than many a knight," she said meeting his gaze. "The only difference is now they must recognize you for what you are."
Staring into emerald pools he nodded solemnly. "In time they will."
Loras soon switched out with Jon, who danced with Sansa before handing her off to Dom. Once their dance was done, Dom waved over Sam, who looked nervous as he approached and Dom switched out with him. Though clearly nervous, once Sam started it turned out he was a good dancer despite his size, claiming he often danced with his sisters so had plenty to learn from.
Jon found himself dancing with a few other ladies as well, his new knight status seeming to lessen the insult of his bastardry. Myrcella didn't feel much in the way of jealousy seeing others dancing with him, but she did feel a flicker of anger when she noticed a handmaiden from one of the other houses dancing with him slide her hand to his rear while speaking to him. To her relief he swiftly guided her hand back up, much to the girl's disappointment.
There was much to enjoy that night before Jon finally made his way to his room and fed Ghost a few scraps before turning in for the night. When he woke the next day he made his way to Barristan's apartment in the White Sword Tower where Barristan reminded him it was no longer necessary as he was no longer a squire.
"Go get Ser Domeric and Samwell," Barristan told him. "Meet me and your father in the Tower of the Hand."
When they arrived Ned greeted them in his audience room while Jon left Ghost with Sansa. Returning to the others Jon asked, "Where's Arya?"
"Off chasing cats," Ned answered with a shrug. "It seems you were right again."
Jon arched his brow as the others looked to Ned. "About what?"
"Varys the mummer," Ned said rising from his chair. "He came here last night in disguise to tell me the Lannisters had planned to slay the king during the melee, which Ser Barristan and I convinced him to sit out. I can't speak to that truth of that, but he also spoke of Grand Maester Pycelle loving his office and the suspect loyalties of the kingsguard. He told me it was the Tears of Lys which killed Jon Arryn, which he believes given to him by his squire, Ser Hugh."
"Who lays dead," Dom noted with a scoff. "Unable to admit to any of this."
"Why would they kill Lord Arryn?" Sam said with a frown. He'd been so kind to Sam though he had no reason to be.
"Varys said it was for asking questions," Ned noted, looking to Jon. "If it was Ser Hugh who gave the poison we can't be sure the Lannisters weren't involved."
Jon sighed and nodded. "True. I still wouldn't trust anyone outside this room."
"Speaking of," Ned said with a nod to Ser Barristan, who drew his sword.
"Aegon of House Targaryen," said Barristan. Jon knelt and the others watched as he took the same vow the king had given him. Switching his sword to his left shoulder, Barristan declared, "Arise, Ser Aegon."
Ned exchanged a brief hug with Jon before backing away. "Now that you no longer serve Barristan as squire, I've decided to hire all three of you as members of the Stark guard during our stay here. That way we can meet easily, bar Ser Barristan, though I imagine it not too difficult to believe Jon would still speak with you."
"Thank you, Lord Stark," Sam said with a nod.
"For now it is us and Robb who waits to play his part," said Ned. "We need to work together to survive this."
Jon, Dom and Sam were sent to meet with Jory Cassel before leaving to acquire Stark surcoats, gray wool cloaks with white satin borders, silver mail shirts and steel caps shared by all the guards. The next morning while still waiting for their equipment to be finished they were left to train with some of the guard. Jon and Dom helped Sam train with a sword, the Tarly feeling it necessary since he was hired as a guard and Jon had bought him a sword with gold taken from Hobber Redwyne.
"It's a shame," Loras said when they told him of their being hired to the Stark guard in an effort to keep them in King's Landing. Looking to Sam he asked, "You've joined as well?"
"I have," Sam nodded. "Lord Stark was gracious to offer me the position, and it pays more than I had before in the library."
Loras frowned, but nodded. He'd tried to have Renly hire him as a guard, but the Baratheon had chuckled and dismissed him without much consideration, making remarks of his weight. While in his first days meeting Sam such biting jokes had amused Loras, he grew to despise them. It had caused Loras to ignore him for days, but when they made up he still wouldn't hire Sam. "I'm glad," he offered. "I'm sure you'll do well."
It was barely a day later they were showing Sam a parry when Fat Tom came to tell them Lord stark wanted to see Jon. Dom stayed to help Sam while Jon put his equipment away and made his way to the Tower of the Hand. He found Ned stood beside his desk looking agitated and concerned.
"I've quit as Hand and sent Vayon Poole to look into ships to take us from here."
Jon blinked in surprise. "Okay," he said uncertainly.
"I know it would be easier to work from here but we can still manage on our own if we take our time." Ned glanced at the door and sighed. "Jon, you should know… The council has Jorah Mormont working as a spy with Daenerys. He's told us that she's pregnant with her Khal's child so Robert wants her dead. That's why I quit."
With a frown Jon crossed his arms. "Do you know where she is? I could try writing to Aemon and he could write to her."
"Only that they're heading to Vaes Dothrak, but the information is delayed."
Nodding, Jon asked, "When do we leave?"
"I've asked Vayon to look for a ship ready to leave tomorrow." He seemed to hesitate before adding, "This evening I'll ride with Littlefinger who says he'll take me to a place I've had the guards looking into."
"You can't go alone," Jon said stepping forward.
His concern made Ned smile. "I won't be. I'll take Jory and some guards with me. You three stay, try to get your equipment and prepare your gold to leave." After a moment he stepped forward. "There is more though. A brother of the Night's Watch came here last night to tell me he saw Catelyn take Tyrion Lannister as prisoner."
"What?" Jon shook his head. "Why would she do that?"
"It was at an inn in the crossroads." Ned sighed. "She never received the letter I sent to Winterfell, so still thinks him to blame for Bran."
"They won't let that stand," Jon said holding back his anger. "Even if they don't care for him he's still one of them. Why would she be so stupid?"
Ned frowned. "Jon," he warned.
Jon ignored his warning. "She's damned us all with her ignorance."
Ned stood straight. "Jon."
"Don't make excuses for her," Jon snapped. "Because she's too vain to consider anything but herself she's put us all at risk. I won't let us die for her idiocy."
Before Ned could speak Jon turned and left, slamming the door behind him and striding out of the tower to meet Dom and Sam.
Once they were in private he told them what he'd learned, ending with a scoff. "And he thinks to get angry because I speak the truth."
"She is his wife," Sam noted.
"And his wife has put a Lannister knife to our throats," said Dom.
"We'll need to be even more careful," Jon sighed. "For now just prepare your things to leave as soon as we can."
Making his way to his own room Jon loaded his gold back into the sack and small cart he'd been given with it. Then he loaded his armor and clothes into the chest he bought. For now he left his sword and egg in the bed, deciding he would take them out in the morning.
That never came to pass as that night a guard came to call on him to return to the Tower of the Hand at once as something had happened to Lord Stark. Throwing out a haubrek and sword belt he called on Dom and Sam to join him, each securing their own mail and belts as they followed him. At the tower they found Sansa and Arya in tears beside a bedridden Eddard Stark having his broken leg treated by Pycelle.
Jon shot the old man a glare as he wrapped his arms around Arya and Sansa, consoling them as he asked, "What happened?"
Alyn, now acting as captain of the guard, told him, "Jaime Lannister attacked Lord Stark on the road and fled the city."
Jon's brow rose as he looked to the man and knew exactly why. He wanted to leave and chase after him, to find Jaime and make him come beg forgiveness, to make him reveal if it was him that pushed Bran. Instead he closed his arms around Sansa and Arya, his face darkening as he pushed his anger down and embraced them.
Over the next six days Jon spent most of his time in the tower with his sisters before Ned woke and spoke with Robert and Cersei, who left the tower with a bruise across her cheek. When Robert left Ned was somehow Hand again.
"Take them and leave," Ned told Jon.
"We're not going to leave you," Jon said shaking his head.
"Jon," Ned groaned, sitting up, "take your gold and go to Robb."
"And leave you here to die?" Jon shook his head. "How could I do that?"
"What of Sansa and Arya? Will you have them stay here as well?"
Jon shook his head. "No, we can send them north but I'll stay here with you."
"And who should I trust to take them through the kingsroad?" He sighed. "What of a boat?"
"Vayon didn't say if he found one yet. It may take time to find one we can trust." Seeing Ned's frustration, Jon frowned. "I'm sorry I won't go. I asked Dom and Sam to take them, but both said they wouldn't leave without us as well."
Ned laughed grimly. "At least they're loyal."
"They are," Jon nodded proudly. "Sam's been looking into shops to invest in so I have less to carry and more play within the city."
"Has he found any?" Ned asked with a laugh.
"I don't know. I've… I just told them to split it up into smaller bags we can all split and carry if we have to leave in a rush. I'm not even sure how much is still in my room anymore."
Ned's brow rose, surprised at such blind trust. "Well we can always store if in Winterfell's vault."
"Assuming we get there," Jon said with a bitter laugh. "It feels like everything on fire."
Ned saw his gaze fall in distress and quieted anger. "Whatever your name you are a Stark, Jon." When he looked to Ned, he found his father smiling at him. "The Starks will endure. We always have."
That was put to the test when Robert went hunting the day after Ned woke, leaving the Hand to sit upon the Iron Throne. Jon and Sam stood among the Stark guards in the room while Dom stayed at the tower to watch over Ghost and the girls.
It was on Robert's second day of hunting that Sers Raymun Darry, Karyl Vance and Marq Piper came before Ned with a group of kneeling smallfolk. They explained how their lands were destroyed, their families murdered and raped, all by the Mountain's men. Jon wanted to run Pycelle through when the old maester only roused once the Mountain was mentioned, making his allegiance clear. Jon could see the value in questioning the people, they needed to be sure, but the old fool ignored their plights until the moment his master's name came up. He was a worthless old dog that should be put down.
Jon felt sorry for Loras when Ned excluded him from the group sent to bring justice to Gregor Clegane, though he understood his reasoning in a way. However he didn't understand why Ned called for him after and told Jon privately, "You'll ride with the guard sent after Gregor Clegane."
Jon tilted his head in shock. "Why would you send me to face him?"
"Because it takes you further north," Ned admitted. "I'll tell Alyn that once this is done he's to take you to Winterfell."
"I'm not leaving you all here," Jon argued.
"You're a guard in my command," Ned said simply.
"Then I quiet."
"And you are still a knight and I Hand of the King."
"Not my king," Jon said with a frustrated glare.
"Jon." Ned sighed, shifting in his seat. "I know you want to help us, but having you here is too great a risk for what we have planned. However little it is so far. Go and let this be your first act of justice, both for these people and for his crimes against your family. Find allies. House Darry was loyal to the Targaryens during the rebellion, sneaking Viserys and Daenerys from Dragonstone, perhaps they could be your first now."
"How it less a risk to send me after the Mountain?"
"I'm not sending you alone," Ned noted. "It's Gregor and a brigand company against a company of king's men lead by multiple knights. I've faith you'll persevere."
When he left Jon quickly found Dom and Sam, both shocked when Jon told them he would be leaving to face the mountain with the others.
It was after a moment to take it in that Dom asked, "When do we leave?"
"You don't," Jon said to their shock.
Dom's brow furrowed. "What?"
"I need people I trust here to watch them," Jon said nodding toward the Tower of the Hand.
Dom and Sam exchanged a look, and it was Sam who stepped forward. "I'll go with you."
Jon smiled at his courage and shook his head. "You don't need to."
"I want to," said Sam. "I may not be of much use in battle, but surely you'll need a squire."
"Are you certain, Sam?" Dom asked crossing his arms. "Men will die. You may be one of them, else you may need to take a life to survive."
"I know," Sam said before looking to Jon. "I'll do whatever needed to help you survive."
"I'd rather us both return alive," Jon said with a smirk. "But I'll be glad to have a friend at my side for whatever comes."