Jon was at peace as his horse Old Boy trotted beside Ser Wylis' stallion. Winterfell's walls grew smaller behind them as they continued onwards and the young Stark let out a soft breath as he breathed in the crisp air of the Kingsroad.
"So, Ser Wylis, if I may ask. How long would it take us on this trip?" Jon asked, turning to the Knight in question as the man turned and smiled.
"Do not worry, young Snow. We shall be by White Harbour before the moon turns."
"I see," Jon murmured, looking back forward as Ser Wylis analysed the young man beside him.
"Is something troubling you, Snow? You look in thought?"
"Just thinking about the road ahead, Ser," Jon replied smoothly with a polite smile, "and of my family. It feels strange to leave them, especially since I have never been gone from Winterfell for more than a day."
"No doubt due to Lord Stark's
"Do you have an issue with people calling you Snow?"
"That is who I am, Ser. I have no issues with my status," Jon was a bit untruthful with what he said, but he would do his best to uphold his word.
"Many will attempt to taunt you with your baseborn status. Do not allow yourself to fall for them."
"I will strive not to, Ser," Jon spoke with a respectful nod, to which Ser Wylis let out a boisterous laugh and nodded.
"Good, young Snow! Keep that fire in your belly and your head cool," he replied, his shoulders shaking as Jon chuckled. Then, the young man turned his head as the man's laughter faded and an abruptly stern look entered his face.
"My father, Lord Manderly, values a sharp mind just as much as a sharp sword. I've heard the rumours of your skills in battle, but if your wit matches your body, then you will not disappoint."
"Lord Manderly is one of the few that wishes to risk his reputation to help me rise in station. While I know that I won't compare in status to my trueborn siblings, I still wish to ensure that his efforts do not go to waste," This was a change in the path that his other self in the other timeline had taken.
It was a change that may lead to disastrous and abrupt changes, but he was but one bastard. There was no way he would be able to influence anyone.
Besides, he also had his own thing to worry about now, that being keeping his status as a Blackfyre and a Blood One a secret.
Would some consider it cowardly to act this way? Most definitely, but in order to help, he first needed to raise his own station first.
The unbothered calm of Ghost came through their telepathic link, making him smile as he watched the young direwolf pup jump in and out of the snowy grass.
"Ser Manderly, we appear to be approaching a procession," One of the knights riding at the front spoke up, drawing a raised eyebrow from Wylis while understanding entered Jon's eyes.
"Any banners?"
"The royal banners."
"Well, that's shite. Men, hop off your horse and off to the side of the road. Snow, you too. Let them pass," Jon followed along with the other knights as he turned Old Boy, sending a silent signal for Ghost to hide in the snowy grounds.
Climbing off his stallion, he glanced down the road and caught sight of the massive wheelhouse as well as the people coming with it.
It was a monstrosity of gilded oak and heavy iron, looking out of place with the snow and dirt of the Kingsroad. Surrounding it were a plethora of knights, but it was the six knights riding at the front that drew his attention.
Their armour were pristine, intricate suits of white armour, cloaks of the same shade flowing in the wind blowing past as they sat atop snow-white warhorses.
Then, there was the one right behind them. His body was absurdly rotund and the horse he rode in looked much more tired compared to the other horses as the man bit into a leg of honeyed ham.
'So, that's Robert. He looks...far worse,' Jon thought as he stared at the king, standing at Old Boy's head with his fingers loosely gripping the reigns and his head lowered in a polite bow.
As the column drew closer, the thumping of hundreds of hooves, the clanking of steel and the shouting of guards made the horses uneasy, but Jon and the knights of House Manderly kept them calm.
"Halt!" the sound of Robert Baratheon's thunderous voice echoed in the air and brought everything to a stop, the King turning his head to stare at the men with their heads bowed.
"From which house do you men hail?"
"House Manderly, your Grace! I am Ser Wylis Manderly, son of Lord Wyman Manderly and heir to White Harbour!" Wylis spoke up, drawing a hum from Robert before his gaze turned to Jon.
His breath caught in his throat for a moment as the young man glanced up, the visage of another appearing beside him with a stoic expression and a simple raised eyebrow.
"You, boy! Step forward!" Pulling Old Boy with him, Jon kept his head bowed until he heard Robert's disgruntled bow. "Lift your head!"
As he looked up, he made sure not to meet the King's gaze so as to not make it look like he thought himself equal.
"Who is your father?"
"I am Jon Snow, your Grace! Bastard son to Lord Eddard Stark!"
"Ah, you're the bastard, eh? If you did not say that, I would have thought you to be a carbon copy of the man! Where are you headed with this men?!"
"To White Harbour, your Grace! I am to be the squire to Lord Wyman Manderly!"
"A bit too late, don't you think?" Jon just gave a bow in return, drawing a bellowing laugh from the large king as the man dismissed them with a wave. "Very well! You men can continue on!"
"Thank you, your Grace!" Wylis spoke with a deep bow that both Jon and the knights mirrored, but none dared to hop back onto their horses as they instead pulled them with.
'Keep until the last one pass. Then, come after,' Jon spoke to Ghost and only felt a sense of agreement, walking at the back of the ground as they passed the massive host.
As expected, there were sneers and harsh whispers as he walked past, but he did not care and instead kept his head eye.
That was when he saw her, the beautiful woman opening her window shutter while scoffing in derision at the rough terrain that greeted her.
He had to admit that she was far more beautiful than any woman he has met. Her bosom, despite being only slightly visible, was still larger than even Ros' and as she turned her gaze to them, he would have thought them to be breathtaking if not for the utter disgust shining in them.
Jon immediately moved his gaze like a shy boy as he looked away, pleased to see it drawing a smug and arrogant smirk from the woman as he made sure to take a few quick glances at them.
He even went as far as to take a quick glance back at her smug smile and turning back forward, something Ser Wylis did not miss.
"Eyes forward, Snow," the man spoke in a soft whisper and Jon gave a chastised smile and nod, but he did not show his pleased smile as he kept his head low.
'Good. Keep them predictive,' he thought, their group walking for almost an hour before Wylis signalled for them to climb back onto their horses.
"Snow?"
"Yes, ser?"
"I won't blame ya for peeking at the Queen. The old and the new gods know that many your age would have done the same, but be aware of your station when dealing with those nobles from the South. They'd tear you to ribbons should they find you doing such a thing again, understood?"
"Understood, ser. It was a lapse of judgement."
"More like he thought more with the head between his legs," one of the knights joked and this time, Jon didn't fake his proud smile as the men laughed.
'This might be fun after all,' It was an hour later after that thought that he felt Ghost's presence growing stronger, turning his head and smiling as the young pup trotted out of the snow-covered grass onto the road beside him.
"And where has that one been?"
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Two weeks of travelling has left Jon weary and sore, rubbing his inner thighs after having ridden nearly ten hours a day. The knights with him looked more and more amused by his aches.
Even Ghost had sent amusement through the link, but he simply ignored the direwolf that had grown by almost four inches.
Thankfully, though, as he looked into the distance, he felt nothing but relief at the sparkling blue expanse of the Bite stretched out in front of them.
Their horses rode out of the forest and onto the dirt road that connected the Kingsroad to the White Harbour, Jon's eyes scanning the bustling harbour city.
"And there she is! Better than a thousand leagues of mud, snow and trees, wouldn't you say, Snow?!"
"Much better, Ser Wylis!" Jon replied, drawing a laugh from the man and some of the knights that were proud of their home. Still, he did not blame them as he looked back to the city, staring at the hundreds of ships cluttering the outer harbour as well as the colossal Wolf's Den fortress guarding the waters.
It clung closely to the city walls and drew Jon's attention for a brief moment, but he then turned his gaze to the city walls as they approached the main gate.
Wylis raised a clenched fist and Jon followed along with the knights as they slowed their approach, the horses settling into a slow trot as Wylis spoke.
"I, Wylis Manderly, am returning from my journey!"
"Understood, Ser Wylis!" One of the guards shouted from the top of the walls and signalled to someone inside, the front gate opening moments later.
As they entered, Jon marvelled at the beauty of the infrastructure as the housing and buildings of the harbour city were much different compared to the inland architecture of Winterfell and Winter Town.
"Keep close, Snow," Ser Wylis called over his shoulder, drawing Jon's attention as the man navigated his destrier through the busy streets. "The smallfolk know to move for a horse, but they won't look out for a distracted rider."
"I will, ser," Jon nodded, pulling his eyes away from a Braavosi merchant stand that was busy selling spices to a crowd gathered around his stall.
He then remembered his direwolf and looked down, relieved to see Ghost walking closely in between Old Boy's legs, making sure to avoid the horse's steps as Jon kept it calm.
'Steady, Ghost. Keep close, but stay calm,' he spoke through their link as he felt his familiar's senses being overwhelmed, turning his gaze back up and forward.
His eyes focused on the New Keep that was built on the highest hill, one that they were approaching with a slow pace. The closer they got to the winding path up the hills, the more nervous he felt himself.
Of course, he knew the man was smart and inviting to all that had Stark blood, but this was still the man who played the part of a fat, dim-witted man to appease his enemies while quietly orchestrating the downfall of House Bolton.
That meant he needed to be incredibly careful of his every word because he knew the man would be searching and analysing his every word.
'Just keep calm and be honest. That's what you do best, Jon,' he thought as they began to ascend, taking a few minutes to reach the top.
"Men, you may return to your posts. Jon, we on the other hand are heading straight to the Merman's Court where my lord father will be waiting."
"Understood, ser," Jon nodded, climbing off of Old Boy as he watched everyone doing the same. A stableboy rushed over and took the reigns as Jon handed it to him.
That was when Ghost decided to walk out, making the boy jump as Jon rolled his eyes and scratched the direwolf's ear.
"Do not worry about him. Simply make sure that Old Boy gets enough rest, if you would."
"R-Right. I will do so, milord," the boy nodded and Jon smiled, walking towards Ser Wylis who was waiting for him.
"Is he coming with?"
"Ghost is more of a rebellious child than a pet that does not like leaving me alone or being alone in new places," Jon explained and Wylis simply gave a nod.
"I see. Well, it would be rude of me to ask of you to leave him out here. In any case, come. My father is waiting," The knight turned and walked towards the front door, Jon and Ghost following closely.
New Keep's oak doors creaked open, revealing the banners displaying the white merman of House Manderly as Jon stepped through the threshold.
The salty cool air of White Harbour was replaced by the heavy, warm air of the interior, the two men and direwolf making their way through the hallways towards a pair of massive double doors guarded by two heavily armoured knights holding tridents.
With a nod from Wylis, the knights pushed the doors open and Jon took a silent breath as he, Wylis and Ghost stepped into the Merman's Court.
It was vast, designed with murky blue paint to look like the depths of the oceans. The walls had been carved with waves and sea creatures that had been painted in rich shades of teal, green and gold.
However, Jon ignored all of that as he instead focused on the oak throne on top of raised dais at the far end of the room, the construct looking to be dangerously close to breaking from the person seated on it.
Lord Wyman Manderly was as fat as he could remember the man being from his memories, his triple chin swallowing his collar while hands the size of ham helped the man rise from his throne.
On the table in front of him sat a plate piled high with roasted fish and heavily buttered bread, but Jon didn't say anything and instead bowed in greeting as the man spoke.
"Wylis! My boy!" his voice boomed through the halls and Jon couldn't help but notice it being surprisingly high and melodic for a man of his size. "You return and with our guest, it appears."
"I do, Father," Wylis replied, stepping to the side and gesturing for Jon to step forward. "May I present Jon Snow, son of Lord Eddard Stark."
If Jon had noticed the man not calling him a bastard, he didn't show it and instead, bowed deeply as Lord Manderly approached.
"Lord Manderly, I am honoured by your invitation to squire beneath your noble house. My father sends his highest regards and I vow to bring nothing but honour and hard work to your name and that of White Harbour."
For a moment, silence hung in the air as Lord Wyman stopped in front of Jon, who raised his head to meet the man's jovial smile.
That, however didn't hide the sharp, calculative look in his eyes, which drifted to the direwolf beside him and then back onto him. Then, the lord's smile widened before he spoke, "No need to be so formal, Jon Snow, and you need not fear drawing my disappointment. After all, I know that any child of my liege lord is most capable compared to most."
"I cannot say that is correct, my lord, but I will strive to ensure that you are not wrong."
"Then, that is all I ask, my boy. Wylis, show Jon here to his room. Jon, you are to stay in your room until later today for dinner, where I shall introduce you to the rest of the family."
"I understand, my lord," Jon spoke with a bow, unable to help his smile at Wyman's pleased smile before the man turned and walked back to the table.
"Oh, and I do ask that you leave your direwolf in your room for dinner. Some of my family are not as...brave as us."
"As you command, my lord," Jon nodded, turning and following Wylis out of the Merman's Court.
As the doors closed, Jon turned to Wylis, who took a deep breath before turning to him with a smile and a nod. "Well, as far as first meetings went, that was pretty good. Now, follow."
A/N: And we end it here!! Jon arrives in White Harbour, talks to Lord Manderly and feels the politics already start.
Next Chapter: Birds and Training.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!!