"Jon… I haven't always been open with you and now we are about to be separated for years on end. I know you want to know about your mother… I will tell you all about her when you return", Ned Stark said to Jon. They were standing in his solar, alone. No guards were around, neither was the maester.
Jon sighed, "I- hahahaha! I can't hold it in any longer! I know Uncle, I have known for a long time"
Ned Stark took a step back. He had called him uncle… he truly knew, but-, "how?"
"Dragon dreams… or are they greensight? I truly don't know", he lied. Lying came so easy to him now. He was the god of mischief after all.
"And- you aren't mad?"
"Oh I'm mad alright! Not at you though. I'm mad at mum, at my grandpa and a bit at king Robert but there is nothing we can do about it now. I will never be a prince", not technically a lie. He wouldn't be prince, he would be king! But one step at a time.
"Good… good… I have put together a group of three to escort you to Starfall. They are honorable men and strong too. I have received the message that you and the other bastards will meet in kings landing in an inn called the sleeping dragon. And- please keep this a secret, no one can know. If Robert finds out…"
"Bad things can happen, I know, I'll be careful", Jon smiled at his uncle, "just know, I appreciate everything you have done for me. Thanks to your lie, I was able to grow strong. You have forsaken your honor to keep me safe. I don't know how to repay you"
"Repay me by becoming something great. Let your mothers will live on. She would've loved to be a knight, like you are to become. That reminds me! Your name day is in a month. You will be on the road by then. You are turning ten and four, only two more years before you are a man… I have something for you. I would've liked to give it to you on your name day but since you are to be away, you can have it now", Ned Stark walked over to a chest and opened it. From inside, he raised a spear, made from black, ironwood, with a tip of castle forged steel, "it will serve you well I hope. Iron wood doesn't rot easily and is sturdy enough to last you in a battle. Be careful, the kings road is full of bandits"
"Thank you father", he took the spear, carefully weighing it in his hands. It was heavier than the other spears he had used but still very light to him.
Later that day, Jon sat atop his horse, with three other mounted men around him. One was Barry, a guard with messy black hair and a big nose, another was ser Gary Lupin, a landed knight with short, golden hair and watery blue eyes and the last was James Moss, a bannerman of house stark who was appointed to lead the group. All were immensely loyal to the Starks and would give their life for them. Ser Gary was a rarity in the north. Most landed knights were in the south, actually most knights in general were in the south. It was beyond rare to see a knight in Winterfell, except when other lords were visiting. Ser Gary wielded a bow, whilst the others wielded swords. Jon's spear on his back stood out like a sore thumb. The Stark family had gathered to see him off.
Arya was silently crying, whilst the younger children didn't understand what was happening, picking up on their sister's sadness, looking unhappy because of it. Sansa had a polite smile on her face and Robb looked unimpressed. Theon Greyjoy was nowhere to be seen. The ironborn spent most of his time and money in the brothels of Winterfell. That boy was seriously addicted. But Jon was glad he wasn't there. He didn't like the older boy.
With a sad smile, he waved at his family, "I will visit you once I am a knight", he promised.
"May the gods both old and new shield you on your journey", Eddard Stark's smile was shallow, not quite reaching his eyes. He was worried. What if Jon slipped up. In the south, the walls had eyes and ears. He only had to mention it once and Robert would find out or worse, the Lannisters. He shuddered in his mind. He had never liked the Lannisters and now, his adoptive son was riding right through their territory.
The gates slowly pushed open, the guards nodding at the group and motioning them to advance. Jon and his entourage rode out the castle gates and through the city around it. Children were playing in the streets and the atmosphere was light. As they rode past the busy roads, towards the gates, the bustling sounds of the city grew more and more quiet. Only the occasional merchant was left, riding their carts, filled with wares, pottery, jewellery, cutlery and much more, though most of the merchants were only packing money, having sold their wares in Winterfell instead of getting them there.
The guards at the gates recognised the famous bastard of Winterfell and didn't stop them.
Slowly, their horses carried them through the snowy landscape.
"I heard you are pretty good with the spear", James Moss said, "care to show me when we rest for the night?"
"Pretty good?" Barry asked, "he is fucking brilliant"
Barry was a guard of the castle proper, thus he had seen Jon train more than once, "I would bet he is the best spear user in the whole north"
"He can't be that good", Moss said, his eyes trained on the shiny new spear on his back.
"I would be more than open to show you. You can judge yourself if I am that good"
"Good… we will see what you are really made off. I must admit I am curious too", threw in ser Gary.