[Chapter Size: 5000 Words.]
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Third Person POV
Arctic, 299 AC.
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Jon let Mance and Brynden take care of the arrival of the newcomers over the next few days at the harbor.
Meanwhile, the king remained with some of his ministers, regarding the war in the south, he only had to wait for Ducken to arrive with the ships sent to the Wall bringing the daughter and wife of the late Stannis.
The city was in full activity once again, as always, Jon watched the streets of Arctic returning to the atmosphere they had before the war, people beginning to open their small businesses and services.
"Wealth comes from the voluntary exchange of people... Once I heard that from a wise king." Aemon approached Jon, they were in the senate, observing the streets of Arctic from the higher floors, guards and civilians filled the streets, students late for some class ran, some carrying their warg bonds.
Jon turned his attention to Aemon. "I would like to meet this... King." Jon smiled at his older relative, with the exception of Brynden Rivers.
Aemon only smiled, in truth the one who had said that was Jon himself years ago. When he defended the idea that Arctic needed trade with the world. That was when its first maritime routes began.
"Are you thinking about the south, Your Majesty?" Aemon asked.
"Just Jon when we are alone, uncle." Jon said, turning his gaze back to the city. There were royal guards there, a few meters away, leaving Jon alone with Aemon Targaryen, and even if they were listening, they would say nothing.
"I am used to calling you that, just as I am used to calling your children little princes." He said.
Jon said nothing at first, but he sighed. "The south is what has occupied my mind the most lately. I have been thinking about dividing the Arctican forces into 3 fronts... I am not worried about the high nobility, but the common people." Jon said.
"Very noble of you. But nothing so unusual for the man who gave education to everyone in this kingdom, to the point of making almost everyone in the realm literate." Aemon said with pride.
"The wealth of a kingdom's people cannot be focused only on gold, that is why I created this kingdom, people used to call these people savages and still do, but you look at this place, there is nothing savage about it." Jon said.
"Arctic is something that has never existed in our world, Jon. The question is, what will happen to the kingdom after you conquer the south?" Aemon asked.
"I still have no idea how to deal with those petty nobles... You can imagine why, uncle." Jon said, just thinking about it already gave him a certain headache.
But it was undeniable that he would bring them all to their knees the moment he put on his crown. They might even complain, but never deny the power of Arctic, with its armies and with the dragons, the 7 kingdoms will tremble.
Jon will make whatever demands he deems best for the seven kingdoms, but he does not deny that he will have headaches, there will be words like bastard, savage, pagan among any resistance he finds.
But he will do whatever is possible to pacify the kingdoms and unite them. This was his birthright, and even if they deny it, he will take it as is his right, just as his children after him.
"Leading with the nobles will not be easy, Your Majesty." Aemon commented.
"I saw your life once in a green vision, uncle..." Jon remarked in a calm tone, though it was slightly irritated. "They wanted to place you on the throne over your brother, King Aegon V Targaryen."
"Yes... I was at Dragonstone when nobles began to pressure us, the changes Aegon wanted did not please the high nobility very much." He said.
Jon knew, Aegon V had been squire to Ser Duncan the Tall. He lived by his side for years, living as a traveler and learning about how the common people lived while passing through many of the 7 kingdoms. They took part in hunting bandits, memorable tournaments, and even in the second Blackfyre Rebellions.
Egg had no older brother alive when his father died, besides Aemon, who was a maester at Dragonstone. Obviously, he abdicated his right to the throne.
Egg never thought of becoming king his entire life, as a fifth son, he wished to be a royal knight, having no hope of inheriting lands or titles. But fate is very difficult to predict, until the crown fell upon his head.
"Those same nobles who pressured you to take the throne over your younger brother are the same ones who would never think of creating something like Arctic." Jon said.
After all, Aegon V was not favored by the nobles for having been raised like a peasant, as they themselves said, traveling through the realm as a squire.
"Yes... Egg had the will and ideas to help the common people, he tried to impose rules upon the nobles... They did not like it at all, they would never allow the rights to the common people that Egg wanted at that time, my younger brother was always noble... But the high nobility was always petty and we did not have the power for that..." Aemon said.
When they began to pressure Aemon and spoke of a possible rebellion to place him on the throne, Aemon made his decision and isolated himself in the north, he had departed to serve as maester of the Wall. That man had sacrificed himself for the good of his family.
"Because you did not have dragons... The power of House Targaryen ended dozens of years ago..." Jon said.
"Yes... He kept watching upon realizing that, then came the event of Summerhall..." Aemon let his statement linger, there was pain in his voice. The fire that nearly wiped out House Targaryen entirely, while they tried to hatch dragons once again.
"But that changes now, Aemon... I never thought I would say this when I created this kingdom, when I thought I could do something very different from Westeros here, out of the sight of those petty nobles that I only confirmed as they are after the first journey. But I will conquer Westeros and impose rules that your brother may not have managed, but I will make it happen." Jon had a serious tone.
"..." Aemon said nothing at first. And that gave Jon room to continue, even changing the subject.
"You know... I would have liked to have met the commander of the Kingsguard from that time. Ser Duncan, who stayed by his king's side until the end of his life, who began as his squire. I saw a bit of his story and I also saw about Summerhall, he... sacrificed his life to save my grandmother when she had my father in her womb... If it weren't for him, I, Dany, and Rhae would never have been born." Jon said.
His father, Rhaegar, had been born that same night, as soon as Rhaella was in a safe place outside that burning castle. She gave birth to the prince who would become Jon and Rhaenys' father.
"A great man, indeed. I had the opportunity to speak with him many times... But you must already know that, having had the chance to see his life." Aemon gave a sad smile.
"But you know, nephew... Whatever you are going to turn Westeros into after your conquest... I am certain it will become something greater, Arctic is proof that you are the greatest ruler this world has ever had. Of that I am sure." Aemon said.
Jon nodded as he looked behind Aemon at a man approaching them.
"Your Majesty." He bowed as he stopped before the royal guard, looking at the king.
"Senator Derrick." Jon remarked about the man chosen by the people of Arctic to represent them in discussions of law changes and actions of the realm.
The council of ministers was a direct branch of change, but the senate served as representatives, always debating laws among many delegates, among them all 4 races having the right to speak for their people in the realm.
It was a good balance, after all as the kingdom was already highly literate and intellectually engaged, political discussions were also debated in open spaces, along with conversations about history, literature, and poetry, inside and outside the university.
"Your Majesty, I come to inform you that Minister Kiera asked to summon you, because we are about to begin." He informed while Jon nodded.
"Let us go, we have some discussions to continue." Jon said to his uncle, as they walked toward the center of the senate.
They walked through the corridors as they arrived in a large oval hall capable of housing a hundred people.
Kiera, Junly, Darius were summoned to this assembly and the king also came to participate this time, although it was not necessary, with his ministers able to pass the demands and problems to the king later.
Even so, the king wished to participate, he sat in a chair in the middle of the hall, exclusive to him, while he waited for them to begin. There were all the races there, even children of the forest, dressed in cloaks.
"Today we have the king participating in the assembly, I ask that everyone show their due respect to the king who governs, fights, and cares for the Arcticans. The one who is the great founder of Arctic." The speaker, an older man among the senators, said.
A round of applause then began among all those present, looking at Jon with the admiration that the king of Arctic was meant to have.
Jon raised his hand for everyone to stop, and the thunder of applause finally settled.
"Hello, I am happy to be here, even though the kingdom is still in military motion, but there are matters we must discuss here today, so that we can make some decisions with the council later." Jon spoke in a calm and authoritative tone.
"That said, let us begin the discussion." Jon said at the end, and the assembly began.
First, they discussed the costs of the war, about the kingdom's inventories. About compensations for people who died in service of the realm in the war against the dead.
Then discussions about the war itself, which Jon had already declared to be ongoing with the kingdom still marching west, while other forces would sail south and a third force would march upon the northern kingdom.
Some argued in a concerned manner, giving their negative points about one war after another. Jon was not offended by this, quite the opposite, he liked to hear opinions even negative ones, not a bunch of flatterers, but honest opinions.
Even so, those who were against the war against the seven kingdoms right now, after Arctic had just left one, were the minority. And they did not present any plausible argument to reconsider the war against the seven kingdoms.
"The south calls us savages! Speak with any navigator who has been on the trade ships! In Essos there is no such prejudice, but many have already encountered Westerosi on their voyages, while our men have beaten some of them in the ports where they could not endure the insults!" The Arcticans shouted, countering the arguments of those who were against a war that had already begun.
"Our people have always been warriors, even before we civilized ourselves behind these walls, I do not see why we should retreat, it will be only a matter of time before the south comes to trouble us. The king himself can say that, can he not? Your Majesty?" Another also raised his voice.
Jon listened to all of this in silence, they were debating calmly, some recent judgments about crimes, taxes they wanted to raise, but the subject of the war left them quite euphoric.
Jon raised his hand. And he was immediately noticed.
"Order! Does Your Majesty wish to take the floor?" The speaker asked.
"Yes." Jon said and all eyes returned to him. "You believe that our people have already fought a war of nearly 11 moons and are tired, I can understand that..." Jon began with the man who had been arguing about this before.
"But some comments are right, the south would never leave us in peace, they would see us as weak if we did nothing, we would be having problems with our trade ships, but that is only one of the problems... I have a desire. I want to make the entire continent a single government, I will conquer the 7 kingdoms and place them under the rule of Arctic." Jon said, it was the first time he had said this in public.
The reaction in the senate was immediate, as the dozens of senators of the realm instantly began whispering about it. There were rumors, of course there were, and Jon had declared the war to challenge the south once and for all, and to end their arrogance, because the seven kingdoms are his enemies. And they knew Jon's origin.
"Your Majesty, then..." the speaker, called Senator Krebil, murmured.
"Yes. I will conquer the Iron Throne through the law of conquest, but I am also the heir of House Targaryen. You know, my birth name was not Jon Snow, as I lived as the bastard of Winterfell, but Aegon Targaryen. I did not spread this publicly because we were still in the middle of a war... My uncle, before he died, declared me as the heir to the Iron Throne. And it is time for me to take it so that we may rid ourselves of future problems with this." Jon's story was recorded at the university for obvious reasons.
"My king, we heard about that. We heard that your uncle had been killed in an unjust and cruel manner! By the damned king of the south!" another senator said as Jon turned his attention back to everyone.
"Listen, this is a moment to act. I believe we are more than ready. I do not say this out of greed. We are tired of the southerners calling us savages, of underestimating us. It is time to prove that we are a people they should not even dare to provoke."
"I agree with him. Your Majesty has the right to become the king of the Seven Kingdoms, and the people of Arctic will support you!"
The people continued supporting with their comments. Aemon showed a faint smile, seated near Jon along with the other ministers.
The matters continued and soon discussions about trade arose, where the two ministers related to it were also present.
"Trade will not be resumed yet, not at this first moment. But there is something we need to resolve with Braavos. Therefore, the port of Braavos will not receive any of our ships until we deal with them. After all, they financed enemies of Arctic. I have thousands of gold coins in the name of my family, the royal family, there. And they think that just because we disappeared for a few moons, as I warned them beforehand, they can do whatever they want," Jon said in a far from friendly tone.
It seemed that Braavos had forgotten what Arctic is capable of. Suddenly, they had become greedy enough to meddle with the kingdom, even indirectly. They would pay for it.
There was also the matter of the House of Black and White. They accepted the contract even knowing that the intention was to tarnish Jon's name before the Seven Kingdoms and House Stark, creating intrigue between the North and Arctic.
Littlefinger was behind it. Jon had already investigated, and this time he would be killed for it — and not merely receive a cut on the face, as Jon had left him with the last time.
The assembly continued. The matters were no longer as important. Jon merely gave his opinion that there should be no increase in taxes. The people had just come out of a war and would not accept more tax burdens upon them, beyond those the kingdom already had, through which it could sustain itself comfortably.
Jon had always been against increasing the amount of money collected. Greed was beginning to grow among the Arcticans, defended by some, especially by certain senators. But Jon had always been very firm about it.
He hated excessive bureaucracy and too many taxes. The kingdom managed to sustain itself very well and even accumulate wealth the way it was. And Arctic would be the model of what he would implement throughout the rest of Westeros.
After his conversation with Aemon, Jon was thinking about it, he understood very well what the younger brother, Aegon V, had wanted to implement in Westeros. Jon would execute it with excellence and place all those who opposed it on their knees — whether by the military power of Arctic's soldiers, or from the skies, upon his dragons.
Because House Targaryen, even if he no longer used that name, would no longer be at the mercy of the nobles or in a weak position in Westeros bearing a weak crown. It would dictate the rules as kings should dictate them.
Jon spent the night with his wives, speaking about the day's assembly. They insisted somewhat about going to war, but Jon explained that it would not be at the first moment. Rhaenys was stubborn, and Jon knew it, but she would have to wait.
"You will still have your chances to lead in the south as Targaryen queens through the skies, as you should be. But not at this first moment, because I do not wish to use the dragons now." he said while preparing for the next day.
A guard knocked at the door shortly after, and Jon went to it wearing only a robe. The soldier explained that Cassandra had gone into labor that morning; her waters had broken. She would give birth.
Jon nodded without haste. He dressed, informed his wives that he would not attend breakfast and immediately went to the chamber where Rickon, Arya and Bran waited outside, anxious for the birth of their new brother, while the castle's midwives worked.
After speaking with his cousins, Jon entered the room. He applied the same method he had used with his wives, with Val's sister, Della, and with other women he had helped before, making the birth much calmer and faster.
What should have lasted several hours was reduced to only two or three. Still in the middle of the morning, the room filled with the cry of a baby.
Jon looked at the child in the arms of one of the midwives. Black hair, grey eyes and a long face.
He was a pure Stark, like Arya and himself, perhaps before he had acquired his green eyes with the blessing of the old gods.
Cassandra held the baby carefully. "I will call him Ned... In honor of his father..." she said.
Jon listened in silence, sketching a faint smile. In truth, he was already planning to name Val's son in honor of his uncle, who had died speaking his name in his final moments. Jon would be ungrateful if he did not pay him some tribute. His next son would carry that name.
But that did not matter now. There was no problem in having two Neds in Arctic, was there?
Ducken finally arrived with the group of Arctican ships returning from the Wall, bringing the last legitimate Baratheon.
Jon was looking out the window of his chamber. Rhaenys stood beside him with Visenya in her arms, while Jon looked at the somewhat Dornish-looking woman with Targaryen eyes, to whom he had felt drawn from the very first moment he saw her, without knowing at the time that she was his sister.
"Does it bother you that I am placing them in the castle?" Jon asked calmly.
"They are our enemies, Jon."
"I will not place them in a cell, Rhaenys," Jon said without using her nickname. She realized he was serious when he called her by her full name.
"But he tried—"
"The girl has nothing to do with her father. As for the mother, from what I noticed, she is quite unpleasant. And she raised her voice when Stannis took my uncle's armor." Jon remembered that the armor was already ready and would be returned as soon as he had the opportunity.
"If she becomes a nuisance, she will leave the castle. But I still want to keep the girl here. She is also our relative," Jon explained.
"You want to place a Baratheon in the Stormlands?" she murmured. Obviously she disagreed with that.
"Yes. I intend to make her the Lady of Storm's End. But I will choose whom she will marry. And if she proves unfaithful or becomes a problem in the future, she will be removed. I also do not wish to hold immediate prejudice against her. I want to see her personally and even educate her in Arctic. If she proves worthy, I see no reason not to let her assume her birthright," Jon said.
"I suppose you are right," Rhaenys replied, though still somewhat reluctant.
Jon looked at her curiously. "You accepted that more easily than I imagined," he said.
"I cannot be vengeful about everything and attack everyone. I learned that not everything is black and white as they taught me in Dorne. And I am sorry if I acted like a fool in the past. I also see that she is only a child. But if her mother tries to disrespect us, I swear I will hand her over to Pyraxis so he can eat her!" she threatened, drawing a laugh from Jon.
Pyraxis was the name of Rhaenys' grey-purple dragon.
"I cannot even complain about that. But she will be placed elsewhere the moment she becomes unpleasant. Her daughter will not," Jon replied.
Rhae eventually agreed with her husband.
2 days later, they arrived. Shireen, her mother, Davos and other knights who were under guard were escorted from the harbor to the castle. Jon watched them from the moment they arrived through animals. He could see the surprise in all their eyes as they observed the kingdom. Giants walked through the streets, and dragons crossed the skies from one point to another. It was certainly noteworthy to see the astonishment — and even the fear — in their eyes.
Jon waited in the throne room as they were brought in. There were several chairs positioned around the throne of Arctic where he sat as king, the others representing each of the queens, all present in their formal gowns.
Just as Jon wore the Crown of Winter, all the queens also wore theirs. Daenerys had her mother's crown, which Jon had obtained in Braavos in exchange for some Arctican model ships.
The other queens also had their own crowns, made of Valyrian steel and adorned with jewels, each choosing the design and gemstones. Hiyori chose jade and emeralds; Ygritte preferred rubies; Seryna liked sapphires; Rhaenys opted for diamonds; while Val saw no value in precious stones, yet still possessed her Valyrian steel crown with stones of all colors, though the diamond pleased her most among them.
"Your Majesty, I have brought Shireen Baratheon as demanded," Ducken presented himself, bowing before presenting the girl, who would not let go of the elderly man at her side.
The mother was there as well, but she had not even been mentioned, demonstrating how little importance she held in that situation.
The girl was certainly impressed with everything she saw in the kingdom. She did not stop looking at Jon, with guards positioned around the throne and the queens beside him. There was fear, admiration, and feelings she herself could not define, after all she knew it had been that man who had killed her father.
Ser Davos, at her side, also seemed cautious and impressed, while Jon analyzed them.
"Kingslayer!" A voice roared the word, and everyone turned their attention to the woman beside the girl, Selyse Baratheon, making even Jon look at her with a certain incredulity.
Had she truly said that before the king, in the heart of Arctic? Surrounded by Arctican military strength, almost the entire army, dragons, and thousands of animals Jon could control?
"You and your husband behaved like a band of bandits and thieves, stealing my uncle's armor. I win a combat against your husband and I am an enemy king, but to you, I am a kingslayer?" Jon remarked. He even sketched an amused smile, almost not believing what that woman had just said.
Rhaenys cast him a look that seemed to say: "I told you so."
Jon sighed. The chance of keeping her in the castle ended there. "Take her to the Senate. Keep her in a room until we decide what we will do with her," Jon ordered, raising his voice.
A guard stepped forward. The woman seemed to believe she would be untouchable, but Jon watched her struggle in surprise as she was seized and dragged out.
"Wait! What are you doing? I am the queen!" she screamed. But what she received was only a laugh from the king himself.
"I see many queens here. I have five at my side, and they are the only ones. What I see is the wife of a thief who helped him steal."
With those words, Jon turned his attention back to Shireen, who trembled with fear. He saw the face marked by the disease of greyscale.
Jon rose and walked toward her. Davos remained firm, in a protective stance, while the girl stood still before the king, who crouched down to be at her height.
Jon needed to show some benevolence toward the girl.
"Hello. I am Jon. You may call me King of Arctic. I will not lie about your father. Perhaps you may hate me and think me horrible, but I will not lie about what happened. Your father brazenly stole my uncle's armor. He tried to practically enslave the free folk in his attempt to recruit them. Even if he did nothing when I arrived, that was his plan. I was watching him the entire time since he arrived at the Wall."
Jon paused briefly.
"I will not blame you for your father's actions, Shireen Baratheon. I wish to invite you to remain in the castle, to invite you to learn about Arctic and also about ruling. I intend to keep House Baratheon in power over the Stormlands through you, but only if you prove worthy. This is an agreement. You do not need to answer me now. I intend to take the Iron Throne and I need someone assuming the Stormlands. I would like it to be you..." Jon said, turning his gaze to Davos, who seemed thoughtful and even less cautious upon hearing that. The girl also looked at him.
"Your Majesty, this is unexpected, to speak the truth. Forgive my manner of speaking. I lived in Flea Bottom my entire life, so I do not have the refined speech to speak with kings and high nobility." Ser Davos began.
"It is all right, Ser Davos. Continue." Jon stood and faced the elderly man, who composed himself a little.
"Will Shireen's safety be guaranteed in this castle? In this kingdom?" he asked.
"I know I am a distant relative. I killed her father because I had reasons to do so. But she does not seem like someone who would wish to threaten or kill my family," Jon answered, turning his attention back to the girl.
"And if she does not accept? I know you will try to shape her to your standards. I would not like her to also become a puppet of yours..." he said carefully, while his words clearly made the atmosphere uncomfortable.
Jon slightly inclined his head. "You certainly have good intentions, Ser Davos. I admit I appreciate your sincerity. But I do not act that way. I do not want puppets in the kingdoms. I want loyal men who follow my laws, which I intend to establish in all the Seven Kingdoms. I also do not wish to force her. I will do her no harm if she does not accept. I will ensure she has a good life and place her elsewhere. Unfortunately, she will not have rights over the Baratheon name after that. That is my proposal," Jon declared, looking at the man, who seemed to reflect.
"We will think about it, Your Majesty," he said, lowering his head.
"Good. Provide a chamber for Shireen, large enough to fit a second bed. I believe she will feel more comfortable if Ser Davos stays with her. Am I mistaken?" Jon asked his men, who nodded.
His eyes returned to Shireen, the little girl who looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and intrigue; she shook her head about whether he was mistaken in that. She also seemed embarrassed by her condition, with half her face marked, but Jon did not judge her by her appearance.
He was considering when he might reverse that. He had already found the cure for greyscale when one of his royal guards had been struck during the chaos with men consumed by the madness of the disease in the ruins of Valyria, during his voyage in Essos to the known east.
Jon had discovered both the way to reverse greyscale and the green fever in Sothoryos, which in the future Arctic would have access to and could colonize that region.
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