Chapter 40: Chapter 36
200 stones = bonus chapter
3 Subscribe to Patreon and I'm posting 10 bonus chapters
Support and early access to stories on:
patreon.com/FanFictionPremium
***
Jon Snow.
It couldn't have been worse!
That's what it seemed to him when he heard of his brothers' deaths. First Bran and Rickon, innocent boys who hadn't seen half of what Jon had seen, and now Robb.
Jon wondered to himself why his loved ones had suffered such grief. And why had Robb gone against honour, his word to the Freys, and finally common sense?
Now in a situation where his cousins seemed to be left alone, unsupported and without the strength to fight in the North that was only half theirs, there could not have been worse news.
But for him, it turned out, worse was far worse....
- It's not the worst yet, brother. - Rex added at the end of his report and shifted his gaze to John. - Jon Conington, who had led the capture of Dragonstone, had met that bitch Melisandre and she had told him that Jon was not really Ned Stark's bastard, but the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
This was a disaster for many plans for both Blackheart and Jon personally. Now everyone has learnt the secret he has suffered for all his life, not only in the North but in the South as well, and he is as much a threat to all opposing sides as any Targaryen. And with the interests of Spider, Littlefinger and the two Targaryens, he should expect trouble. Though the Young Vulture Damian had mentioned to him once before might turn out to be a mere impostor.
- Jon! Arya shouted to him. - Is this... is this true?
Everyone in the hall looked at him. Blackheart looked at him expectantly. Not only his own good, but also the good and most importantly the lives of everyone around him depended on his every word right now.
John rose from the table and looked round at the people around him once more before turning to Lord Reed:
- Lord Howland Reed, you witnessed all the events of the Harrenhal Tournament and Baratheon's Rebellion, you were at the Tower of Joy when my mother passed away. Now only you can verbally confirm and tell me where to look for written proof of my origins. Until you speak your word, there is no point in saying anything to me or anyone else about what I have heard.
Reid did not remain silent:
- Everything you have all heard today about this young man who has long borne the name Jon Snow is true. - A murmur went up in the hall. There was especially a lot of it from the Storm Lords and some of the Northerners. - Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, sixteen years ago when we arrived at the Tower of Joy with Ned Stark we fought three Kingsguard. He and I survived then and found Lyanna Stark on a bloody bed with an infant in her arms, she told us the baby's name and the story of her love affair with Rhaegar. He didn't kidnap her, she went with him on her own accord. He wasn't crazy enough to kidnap her and rape her. They loved each other, but the political lies of Hoster Tully and Jon Arryn led many to believe a story that had long been known in the Seven Kingdoms. Eddard, because of his attachment to his mentor and the man who became a second father to him, did not see what I saw, and when I tried to explain it to him, he only waved me away. He thought I thought I thought nothing of politics and "chivalry". I didn't dissuade him and he ended up maintaining the image of Rhaegar the madman just as much, even though it wasn't true. - he took off his doublet and started cutting something in it with a knife. - He divorced Elia Martell and married your mother. Here! - he pulled out a yellow paper folded several times, which ended up in John's hands. - This is the certificate of Rhaegar and Elia's divorce, as well as the conclusion of a new marriage to Lyanna on the same day. There is another document that lies in your mother's crypt, it is the metric book of the maester who delivered Lyanna and it records everything, and it records your name.
- What is my name? - Jon asked hopefully, handing the document into Blackheart's hands.
- Jhaerys Targaryen. You are the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms - Jhaerys Targaryen the third of that name, King of the Andals, the Roynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.
- Jaehaerys-" The "bastard" tried his name on his tongue.
- Father didn't cheat on Mum. - Sansa said dumbfounded. - 'Mama hated you all her life, thinking you were a disgrace to House Stark... a stain on our reputation...'
- Jon, or rather Jhaerys, is not a stain, Lady Sansa. - Damien Blackheart interrupted her flailing. - He's the rightful king. I knew of his lineage and kept silent. He was my friend, and I didn't want those on the Iron Throne to kill him because a couple of stinking old cunts lied to everyone and made his father a madman and drove his mother to her grave because of the rebellion and the lack of proper birthing conditions. And the boy grew up without parents and branded a bastard, though he should have been raised in different conditions and with a different attitude. John didn't deserve everything he went through. But he did, and now here he is, the rightful Targaryen heir, Ned Stark's apprentice, an anointed knight who has kept the honour of a Northerner and a warrior who is ready to kill his enemy at any moment. He's not mad, he's not power-hungry, and he doesn't crave it.
- I am not a king. - Jon-Jaheiris objected. - I have not been crowned, nor have I been recognised by anyone as their king. I'm afraid I've only got unnecessary trouble that will cost me my head. - And he grinned bitterly.
- No one will hurt you, John. - Blackheart assured him. - You always have my sword and I'm sure many of our blade brothers will back you up. Is that right, I say?
- They will. I am ready to swear an oath to you my king. - shouted Mendon Moore and climbed over the table, stepped to the centre of the hall and knelt. - May I become your Kingsguard?
- I also ask the honour of serving you, my King. - Emmon Q. suddenly jumped out and knelt before Jon-Jaheiris.
Damian rose from the table and knelt, followed by all the Blackheart men, and then the lords and knights of the River and Stormlands knelt.
Next it was the turn of the Northmen, the first to kneel were Arya, Sansa, Lord Reed and all the companions that came with them.
Alisanna Mormont, Rodrik Cassel, Barbri Dustin and several other lords of the north came to the centre.
Rodrick Cassel spoke:
- I have always served House Stark faithfully, only to them, for I am a Northerner like them. I have never known a more ancient bloodline than theirs, and I have always proudly and truly sworn loyalty to every Stark, and I will die if I must in defence of the Starks! But you are not a Stark, a sentiment shared by others who stand with me. We don't want to serve the Targaryens!
Jon was pained, but he understood them, he was the grandson of the Mad King, though he noted that Blackheart was smiling for some reason at the sight of it.
- But if half the blood in Targaryen is Stark blood, then I will serve such a king, as will my suzerains who have just bent the knee.
- We are with you, Your Grace. - Lady Dustin smiled and knelt with the rest of the Northmen.
Everyone in the hall knelt before him.
At that moment, John aka Jayheiris shed tears of happiness.....
***
The situation with Jaehaerys' future life became more or less clearer, although it did not become easier after he swore an oath to him as the rightful king. He travelled with Blackheart, his two White Cloaks, Garlan Tyrell (whom Rex had brought along with a number of other important captives from Dragonstone), Lord Reed, Sansa and Cassel to the Last Hearth the same day after the oath, where they spoke to Loras Tyrell.
Loras was stunned by the revelation and took a long time to come to his senses, but then, impressed by the story and the direct offer to make Margaery queen, Loras promised to do his best to make the alliance with the Vale happen. Garlan promised the same and even swore an oath to Jaehaerys, and Loras put on his white cloak.
The Amberians bowed as well and even allocated some men to their army, from the Night's Watch returned those two thousand men of Blackheart and the Northmen who were no longer prisoners but men loyal to the Crown and were preparing to march as well.
They were on their way to Winterfell.
Messages had already been sent to various places on his behalf, calling for the swearing of oaths to the rightful king.
Not all of Blackheart's loyalists had arrived in the North yet. In fact they had escaped from Cape Wrath, or rather those who could, the rest had either died a brave death or been captured. Donald Long master of the weapons of Sorrowful Town, according to Rex, died with most of the defenders. Maric was badly wounded, but was expected to live as he set out from Storm's End with a handful of loyal men. The fate of Lady Mary and Larry is not known.
About half the lords of Storm's Edge are still neutral, except for those in the North, who have already sworn oaths to Jaehaerys, which means some of the Stormlands are theirs.
Also Auran Waters, Lord Montford Velarion's bastard lord, who could have been killed because of his sister-in-law's wishes and suspicions of treason. She feared for her son's inheritance rights so the lanky captain had to help Rex Blackheart and his men escape from the dungeons of Dragonstone after they were betrayed by Selisa Florent's former men. The Wildlings, who had not had time to acquire lands as they did moved after Rex as a lifeline. Part of their squadron split off and sailed to Braavos when they escaped. The grandfather of both Blackharts had promised to help them from there and bring them something. No one knew what he was talking about, but it was hardly idle words.
Gradually, in addition to the White Guard circle, the new king's Small Council also began to form. Damian as his Hand, and Rex as master of the whisperers. From Damian, Rex and Lady Dustin followed a legitimate and proper offer to Lord Manderly, the one "Minogue" a place on the Council as Master over Coin. He can make money, and he's quite clever, and he's also loyal to the Starks, and he's half Stark. On top of that, Blackheart hints to everyone that loyal supporters of Jaheiris will get new lands. And the message to Minogue "accidentally" mentioned such an interesting settlement as Lannisport.
Jaehaerys was curious as to what his Hand wanted, for he understood him well enough to know that although it was not a bad thing to be Hand, he would not be satisfied with the Sorrowful City alone.
Damian had advised him to appoint Gendry as High Lord of the Stormlands and Lord of the Stormlands after his conversation with Gendry. Though the former bastard was sure he had been dreaming of it until recently.
Could it be that he had simply changed the angle of his interests?
In any case, they should have taken Winterfell. The entire army they had in the North was up to 14,000 men, 4,500 Northerners, the rest Wildlings and Blackheart's men, though the Wildlings were now also Blackheart's men. Quite a large army, which has allocated ten thousand men from its numbers for a double march. Five thousand will march on Winterfell, and the remaining five thousand under the joint command of Berric Dondarrion, Balon Swann, and Garlan Tyrell will march on the Dreadfort.
After a week of marching their army, they reached mighty Winterfell captured by a handful of ironborn.
According to the intelligence of Rex's men, there were only three dozen ironborn in the castle. At first neither Jon Jaheiris nor the others believed such a figure, but then Damian recalled what they had done in the early days of their mercenary past, and Jaheiris decided to order the capture of the castle in the night. A group of experienced fighters took our family home in one night, thanks to the participation of a few Winterfellians that knew the castle very well. There were casualties, five dead, for what can be said, these pirates are fierce fighters. Theon, that traitorous shifter, was captured alive. And Jaehaerys himself knocked his teeth out with great pleasure.
By lunchtime, all the troops were already in the castle, and Jaehaerys, after talking to Mendon Moore, who was his Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Damian and Rex, suggested that Thoros of Myr wear white, and he agreed. Unlike Mellisandra he was more warrior than priest, but he piously believed that Jaehaerys was the Chosen One and accepted only his will. Therefore there was no suspicion of his possible treason.
He now had four white cloaks already. Ser Mendon shared the thought that if the Prostor did accept Margaery and Jaehaerys' marriage proposal, the white cloak could be offered to one of the Hightowers, for example Garth of Grey Steel or his younger brother Humphrey. Then there's Dorne with its Herold "Dark Star" Dane. And in the Stormlands, not to mention the Vale, there are skilled men who will do their duty with honour.
Speaking of the Vale. As soon as Winterfell was returned to its rightful owners, Damian marched on Torrhen's Keep to free the Tollharts from the Ironborn siege. Many thought that the fief of the Tollharts had already been taken, but it turned out that they had put up a fierce resistance that had not yet been broken and Blackheart went to their rescue with Ser Rodrik, under the royal banner of a scarlet three-headed dragon on a black field.
And Lord Forrester and his small band of guards, led by a small militia of Winterfellians, a couple of hundred wildlings, and a band of Rex's men, sent to gather men from the Wolfwood and Mountain Clans. And to repel the attacks on the Dark Forest and the entire coastline surrounding the Wolfswood and the Northern Mountains.
Five days later came the return message from Wyman Manderly. He showered compliments and assured Jaehaerys of his loyalty and readiness to simply tear up all the enemies of his "beloved and rightful king". And gladly and gratefully accepted a seat on the OWLs.
Three days later came the news of the capture of Dreadfort. All those who resisted were killed, those who survived chose the Black rather than serve Jaheiris Targaryen.
The next day came news of the lifting of the siege of Torrhen's Hold, and the capture of many of the Ironborn, including the capture of their small fleet that they had with them. Damian and his guards returned to Winterfell and delivered the prisoners, while Ser Rodrik led an army further into the lands of the Dustins and Riswells to help them fend off the raiders and march on the Springs with them.
Lord Howland Reed gathered some of his men and another thousand from Carhold, and marched on the Cailin Ditch, where it seems there was still to be a castle captured by the Ironborn.
The Riverlands became "united" again, if you can call it that. Walder Frey became High Lord, recognising Jaehaerys' authority over him.
Rex and Damian set about preparing the Vale to accept their king's authority over them. They have already sent word to all the powerful houses that Lysa Tully has entered into a vicious secret liaison with Littlefinger and poisoned her husband, and that Robin is Littlefinger's bastard. And Damian is going to visit the Vale in person and carry out what he calls a "revolution," though he also called it a "palace coup."
Things were slowly being resolved.
There was some unpleasant news. It turned out that Daenerys and the Young Vulture were acting in concert. Daenerys had at least paid lip service to Aegon's authority and now they had Dorne, parts of the Stormlands and Dragonstone along with Splinterclaw under their joint control.
Rex said that he had already sent a request to his grandfather to organise a Faceless contract for Varys, but it would take time.
On the twenty-second day after Winterfell was taken, just a couple of days before Damian left for the Vale, a raven came from Highgarden.
At that time Jayhaerys, Damian, Rex, both of Jayhaerys' sisters, Ser Mendon, Loras, Emmon, Thoros, Garlan, Brienne, Gendry, Tormund, and a few other nearest and dearest attended the new freelance council.
Damian read out the message:
"I, Lord Mace Tyrell acknowledge your truth, Prince Jhaerys of the Targaryen lineage. We found similar documents confirming your ancestry in Staromest and the words of my sons who swore you in have been confirmed. Words cannot express the delight and joy that you have escaped the nefarious intrigues and clutches of the Lannisters and Robert Baratheon. And I would surely have given my only daughter for you and sworn allegiance to you and fought for you without sparing my blood. But I assure you I am a man of honour, and I have already pledged my hand to Margaery Aegon, your eldest brother, who was miraculously saved from the clutches of Grigor Clegane by loyal Targaryen men. And I dare assure you that your brother will surely understand your wishes and forgive you for your hasty decisions to crown yourself. So please, come to the South and bow the knee to your brother and I assure you, together we will punish the vile 'lions' for their meanness and treachery!"
Damian smiled ironically, then rolled up the message and looked at Jaehaerys, who was frowning at the others.
- The Tyrells' support is as good as gone," Arya said. - Arya said.
"Only if the impostor is alive. - I never thought I'd be thinking about this, but I think Damian's influence is taking its toll on me," Jaheiris corrected her.
- We have the North, the Riverlands and part of the Stormlands. - Damian pointed out. - I will draw the Vale to our side. And the rest of the Stormlands we will regain with Gendry's help. Lord Garlan, will you help Lord Gendry regain his ancestral lands?
- It would be my pleasure. - Garlan Tyrell smiled. - I will defeat the impostor and the rebels. I assure you.
- I would like to help Lord Garlan and Lord Gendry. - Berrick volunteered. - It's been a long time since I've been to the Stormlands. It is time to remind the Golden Swords of what it means to invade the Stormlands when there are lords from the Marocs there
- It's good to see your fervour, my lords. - Jayhaerys smiled sincerely. - And I hope the gods are on your side.
- We have Truth and Honour on our side! - Gendry cheered.
A few more cheers were heard from the other lords, and soon Damian Blackheart spoke:
- I think I'll dilute this moment with a bit of practical considerations and down-to-earth words about the imminent skirmishes with the ironborn and the Lannisters. Tywin is in the West right now, and your aunt Your Grace's loyalists are coming at him from the South. The armies of Spaceland, Dorne, a small portion of the Dothraki, the Golden Swords and a few Storm Lords are basically a pretty impressive force, as are the forces of the West, Ruse Bolton's men and some of the Lords of the Crownlands. Daenerys and Lzheagon have one and a half times as many men as Tywin, and we still have the North and the Riverlands. By my count, there are twenty-three thousand men in the Riverlands with weapons right now, not counting the five giants and their mammoths. Yet it was at Flintfinger that Lady Mormont and Lord Karstark landed with three thousand men. They had slaughtered all the ironborn there and so far dwelt in those places. Lord Flint, who has taken over your authority, said that the northerners who have arrived have learnt of the state of the North and the political situation, so they will also swear an oath to you personally. In addition to them, we have fifteen thousand warriors plus unaccounted for warriors from the Manderley, Locke, Glenmore, and a number of minor lords who have not yet sent us reinforcements. By my rough calculations, we can count on an additional 6,000 to 9,000 men. That is, roughly speaking, we now have at least 25,000 men in the North.
- So we have 50,000 men with swords? - Gendry whistled.
- That's a lot better than we'd hoped. - Rex nodded curtly. - But it's not really that many. The Valley hasn't gone to war yet. But it may have as many as twenty thousand men in the first time it fights. Half of them knights, and that's not counting their squires. The other ten are foot soldiers. But you must know what the Vale and its knightly cavalry are like!
- I do. - Moore nodded importantly. - I come from there, and I'll tell you straight, if our cavalry and theirs meet, there's no telling who will win, even if Lord Blackheart commands us. His infantry is fine, any of us can handle it, but the cavalry is no joke. Besides, they have a fleet, albeit a small one, but they have a fleet!
- And that's why I'm taking over the Valley. For now, you should be busy buying food and preparing your army for war. - said Blackheart. - The only vital things we need to do against the South are to order Lord Hawke, as Marshal of the Riverlands, to take the Golden Tooth, block the passage along the River Stonecutter, and keep the army of the West out of the Riverlands. Let him, if Tywin wants, fight the Ironborn and the Commoners from the South. To get to King's Landing, he'll have to go a little way across the lands held by Mace Tyrell's vassals--the Golden Road.
Everyone nodded in agreement. These suggestions were reasonable. Then the Hand continued:
- Once Tywin or his vassals have knocked Balon out of the West, which I'm sure they will, the ironborn will regroup and try to strike at the Vale. That's good for us. - Loras and Garlan are a little sad. - They won't do much, but they'll loot the Shield Islands and Arbor, maybe a few more coastal villages and towns, but not much more. Their forces have been thinned by our efforts here, and the same will happen if they don't leave on their own in the West. But Baelon is a stubborn marasmatic and will not back down.
- Although we can't rule out the possibility of a change of power in the Iron Islands.
- So, who's in our favour? - Jaehaerys asked, though he already knew the answer to that question. It had been asked for the rest of the audience.
- Asha Greyjoy. - answered the Master of the Whisperers. - According to the information we have, she is unmarried, young, intelligent, and with authority among the Ironborn. She may well become the Supreme Ruler of the islands, or she may....
- Become my wife. - Jaehaerys grinned, and Rex and Damian said the same.
- She's ironborn! - Arya exclaimed angrily.
- That's Arya's politics. - Her cousin grinned bitterly. - I have to marry someone for political reasons. And Asha is one of the options. If Baelon's gone and I marry Asha, then she'll have power over the islands and I'll have a strong navy and more men to add to my army. Besides, in the future there will be a king or queen with Targaryen, Stark, and Greyjoy blood on the throne. The Iron Islands will be much calmer when they receive orders from such a monarch.
- That makes sense. - Lady Dustin snorted. - I think Lady Margaery would take offence at that, though.
Loras wanted to say something, but Garlan stopped him with a glare.
Jaehaerys saw it, but pretended not to see it. It's hard for these two to fight against a side where their loved ones are fighting as well. Though they may not have to cross blades with the Tyrells or others from the Expanse....
- The important thing now is to capture Asha alive and well and talk to her. And then offer Baelon a duel to the death between me and him through her. - Jayhaerys added. - When. Я. kill him, it will look to them like honouring the Old Law. The strong has killed the weak and takes what is his. But when he dies, Asha Greyjoy will rule over Pyke and she'll be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
- Would they agree to that? - Emmon Q snorted.
- I don't think they will. - Rex replied. - They have such a temper. And to kill a Targaryen himself... Baelon would not miss such an opportunity to get even with the bloodline that brought the Iron Islands to their knees.
- It could work. - Maester Luwin nodded. - The Ironborn are a peculiar people.
The council's further discussion turned to details as important but more boring, such as refugees, counting the treasury they had, and so on.
After the council, a thoughtful Damian led Jaehaerys to the Crypt. He thought the man wanted to talk more privately, and he was right, in part.
- We need to check something out. - he stated.
- What is it?
- Hmm. If we find it, you'll know. You know where the deepest, hottest spots are around here?
- Well, there are a few. - Jayhaerys shrugged. - This is the lowest level of the Crypt, and there's a recess on the first floor below that goes to a series of underground springs. And there's a cave entrance near the Virgin that goes deep into the depths to other hot springs, but they're very deep and we didn't go down there. There was no need. And we were not allowed there as children.
- Well, let's check here in the Crypt first, and then we'll go there if we don't find anything here.
They walked in silence for a while, and then Jaehaerys decided to speak up.
- There are only two Starks left with the Stark name, Sansa and Arya. And the North needs a Guardian loyal to me and strong. Arya could be a Guardian in theory, but she's young and second in command. Sansa is too stupid. - the King admits to himself. - She'll have to be married off soon.
- Then marry her off. Don't fail to find the right candidate. - Damien replied indifferently.
- I was thinking of you. - Damian turned his head to him, looking into his eyes. - As Sansa's husband, you would be a legitimate ruler in the North. Your children won't inherit your family name, of course, but they will be Starks, cousins of future Targaryen princes and princesses. And you and I will be related.
- I know what follows. - grinned the scarlet-eyed man. - Have you even asked Sansa?
- Yes. And she agrees. She's not the fool she used to be and she understands a lot more, for example, that there are national needs and the interests of the house. She's a woman and must marry to continue the Stark line. One of the most likely and suitable candidates in my opinion is you.
- All right. Suppose I marry her, I don't mind, not at all. Sansa's a pretty girl, a couple more years and everyone will be drooling over her. Plus she's your sister, albeit a cousin, and heir to House Stark. It's a very good match for me. But have you considered my temper? Mind you, I won't change for her. I'll drink, I'll fuck as I always have. I'll probably have bastards to grow up with my legitimate children, and I'll raise them the same way. I am not Ned Stark, and I will not tolerate your stepmother's analogue and her antics. I will stop it! She'll have to put up with it.
- She understands that, and I've explained to her what kind of man you are and what to expect from you. But if you want, you can talk to her and see for yourself. It'll put your mind at rest.
- I will. But be warned, you'll be responsible for Sansa's broken heart.
- I will. - Jayhaerys nodded.
Soon they realised there was nothing of interest in the Crypt, and Damian wanted to explore the cave next to the Ladybird. Jaehaerys was getting bored with it, but he trusted Blackheart and led him to the entrance of the cave.
The cave was small, but Damian and Jaehaerys could climb through and they did. Their journey to the depths of the cave took up to twenty minutes.
Eventually, with a couple of torches, they descended to a large round spring with crystal clear water. They could see that it wasn't a deep bottom, but there was a passage underwater somewhere.
- There is a passage somewhere. - Damian hummed and touched the water at the same time as Jaehaerys.
What was the king's surprise when his Hand removed his hand from the water with great speed.
- It was boiling water!
- It's barely warm..." Jaehaerys said confusedly, and plunged his hand deeper to his elbow. - It's barely warm.
- Look at my hand! - He shoved his reddened hand under his nose. - Looks like you're the only one who can get there.
- But there.
- There's definitely something there. Dive in and find it! Believe me, it's not in my interest to have my king drown in a hot spring. I assure you, my gut is telling me that something interesting is waiting for you and me, or rather only for you!
Jaehaerys looked at Damian's hand again, then at the water, and decided to take a chance.
He stripped almost naked and ducked hesitantly under the water.
The tunnel Jaehaerys swam through was quite small, or rather not long. It was about ten metres long and there, at the end, was a dim light. It was the exit through which he had emerged.
It was a closed cave, albeit a huge one, and the walls and ceiling were covered with obsidian. Jaehaerys could not see where the light came from, for there were no slits or torches. But soon a huge stone statue caught his eye. He walked closer to that black coloured stone block of rather strange shape and roughness, which remotely resembled scales than holes, and touched it.
At the same moment, the part of the stone he touched seemed to come to life, and then... part of the stone disappeared and Jaehaerys saw a scarlet eye with a vertical pupil staring back at him.
It was a dragon!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone