418Hey guys! A quick note here, if some of the dates seem inconsistent, its on purpose. I know Robert's Rebellion was in 283 AC but I'm making it a bit earlier so I can age up the characters. I just feel more comfortable writing older characters. Please leave a review if you can, any type of criticism is welcome. Thanks for reading guys!
298 AC
Jon I
I woke up to chaos just outside my chambers. I could hear servants screaming at each other in some sort of panic. Not knowing what happening, I quickly woke up and unsheathed my sword, Frost, its dark and smoky ripple patterns shining with the light. I crept slowly towards the door, Ghost right beside me, and just before I managed to open it I heard Lord Northstark shouting at the servants, calming them down. Everything was quiet, and finally I heard him speak directly to me:
"Prince Jon, may I enter? I'm afraid I have been sent word about your father."
"Of course my Lord, please enter." I replied confused.
He entered, a grim look on his face, and sat down. "I am guessing you do not bring good news my lord?" I asked him, trepidation in my voice. He answered: "My Prince, His grace, King Brandon has passed. The ravens say his lungs finally gave out. You are to return to Winterfell for you coronation, Your Grace."
I looked at him in shock. "I see. Thank you for informing me. Prepare a ship for me to White Harbor, I must be in Winterfell by the moon's end."
"Of course, Your Grace."
My father, King Brandon Stark, had suffered from lung problems throughout his whole reign, courtesy of an injury gathered in Robert's Rebellion. He had no problems in ruling, but his ability to fight had been severely hampered. He had been ill when I set out for my tour of our Kingdom but he had insisted I still go through with my duty. A Prince's tour, which is taken taken once he reaches eight and ten years of age, includes going throughout the whole kingdom, visiting different keeps and spending time with the 3 royal service options, the Royal Army, Navy or the Night's Watch. I had gone throughout the whole Realm, visiting all the most important Northern houses, Houses Manderly, Bolton, Umber and the various Stark cadet branches, and I had spent time with the Night's Watch and the Royal Army, the only thing left from my tour being our Navy, which was led by my uncle Benjen. All in all, I had spent about 2 years touring the kingdom I was to rule.
I was nervous, grieving and resigned at the same time. I never wanted to be king, but I was raised for it, and I had to do my duty. At the very least, I would see my family once I got to Winterfell. I was dying to see my cousins once more, and I had my Aunt Lyanna and my 2 Uncles to advise me as well. I did not know what kind of King I would be, but I prayed to the Old Gods for a successful reign.
My journey from Hardhome to White Harbor was pleasant, and from there I made good time from there to Wintertown. As I approached the city I made out the Direwolf Banner, and a series of guards. I got closer and saw my uncle Eddard, the Fist of Winter, and my cousin Robb. They were dressed in Doublets with our family's sigil, with a coat of Furs on top of them, as was I. As I got closer I could see their faces. Sadness was present, likely due to the grief of my father's passing, but also happiness and relief, which I assumed was due to my arrival. Beside them stood two Direwolfs, Winter and Grey Wind. When I got to them they all knelt.
"Your Grace, Wintertown is yours." Ned said. I looked at them, a smile on my face.
"Uncle, cousin, stand up. I am happy to see you both. I have missed you all." They stood and I quickly hugged them both.
"We have missed you as well cousin, I am happy you are here." said Robb, a smile on his face.
"Tell me, how have you both been? Has anything significant happened, aside from my father's passing, which I should know of? What is to be done now that I arrived?"
My uncle took the lead. "The realm is secure for now, preparations are being done for your coronation, and if you please we could gather the council now so you can be filled in on the full state of the realm. Our vassals have already been summoned, so you should expect the official coronation in about a moon's turn."
"I am rested enough, summon the council. I wish to be informed of the crown's state."
"It shall be done Your Grace" replied my my uncle.
We spent the rest of the ride through Wintertown in silence. I used this to inspect the state of the city. Wintertown was the capital of the North, much like King's Landing for the Southerners. Unlike them, however, we Starks had taken precautions and had properly planned the build of the city. High walls surrounded it, manned by men of the Royal Army, and you could see Giants at every entrance to the city. Proper plumbing ensured that the city had good enough higiene, and eliminated the smell of shit most southern cities reportedly had. Tall buildings all across, and you couldn't see many homeless peasants. They weren't rich, but they had a roof and food, and for most that was enough.
As far as the North went, Wintertown was the most populated city, with about 500,000 citizens living in it. White Harbor had about 300,000 citizens, Hardhome about 200,000, and Skagos had about 100,000 citizens. These 4 cities represented about 80% of trade in the Northern kingdom, making the houses that ruled them rich by association. They mainly focused on trade with Bravos, Pentos and Myr, with a bit of trade with the Southern kingdom as well. The houses on the Western coast had ample defenses against Ironborn, courtesy of our navy, but this only applied for Northern ships, so traders would typically not venture through that side of the North by sea, dampening the Western houses' possible revenues.
We finally got to Winterfell, looming over us with its tall walls, tallest in the North after the Wall. Waiting to greet me was the rest of my family. There was my aunt Catelyn. A sweet woman with great love for her children and my uncle, she personified her house words, "Family, Duty, Honor". She never let go of her southern religion, but she understood that her children were of the North, and thus allowed them to choose which gods to worship. On her right side there was Bran in his wheelchair, our generations Three Eyed Raven, and besides him was Sansa, Arya and little Rickon.
Bran had been born without the use of his legs, and when he was little the previous Three Eyed Raven, Brynden Bloodraven had decreed him to be his successor. He was the most powerful greenseer of our generation, and 2 years ago, at the age of four and ten, he finally succeeded his predecessor and took his place. Sansa was a copy of her mother, in looks and personality. A southern lady at heart, she even worshiped the Seven. I would be looking for a Southern marriage for her soon, as she was already five and ten and flowered. Arya was two and ten, and an identical copy to our aunt Lyanna in both looks and personality. Finally, Rickon was the youngest of them all, only eight years old. He was an energetic child and wished to be a great warrior. Their direwolfs, Summer, Lady, Nymeria and Shaggydog all stood beside their partners.
Standing to Aunt Catelyn's left was my aunt and uncle Benjen and Lyanna. Benjen was our Navy's Admiral, in charge of 10,000 sailors who protected our coasts, all of which answered directly to the crown. His partner, Kraken, who had a dark almost greenlike color, beside him. On the other hand, while my aunt Lyanna had no official position, she known to all as the unofficial Queen Mother. My own mother, Barbery Dustin, had died in childbirth, and since my aunt had never married (she was too much of a free spirit) she raised me as if I was her own child. Her wolf, Freedom, a big black furred wolf, beside her as well.
"Your Grace, Winterfell is yours. We are happy to see you." said Benjen, a smile on his face, mirrored by everyone else.
I quickly greeted everyone with a hug and we walked towards the entrance of the castle. Once we entered I addressed them: "I will now be meeting with the council to address the state of the realm and begin preparations for my coronation. We will have dinner tonight where I can properly speak to all of you." I said, happiness present in my voice. I quickly turned and proceeded to walk towards the council room, Benjen, Bran and Eddard trailing behind me.
I opened the door to the council chambers and saw that all the council members, minus Uncles Ned and Benjen and Bran, were already seated, waiting for my arrival. A big round table stood in the middle of the room, 9 chairs around it, reserved for each of the council positions. There was mine, reserved for the king, my uncle Eddard's, the Fist of Winter (the northern version of the hand), the Royal Treasurer, Wyman Manderly, the Royal Justice (Master of Laws), Roose Bolton, the Three Eyed Raven, my cousin Bran, the Royal Admiral (Master of Ships), my uncle Benjen, the Grand Maester, Aemon Targaryen, the Royal General, Greatjon Umber, and the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont.
Wyman Manderly, Roose Bolton and my uncle Eddard Stark had all been chosen by my father for their posts. My uncle had done a great job ruling for my father, since he was not the most attentive king. He did take part in council meetings, but he mostly left ruling to them. Lord Manderly was chosen due to his expertise in financial matters, courtesy of his experience ruling White Harbor, the largest trade hub of the North. Lord Bolton was chosen as Royal Justice to appease House Bolton. They were one of the strongest houses in the North and he had served my father faithfully in Robert's Rebellion. The positions of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, General of the Royal Army and Royal Admiral were all chosen by their respective organizations, with no input from the crown except in extenuating circumstances, none of which were present in the current appointments. The Three Eyed Raven was chosen by the previous holder of the title and the Children of the Forest. Finally, the Grand Maester, who took care of the health of the Royal Family and offered his wisdom, was an appointment made by the crown. Aemon Targaryen had been granted shelter in the North after he had given up his crown in favor of his younger brother. He joined our Northern Citadel, which did not shun the use of Magic, and eventually made it to the position of Grand Maester.
I addressed all of them quickly.
"Greetings my lords, let us start with the treasury. Lord Manderly, what is the state of the crown's treasury and how much will the Coronation cost?"
"Your Grace, we currently have 4 million gold wolves in the treasury. The coronation will cost us about 250,000 wolves, between pageantry, food and accommodations for the various lords in attendance. A large expense to be sure, but one we can afford."
"Very well my lord. That seems like a reasonable number given the occasion. Thank you for you work. Lord Bolton, are there any trials or laws proposed that I should see?"
"Your Grace, there have been no major laws proposed, while the only trials which happened recently were some Essosi who were caught trying to capture slaves on our coasts."
I nodded my head at him in recognition of his words and spoke to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. "Lord Commander, what is the status of the Night's Watch?"
"We are currently at 10,000 men. Every castle is garrisoned and patrols have captured various bandit groups which had been preying on our citizens. Beyond the Wall the Thenns captured bandits which were handed over to us, while we found another group close to the Haunted Forest. South of the Wall we are currently hunting a group which call themselves the Warrior Sons. Survivor reports say they number about 100 men and that claim to be on a Holy Crusade to erase our "heathen gods" and bring The Seven to the North. They have hit several villages by the White Knife but we have found their hideout. I sent 200 men to kill or capture them to bring them to justice." he reported.
I snorted: "Another idiot group of septons? Once they are captured I will have to write to King Robert for concessions. Thank you for the report Lord Commander. Lord Umber, how is the army doing? What is the status with the Giants?"
"We have 20,000 men ready to march should anything happen. The Giants are satisfied with their lands, as always, and they have no need for new weapons and armours."
"Thank you Lord Umber. Grand Maester, if I may ask, was my father's passing natural, or were there some other forces at play?
"I uncovered nothing but lung failure as the cause of your father's death, Your Grace."
I nodded at that. "Uncle Benjen, how is our Navy?"
"We have 10,000 sailors at hand. Our Western Coast is plagued by the occasional Iron born raid but we are able to quickly drive them back before much damage is done. We have gotten reports that the Ironborn are building up their fleet again, so we are on the lookout for any sudden attacks. Our Eastern Coast has been clear of pirate attacks for over a year now, and trade with Essos is blooming as a result." He replied, pride evidently present in his voice.
I smiled at him, happy that he took to his duties so well. I moved on. "Uncle Eddard, do you have anything to add?"
"Your Grace, there are 2 matters of importance left. The greenseers have declared that our crops will be lower than average for this winter. Aside from that, we must discuss the matter of your marriage." he answered.
I gulped, already feeling nervous regarding any betrothal. "What are your suggestions on both matters?"
"Regarding our crop yields, we will either have to buy food from Essos or from the South. We might be able to solve this problem and your marriage issue with an ideal match."
"And who would that be my lord?" asked Lord Manderly, confusion present in his face.
"I propose we marry our King to Margery Tyrell, only daughter of the Lord Paramount of the Reach."