Chapter Text
Black was always his color
Black was the color of his childhood bedlinens, and the faded paint of the shield he sparred Robb with
Black was the color of the night sky as it caressed the moon's beautiful freckled face. The shadows he would blend in to hide himself from their looks, and the shame they brought him
Even when he'd left The Watch behind, left all he ever thought he could be, it was all he wore
Fitting that it was the color of my heart in the end, Jon thought as the Frey's head rolled. Walder or Emmon or Walton. He wasn't quite sure of the name right now but he didn't care much as he wiped his blade with his sleeve. He had hoped to no longer see the blighted towers of their sigil again after he rent their inspiration to rubble but it seemed he wouldn't be as fortunate in that. A shame
Picking up the Frey's head, he observed the scene around him. Much less chaotic than his first bout with the south though The Twins had been a much more personal stain on the map, and one Jon had wanted gone more than he thought he realized until his blade was drawn and the mammoths went charging. He lost himself, if even for just a little bit. Her influence surely didn't help, they called her Mother Merciless for a reason.
For the first time in his life she had smiled at him. Truly smiled, though it was about all she could do with the shape her neck was left in. She bestowed the crown he wore on his brow upon him that night in camp, the crown of her son, his brother, the first King in the North in hundreds of years. He threw the head to Ghost behind him at the thought. Would that I could butcher them all a thousand times over I would Jon thought. Maybe when he got to the hells that would be how he spent his free time.
Riverrun had fallen to him without fuss. He'd had his crannogmen sneak her brotherhood and some of his own in on the red fork on a foggy night, as he liked. A few grates meant for nothing more than the discharge of unfavorable things moved out of the way by the singer and a wealth of confiscated Frey colors adorning their hides and Jon knew the castle was his before he tugged his half-plate on for the battle, no, scuffle that ensued. Even the bolstered garrison from the men his and Lady Catelyn's efforts had scattered to the wind and sent running all over the Riverlands couldn't help . His people were raiders, the open gates and cleared parapets were like a nameday gift to them and he had the castle back in her and her uncle's possession within an hour.
Across the courtyard he could see them both, with Edmures wife not far behind. Any who surrendered at The Twins were let free and she was no exception, though it was mostly women and children who did so. He had no quarrel with innocent wives and greenboys, some even stuck around. Lady Catelyn would keep an eye on her now, and the other to the West where her brother and Robb's girl were taken.
Jon strolled over to them, sheathing Longclaw on his back as he walked.
“It is done, my lady” he said to her as he took her hand and kissed her cold fingertips. Stoneheart they called her. Jon found he didn't quite agree. His heart was just as dead now, and hers was worn plainly on her face, a mothers loss.
She merely shook her head at him and he knew why. The girls are still out there
“You’ve done a great boon for us, your grace. House Tully is not to forget it”. Her uncle said to him “and I most especially will not”. Brynden respected him a great deal, both black sheep of their houses. The White Wolf and the Blackfish. He'd even insisted on continuing on with them to Harrenhall but Jon thought his place was here. Without Edmure to take command the Blackfish was the only Tully left able to sort things out.
“Old Gods willing you'll see me again and I'll remind you anyways”. Jon joked as the older man chuckled and threw an arm around his shoulder.
“Over a keg of ale I hope. You'll need it after this is all done, trust me boy”. They'd taken to a drink or two with his men around the fire on some nights. Trading stories and jokes, and in Jon's case some advice, to ease the hardships of the day away. Tormund loved him, though if you weren't a complete ass that wasn't too hard to gain. “Did the man have any last words?” nodding his head to the headless corpse some spearwives were dragging off.
“He may have" Jon was still coming back to himself, his scars still aching and burning. Truthfully he couldn't remember. Not that it mattered much. The words of a Frey meant as much to him as dust in the wind.
“A coward Lord Emmon may have been, the man was still privy to the Lannisters' dealings. It may have been wise to question him further”. He saw the old knight glance to where his niece and Roslin continued walking with a forlorn look. “Truth be told boy, I'm concerned. You hunger for vengeance yes but you mustn't let it consume you. You say you want this war over as soon as it's able. Take every chance to have the advantage.”
The advice, teachings, and learned lessons of those who came before were to be taken seriously. From the words of Maesters and Blacksmiths to tales of common born hedge knights and mighty kings of the most esteemed houses, there was a lesson to be learned everywhere. They had won him battles and respect, helped him grow as a man. But Jon had also failed to know from them once and it cost him everything, he wouldn't make that same mistake again.
“Aye” Jon resigned. “His lady wife is in our custody, and her remaining son”. She'd been confined to a room with haste once the citadel of Riverrun had been secured. From what Jon had gathered Genna Lannister wore the breeches in their marriage. She was more likely to provide any useful information to their cause.
“The lioness may prove stubborn but a hostage of her status will do you a world of good my king” the Blackfish gestured to an entrance to the castle. “I'm sure your council is waiting to discuss such things. On with you”
“You won't be attending?” said Jon.
“Afraid not. I've my own men to deal with, and likely my niece besides. Your grace” he said as he shook Jon's hand and headed off towards the Godswood. I'll have to make time to see the heart tree later and give my thanks, he thought.
A council being held so soon after the battle wasn't the usual but matters here needed to be sought to with more speed. He had to be off to the Ruby Ford on the morrow and wasn't exactly keen on leaving the place in disarray.
The Great Hall opened up before him and he was pleased to see all who needed to be present had already arrived, and all but two stood to bow as he entered, Ghost an ever present shadow. Lords Tytos Blackwood and Jason Mallister were the only Riverlanders in attendance, and thus were seated next to one another at an end. The Greatjon Umber, Howland Reed and Maege Mormont sat on one side of the table and on the other was a strange trio of Tourmund and Mance with a young Edric Dayne. They'd picked the little lord and his faction of the brotherhood up around Seagard. His presence was questioned by his lords and even the boy himself originally but Jon wanted his perspective. At ten and four the boy had already seen the scars of war on the common people.
“Shall we get started?” Jon said as he took his spot at the head of the table.
“Aye Your Grace. With Riverrun taken the Lannisters only have two footholds left in the Riverlands. Harrenhall and Darry” Lady Mormont said as she pointed towards the trident.
“And by taking Riverrun we've also splintered a great deal of their access to the Westerlands from within” Tytos added, seeming pleased.
“That's what we want. To choke them out in the capital with nowhere to run. With the golden boy sitting to the south they'll be discouraged from making any attempts in that regard, and now they can't run north or west.” His plan was a simple but effective one it seemed. “And they can't go east either with the Dragon Queen and her fleet holding Dragonstone”.
“But what do we do after?” inquired Lord Reed, his most trusted advisor. “We may beat them back to the capital but it's still the capital. If there was ever a cage to be trapped in id pick that one”.
“Indeed my lord Reed”. Jon was already familiar, the thought sometimes kept him up at night. It could be done, he was more than confident in that, but how many men would he lose and how long would it take?
“Do you really need to take this city o’ yours Crow?” said Tormund. Much as he wished Tormund had the right to it, he did not.
“We’ll never be safe to take a stand against the dead with the threat of being tripped from behind Giantsbane” Mance has the right of it “If the north was lost where would we go?”
“Aye,” Jon said. The room seemed dour at Mance's last implication but it was the truth. It seemed he’d have to take the throne for himself. Or I can leave it in the dragon's hands Jon thought. Yes I would much prefer that
“We can't leave Cersei and her spawn on the chair for that reason, that much is obvious. But with this so-called Targaryen boy laughing at our terms we can't exactly leave him to take the seat either. His blade would be just as sharp at our nape.” Lord Jason added. The man was just as weathered and experienced as the Blackfish was. “I am afraid this Dragon Queen is our last hope”.
“That’s if she doesn't burn us all. Even if it's not when we first arrive, who's to say she'll let us leave with our hides not a crisp should an impasse be met!” The Greatjon announced in his bellowing voice.
Edric Dayne added his piece for the first time “I don't believe that to be a just judgement my Lord Umber. If even a sliver of the tales about the queen are true, I believe she will be quite kind to us”. Jon found he wanted to agree.
“Tales are just that, lordling, tales! My king, I believe you should consi…” Jon silenced the Greatjon with only a glare.
“I will meet with her grace and see for myself the type of woman she will prove to be. That decision is final”. He didn't have the patience for any squabbling, and they all knew that conversation was over.
“Be that as it may your grace, that still leaves the capital. If we find agreeable terms with this queen, king's landing is still to prove a wall. Dragons cannot solve everything, a city even more so. Young as she may be, she's surely wise enough to know that”. Lord Howland said to murmurs of agreement.
“Which begs the question” all eyes in the room were on Tytos again. “Why hasn't Aegon moved on the keep? He has nothing to hold him back, no need to preserve his men and resources, his only goal is the crown. He's not bothered by any threat we can pose, the tone in his ink said as much.” said the Lord of Raventree. The clown Jon pondered as he stalked around the table.
“I believe one foot should be put in front of the other My lords and Lady. Harrenhall should be our largest concern.” Lord Dayne responded “The Lannisters had a force of fourteen thousand remaining after his grace was finished with The Twins and a majority of it was garrisoned at Harrenhall. If they can be broken there then the…” That's it
“Thats it” Jon butted in with a palm placed on the war map near Storms End, the place the prince was known to be holed up. “Thats exactly what he wants. He has enough men to take it with his Dornish alliance and he's waiting for us to clear the path.”
Lady Mormont added her piece with a nod of her head "We'd be removing any reinforcements he'd need worry about once Harrenhall is ours.”
“And that's exactly what we'll do” The whole table looked at him with confusion in their eyes. “Let him try Kings Landing. I'll take his own blade and turn it against him” and he watched it leave them, Edric even smiled at him. The rest of the meeting was spent handling the more dreary dealings that were expected with ensuring the castle would be stable once they departed. “My Lords and Lady this council has concluded, if you've any questions leave them with Lord Blackwood, I've business to attend to” and he left the hall not long after.
The Riverlanders seemed to have the castle in check so he went outside the grounds to check on the men and women who took it. Seeing them already setting up camp for the night amongst some of the Blackfishes men was relieving. It took some getting used to for the southerners, hells it was even harder for his northmen to do so in the past. But by now they'd come to respect his folk, they didn't have much of a choice. Jonos Bracken had something to say about them so he took the land he swindled from the Blackwoods and then some back and left him to sort his own problems out on the way to Riverrun. Maester Aemon always said don't bite the hand that feeds to the ravens. Even the birds knew better than Jonos
Mammoths led by Giants were clearing trees for timber and Hornfoots were putting their Rhinos to pasture for the day in the space they left. This is a sight these lands have not seen in generations Jon thought with pride. If he had it his way it was going to remain like this. His people deserved a summer after so long in the clutches of the opposite. Strolling between isles of tents of canvas and fur alike, his men gave him recognition and he spoke to Sam and the elders to see how they were managing on supplies, then made his way to his personal lot to deal with the raven's letters his friend said he left for him.
Words from Val and Davos at home about how Rickon was faring was pleasant news. If he had known the face he would see when he crossed the neck would be there he may have brought his little brother with him. He tucked that one into his pocket and looked at the next.
The three headed dragon was stamped into the seal, unmistakable. The first message had been a surprise and left Jon wondering how Lord Tyrion found himself in the company of the dragon queen let alone as her Hand but he was sure he'd find that out when the time came. He was to parlay with her, Tyrion even saying he strongly recommended him to the young queen over the clown further south but he was a problem for another day when the Lannisters weren't at his back and it was time to turn back home for the real fight.
To Jon Snow, King in the North
Her Grace and myself are more than pleased that you have taken her offer to meet and discuss the future of Westeros and will eagerly await your arrival at Harroway Town starting in a few days time. Do make it hasty with your battle as she is very intrigued and determined to meet you, and I in particular have some catching up to do.
Safe travels on the road
Tyrion Lannister, Hand to Daenerys Targaryen Queen of the Seven Kingdoms
Not for the first time since that first raven he found himself thinking of Daenerys, Aegon the Conqueror come again, The Silver Lady. My Aunt
Her efforts in the east were well known, Maester Aemon had spoken about them readily. And now she was back in the land of her birth to take her family's old hunk of steel back. She’d make a most appealing ally but the question was whether she'd take the true threat seriously, and Jon found himself praying that she did, for all their sakes. I'd wished for a dragon once upon a time, let it come true now.
He wrote his response and sealed it and decided he deserved a little rest. His armor was simple and light enough he had no need for a squire's assistance in its removal and after shrugging the gambeson he had underneath off he fell back onto his palette, grunting when Ghost jumped up and onto his chest. All he saw as he drifted off was black.
—
“CORN!!!!” the beast screamed at him “CORN KING KING!!!!”
“Gods dammit!” Flailing his arm at the raven, who was already halfway across the tent, in the fog of his sleep he sent Ghost tumbling to the floor. Looking down at his best friend whom he'd shocked awake, laying on his back with his paws to the roof and staring at him out of the corner of his eye, Jon smiled brighter than he thought he had in years.