So, I decided that my old AAR was too ambitious for me. I had to make up my own characters and give them personalities. A bit too much work to keep it steady, honestly. So I decided to go on and use already known and existing characters of the ASOIAF lore to make it easier for me and keep me more pinned to the AAR.
The English language is not my primary one. So if you have any recommendations to make on my writing or AAR, send me a PM or put it here in the thread!
I've been reading other AARs, mainly Aidun's amazing The Little Cub and I wish to at least try to emulate his prowess! Please pay him a visit and read his fine work!
After reading all of the books, I was disappointed when I thought of the things Jon could've done as lord of Winterfell, and thought to myself: What if maester Aemon had never told him to kill the boy and be a man?
Then I booted the AGoT mod and let my mind and keyboard do the rest.
The English language is not my primary one. So if you have any recommendations to make on my writing or AAR, send me a PM or put it here in the thread!
I've been reading other AARs, mainly Aidun's amazing The Little Cub and I wish to at least try to emulate his prowess! Please pay him a visit and read his fine work!
After reading all of the books, I was disappointed when I thought of the things Jon could've done as lord of Winterfell, and thought to myself: What if maester Aemon had never told him to kill the boy and be a man?
Then I booted the AGoT mod and let my mind and keyboard do the rest.
Without further addo, I present you my AAR about Jon Snow's rise the power, and the comeback of the Starks to the game of thrones:
Prologue: The Lone Wolf
Chapter 1: The Legitimate Wolf
Chapter 2: The Fighting Wolf
Chapter 3: The Legitimized Wolf
Chapter 4: A Promise Unbroken
Chapter 5: The Fury's Doubts
Chapter 6: The Fire Stag's Destiny
Chapter 7: The Wolf's Pup
Chapter 8: The Sworn Wolf
Epilogue: A sad and lonely howl for my realm.
Prologue:
It was a cold morning, followed by a cold day and a cold night. Jon had a hard time waking up and breaking his fast, the food tasted duller than ever. His old companions were not there anymore, Sam had gone south with Aemon and Gilly and Mance's son. He suddenly couldn't trust anyone. Bowen Marsh was a good man and a good steward, but he was more loyal to the watch than he'd be to any man; the same could be said about the rest of the stewards, old men who fought the wildlings all their lives and kept the Wall safe. They knew no other business, no higher causes. Dolorous Edd was simply dolorous Edd and Iron Emmett was a warrior first and foremost.
Jon Snow remembered fighting the Wildlings with only some seventy men, slaying the Magnar of Thenn, firing arrows down towards the wildling army. Not enough, he thought. The idea of the wildlings joining them was too risky, there was too much friction between the two factions. Even if they were allowed south of the Wall, the idea of a crow and a wildling fighting side to side was still a crazy one.
The north of the Wall won't give me what the Watch needs, but the south...
The thought made Jon smile slightly, he walked along the outside of Castle Black, with Ghost trailing him closely from behind. His mind was deep in thought, Stannis' words rang in his head constantly. He looked around to make sure nobody was listening and looked to Ghost. "I could be a Stark, Ghost." he said as crouched to pet the white beast. "I could rule Winterfell and the North. My father's bannermen would rally to me as soon as I raise the Stark banner and claim my fatherly blood's birthright. I could do so many things after that." he continued saying with a hopeful voice while he stroked Ghost's fur. The wolf looked at him intently, silent as ever.
Jon got up and was hit by reality. A brother of the Night's Watch swears a vow to keep the watch until his death. I am the sword in the darkness. Jon thought as he strutted silently towards the building where the one room he hoped to reach was brightly lit. I am the watcher on the Wall. He ignored the men who patrolled the outside of the building, they thought nothing of it and kept shaking their hands together to make warmth. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory, now my watch begins. He saluted the guards and they quickly opened the door for him, giving him a curious look. It shall not end until my death, I pledge my Life and Honor. He went up the stairs of the building and arrived at the room of the Red Witch where he could hear his own heart thumping against his chest. But what is the worth of my life and honor, if the watch is defeated? He went to knock on the door but the witch opened it before he could reach it. Jon looked at her sullenly. She was clad in red, as always, and warm. So very warm. It was a nice change to the outside's freezing cold.
"Jon Snow." She called in a pleased voice. "I saw you coming to me in my fire, your figure was heavy with grief but staunch, and there were no knives to be seen anymore. Instead, you shone as only a flame of R'hllor could shine." She invited Jon in with a movement of her hand and they both sat. "Tell me, Jon Snow, what made you shine so in the flames?"
"Betrayal, desertion, Oathbreaking." said Jon grievously, every one of the words he pronounced made him wince. His heart was so strongly opposed to this. Oh father, oh brothers, oh sisters, oh my little Arya. What am I doing? I'm just a bastard of Eddard Stark He wanted to run, to go back with Pyp and Grenn and Edd and give up his position as lord commander to whoever wanted it then die in some fool's fight against wildlings or Others. But he had a duty to fulfill. For Qhorin, for maester Aemon, for all of Westeros. And he also had a brother, a father and little brothers to avenge. You know nothing, Jon Snow. Jon buried his face in his left hand.
Melisandre took Jon's hand and looked at him as if she were looking at a sad child. "Jon Snow, your face is full of sadness and your eyes water at your thoughts. There is grief in your heart, and grief only serves to wane your flame. You say betrayal, desertion and oathbreaking makes your light shine but I refuse to believe it. Only devotion to the realm of man could make any person shine so in the flames. Only Stannis had ever shone so bright in my flames."
Jon nervously licked his lips, removed his hand from his face and stared at the candle shining in the center of the room. Our honor means no more than our lives, so long as the realm of man is safe. Qhorin Halfhand had told him once. Are you a man of the Night's Watch? Jon sat there thinking, looking at the flame in the room in silence. "I am." said Jon out loud, Melisandre stared at him, as if understanding of his words. "Lady Melisandre, tell King Stannis that I wish to become lord of the North and rally my bannermen to defend my birthright and stand against the unrightful lord Roose Bolton." Jon was as convinced as he could be of his own words. If I stop now, I am lost. He got up and left the room without waiting for the reply of the red witch. Yet he could feel that she had no desire to reply to him, all had gone as she wanted it to go.
He called Iron Emmett and Dolorous Edd to his chambers in Castle Black and confessed of his oathbreaking. Edd made another one of his pessimist remarks, complaining of how Jon could turn his cloak twice without punishment. Emmett stared at him and said "Men are men. Vows are words and words are wind.", stinging Jon. But they could not truly understand what he wanted to do, no matter how he explained it. He ordered them to contact Dick Follard in the next day and make him deal with the elections for the next Lord Commander.
They will hate me, despise me, Jon thought as he walked back to his chambers. I would too if I were faced with such a man. A turncloak, then oathbreaker who seeked crowns and wife and glory. There will be no coming back from this one, his old friends would look at him bitterly if he were to see them again. Ghost reunited with Jon and laid down on his bed of straw.
If keeping the realm of man safe meant that he had to turn his cloak once again and forget his vows. He had to do it. This goes beyond honor, beyond brotherhood and family. What better to stop the incoming hordes of frost and cold than all the levies of the North? thought Jon, but that gave him no peace during the night's sleep. His dreams were troubled and filled with nightmares. Daggers stabbed from every direction, a man cried in front of him. Jon tried to beg for forgiveness, but he found that his throat had already been slit and only blood gurgled from his mouth and wounds.
The next day came quickly, the nightmare had been short, and the night as well. The morning was calm, but the tempest started soon after the first meal of the day. The rumor of Jon's resignation and departure spread like wildfire and men were gathering around Jon's chambers to protest and demand explanations. Ignoring his guards' warnings. Jon walked out of his office chambers and looked at those who were once his brothers, he walked towards the pedestal where old Jeor Mormont once made his speeches. He heard cries from the black brothers: 'turncloak', 'deserter' and 'bastard' were the most common among the insults. Jon shielded his mind from the barrage of insults and raised his voice:
"My old brothers!" he bellowed, "I have broken my vows and betrayed you. Such an action can never be truly pardoned, but know, my dear old brothers, do know: I shall come back to the Wall with all the armies and foodstuffs of the North and help you defend the realm of man against the looming horror beyond the Wall. I do beg you to do one thing though: prepare. Prepare to man an army with obsidian, to host it along each of the castles of the Wall. Fret not, as builders and experienced scouts will be sent from the North's finest soon enough. Heed this last advice of mine, and our victory shall be assured. Now I bid you goodbye, and beg for your forgiveness that I one day hope to reach and recieve." He cut his speech short and descended the pedestal to walk towards the tower now manned by Stannis and his closer entourage of knights. Ghost thought Jon. But the wolf was nowhere to be seen, probably off hunting in the south.
Jon found his steps to be true and strong. He knew the black brothers were following him and still insulting him, but all he could do now is pray that they'd listen to his last advice. They must. After arriving at the main hold of Stannis, the southron knights stopped the black brothers on their tracks. Now Jon could only hear their muffled voices thanks to the door between him and them, he couldn't help but feel a little more secure. A guard escorted him to Stannis' small hall.
Stannis sat on the old bear's chair and looked at Jon as he entered the room. "Jon Snow." He said. Jon was surprised, the king was probably offended, he had made Melisandre tell him of his wish instead of telling him directly. But if that were the case, Stannis did not show it in his tone or posture. "Jon Snow." he said again in a monotone, neutral voice. "Come to the center of the room. And kneel."
Jon was nervous, he knew what this meant. He walked slowly towards the center of the room, with his hand on longclaw's hilt. Jon knelt, and suddenly realized that the knights of Stannis were in the room as well. He felt sick daggers coming from every direction he remembered, I'm too paranoid, he kept telling himself. Stannis got up from his chair and unsheathed his Lightbringer as he approached Jon. The waiting was killing him, he felt like retching, but did his best to refuse the reaction. Stannis stood over him and took his sword to Jon's shoulder. "Jon Snow, do you swear to be my loyal bannerman and fight along with me against the enemies of the seven kingdoms?" he pronounced.
Jon couldn't help but notice that he was sweating, and he realized his eyes were open as if he feared for his life. Thankfully he was looking down and Stannis saw nothing of it. He got the best hold of himself he could grab. "Yes, Your Grace, I pledge my life to serve the Seven Kingdoms and Westeros as Your Grace's vassal." responded Jon, his voice squeaked at the last word, with some slight laughs coming from the bands of knights in the room. Stannis made no remark on the mishap.
The ceremony was short, Stannis touched both his shoulders with his sword and finished:
"Rise then, Jon of House Stark, lord of Winterfell and the North."
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