Chapter Text
298 AC
Nine years ago, six-year-old Jon Snow was kidnapped from Winterfell along with his direwolf cub, Ghost, by men sent by Balon Greyjoy in the midst of the Greyjoy Rebellion, who mistook him for Robb Stark. Eddard Stark searched everywhere, sent out countless men and missives, looking for any sign of his son. Eventually, he was forced to give up, accept that his son was dead, and go into mourning. And mourn he did. For three weeks, the Lord of Winterfell barely ate or drank. And in the rare moments that he did sleep, he was awoken by horrid night terrors of every possible terrible thing that could have happened to his boy. After regaining his wits, he told his lady wife the truth about the boy. Lady Stark wanted to scream, to cry, to ask why he had never told her, but she couldn’t. She saw the grief in him and knew that he had lost a son. She had no one to blame for her resentment but herself.
But now, Jon Snow has arrived at Winterfell.
JON SNOW
He can clearly see Winterfell ahead of him. After seeing it again after nine years, Jon Snow feels both happy and sad. He feels good finally seeing his home, but he has one fear: how will his family react? How will they see him now? Will they be happy or angry? He is very confused, wondering how Lady Stark and Lord Stark will react. Will they accept him or not, as it has been almost a decade? As he’s thinking, his direwolf, Ghost, starts barking at another direwolf. Jon finally recalls that this direwolf is Grey Wind, his brother’s wolf. He looks up and sees a man standing behind Grey Wind—it’s his brother Robb. As they see each other, neither speaks, until the silence is broken by Robb.
“Is it really you, Jon?” Robb asks, not believing his eyes.
Jon only nods.
“Where were you? We searched everywhere for you,” Robb says.
No one speaks for some time. Jon comes closer to Robb and hugs him, and Robb returns the hug as they both are on the verge of tears. Jon finally speaks.
“It’s a long story. Let me rest, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Robb nods, and Jon and Robb enter Winterfell, with Ghost and Grey Wind following. Robb finally gets a look at Ghost and is shocked by his size. Ghost is double the size of Grey Wind, almost five feet tall at the shoulder and twelve feet in length.
“Why is your direwolf so big?” Robb asks.
“He’s always been big,” Jon replies, smiling.
Robb laughs. Jon finally asks about their father, and Robb tells him that their father is now Hand of the King and is in King’s Landing with Arya and Sansa. He also tells him that Sansa is promised to Crown Prince Joffrey Baratheon.
As Jon and Robb are talking, a guard comes in and tells Robb that Lady Stark is calling him to Bran’s room before leaving.
Jon, curious, asks, “Who is Bran?”
At first, Robb is shocked, but then he remembers that Bran was born after Jon was kidnapped. He tells Jon that Bran is their little brother, and that they not only have one little brother but two; the youngest is named Rickon. But as he’s speaking, his expression becomes sad. Jon, receiving this much information, feels baffled but asks why Robb looks sad.
“Bran, our little brother, had an accident. He fell and went into a coma, and the maesters aren’t sure if he will survive,” Robb says, his expression heavy with sorrow.
Jon immediately says, “Take me to him. Maybe I can help—I have some things.” Robb doesn’t believe him but still takes him to Bran’s room.
As they enter, they see Lady Stark, who is left speechless after seeing Jon and is unable to say anything. Robb breaks the silence and says, “Mother, look who I have found.”
Catelyn, shocked, finally speaks. “Jon, are you well?”
Jon only nods and then spots Bran lying unconscious on the bed. After examining him for some time, Jon takes out a potion from his bag and asks permission from Lady Stark. Lady Stark simply nods. Jon, with Robb’s help, gets Bran to swallow the potion. For some time, nothing happens. Jon feels confused, wondering why nothing is happening, but then, suddenly, Bran wakes up, and he is not even crippled.
Bran, confused, asks everyone, “Who is this stranger?”
To everyone’s surprise, it is Lady Stark who speaks and says, “He is your brother Jon, who was kidnapped nine years ago.”
Bran, unable to understand, tests his legs, and everyone begins discussing what happened after Jon was kidnapped.
As the discussion ends, Jon stands and says, “Robb, I’m going to King’s Landing to meet our father, and at sunrise, I will leave for the Kingsroad.”
Robb asks him, “But when will you tell me your long story?”
Jon replies, “Brother, don’t be sad. We will have our talk, but now, this is more important.”
Robb finally agrees, and Jon leaves Winterfell at sunrise, asking them not to send any ravens about him—he wants to surprise their father. Robb agrees.
KING’S LANDING, 298 AC - One Moon Later
EDDARD STARK
Lord Stark receives a raven from Winterfell telling him that Bran has woken up with no major injury and will join them in King’s Landing soon. However, he remembers nothing about the fall.
“Father, will Bran be able to become a knight now?” Arya asks.
“Yes, my love, he can become a knight,” Lord Stark replies.
“When will he join us?” Arya asks again.
“Probably it will take a couple of moons,” Lord Stark answers.
Not satisfied, Arya begins teasing Sansa, calling her names.
“Father, stop her! She’s a demon!” Sansa protests.
As they are bickering, Lord Stark hears a knock on the door. When he opens it, he sees a tall man, even taller than himself.
He can’t believe his eyes. For a moment, he thinks he is dreaming, but to his shock, Jon speaks.
“Lord Stark,” Jon says.
“Are you who I think you are, boy?” Lord Stark asks, hardly daring to hope.
“Lord Stark, I don’t know who you think I am, but I am Jon Snow, the bastard of Winterfell.”
Before he can finish, he is hugged tightly by Lord
Certainly! Here’s the rest of the story with grammar and spelling corrections, keeping the original length and details:
…asks him, “Where were you? I searched for you everywhere.”
Jon replies, “It’s a long story.”
Lord Stark, still emotional, responds, “I don’t care where you were. I thought I’d lost you.”
Jon says, “It’s not the time for that now.”
As they are talking, Arya and Sansa see them. Arya, confused, starts asking who this man is, but to her surprise, Sansa starts crying. Annoyed, Arya turns to Sansa, but then Sansa speaks.
“Brother, is it really you?” Sansa asks.
“Yes, Sansa, it’s been a while,” Jon replies.
Sansa immediately hugs him, crying and calling him “brother” while bombarding him with questions without waiting for answers.
Arya, now fully annoyed, shouts, “Who is this person?”
Lord Stark answers, “He’s your brother Jon—my son.”
Arya, stunned, says, “But father, you said Jon was dead.”
Lord Stark replies, “I believed that too, but the old gods have returned Jon to us.”
Jon interrupts, looking at Arya. “Arya, I am your big brother. I was kidnapped, but with the help of the old gods, I found my way home.”
“So you’re my big brother?” Arya asks, looking up at him.
“Yes, I am,” Jon replies warmly.
Their conversation is interrupted by Sansa’s scream.
“Father, there’s a big white direwolf outside!” she cries out.
Jon smiles. “Sansa, that’s Ghost. Don’t you remember him?”
“But he was so small. Now he’s more than twice the size of Lady—no, three times her size!” Sansa says, astonished.
“Sister, Ghost has grown a lot on our journeys,” Jon explains.
As they are talking, they hear a commotion. King Robert, first of his name, of House Baratheon, is entering the Tower of the Hand.
Immediately, there is a hush. Lord Stark grows nervous, and Jon is confused. But as they are pondering, Robert enters the room and speaks.
“Ned, who is this man? He looks like a younger version of you.”
“Your Grace, he is my son,” Ned replies.
“I’ve met Robb, but this man isn’t Robb,” Robert says, confused.
“He is my second son, Jon Snow,” Ned replies.
Robert, surprised, says, “But didn’t he get kidnapped by those damn squids? You reported him dead. I swear, my friend, if you hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve wiped out every last Greyjoy to avenge your son.”
“I thought the same, Robert, but he is not dead. He’s standing here, though I don’t know how,” Ned says.
Robert studies Jon. He can clearly see Ned in him, but Jon is taller and has a faint hint of purple in his eyes, which reminds Robert of Ashara Dayne. With a grin, he chuckles and addresses Jon.
“So, Jon, my boy, where were you? After you were taken, your father was nearly mad with grief for a year. I thought he might die from it,” Robert says.
“Your Grace, it’s a long story. After I was kidnapped, I ended up in Essos, and from there, it was a long journey to return home.”
Robert, shaking his head in amazement, says, “My boy, your father and I searched everywhere in the Seven Kingdoms for you, but you were never found. I’m honored you put in such effort, Your Grace, for me—a bastard.”
“For me, you’re no bastard,” Robert replies. “You’re Ned’s son, and I can see you have his honor.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Jon replies respectfully.
After speaking with Jon, Robert shifts his attention to Ned, and they begin to talk
Robert: Ned, we have to celebrate your son’s return with a feast and a tourney in his name.
Ned: Robert, we can’t do this. What will people say? They will never welcome a tourney in the name of a bastard.
Robert: I don’t fucking care what they say. Today, we will hold a feast for your son.
Ned: Robert, today we have a meeting with the Iron Bank. We can’t do this.
Robert: I don’t know, I want this.
Robert thinks for a moment and then replies:
Robert: Fine, Jon can join us at the dinner meeting with the Iron Bank. It’s the least we can do.
Ned: We shouldn’t do this. The Iron Bank could feel disrespected.
Robert: I don’t care, it’s a fucking order.
Robert shifts his gaze to Jon and says:
Robert: Jon, my boy, your king commands you to join us at the dinner meeting with the Iron Bank.
Jon: Your Grace, I am honored, but I have a request.
Robert: What request?
Jon: Can Ghost join us?
Robert: Who is Ghost?
After hearing this, Jon whistles, and suddenly, a large, white-colored direwolf enters the room.
Robert is in disbelief. The direwolf is the size of a teenage horse. At first, he’s frightened, but he collects himself and says:
Robert: Jon, my boy, Ghost can join us, but only if you assure me that everyone will leave the room alive.
Jon: Your Grace, Ghost is very friendly. Nothing dangerous will happen.
Robert: I believe you, my boy. After all, you’re Ned’s son, even if you are a natural-born one.
Robert turns his gaze to Ned and says:
Robert: Ned, is your son trustworthy?
Ned: Yes, Your Grace, he is my son.
Robert: Then it is concluded. Jon and his direwolf will join us at the meeting. Ned, prepare for the meeting.
With that, Robert leaves the room with his Kingsguard.
Ned: Jon, as we can see, you’ll be joining us at the meeting.
Jon: Don’t worry, Father, I won’t disappoint.
Ned: I know that, son.
After this, Arya and Sansa begin talking with Jon about their lives. Arya takes a liking to her new brother, and Ned starts the preparations for the meeting.
Great Hall - Jon Snow
As Jon arrives in the Great Hall with his direwolf Ghost, he attracts many stares from the people. He is stopped by the Kingsguard. Before Ser Barristan Selmy can start asking him questions, Robert shouts.
Robert: So, Jon, finally you’re here!
As Ser Barristan Selmy hears this, he steps back, and once Jon is free to walk, he sees a number of faces at the Great Table. The entire Great Council is present, along with the King himself, his Queen, and Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock. There are also two more faces Jon recognizes—members of the Iron Bank.
As Jon approaches the Great Table, he speaks.
Jon: Your Grace, Your Grace.
He nods at the King and Queen. Then Robert speaks up.
Robert: Jon, my boy, take your seat. I’ve been waiting for you.
Jon: Thank you, Your Grace. I am honored.
As Jon takes his seat, he receives a handful of stares from the people. Some look at him, some at his direwolf, Ghost. Suddenly, the two faces from the Iron Bank recognize him and speak up.
Iron Bank 1st Representative: Lord Jon, how are you? It’s been a while since we last met.
Followed by the 2nd Representative.
Iron Bank 2nd Representative: Yes, it’s been a while, Lord Jon. It’s been almost five or six moons since you made any withdrawals or deposits.
Jon: Yes, my Lord, it’s been a while since we last met. I’ve been on a journey. I hope you understand.
As they are talking, everyone is shocked at how a bastard knows representatives from the Iron Bank. They are interrupted by the Master of Coin, Lord Baelish.
Lord Baelish: If you are comfortable, may I ask how you know each other?
Before he can ask further, Jon interrupts.
Jon: Lord Baelish, we just met through some mutual friends.
Jon tries to end this topic and speaks again.
Jon: It’s nothing of importance. You wouldn’t be interested to know.
Lord Baelish: But—
Before Lord Baelish can say more, he is interrupted by the King, who speaks.
Robert: Jon, my boy, I would like to know how you met people from the Iron Bank.
Robert looks at the Iron Bank representatives with a look of curiosity.
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, Lord Jon is a very humble man. Yes, we met through mutual friends, but the story is unfinished.
Robert: What do you mean?
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, Lord Jon has left out a part of the story. He has the largest account in the Iron Bank.
Robert: What the fuck do you mean?
After hearing this statement, everyone is shocked. Robert looks back at the representative.
Robert: What do you mean by the biggest account?
The representative looks at Jon for approval. Jon simply nods.
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, Lord Jon has the largest account in the Iron Bank, with assets worth more than 200 million gold dragons.
There is silence in the room. Jon is angered; he did not wish for this revelation. The King is silent and shocked. The Queen cannot believe this, and she can’t comprehend that this bastard is richer than her entire family. The members of the Great Council are all in disbelief. Tywin Lannister, in particular, is taken off guard. He can’t process this information that all his family wealth isn’t even a fraction of Jon’s wealth.
But at last, the silence is broken by none other than Robert himself.
Robert: What the fuck does he have in his account?
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, I manage Lord Jon’s holdings, but I need his approval to share the details.
Everyone looks at Jon. He simply nods.
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, Lord Jon’s account contains gold and silver worth 116 million gold dragons, 24 million gold dragons in land, 20 million gold dragons in jewelry, diamonds, and valuable stones. There’s also a special section of magical items. Before meeting Lord Jon, I didn’t even know such items existed—there are numerous magical potions, weapons, jewelry, and more. Then, the crown jewel of his account: 32 million gold dragons in Valyrian steel ingots. There are also three Valyrian steel swords, a full Valyrian steel armor, and many other priceless items, Your Grace.
No one can speak. Everyone is stunned. Most have never even seen a Valyrian steel sword, let alone full armor.
Suddenly, an unexpected person speaks: Queen Cersei, looking at the Iron Bank representative.
Cersei: My Lord, why are you calling him a Lord? He’s just a bastard. It doesn’t matter how rich he is.
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, what do you mean? Lord Jon is a Lord.
Cersei: No, he isn’t. He’s just a bastard.
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, I didn’t know that in Westeros you can’t call the Lord Commander of the Golden Company a Lord.
Cersei: Who do you mean?
And the King joins in.
Iron Bank Representative: Your Grace, I think you don’t know that Lord Jon is the Lord Commander of the Golden Company. Lord Jon commands an army of 40,000 well-trained soldiers, including 12,000 Unsullied, 400 warships, and the same number of war elephants.
This time, no one is surprised, as they’ve gotten used to these revelations. However, the Queen is now visibly annoyed. The King speaks.
Robert: Jon, my boy, you didn’t tell me this.
Even I’m scared of you. Are you here to challenge me?
Jon: No, Your Grace. I am just a loyal follower of yours. Don’t worry, I’m not here for your throne.
Robert: That’s good. But how did you become this wealthy and the Lord Commander of the Golden Company?
Jon: Your Grace, it’s a long story. I would be honored to tell you, but first, let’s discuss today’s matters.
Robert: What do you mean, Jon?
Jon: Your Grace, I know that the Crown is in 6 million gold dragons in debt, half to the Iron Bank and half to the Lannisters. Today’s meeting is about the Crown’s inability to repay its loans.
Robert: You’re right.
Jon: Your Grace, I have an offer. If you don’t mind, can I speak?
Robert: Yes, go on
Jon: Your grace, my offer is that, if you want, I am ready to buy your debt from the Iron Bank and the Lannisters.
Then, it was Lord Tywin who spoke.
Tywin Lannister: Lord Snow, as you know, the crown owes me 3 million gold dragons, and the same to the Iron Bank. It’s not a small amount.
Jon looked at Tywin Lannister.
Jon: Lord Tywin, last time I checked, my account had more than 6 million gold dragons.
Then, Jon looked at the king.
Jon: Your grace, I would like to add something to my offer.
Robert: What?
Jon: Your grace, on top of paying the crown’s debt, I would also like to offer an additional 2 million gold dragons. And out of the 8 million gold dragons that the crown has to pay back, I will reduce it to 5 million.
Robert: You are saying that I will receive 2 million gold dragons which I don’t have to pay back, and out of the 6 million gold dragons’ debt, I only have to pay 5 million gold dragons back?
Jon: Yes, you are right, your grace.
Robert: I would much prefer to be in debt to Ned’s son than the Lannisters and the Iron Bank.
Everyone in the room was humbled, and then Petyr Baelish spoke.
Lord Baelish: Your grace, we would also have to consider what Lord Jon wants in exchange.
Robert: Yes, so what do you want in return, Jon?
Jon: Your grace, I want to be the steward of Duskendale, Rook’s Rest, and Crackclaw Point.
Everyone was confused as to why Jon would want these ruined places, which were embroiled in ongoing rebellions.
Robert: Jon, my boy, why do you want them? Duskendale is a ruin, Rook’s Rest is in riots, its ruling family is dead, and Crackclaw Point is also in turmoil.
Jon: Your grace, I have my reasons.
Robert: Then I don’t see a problem. All three principalities don’t have ruling families, so you could be the steward of all three ruins, as long as you pay your taxes, same as any normal lord.
Jon: Your grace, then I think we have a deal.
Then, an unexpected voice spoke up: Grand Maester Pycelle.
Pycelle: Your grace, we can’t do this. This man would control a quarter of King’s Landing. It could be dangerous.
Robert: He is not just anyone, he is Ned’s son, so he is trustworthy. Ned, is he trustworthy?
Ned: Yes, your grace.
Robert: Then I shall declare Jon the steward of Duskendale, Rook’s Rest, and Crackclaw Point.
Jon: Thank you, your grace, for this trust. On top of everything, I would also like to pay for the upcoming princess Myrcella’s name day, if you are comfortable with that.
Robert: I don’t see a problem. From now on, you are the steward of Duskendale, Rook’s Rest, and Crackclaw Point.
Jon: Thank you, your grace.
Then, the room started squabbling, but suddenly Lord Tywin spoke.
Lord Tywin: Lord Snow, when can I expect my dues?
Jon: My lord, I know I owe you a debt now, and you shall receive it before you return to Casterly Rock. It’s not the first thing I’ve owed to a Lannister origin.
Lord Tywin: What do you mean?
Jon: My lord, do you know about Brightroar?
Lord Tywin: That’s my family’s ancestral sword, which was lost in the ruins of Old Valyria.
Jon: Yes, my lord, it was lost.
Then, suddenly, Jon pulled out the sword, and everyone was shocked and confused. The Kingsguard became alert and drew their swords too, and the king spoke.
Robert: Jon, my boy, what are you doing?
Jon: Your grace, I’m just showing Lord Tywin his ancestral sword, Brightroar.
Everyone stared at the sword Jon pulled out, which matched the traits of the ancient weapon. Then, Lord Tywin spoke in anger.
Lord Tywin: Where did you find it?
Jon: My lord, I found it on my long journey.
Lord Tywin: Give it back to me.
Jon: My lord, you don’t have a claim to it anymore, as it has been lost for more than three centuries now.
Robert: Yes, he’s right, Lannister.
Jon looked at the king and spoke.
Jon: Your grace, before I go to Duskendale, I would like to ask for your permission to guard and rebuild my new lands through my army and ships.
This time, Cersei spoke up.
Cersei: My love, we can’t allow a bastard to have his army on our soil, which is bigger than our own.
Robert (replied in anger): Cersei, I trust that boy more than I trust you. And you, Jon, I allow you to have your army and ships in my soil and waters.
Jon: Thank you, your grace. Then, I would like your permission to retire for some rest.
Robert: Yes, my boy, go and rest.
After some time, the meeting ended, and everyone retired to their
LORD TYWIN’S BEDCHAMBER
As the night deepened, Lord Tywin sat alone in his bedchamber, his face a mask of frustration and disbelief. The events of the day had left him both angry and uneasy. Brightroar, the ancestral sword he had thought lost forever in the ruins of Valyria, now lay in the hands of Jon Snow, a bastard of Winterfell. He had hoped for more respect, for a sense of power that would force the king and others to bend to his will, but Jon’s unexpected move had shifted the balance.
The door to his chambers creaked open, and his trusted advisor, Lord Varys, stepped inside.
Varys: My lord, it seems today has not gone as you planned.
Lord Tywin (without looking up): Nothing ever does. What news do you bring?
Varys: The boy, Jon Snow, has made a powerful move today. His offer, his control over such lands… It has the potential to change the game. The Lannisters are not the only power in the room anymore.
Lord Tywin: He is a bastard. And now he holds Brightroar, the sword of my house, as if it were a trinket. The king may trust him, but trust in a Snow is fleeting. He will learn that.
Varys: Perhaps, my lord, but with the backing of the king and his newfound power, Snow may not be so easily undone. Especially now that he has lands, a title, and control over armies.
Tywin (scoffing): The boy may have control over lands, but he does not yet understand power. He will learn. Every man has his limits. I’ll make sure of it.
Varys: Just remember, my lord, every game has its risks. And right now, Snow is a variable no one can ignore.
Tywin remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing as he thought of how to regain control. He had underestimated Jon Snow before, but he wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Lord Tywin: He may think he’s won today, but in the end, it will be the Lannisters who hold the true power. I will make sure of that.
LORD HAND TOWER