Many in the Realm have known me as Jon Snow for most of my life, the bastard of Winterfell. But today I write to announce my true self and to seek justice for the wrongs Houses Baratheon and Lannister have caused my family. My mother, Lady Lyanna Stark, married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen at the Isles of Faces shortly after she disappeared from Winterfell and gave birth to me in the Tower of Joy. She made her brother promise to protect me from Robert Baratheon's wrath and he kept that promise, taking me in and sheltering me in Winterfell all these years. Lord Eddard Stark, my uncle, was wrongly executed by the false King Joffrey Baratheon when he learned the truth of the so-called royal children. How they are nothing but bastards of incestuous seed of Cersei Lannister and her twin brother, Jaime Lannister. The Lannisters are not fit to sit on the throne my family forged centuries ago, they are usurpers who will bring nothing but destruction to us all. I swear by the Old Gods and the New that I will bring peace and prosperity to the Seven Kingdoms and Justice will be served to those who have sinned against Houses Stark and Targaryen.
Jaehaerys Targaryen, Third of his Name, Dragon of the North, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm
"A bit presumptuous? Don't you think?" Catelyn Stark mumbled as she read the copy of the letter Robb brought to her and Arya's tent. "Paints quite a target on our backs."
"We already have a target, mother," Robb reminded her. "This is the right thing to do."
"Besides," Myria chimed in. "This will help bring Dorne into the fold along with other Targaryen loyalists who will flock to our side."
"And it's already been sent?"
"Aye," The auburn man nodded. "I personally saw to it. The realm has a right to know the truth."
The Tully woman sighed, but passed the message back to her son, "I don't fully approve, but if it has already been done we can't look back now."
"We'll be sending peace terms to the Capital soon," The Dornish woman promised. "Even if they don't believe us on this, they will realize that holding Sansa will not be worth the wrath that will befall them. She'll be back before you know it."
Myria offered the worried mother a soft smile before she left the tent with Robb to make it to the peace talks. The pair walked in silence until they crossed paths with Jon, the dark-haired man beaming at his brother and wife. She happily rushed to her husband's side and they walked hand in hand together into the tent to face the next step of their plans.
Jon glanced around the large tent as he sat on the large chair in the center surrounded by the multiple Lords of the North and the Riverlands. He smiled at Ghost moving to lay by his feet and his sweet wife sitting in the smaller chair on his right dressed in light purple finery with his mother's delicate tiara with rubies and sapphires resting on her hair, a fitting crown for a Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. He himself was covered in furs and a heavy winter crown with engraved dragons decorated his brows, displaying his newfound status to any who merely glanced at him. Robb stood to his left a stern look on his brows as the Greatjon brought in one of the many Lannister prisoners they captured from their latest battle.
"Lyonel Frey, one of the Lannister spawns," The large Northern man grunted as he pushed the young man forward.
"You're Lady Genna's son yes?" Myria gently asked the shaking man.
The boy nodded at the Queen, "Yes, Your Grace."
"I offer your cousins peace if they meet our terms," Jon stated. "First, your family must release my cousin, Sansa Stark. Second, my uncle's bones must be returned to us so he may rest beside his brother and sister in the crypts beneath Winterfell, and the remains of all of those who died in his service must also be returned. Their families can honor them with proper funerals."
"An honorable request, Your Grace," Lyonel whispered.
"And Joffrey and the Queen Regent will present themselves for the Gods' judgment," Jon cut over the prisoner. "The King killed my uncle on false charges and his mother allowed her son free reign over my domain."
"The Dragon of the North," Umber quietly cheered at his King's words. A few other Lords joined in on the cheer as they watched the Lannister tremble under the man's fiery gaze.
Jon frowned as he cleared his throat, "They will stand trial for their crimes against the Realm, and their bannermen Amory Lorch and Gregor Clegane will be sent to Dorne for their crimes against my siblings, Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys, along with their mother, Princess Elia Martell."
"Your Grace, please-"
"These are my terms," Jon declared as he rose to his feet. "If you Lannister's reach them I will give you peace. If not, I will litter the South with Lannister dead."
"King Joffrey is a Baratheon, Your Grace," Lyonel corrected the Targaryen male.
"Is he?" Myria innocently questioned the room. "I distinctly remember Baratheon's being black of hair, it's quite a strong trait in the family."
The King smirked at his Queen's words, "You'll ride at daybreak. That will be all for tonight," The man was escorted from the tent by the guards with Lord Umber by his side as the rest of the Lords started to clear out, leaving Jon and his wife alone with Robb and Theon.
The Dornish Queen watched as Theon shuffled closer to Jon's form, "A word, Your Grace?"
Jon quirked his brow at his old friend, "You don't have to call me Your Grace, Theon."
"How about King Jaehaerys?" He jested. "Maybe Jae instead of Jon?"
"Just Jon is fine, my friend."
The Greyjoy nodded his head as Myria wandered towards the pair of friends with Ghost trailing next to her, "It's not so bad once you get used to it."
The man rolled his grey eyes, "I'm glad someone's getting used to it."
Robb chuckled, "Me too, you looked bloody awkward on the throne. Ria was a vision, however."
"Any woman is a vision in a crown," The tanned female giggled. "Especially next to their handsome husband."
"The Lannisters are going to reject your terms, you know?" Theon observed.
"Of course they are," He agreed. "I am hoping they do."
The Ironborn sighed, "You can fight them in the fields as long as you like, but we won't beat them until you take King's Landing."
"King's Landing is just the final piece," Ria pointed out. "If we win the most kingdoms then they lose and it will only be a matter of time before they give up the Capital."
"But we can't take King's Landing without ships," The man cut in. "My father has ships and men who know how to sail them."
"Men who fought my father," Robb snapped.
"Men who fought King Robert to free themselves from the yoke of the South," Theon corrected. "Just like you're doing now. I'm his only living son. He'll listen to me, I know he will. I'm not a Stark, I know that. But Lord Stark raised me to be an honorable man. We can avenge him together."
"We will avenge my uncle," Jon muttered as he took in his friend's words. "But you are a Stark, Theon. As much as I am. Our family names may be different, but we are Stark's none the less. And you're right, I do need your help."
"So you want me to head to the Iron Islands?" The Greyjoy asked in a proud tone.
The black-haired man shook his head, "No. You must go and escort Arya back to Winterfell. I trust no one else with this task."
"Escort Arya back?" Theon furrowed his brow.
"Aye, Escort her back to Winterfell," Jon repeated. "As much as Arya wishes to stay. It's not safe for her. I know Gendry is heading to the wall soon, so he can go. But I trust you, you're our brother."
The blonde considered the task for a moment before he nodded his head, "Alright, I'll do it. What about Lady Stark?"
"Catelyn will come with Jon and I when we go to speak with Lord Renly," Myria explained. "He knows us both and we'll need his men to trap the Lannisters fully in Harrenhal."
"Robb will stay here and keep the Lannisters at bay and away from the Neck," Jon added. "Keeping the North safe as you two head back. Once you reach Winterfell safely I will consider your request if Renly and his men and ships don't side with us."
"A wise decision," Robb muttered as he and Theon took in their brother's strategy. "Why not you stay, Jon? If you both go into Renly's territory then he will have both our King and Queen if he decided to keep you there."
The Dornish woman glanced towards the crude war table in the side of the tent, focusing on the stag sitting next to a rose, "Because he's married a Tyrell, Lady Margaery. They were staunch Targaryen supporters but I know the Queen of Thorns will be looking out for her granddaughter's place, they are an ambitious bunch of flowers."
"And we were planning to rally Dorne to our side afterward," Jon admitted. "If I leave the encampment then the Lannisters will send people after me, people the Martells are expecting."
"You're using yourself as bait for the Mountain?" Robb gasped.
Theon widened his eyes, "Are you mad, Jon? He'll kill you."
"We need his head on a platter or else the Martells may never side with us," The Targaryen hissed. "They want justice for their Princess, and I want justice for my half-siblings. Even if I didn't know them Lord Stark was right, it was a dishonorable act to kill the children."
"Your Grace," The four turned their heads as Lord Karstark stepped into the tent.
"Yes, Lord Karstark?"
The older man glanced behind him, "There's a man insisting on speaking with you and the Queen. He offered his weapons peacefully when he approached the camp."
"Might be a spy," Theon grumbled.
Grey eyes scanned Lord Rickard's face before he waved his hand, "Send him in. Robb, Theon, you both know what to do."
The two men sighed but bowed slightly and followed Lord Karstark from the tent. Jon took a deep breath as turned back to his wife, smiling slightly as she gently grasped his hand. The two wandered back to the makeshift thrones and settled into their places as the tent flaps moved and a cloaked man cautiously moved into the tent. He lifted his head slightly as he observed the regal couple before he fell to one knee.
"Your Grace, it's an honor to see a Targaryen in flesh once again," The stranger declared as the royal couple watched his movements. "I've come seeking repentance for my sins."
"What sins, my good Ser?" Myria wondered.
"I failed your family before and I wish to be able to prove myself once more," Grey and purple eyes widened as the man tossed off his hood and rose to his feet. "I was Kingsguard to your family for many years and I wish to be one again, if you permit it, Your Grace."
The Dornish Queen gave the knight a soft smile, "Ser Barristan, I could have swore you were under Joffrey's thumb last I checked."
The man glared at the ground, "He dismissed me from the order. Disgraceful truly. I was heading towards Essos in search of Princess Daenerys when I caught wind of our King's identity. I knew after hearing what your letters said I had to see the truth with my own eyes."
"And what do you think of the truth?" Jon questioned.
The old knight smirked, "You have Stark coloring for certain, but your face is a mirror to Prince Rhaegar's. Quite a shock no one noticed it sooner if I am honest."
"Some in this camp still don't trust my claim," The young man stated. "They think Robb should be King in the North or that we should declare for Stannis Baratheon."
"If you will have me, I would be honored to follow your lead, Your Grace. Your Kingsguard deserves to be as glorious as the order was before the rebellion," Ser Barristan offered.
Jon rubbed his chin as he took in the man's request. Having a member of his family's old Kingsgaurd would be another nail in the coffin of his birthright, another piece of the puzzle coming together. He glanced his eyes to Myria and she nodded her head in agreement to his pondering, a silent conversation passing between the couple.
Jon turned back towards the anointed knight, "Ser Barristan the Bold, I, Jaehaerys Targaryen Third of my Name, would name you Commander of my Kingsguard. What say you?"
The man beamed as he knelt to the ground once more, "I am in your service, my King. My life and sword are yours. I swear to defend yourself and your family for the rest of my days."
Jon rose from his throne and helped the man to his feet, offering his hand, "I am joyful to hear your oath, Ser. And I have a task for you."
"Anything, Your Grace."
The Targaryen gestured back to his wife, "Myria and I are heading to parlay with Renly Baratheon. I want my Queen protected with only the best."
Ser Barristan nodded his head as he turned to his Queen, "My Queen, I will protect you with my life if I must."
The dark-haired woman waved her hand, "Thank you, Ser Barristan but my husband underestimates my own abilities."
"Oh I know exactly what you are capable of, Ria," Jon muttered. "That's why I worry."
The Dayne smirked as her husband offered his hand to her and she followed him from the tent with Ser Barristan at their back. Many of the men in the camp watched carefully as their rulers walked through the camp with the Bold Knight trailing behind them, intrigued at his sudden arrival. The pair reached their personal tent and entered with the new Kingsguard entering after them. Jon paused when he noticed Arya sitting by the fire in the center of the tent with his three dragon eggs laying in the embers. Nymeria growled at the stranger but calmed when Ghost settled by her side.
The youngest Stark girl jumped up when she noticed her brother, "Jon! I thought they would hatch but they did nothing. And who's that?"
The Targaryen man chuckled at the pale look on Ser Barristan's face as he caught sight of the three eggs in the fire, "Ser Barristan the Bold. He's part of my Kingsguard now."
"Can I be part of your Kingsguard? I'm getting better with Needle," The girl proudly announced.
"You'll have to wait a few years, Arya," Ria claimed as she took a seat at the small table in the tent. "And your mother wants you back at Winterfell to watch your little brothers."
"I still think that's silly," The twelve-year-old grumbled.
Myria absently nodded her head as she pulled Arya away from the fire so Jon could collect the eggs, shocking the knight even more when his skin remained unburnt as he grabbed each treasure from the heat, "But I know you and Nymeria miss home, and your brothers will be so happy their older sister is home safe. Plus you'll be traveling with Theon and Gendry, along with Ser Rodrik Cassel so I'm sure there will be plenty of chances for adventure."
The Stark girl perked up at the mention of a thrill, "I suppose, but we have to get Gendry better at fighting in case we run into Wildlings."
"Ser Rodrik can whip him into shape," Jon suggested as he relatched the clasp on the eggs' trunk.
Arya watched her brother move the eggs before she noticed Ser Barristan's face, "Never seen a dragon egg?"
"No, my lady."
"I'm not a lady," The She-wolf reflexively snapped at the knight.
"Time for bed, Arya," Jon insisted when he caught her tone. "I don't need your mother hating me more."
Nymeria matched her mistress's attitude as the girl shuffled angrily from the tent, leaving the three adults alone. Myria motioned to the seat across from her own and Ser Barristan slowly took it, eyeing the dark-colored Targaryen as he collected a few documents from a large trunk he placed the smaller one within. He accepted the offered papers and carefully read through each letter before he moved to the annulment and marriage certificates. Jon watched the man's reactions as he moved behind his wife and softly removed her tiara as he placed a kiss upon her brow.
"I wish we had known the truth," The knight whispered. "All the fighting, all the lives lost. Over a false truth, a foolish man's delusion."
The young King's mood darkened, "Robert Baratheon is dead. There is nothing I can do about that. But I can seek justice for my uncle and lost family, and it all starts with catching a mountain."
