"That was a rash move you made" the raven spoke in a blunt tone.
"Aye," the King answered, "I let my emotions get the best of me."
"Your Northern brand of justice would have sent a better message than your display there. It definitely scared a few and put in the seeds of you might have the Targaryen madness to some degree" the raven spoke and Jon grit his teeth in frustration. "Let's not give them any other reason to doubt your sanity."
"Aye," Jon muttered under his breath. "Walk with me" he added, moving away from the balcony they were standing in. Brynden joined him without question.
"How are things holding up with the council? I hear you've already filled in three positions" Brynden spoke.
"The Hand, The Lord Commander of The Kingsguard and The Master of Whispers" Jon listed, "The Citadel will be sending a replacement for Pycelle soonish."
"What about the other three posts? Coin, Laws and Ships?"
"For ships, I've written to Monford Velaryon. He was one the first from the Crownlands to support my claim."
"A good choice. It also puts forward the image that the Valyrian houses are working as one again, like in the times of Aegon the Conqueror. What about Con and Laws?"
"Uncle's bringing up a list of Northern Lords he feels can do the job" Jon explained.
"Northern brand of justice? A good idea. Not sure how the people will feel about that, but it's a sound idea."
"The Houses that supported me know full well that with me in power they'll have more of a Northern brand of rule than what my Targaryen ancestors had. As for the common people, they'll be happier being taken care of. Not many care much as long as their needs are fulfilled. With food flooding in from High Garden, they're happy."
"There are still too many people here" Brynden commented.
"We are working on sending more men up North. Some more to The Riverlands and surprisingly The Reach as well. They were more than happy to take people between the houses there" Jon spoke.
"Trying to get on your good side?"
"I'm marrying Mace Tyrell's daughter" Jon argued a little sullenly.
"And you don't look too happy about it. Men, your age would give anything to be in your place. Some women even" Brynden snorted. "You're still questioning why you needed to agree to the match, aren't you?" at Jon's nod Brynden put a hand on his shoulder, gave a gentle squeeze and then pulled his hand back. "The loyalty of The Reach came with a condition. Marry Margaery Tyrell and The Reach is yours. As much as there are loyalists in The Reach, at this moment in time they are loyal to House Tyrell. They don't know you, they don't care much even if you have dragons. The dragons had been dealt with once, they can do it again. Especially ones as young as yours. Where are they anyway?"
"My room. They are resting. Apparently, they like the view from my balcony" Jon said dryly.
Brynden hummed. "You needed this alliance to reign victorious. Because we both know if denied they'd have gone to Joffrey and we'd end up losing this war."
"I don't like it."
"You don't have to. You're a man of duty, Jon Targaryen. This is another duty you must uphold. For the better of our family and the legacy, you leave behind."
"A united Westeros against The coming Winter" Jon stated and Brynden nodded.
"A united Westeros against The coming Winter" Brynden repeated. "That leaves you with just The Master of Coin."
"Hightower. They're a smart bunch, equally as wealthy as House Lannister. I'm not getting Leyton Hightower I'm sure about that. His heir though would be a good enough replacement" Jon explained. "And I need you to lead The City Watch."
"The City Watch?" Brynden gave him an awkward look. "Not The Master of Whispers?"
"Varys has been loyal to me. And he is loyal to the realm. But other than his abilities as the spider, he doesn't offer much else. You on the other hand are a landed Knight, a warrior. I'll be making full use of your status as Raven, don't mistake that. But I need you to train men for the city watch. Men loyal to you, and me. I need you to build your legion of longbowmen, I need you to train foot soldiers. There are men in the city, poor people who could use the job. Be selective, we don't want just about anyone."
"Your Grace" Brynden stood a little taller. Jon smiled at that.
"Oh and also, I'm naming you Lord of Harrenhal. Shella Whent is dead. Her body was retrieved by my Uncle's men. The Brave Companions had their way with her, before and after she passed away" a shudder ran through Jon's spine at the mental image the statement conjured. "I'll make it a public announcement soon enough. Thought you should know first."
"Jon-"
"You deserve it Brynden. You have earned it. You served House Targaryen and you have put faith in me even when I have not. Think of this as my reward to you. You deserve to finally settle and lay your roots. Without becoming one with a tree of course" he finished with a half-smile. Brynden shook his head but he had a smile on his face. "Now get on with recruiting men for The City Watch. I trust you have this handled?"
"Your Grace" The Raven bowed and left. Jon watched him walk away, feeling just a tad better than he was at the start of their conversation. He reigned in his emotions and cleared his head. He had more meetings to attend.
The Royal Chambers
It was either an ominous sign or a good one that The King wanted to speak with him in his chambers. His house was not in the best of positions, not after the recently ended conflict. And not to mention the dragons sunbathing on the balcony made him uneasy. He was fascinated no doubt, but the image of a burning Littlefinger was fresh in his mind.
The doors to the room opened and Tyrion's mismatched eyes met Jon's. The King gave him a small nod of acknowledgement. "Your Grace" the imp of Casterly Rock bowed.
"Lord Tyrion" Jon greeted him with a small smile. The young King took a seat at the small table in his room and motioned for Tyrion to sit as well. "You wanted to see me?"
"I did" Jon agreed. "I have heard great things about you, about that mind of yours. And I've heard how your father had put you to the task of restructuring the drainage system of Casterly Rock."
"Yes, my father thought it prudent a man of my 'stature' be of use in some capacity" Tyrion drawled and Jon smiled.
"What I want from you, Lord Tyrion, might be demeaning for someone who is now a Lord of a Great House. But I find that you would be a more than a good job in accomplishing it" Jon declared and Tyrion perked. "The city was never planned to be what it is today. Hence things here are so messy and, well I don't need to tell you the details since you're more than familiar with the state of the city. I wish to reconstruct it whole, better the drainage system, and establish better planning so things aren't as jumbled as they are now. And I want to appoint you for the task. DO you feel you are up for it?"
"I would be honoured Your Grace," Tyrion dipped his abnormally grown head. "I wanted to ask you something if it is alright with you."
"You wish to know what I plan on doing with your niece and nephew, right?" Jon asked and Tyrion nodded. "As I had said in The Throne Room, they are innocents. I refuse to punish them for the acts of their parents. Tommen will be my page, squire in due time. Myrcella will act as a lady in waiting for my aunt once she arrives in Kings Landing and then take her place as Lady of Dragonstone. No harm will come to them, you have my word on that."
"Your Grace is kind" Tyrion dipped his head once more.
"We all need a bit of kindness in life" Jon smiled, one mirrored on Tyrion's face. "That would be all, Lord Tyrion. If you have anything else you wish to speak to be about you may say so. Else you're free to go."
Tyrion excused himself then and Jon found himself alone in the room. Lya slowly walked to him and rested her head on his lap. "I hate the heat too. But we'll live through it. We are the blood of The Dragon and everything" Jon spoke to her gently, rubbing the top of her head and scratching under her chin. The two were joined by Ghost, who had been lounging in the shadows of the room. The three remained like that until Ser Barristan informed Jon that his guest had arrived. The young King let out a soft sigh. It had to happen at some point.
The Gardens
The young lady had been escorted to the capital from the camps by her brother and a few of her household guards. Her grandmother had not joined them, owing to her still being in Highgarden. Jon had to admit that the talks of her beauty were not unfounded.
Margaery Tyrell was a woman who was a year younger than he was. She had a slender but womanly figure with smooth unblemished pale skin and small breasts. She had thick soft curling brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a pale green samite gown with a tight-laced bodice that bared her shoulders and the top of her bosom.
"Your Grace, allow me to present The Lady Margaery of House Tyrell" Ser Loras spoke, pride evident in his tone. Jon smiled at Loras and then looked to Margaery. On his right was his uncle and Hand, and on his left was Ser Barristan, his Lord Commander.
Lady Margaery extended a hand and Jon took it with tender care. "Words about your beauty do not do your looks any justice, my Lady" Jon spoke softly and kissed the back of her hand.
"You are too kind Your Grace," Margaery said with a shy smile.
"Walk with me" Jon requested and Margaery was more than happy to wound an arm around his. The two walked away from the group, leaving The Hand and Lord Commander to converse with Ser Loras. "I hope your journey went well."
"It did your Grace" Margaery answered with a gentle smile accompanying it. "These gardens are quite beautiful. I hadn't expected the flowers to be so vibrant here."
"The credit I suppose would go to Lady Cersei," Jon said thoughtfully. "I don't see King Robert being the kind to check up on gardens."
"I suppose not" Margaery laughed softly. They broke apart after a moment, Margaery kneeling close to a bush of roses and taking a whiff. "Tell me, your Grace, do you keep to The Seven?"
"I follow the Old Gods of my mother" Jon answered.
"The populace might be put off by that. Especially those that keep to The faith" the woman spoke gently.
"I'm aware" Jon blanched slightly, "I suppose it is a problem that I'll have to tackle when it comes forward."
"There is no harm in planning ahead, my King" Margaery held a hand out and Jon helped her to her feet. "I think you and I are well aware that our marriage only happened so my father could put me on the throne and you can claim it for yourself," the rose of Highgarden said gently, playing with the collar of Jon's tunic. "I'll admit that when I first heard of it I was a little put-off. I had heard so much of these Northern savages, I had expected my to be husband to be something of a savage himself."
"Pleasantly surprised at the sight of me? Or see just what you expect?" Jon asked, watching the young lady's face closely.
"Pleasantly surprised you can say. I'll say I'm a little more than just pleasantly surprised" the femme met his eyes and smiled at him. "There is no use with me playing around, and I've heard that bluntness is something you appreciate. I'll be blunt in private, but I'll be coy and play with my words in public. The South is a very different thing compared to The North like that" she explained.
"I appreciate it, both of them," Jon said almost breathlessly.
"Shall we move on to talk about what you intend to do with me? With our marriage?" Margaery asked and Jon nodded. The two resumed their walk and Jon couldn't help but wonder, maybe it wouldn't be as bad as he had initially thought.