Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Ice and Fire Novels, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon TV shows. However, I decided to have a little play around with the characters. I do not earn any money from writing these stories, it is for my entertainment and is something I like to share.

Jon XII

Jon had been flying north for almost two hours before he saw the Mad Prendos anchored along the Last River, which wasn't the most obvious place to find such a large ship. He landed Drogon on the embankment next to it, where Drogon simply lifted his winged and Jon climbed up it and onto the ship to inspect any damage the Dothraki might have caused. Fortunately, the Dothraki did not know the customs of Westeros and may have not realised how odd it was for a ship of this size to be so far up river. Their knowledge of sailing was almost non-existent, which explained why they hadn't touched the ship at all. He walked around, inspecting all of the decks, but nothing had been touched, which either meant the Dothraki hadn't been this way, or they hadn't thought to destroy the ship. Jon was still concerned which route the Dothraki had taken, so he flew south towards the Dreadfort, where their route quickly became very obvious. Their horses had trampled all over the land, houses and villages burned. Rotting corpses strewn over the fields, ready to attract flies and disease, and any potential whitewalkers should they decide to rise once more. Therefore Jon did the one thing which he knew was right. Despite the stench, he dragged the eighteen bodies together, who all looked like members of a family and placed them together. Three of the family were children, and it was obvious the women had been raped. Jon stopped and vomited three times as he carried the bodies, tears rolling down his face. For the first time, he was happy he'd killed the Dothraki, they were savages who had no regard for life. He washed himself in the stream which ran down from the aptly named Weeping Water before climbing onto the back of Drogon. "Dracarys!" he said as Drogon roared, his flames burning bright, hot and fierce, melting the rotting flesh and charring the bones, until there was virtually nothing left. Then Jon set off to fly back to Winterfell, his mood low at what he'd had to do.

On his return, he saw the group Ser Davos was leading to the ship. Wanting to speak to him, Jon stopped a little in front so as not to scare the horses with the sight of Drogon, although they were accustomed to him flying around Winterfell. Ser Davos rode towards Jon and they both dismounted their respective beasts to meet.

"Jon." Ser Davos grinned. "What are you doin here?" he asked.

"Just checkin the Dothraki didn't destroy the Mad Prendos." Jon replied. "It's still looking fine, I inspected it." he smiled weakly.

"What's up?" Davos could always spot when Jon was leaving something out.

"They came up the Weeping Water instead. Destroyed a village, killed eighteen, three of them babes. The women raped." he shook his head. "Fuckin evil." he snarled. "I burned the corpses to make sure they didn't come back as whites."

Ser Davos nodded. "They're gone. You made sure about that. They won't be coming back anytime soon, or ever."

"Aye." Jon agreed.

"What about this Ranny woman? Is she who she says she is?" Davos asked.

"I think so." Jon nodded. "She looks like a Targaryen, and she's got the manners of a highborn. So our trip to White Harbour will also be to Pentos and Volantis. I'm also thinking about stopping at Dragonstone to see if there are anymore books and things which we can find."

"I won't be able to take the ship there." Davos frowned, looking over to Drogon. "You're brining him?" he asked.

"I wasn't going to, but I think it might be wise." Jon sighed.

"And what about Winterfell. Isn't there some sort of legend that there must always be a Stark in Winterfell otherwise the world turns to shit? Last time there wasn't one, the world did indeed turn very much to shit." Davos reminded him.

"Well we're going to be absolutely fucked when Arya decides to leave. Other than Bran, she's the only Stark left." Jon sighed.

"Could she have a bastard that could be given the Stark name? You are a King and Sansa is a Queen, it is in yer interest to recognise one." Davos suggested as they sat on the trunk of a long dead tree.

Jon shook his head. "I don't want that pressure on her. Sansa and I can name our first babe Stark."

"What about Westeros?" Davos asked. "Shouldn't yer first born be inheritin the Iron Throne?"

"I don't want the Iron Throne." Jon picked a blade of grass and absent-mindedly began to tear the seeds from it.

"Good!" Davos said. "That is an even better reason to be King. But if you did, I wouldn't support you. You might not want the six or seven kingdoms, but they want you. It is what you must do to stop Bran, or whoever is in Bran's body, because he's up to no good." he told him.

"How? I don't have an army and I don't want to use dragons if I can help it." Jon sighed.

"You're going to Volantis, so I'm sure the red priestess might have a few answers." Davos suggested. "If you are some godlike Promised Prince, then they'll do everythin they can to help."

Jon nodded. "Maybe. But I'm goin to be up against the might of Westeros. I can't compete with their combined might."

"I'd have thought you wouldn't have to worry too much." Davos frowned. "You've already gotten support if you look carefully."

"Who?" Jon asked.

"The Vale. I bet they'd support you." he said.

"Probably." Jon agreed.

"If Arya tried to persuade Gendry, he might. He'll do anythin for her." Davos reminded him.

"He's pledged to Bran." Jon counteracted.

"Well he can unpledge." Davos shrugged and Jon laughed. "Then there's the houses that were loyal to house Targaryen."

Jon frowned. "Who?"

Davos shook his head. "Wasn't Ser Arthur Dayne one of yer father's closest friends? I mean Prince Rhaegar."

"Yes. But father...I mean Lord Stark killed him." Jon frowned.

"Wasn't Ser Arthur killed because he was protecting you? It was just that Lord Stark didn't know. He might not have killed him if he'd have known." Davos suggested.

"That doesn't mean House Dayne would be loyal to me." Jon raised an eyebrow.

"They were close to House Martell, if you can get House Dayne on yer side, you will have Dorne following you. That would be the Freefolk, the North, the Vale and Dorne. Tyrion is Warden of the Westerlands, I'm sure he'd raise his banners if need be." Davos added.

"I don't think there are many for him to raise after Dany burned most of the Lannister army." Jon gave Davos a weary look.

"Well, then it is one less army to fight against. Bran doesn't have many forces to fight against you, all you have to do is ask the right people." Davos explained. "Just think about it. You can command from a dragon, even if you don't use it to kill." Jon nodded.

"I'll think about it." he said.

"Don't think too long. You'll be packin to go when you get home. My ship can only carry so much, and I doubt Drogon is good for carryin barrels of ale." Davos laughed.

Jon sighed. "I'll see what is going on in Westeros. But I don't want it. I made it clear when I first left to go north with the Freefolk that I didn't want it, that hasn't changed I still don't. I'm happy in Winterfell, helping Sansa, being with my family. It is the first time I've ever felt like I had a home, a place I truly belong. Why would I change that just for power and to live in a filthy place that stinks of shit, and its people aren't much better."

"I'm one of those people." Davos told him. "With the right guidance, those people will be able to live better lives. You are a good man, you know how to lead and the men like following you. You would make a good King."

"There is no such thing as a good King." Jon shook his head. "There are too many types of people to please. A good King for one person is an evil King to another."

"You've never been a people pleaser. You've always done what was right." Davos insisted.

"Yeah, and look where that got me." Jon raised an eyebrow. "If I became King, I'd just be picking up shit for the rest of my life. I can think of far better things to be doing." he smiled, remembering the previous night in the bath with Sansa.

"Kingdoms don't ruin your sex life, kids do." Davos seemed to be able to read Jon's mind as he blushed at the old man's comment. "Marya and I, we couldn't keep our hands off each other at first. Then when Matthos was born, she didn't want to." the old man lowered his eyes, Jon remembering that Davos had lost Matthos in the Battle of the Blackwater.

Jon decided to change the subject. "If you see me flyin over in the next few days, it's because I'm takin stuff to the ship. I can't carry much with Drogon, but we can fill the ship with what we need until we arrive at White Harbour." he stood up as did Davos. "I'll see you in a couple of days before you leave." Jon shook Davos hand.

"Have a safe trip." Davos smiled.

"You too." Jon nodded as he headed back to Drogon to fly back to Winterfell and his home.

Davos had raised an important question in Jon's mind during their conversation. Unless Arya stayed in Winterfell constantly until Jon and Sansa bore a babe, then there would be a time when there wasn't someone bearing the name Stark who lived in Winterfell, although Jon was sure the myth couldn't be that literal. After defeating the whitewalkers, they didn't want to have to contend with them again.

When Jon returned to Winterfell, he went directly to Sansa's solar, where she was sat with Tyrion, Ranny, Arya, Tormund and Strygga, with the latter two and Tyrion slightly worse for wear from the wine which was being served.

"Pentos finest, courtesy of Illyrio Mopatis." Tyrion said showing him his empty cup. "You know, I have never seen you incredibly drunk." he frowned at Jon.

"That's because I don't like the morning after." Jon replied.

"Liar. I've seen you so pissed you couldn't stand. Hahaha." Tormund gave out one of his hearty belly laughs. "Threw his guts up everywhere. Sour goats milk does that for you, not the piss water you call wine, although this is not bad." he admitted, taking another slug from his cup.

Sansa looked up at him questioningly. "The ship was fine." he smiled.

"You were gone a long time." Sansa frowned.

Jon took a deep breath. "The Dothraki destroyed a village near the Dreadfort. I cleared up the mess, just in case we get any more whitewalkers. They had a Targaryen cremation."

"By a King no less. They should be fucking honoured." Tormund grinned.

"I think the three children who were murdered would have preferred to be outside playing in the fields right now." Jon said, his face downcast.

"How many?" Sansa asked.

"Eighteen in total, three children, seven women and eight men. They raped the women." Jon told the room, which other than the crackle of the warm fire, was silent.

Arya was the one who broke the silence. "You avenged them and you gave them dignity, there is nothing more you could do. It was Bran who did this."

"We don't know for certain." Jon said.

"That is why we are going to visit Pentos, Volantis, White Harbour and Dragonstone." Tyrion said. "We might get answers."

"If it is the one we don't want to hear, then we will be visiting more places than that." Jon told them. "We'll need reinforcements from within Westeros."

"You've already got the Westerlands." Tyrion said. "The Vale would side with you, although you might need to find Robyn Arryn a wife."

"That will be harder than destroying the Night King." Arya joked. "He's not exactly very marriageable is he?" she shuddered as Tyrion looked offended. "Given the choice, I'd marry you over Robyn Arryn." she said to reassure him. "You can be fun and have have some wits about you, my cousin, well..." she rolled her eyes, not needing to say any more.

"I wanted to visit Old Valyria." Jon told them. "I wanted to see the home of my forefathers."

"Beautiful, but terrifying." Tyrion told him. "That was where Ser Jorah got greyscale."

"I doubt the stone men will get very close with a dragon in tow." Jon said.

"You're taking Drogon?" Sansa raised an eyebrow.

"Aye." Jon nodded. "He wants to go home and show me something, I think." he shrugged. "He wants Rhaenys and Visenya to go too." he took a deep breath, hating the next words that were going to come out of his mouth. "But according to the myths and legends, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell."

"They are only legends." Tormund nodded.

"I once came across a smart boy who told me the Night's Watch was a noble calling. I told him there were no such things as grumkins and snarks and all other monstershis wet nurse warned him about. I still stand by the grumkins and snarks, but for the rest, it seems he was smarter than I, which is the greatest compliment I can pay another human being." Tyrion told them. "I didn't believe in legends and myths, but I have seen enough things in the world to believe that there is something behind the legend that tells us there must always be a Stark in Winterfell."

Arya cast her eyes down. "Visenya obeys Drogon and Jon. If Drogon wants to take her to Old Valyria, then he has his reasons and that means she needs to go." she said.

"She won't bond with anyone else." Jon assured her. "Not even me. It's Drogon she behaves around."

"I know." Arya nodded.

"You're going to be Princess Regent while I'm gone." Sansa told her. "I'll show you what you need to do, although Maester Wolkan will be able to help."

Arya rolled her eyes. "Who else is staying behind?"

"Tormund and Strygga." Jon said.

Arya's face lit up at the mention of Strygga's name. "I'll be fine." she grinned. "Late night sour goats milk with the boys? I like ruling already." she laughed.

Jon wanted to tell her not to get used to it, but in his heart, he knew she was going to have to, because if he was to take the six Kingdoms, unless the north chose to join the rest of Westeros, Arya would have to be named Queen, something she would absolutely hate, although the presence of Strygga seemed to have a calming effect on her.

"I think it is time we leave the two lovebirds alone." Tyrion suggested as Jon and Sansa exchanged longing glances, prompting everyone to get up and bid them their goodbyes.

Once they'd left Sansa looked at Jon, trying not to laugh. "Is that all it takes to empty a room?" she whispered as Jon sat down opposite her in one of the empty chairs.

"I think Arya might be attracted to my distant cousin." Jon said.

"I suspect the feelings are mutual." Sansa smiled. "Maybe leaving them alone together for a few moons might prove...fruitful."

"I hope so." Jon took a deep breath. "If I take Westeros, I will need a Queen."

"I know." Sansa nodded, pouring Jon a cup of Illyrio Mopatis' wine."

"The north will have to either become part of Westeros once more, or Arya will have to become Queen." Jon continued.

"I know." Sansa said again. "I have considered that. Have you made your decision?" she asked.

Jon shook his head. "I will let the people of Westeros decide for themselves. I will do what they want me to do." he took a sip of the wine. "This is good stuff. What did you think to Ranny?" he asked.

"She is looking forward to seeing Illyrio again. Although from what Tyrion tells me, she might not recognise him." she laughed. "I believe her story. However there won't be many dragon riders. Her only living brother sounds as mad as the Mad King, the two sisters who are still alive, as far as she knows might not be of much use. One is in Volantis, she joined the red temple and another married a wealthy sea merchant in Braavos. I'm not sure we even need her, she is drawn to the eggs. I even saw Strygga glancing at the chest. That would only leave us with three left." she told him.

"Eggs for our babes." Jon suggested. "I don't want too many dragons around. Although I hate what the maesters did, I understand why they did it. Dragons are dangerous, especially in the wrong hands. Imagine Joffrey, Cersei or Ramsey with a dragon."

Sansa shuddered. "There needs to be a balance. Enough to defend The North and Westeros, but not too many to end up destroying each other and everything we hold dear."

"I think the balance is ice and fire." Jon told her. "Maybe that is what the song is really about and the legend of Winterfell is somehow connected to that prophecy."

"There must always be a Targaryen on the iron throne and a Stark in Winterfell. Without that balance, the whitewalkers may return. But this time they will find it easy to cross the wall." she said.

"I know." Jon agreed. "If sitting on the Iron Throne is what it takes to stop them returning, then I will do it. I just hope Arya feels the same way about ruling Winterfell."

"Maybe we should threaten her with a marriage to Robyn Arryn if she doesn't." Sansa suggested.

"Tempting." Jon nodded and sighed. "We need to plan our trip to White Harbour. If Tyrion and Ranny set off in the morning, they could get there in five days by wheelhouse. You and I can fly on Drogon. If we stay there for three days, we should all be able to meet up with Ser Davos and board whichever ship Lord Manderly is prepared to give us in exchange for the Mad Prendos, then we set sail for Dragonstone." he told her, explaining his plan.

"Then I believe we should tell Lord Tyrion and Lady Ranny to give them time to prepare." Sansa said, standing up. "I will attend to it while you speak with Arya, after that you can rest, you've had a busy day." she kissed him on the lips and left the room, allowing Jon time to relax with his thoughts for a moment, before breaking the news to Arya that she was staying behind.

If you like this story, please like, follow and/or review. It helps motivate me to get the chapters written and published quicker.

Mandzipop.