Chapter Forty-Six
…..
Godswood of Dol Amroth
"I don't want it," Jon weakly protests trying his utmost not to sound too loud as the Weirwood priest drones on and on in front of him.
"You ever cheat on me Jon Snow then I'll have your balls as a coin purse," hisses the young woman beside him.
"Please, I really don't want it," Jon weakly protests.
"And you better treat me right little Snow else you would feel what it's like to have a twig jammed so up on your arse that you will be shitting blood wherever you go," she threatens once more making Jon's already frayed nerves even growing more nervous.
"Pleae my lady I don't want this," he weakly tries to insinuate only to be glared at by the priest making him gulp at the glare before shutting up.
"I don't care that you don't want this. This is your reality and I am no lady Jon Snow, you would be freezing naked on the snow if you dare treat me like one of those Southern pricks, do you understand me?"
"My lady, please, I really don't want-,"
"AND IN SIGHT OF BOTH GODS AND MEN, JON STARK AND YGRRITE OF DOL AMROTH IS JOINED NOW AND FOREVER IN HOLY MATRIMONY. YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE!" booms the Weirwood priest gesturing for the two of them to kiss as the people around them cheered.
Jon whimpers pathetically at the rather predatory gaze of his now wife whom he kisses chastely before trying to pull away. Emphasis however is on the word "trying" as the smaller woman holds his neck captive nearly breaking it in the process as she halts his attempt of an escape as she forces him to lean down and whisper in his ear:
"I promise you this Jon Snow, you better man up else in a few hours, I would be the groom and you the bride at the bed," before pulling off and making a beautiful smile at the crowd and waving much to their jubilation.
Jon Snow, AKA, Jon Stark wants nothing more than to curl into a ball and hide even under the proud gazes of both his father and his family. For the first time in his life, he rather misses the scowling face of the Lady Catelyn . At least under her disapproving glare, he would have the reason to run away and hide instead of being put on display.
It has been one year, one year since Jon experienced the rather abrupt change of his life ever since the Lady of Rivendell declared that he would be named Custodian, her proxy of Dol Amroth. Ever since then he has been accused of witchcraft, sleazy deals, brain poisoning by many men to the proud Lady of the South making him miserable. Once even his father takes him to the side if and asks him with a stern face whether he's been having a secret affair with the said lady. Jon almost fainted in embarrassment at that.
Still for his own safety (and an attempt to stop the Lady Stark from strangling him on his bed), his father has sent him to Rivendell to be "educated" on what it means to be a Custodian. The assignment of his after all is very good in the eyes of the Northeners. Dol Amroth is in the North and while being owned by a Southener many in the North approves of, some of the diehard Lords and ladies still frown at the fact that it would not be holding a Northener as lord. After all Dol Amroth is independent of the North and would have its own laws and garrison to boot. To bridge the gap, a sense of binding must be made.
Of course the most logical would be for Robb's hand to Delianah. The young woman after all is rich and powerful that only a Lord's Heir would be enough to contest that. At the same time however everyone knows enough that the Northern Lords want Robb to marry a Northern woman also to preserve the bloodlines of the Old Men of the Starks. In a way Jon agrees with them. His father after all is raised at the Vale and not at the North and she married a Southener who is insulting the Northern traditions by building a Sept where it has no place to. He truly understands their desire for Northern Blood to be propagating here back in the North once. Thus his older brother is out and his younger brothers are too young to be on a marriage contract. Thus the responsibility falls into him.
With him after all is a compromise. A Northerner ruling over Dol Amroth while at the same time would be acquiescing to the rules and regulations that would be set by Rivendell. The area would be independent for Rivendell's benefit, the Northeners would have a strong ally and their traditions respected with a Northener at the helm of the new city making sure that they won't be planning invasions by scouring Northern Lands.
Thus Jon is sent down at Rivendell to be…..trained for his part as a custodian. Jon would be lying if he says that he does not regret coming to Rivendell. The place is paradise as the rumors have told. What the rumors haven't included however are the devils living within said paradise. In his entire stay there, Jon would always wonder why his brain hasn't taken a vacation outside of his ears.
Delianah contrary to her looks is a taskmaster plain and simple. Jon's education is one at best to the level of being a captain of the guard one day for his brother Robb. Due to his destiny as being custodian one day, the Lady of Rivendell upped his education to that of a Lord. Unfortunately Delianah's version of teaching is basically: "This is a flag of House Manstead, learn it!" before shoving the picture and the symbol to him and going to the next one. Suffice it to say that his brain taking a beating would be a great understatement.
He also has been to Osgiliath where the under the watchful eye of the Watcher, Draco, Jon continues his training in arms. His skill in swordsmanship is something that Jon has always been rather proud of. He after all can always beat Robb in the yard. Draco literally beat him into submission for his arrogance. The man is nothing like Ser Rodrik and does not hold back on his attacks. Suffice it to say at the end of each day, Jon would be found groaning on his cot all purple eyed and blue side by side with Edmure Tully who is apparently also "Training for love".
Long story short, Jon is as ready as he can be after one year of turning his insides into outsides and vice versa. The last deal however for his job as custodian of Dol Amroth would be a marriage to one of Delianah's lieutenants of the Black Guard to make sure he behaves and not use Dol Amroth's resources into squalor.
That is how he met Ygritte. The former wildling is apparently recruited from the North's north making her a wildling. Of course he is dissuaded from saying that word again by his soon to be bride when he omitted it during their first meeting and he gets socked on the jaw.
Now here he is ready to marry the overconfident and fiery young woman who is as ready to squash his cock to chowder and stomp on the remains as she is to fuck him.
As he looks to the Cheshire grins of Robb and his brothers, Jon does not know whether he should cry in despair or thank the gods for this advance gift they are giving him.
…..
Winterfell Private Solar
Ned, Eddard Stark bites his lip as he gingerl tip toes trying his damnest not to make a sound. Long story short, he has absolutely no desire to hear Catelyn's angry protests about Jon being made custodian of Dol Amroth. When he informs her before, she is almost foaming at the mouth at the news as he expected of course. The fact that her bastard sister is making Ned's bastard son the lord of probably the richest and newest castle of the North is probably Cat's worst nightmare.
As such currently he has no desire to hear her yap. The Greatjon and Lord Glover have roped him to a drinking contest which Ned is now cursing as the hungover rampages inside his head. Bending down to put his boots at the shoerack at the back of his door, Ned almost succeeds in his desire of silence when out of nowhere a large rat emerges from one of the boots totally catching Ned by surprise as he shrieks like a woman in surprise and fear as the rat climbs up to his shoulders in seconds.
Suffice it to say that Ned's hangover is worsened as Catelyn finds out that he is home.
…..
Rivendell, Inner Hall
The sound of laughter echoes on the wide hall making Myrcella laugh as she takes in the sight of her friends once more complete. Amelia is being ruthlessly teased by Rhaenys and Yasmina about the attraction of Lord Edmure to her which the older lady professionally rebuffs. Beside them eating amused while reading a report is Delianah with that familiar smirk of hers that Myrcella is so aware of.
Myrcella rather likes this, a neutrality that has been common ever since Delianah recovered and miraculously managed to acquire Northern Aurochs in the matter of less than a week. The Aurochs are already a booming source of trade for the lands of Rivendell and many of the chefs around their controlled territories are itching to get their hands on the meat. Myrcella has for a very long time already stopped She wants to believe that Delianah has finally found satisfaction and she would stay, but she knows that it is nothing but wishful thinking.
She has more than once espy her attraction interest poring over empty maps and she knows deep in her heart that Delianah would not stay. In her heart she truly knows this. Delianah is born for greatness and if there is anything that she knows about the one she cares for as a mentor and a great friend, it is the fact that she is a free spirit and she go where the wind goes.
The evening meal finishes soon and Myrcella finds herself standing on the aisle overlooking Rivendell and all it's lands. Down below the familiar white and blue light of Delianite infused lamps freely given to the smallfolk by the Green Men blazed their glory turning the darkness away with hues of white, yellow and blue that can even be seen this far above the Last Homely House.
"Something on your mind Cella? a familiar voice talks to her making Myrcella turn to smile at Delianah who drapes over her shoulder a robe to keep her warm. As usual she notices that Delianah is wearing pants and a shirt instead of a dress. "I've noticed that you have been adapting that thinking pose of yours when we are at the table. What are you thinking about?"
"The future," Myrcella simply replies making the other young woman snort.
"Of you leaving soon exactly," adds the princess of Westeros eyeing the older woman who reacts to her words.
"Who told you that?"
"Just now, you confirmed it Lady Delianah," she almost savors the wince that appears at the other's face. It's not everyday she can best Delianah with words.
"Alright, how did you come around to that conclusion in the first place Cella?" she asks.
Myrcella shrugs simply at that. "I've seen you poring over maps Della. Specifically the unexplored regions and I've noticed the list of provisions that you have been spending via the servants and riders heading to Dol Amroth,"
Her ears twitched as she can hear Delianah mutter beneath her breath something like: "Taught the bloody girl way too much on being devious," before turning to face her with a sigh.
"Well, you're obviously observant Cella. Come, I'll show you what I've been planning this past month and with whom," she gestures at her.
As Myrcella follows behind her (while admiring that fine rear from her viewpoint), she mentally winces a she quashes cruelly the part of her that does not want Delianah to go.
…
King's Landing, Small Council
Jon Arryn has always known that his job as Hand of the King would not be easy. However there is simply no wiser choice at the moment. Robert would rather eat his own shoe than allow the most probably candidate, Tywin Lannister be his hand. Stress Jon can handle. It simply comes hand in hand with the title of being Lord. However right now it seems his stress seems to be getting the better of him at the news he is receiving.
"Are you sure about this Baelish?" he asks the Master of Coin. Baelish he knew to be slimy but the man is rather good at finding money and next to the Spider, he has the second most informants in Westeros.
"Yes, Lord Hand. The bastard Jon Snow, now Jon Stark is made lord of the new city of Dol Amroth and he is married to the Wildling Ygritte," answers the man.
Once more Jon massages his balding temple. While he is more than happy about the new towns and cities that Delianah Tully is raising left, right and center all over Westeros due to the large amount of tax it brought to the crown (and alleviate the demands of Robert's lifestyle). The young woman seems to be making a habit of upending the cultural practices of Westeros and happily jumping all over the pieces. He has nothing against the girl but this assigning of a bastard on what is rumored to be the largest and grandest of the castles in the North sets a precedent and the last thing Jon Arryn wants is another Blackfyre Rebellion going in the heads of the legitimized bastards.
While knowing that he needs to bring this to the King's attention, Jon knows that Robert would do nothing. The man loves the Starks and short of Ned fucking a Targaryen, he would do nothing. Besides, the knowledge that the bastard of Eddard Stark would piss off Ned's wife whose rumored hatred of the boy is legendary is something that Robert would find amusing.
Jon sighs as he reads another letter of the day. He mentally groans though as he sees that it is recorded also in relation to the former bastard Tully's name. He's just ready to put it aside for another time later when he pauses at the seal below.
"Why in the world is the Iron Bank financing a project at Dol Amroth?!" he demands at the surprised Spy master who at the first time seems to be at a loss for words.
…
Dol Amroth Docks
Two Weeks Later
Delianah has to admit that the "Gryffindor" is a magnificent ship. Designed after the Galleons of old Earth, it is specifically designed to face rough seas and hold itself together magnificently. Of course Delianah has added her own touch. Inside the rooms of the Galleon are heavy expansion charms making use of the space to expand its crew capacity and same goes with its storage. The Gryffindor would be the first of its kind to sail the seas West of Westeros alongside its sister ships, Freedom and Independence. Her crew is all Green Men and Death Dealer elites, people who is aware of her use of magic.
This is Delianah's pet project and one that is heavily supported by the iron Bank. She would sail West with three ships and find a rout to the Eastern Lands towards the Empire of Yi Ti. The Iron Bank heavily supported this idea of her. If anyone after all can solve miracles, it would be the Lady Delianah who has a penchant of making the impossible, possible. Thus everything that makes her ship is the best that money can buy.
As for Delianah, the reason she is doing this is because of the simple fact that Cold Winds are starting to blow from the North. Delianah has seen the power of the cold enemies that call those regions home. She knows that she needs a game changer especially if for some abrupt reason, magic once again awakens from the land and the legends of old start awakening. She needs to be ready and only magic can fight against magic. Unlike her previous home, the Muggles here don't have the pwer of technology that would give them any sort of edge against any of the supernatural.
She stares though at the planks at the people most precious to her. Approaching them, she smiles at Yasmina who doesn't hesitate to give her a hug. She then turns at Rhaenys who smiles at her in silence before hugging her also. Amelia needs no words as she bows to her lady. She would remain, she is the Castellan of Rivendell after all and there is still Edmure to look out for.
Delianah however pauses in front of the golden princess who smiles nervously at her holding he rhands.
"So you're now leaving and you have no idea how long it would take?" she simply states.
"No Cella, but I would do my best to finish it as soon as possible," she simply replies.
"Then that is good. Take it as an order from a princess lady Delianah. Come back to me safely," orders Myrcella making Delianah grin at that. Myrcella never lords her authority over her.
Delianah pauses though as a familiar awkward feeling of silence follows. With a sigh she walks towards the planks ready to leave before pausing as her mind conflicted with itself.
"Oh fuck it!" she hisses before rushing back to a surprised Myrcella whom she does not hesitate to kiss on the lips.
Ten seconds later, a screaming Jon is being hauled bodily via cock by an irate Ygritte who doesn't appreciate that he is finding the scene of two women kissing hot.
…
Author's Note:
Hello Fellow Westerosi, hopefully you enjoyed this chapter. I am half asleep in the morning writing this.