Disclaimer: I do not own Elder Scrolls or A Song of Ice and Fire. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 24
Dorne 297 AC
The sun was low, almost setting on the horizon, preparing to give way to dusk and then night. However, even though several hours had passed since the start of the jousts, the spectators had not moved from their seats. The reason? Against all expectations, the mysterious knight had not been unhorsed by anyone. In fact, he had defeated all his opponents in a single pass, drastically reducing the duration of the tournament.
After those quick defeats, the jousts continued normally, although with fewer participants, everything progressed faster. The nerves of those present were at their limit. The accumulation of victories made the mysterious knight seem like an unbeatable champion. But there was one last hope: Jon's final opponent, another bastard.
Daemon Sand, known as "the Bastard of Godsgrace." was the last rival. A tall and attractive man, he appeared without a helmet, revealing a prominent jaw, sky-blue eyes, and light brown hair with a sandy touch. His short, well-groomed beard formed dimples when he smiled towards the stands. He wore simple plate armor, complemented by a red and black surcoat bearing the emblem of House Allyrion.
When Jon saw the heraldry the Dornishman bore, he noticed something peculiar: it did not follow the tradition of inverting the colors or adding the red stripe that distinguished bastards in Westeros. This piqued his curiosity, but he decided to leave that detail for another time. Now he had to focus on unhorsing him and finishing this as soon as possible.
The herald positioned himself in the center of the arena to announce the final words before the tournament's conclusion. He explained that the victor would have the honor of crowning one of the women present as the Queen of Love and Beauty, using roses gathered from the Water Gardens. To emphasize this, a servant crossed the arena carrying a velvet cushion with the crown, made of flowers as red as blood, passing by each of the two contenders.
As he contemplated the crown, Jon thought it would be more striking with some other adornment. But, knowing it had been crafted by the tournament's host, and considering the limited variety of flowers in Dorne, he decided to be content. What really concerned him was something else: to whom he would have to give that crown if he won.
'Hmmm... so many options and only one crown...' Jon reflected, seeing the flowers and then the women in the stands. 'The logical choice would be to give it to the princess, but... she's been a pain in the ass. What better revenge for forcing me to face all the combatants than crowning another woman. Now, who to choose?'
Jon scanned the stands, considering his options.
'I could give it to my aunt Allyria, but that would generate rumors, especially since she's engaged, and that could cause problems with her fiancé's family. The second choice is that blonde girl next to Princess Arianne. Nothing irritates a woman more than crowning her friend instead of her. The last choice is Daenerys... I suppose she also counts as a princess, even though her family was dethroned. But it would be awkward to talk to her afterward if I give her the crown. Although... if I want to hurt the ego of the Princess of Dorne, crowning her would be perfect. Right now, Daenerys looks like a commoner, a very beautiful one, but a commoner nonetheless, and being outdone in that way would surely sting. Yes, I think that will be best. Besides, if I had to suffer being the main spectacle, she should feel some of my discomfort too.'
The herald interrupted Jon's thoughts by announcing that the joust was about to begin.
Taking the reins of his horse, Jon directed it to the other end of the track. As he crossed paths with Daemon Sand in the center, the latter gave him a smile and wished him luck:
"Good luck."
Jon nodded slightly and replied:
"Thank you, I wish you good luck as well."
As he moved away, something caught Jon's attention: an orange cloth hanging from Daemon's wrist, with the sun and spear of House Martell embroidered on its end.
'So, you're Princess Arianne's champion, huh? I suppose she expects you to defeat me. But, unfortunately for you, that won't happen today.' Jon thought, seeing the corner of the track approaching. 'I hope your armor is good because I'll unhorse you on the first pass.'
With those words in his mind, Jon gently spurred his horse to quicken its pace. He reached the end of the track and positioned himself. Looking ahead, he saw that Daemon was also ready.
Focusing on his opponent, Jon felt the air had a strange taste but dismissed the sensation. He fixed his gaze on Daemon, adjusted the reins of his horse, and waited for the herald's signal to begin the final joust.
When the herald gave the signal, Jon spurred his horse and, pulling the reins, made it rear up before launching it into a gallop towards the Dornish knight. Daemon, in contrast, simply allowed his steed to accelerate until it reached a great speed.
As they approached each other, the noise of the crowd grew in intensity, but for Jon, it all faded away. His focus was entirely on his opponent, as if nothing else existed. As he rode, time seemed to slow down, sharpening his feeling of every detail.
The audience, on the other hand, watched with bated breath, divided between those who supported the mysterious knight and those who wished for Daemon Sand's victory.
Unaware of everything happening in the stands, Jon kept his concentration. He held his lance in a vertical position, waiting for the right moment to lower it. That moment came when he had covered a quarter of the track. With a precise movement, he lowered the lance, preparing it for the imminent impact.
Both knights adjusted their lances as they approached the midpoint of the track, the place where the weapons would clash against the shields. Daemon Sand was a skilled knight, expert in the use of the lance and the sword. But he faced Jon, someone whose physical strength and training had prepared him to be a legendary warrior.
The clash was inevitable and thunderous. Both lances struck their opponents' shields, but the difference was at once clear. Although Daemon struck with force, Jon's body, with its exceptional resilience, absorbed the impact better. On the other hand, Daemon, despite his skill, could not withstand the force of Jon's blow. Before the astonished eyes of the crowd, the Bastard of Godsgrace was thrown from his horse and fell heavily onto the sand, producing a dull thud upon impact.
Jon, seeing his opponent on the ground, did something he had only done once before, when he faced his aunt's betrothed. He quickly dismounted and approached to check on Daemon's condition. Confirming that he was only bruised, he extended his hand, a gesture the Dornish knight accepted with gratitude.
This act of chivalry earned the approval of the crowd and several lords, who looked at Jon with respect.
"Well fought, Ser." Jon said sincerely.
"Thank you, Ser. You fought well too." replied Daemon as he got up with Jon's help. "Though I would have preferred to win, you jousted better than anyone in this tournament."
"Thank you, Ser." Jon replied, releasing his opponent's hand with a nod.
The herald burst into the center of the arena, taking Jon's right hand and raising it while proclaiming:
"The victor of this tournament, the one who remained undefeated against all challenges, the Knight of Dawnstar!"
The crowd responded with deafening cheers, while the commoners roared in approval and some nobles applauded enthusiastically.
"Now, according to tradition, the champion will have the honor of crowning a maiden as the Queen of Love and Beauty!"
After these words, the servant carrying the crown approached Jon. Without wasting time, Jon mounted his horse again. Once in the saddle, he took the crown offered by the servant and directed his gaze towards the stands.
Without hesitation, Jon began to ride towards the Martell box. The crowd assumed he would crown Princess Arianne, but to everyone's astonishment, he did not stop there. He continued to where his friends were, who, seeing him approach, smiled conspiratorially. They made way for Daenerys to become visible.
The young Targaryen, with her black hair still hiding its characteristic silver tone, stood out like a diamond among coal. Her appearance captured everyone's attention, nobles and commoners alike, who had not noticed her presence until that moment, as Jon's friends usually covered her.
"My lady." Jon said with a barely perceptible smile under his helmet, as he extended his hand to place the crown of roses on Daenerys's head. Silence fell over the place.
With a slight nod, Jon signaled to Grenn, who, understanding the instruction, released Ghost. The direwolf, in his puppy form, fell from a height of two meters. But before touching the ground, he regained his normal size thanks to the spell Jon deactivated with the hand holding the shield.
With Ghost ready, Jon pulled the reins and rode to the center of the track, stopping in front of the herald.
In the center of the arena, Jon brought a hand to the strap of his helmet. He unbuckled the first clasp and lifted the back slightly, revealing the lower half of his face. Then, he looked at the audience, nobles and commoners alike, and cleared his throat, preparing for what he was about to do.
"As you know, I promised to reveal my identity only if I was defeated or if I won this tournament! No one managed to unhorse me, and I have won the tournament, so now I will keep my promise!" Jon shouted, drawing everyone's attention, especially Princess Arianne's.
A smile appeared on Jon's face as he noticed the princess's annoyed expression, probably irritated at being ignored during the crowning of the Queen of Love and Beauty. But far from bothering him, he found it amusing.
"Before revealing myself, I want to answer some questions the princess surely has! To begin with, I was born in these lands several years ago."
His words generated a mix of curiosity and irritation among those present. Some looked at him with interest, while others, especially the most loyal to the Martells, watched him with clear displeasure for prolonging the moment of his revelation.
Jon, aware of the growing displeasure, decided to end the suspense. Knowing he needed solid proof to back his words, he whistled loudly, calling his faithful companion.
The sound puzzled everyone except the crew of the «StarWolf», who already knew what was coming. The confusion gave way to astonishment and fear when a huge white wolf, larger than any common wolf, appeared from the stands.
The animal trotted until it stopped next to its master. Its red eyes scanned the crowd, causing several to step back in fear.
Taking advantage of the general attention, Jon pulled off his helmet, revealing his face.
The reaction was immediate and varied. Many young women looked at him fascinated, attracted by something in him that, without being extraordinarily handsome, was magnetic. Others, however, were stupefied, as if they were seeing a ghost.
Among the most shocked were Ulrick Dayne, Oberyn, and Doran Martell, who found in Jon's face unmistakable echoes of Ashara Dayne and Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell.
"My name is Jon Snow, son of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell and Lady Ashara Dayne of Starfall!" Jon proclaimed firmly.
The announcement left the members of House Dayne in a state of complete shock. From Edric to Ulrick, all seemed unable to process what they had just heard. Even Allyria had to be supported by her betrothed, who also looked astonished at the young man who had unhorsed him in the tournament.
"I-I-I... impossible..." whispered Ulrick in disbelief, staring at the young man many had believed dead for years.
A part of Ulrick, hardened by years of intrigues and power games in King's Landing, wanted to deny what he had just heard. But he couldn't ignore the truth: Jon not only had features reminiscent of his sister and Eddard Stark, but he was also accompanied by a direwolf, an animal the Starks had made famous even in Dorne.
"F-father...?" asked Edric with a trembling voice, looking at his supposed cousin. "Is it really...?"
"I don't know for sure, but it's undeniable that he looks a lot like Lord Stark. Moreover, his posture reminds me of Arthur, and although I can't see his eyes well from here, if they are like my sister's..." Ulrick left the sentence unfinished, clearly overwhelmed.
"How will we know the truth?" insisted Edric, who, despite the confusion, began to feel a spark of hope at the possibility that his cousin was alive.
"We'll have to talk to him in person. If I see him closely, I'll be able to tell if he really is my sister's son or if he's an impostor." replied Ulrick, still fixing his gaze on Jon.
After a few seconds of reflection, Ulrick directed his gaze to Allyria's betrothed, who was holding her firmly while she seemed about to faint. Decided, Ulrick spoke:
"Lord Dondarrion, I know it's a lot to ask, but could you do me a favor?"
Allyria's betrothed stopped looking at the jousting field and turned his attention to Ulrick. After a brief silence, he nodded, intuiting what he was going to ask.
"Thank you. I only have one thing to ask of you."
Meanwhile, on the Dayne balcony, all the members of the house watched Jon with surprise and hope. On the other hand, the Martells looked at him with mixed emotions, as no one knew exactly what to feel. Not only because the young man had defeated all his opponents in the tournament, but also because he was the son of Ashara, a close friend of Elia, but also the son of the brother of the woman for whom Elia's husband had dishonored her, one of the most loyal dogs of the usurper.
"I thought Ashara's son had died a few years ago." commented Oberyn while seeing the young man, who, despite having a great resemblance to Lord Stark, also stood with the same posture as Arthur.
"Yes, I thought so too, but it seems that wasn't true." noted Doran, looking at the young man with narrowed eyes. "The Daynes have always been lethal swordsmen, I suppose that explains why he's such a good fighter, but I don't understand what he's doing here, of all places."
"You sound worried about this, brother." said Oberyn, stopping looking at the supposed son of Ashara to focus on his brother.
"I am. The boy's presence puts us in a complicated situation with the Daynes and the Iron Throne." commented Doran, while thinking about the implications of this revelation. "His presence makes us look like liars to the Iron Throne."
Doran's words confused Oberyn, who didn't understand how the presence of Eddard Stark's bastard could harm them so much.
"Why would the presence of Stark's bastard leave us in such a bad position?"
"Do you remember the messages that arrived years ago from King's Landing?"
"Are you talking about the ones where the stag asked us if Stark's bastard was in Dorne?" asked Oberyn, recalling the content of the letters he had read with his brother at the time.
"Yes, those same ones." replied Doran with a tired voice. "I told Baratheon that the boy wasn't in Dorne. What do you think he'll think when the Spider tells him the boy is here?"
Faced with his brother's question, Oberyn remained silent for a few seconds before finally speaking.
"He'll think we kept the boy as a hostage..." said Oberyn, deducing what the stag king would think.
"Exactly. And if there's one thing, we need to be careful of, it's Baratheon's wrath, especially if he decides to call his banners to send them against us."
"Do you think he would do that just for a bastard?" asked Oberyn, narrowing his eyes.
"I don't know, but knowing his character, it's a possibility. Remote, but existing."
"Then let him do it." said Oberyn, looking at the sky and frowning while clenching his fists. "If he declares war on us, Tywin Lannister will come with him, and his dogs will be by his side. It will be the perfect time to avenge Elia and her children."
Oberyn's words were full of anger and bloodlust. There was nothing he wished for more in the world than to see the person responsible for his sister's and her children's deaths die agonizingly. However, despite Doran wanting the same, he wasn't naive enough to think they could win if war broke out.
"We can't win against the combined power of all the kingdoms, Oberyn." said Doran, closing his eyes while meditating on what to do.
"Do you think all the kingdoms will support him?" asked Oberyn, not taking his eyes off the image of the Lannisters.
"The lords of the Stormlands will follow him without question. The Westerlands are committed to him through his marriage to Cersei Lannister. The North, the Vale, and the Riverlands are tied by marriage, and two of the ruling lords of those lands have deep bonds of friendship with Baratheon, which will make that alliance support him. The Reach would be an unknown, but knowing Mance, they will join, as he hates us and blames us for his heir's disability. Finally, the Iron Islands won't side with us, thanks to Stark holding Balon Greyjoy's heir hostage. So, as you see, brother, we are outmatched on all sides. We have no superiority in anything: neither in naval strength, nor in soldiers, much less in gold and supplies. If war starts, they will defeat us, and our heads will end up on spikes on the walls of the Red Keep."
Hearing his brother's words and understanding the situation they were in, the Red Viper calmed his bloodlust. With a clearer mind, he began to think about how to prevent the fat stag from finding out what was happening in Dorne.
"Do you think you can prevent the news from reaching King's Landing?"
"No, by this time, the information will already be traveling through the Spider's web. It's possible it will arrive before we can send a raven to explain that the boy appeared out of nowhere in Dorne."
"Then what will you do?"
"Make the boy speak for us to the Throne." replied Doran, seeing the supposed nephew of Lord Dayne. Seeing him, he noticed that Lord Beric Dondarrion, Allyria's betrothed, was approaching the young man. Realizing this, he understood that the Lord of Starfall wanted to know if he really was his nephew. When he realized this, the Prince of Dorne smiled, knowing that the Daynes were making things easier for him. 'If Ulrick discovers the truth about the boy, it will make things easier for me, as I won't have to be the one to interrogate the young man.'
"Oberyn." called Doran to his brother, who looked at him as soon as he heard his name. "When the time comes, I'll send a servant to let you know when you should go see the boy. I want you to bring him to my office and make sure no one follows you."
"Alright, brother." replied Oberyn, nodding firmly.
While her father and uncle conversed, Arianne and her cousins also murmured among themselves. The topic of conversation, of course, was the young bastard in the arena, who had caused a great commotion by revealing his identity.
It was no mystery to many inhabitants of Westeros that, in Dorne, anything related to the Starks was not received with enthusiasm by either the populace or the lords. Although they were not considered the main culprits for the death of Princess Elia Martell, they were still blamed for the dishonor Rhaegar had caused the princess by crowning Lyanna Stark at Harrenhal.
However, that was not what occupied the minds of the daughters of Princes Doran and Oberyn, who watched the young man with surprise, each with different thoughts.
Obara's mind was completely in shock at seeing that the person who had defeated all the competitors, including some of the best swordsmen in Dorne, was nothing more than a boy who couldn't be older than fourteen.
Sarella, for her part, was equally astonished, unable to understand how such a young boy could have the skill and strength necessary to defeat much older and therefore more experienced fighters.
However, the most natural reactions, less focused on the young man's martial abilities, came from Nymeria, Tyene, and Arianne. The three young women looked at him with a certain fascination.
"C-cousin... does the boy meet your expectations?" asked Nymeria, her eyes fixed on Jon, seeing him from every angle she could.
"Yes, dear cousin. Is he attractive enough for you?" asked Tyene, smiling innocently, a smile she used to hide her true feelings.
The heir of Dorne did not respond directly. Instead, she simply let a smile appear on her face. What she felt at that moment was a conflict of emotions, for although at first, she had felt annoyed and even somewhat humiliated by the young knight, since he had ignored her completely and crowned a commoner, when she saw the young commoner, she felt confused. She didn't understand how such a beautiful girl had gone unnoticed by everyone. She had even noticed that everyone, from her brother Quentyn to some lords, was also surprised to see her, as the commoner was truly a beauty.
Although that had left her somewhat annoyed, when Jon removed his helmet and revealed his identity, she was completely shocked. The boy who had defeated two of her most well-known ex-lovers, who were two of the best warriors Dorne possessed, couldn't be older than fifteen. She tried to look at him more closely, studying every part of his face. While he wasn't as attractive as the Targaryens were rumored to be, the young man in the arena was more handsome than others, but not only that. Unlike others who acted dangerously to give an image of danger, Jon seemed to be dangerous in an intrinsic way, something that excited her.
Unfortunately, his youth was something that partially assuaged that feeling, or so she thought for a moment. As she watched him, an idea came to her mind... and suddenly, she felt excited about the possibility of taking a man who had not yet experienced his first romance and taking him to know the pleasures of the flesh.
"Despite his youth, he meets all the requirements I need in a lover…" Arianne replied, looking away from the young man to turn her gaze to her cousins. Seeing them smiling, her own smile widened a little. Deciding what to do, she spoke. "Nym, Tyene, could you do me a favor?"
The princess's question was answered with a nod from both sand snakes, who began to sense what Arianne was planning.
"It is more than likely that both my father and Lord Dayne will be going to speak with him. So, I would like for you to pick him up when they are done so we can have a chat with him."
"Ohhh… planning to seduce such a young boy, cousin?" Tyene asked, feigning indignation at what seemed to be her cousin's intention.
"Maybe so, cousin." Arianne replied, smiling. "Though I have a proposition for him that is not what you think."
"What's that, Ari?" asked Nymeria, with some curiosity.
"Do you remember what the secret objectives of this tournament were?"
"Of course, but what does that have to do with him? I remind you that Uncle Doran already rejected Daemon as a possible consort for you because he's a bastard. Why do you think he would be the exception?" asked Sarella, who had heard what her cousin had proposed to her sisters.
"Easy, Sarella." replied Arianne, still smiling. "Although he is also a bastard, there's a small difference."
"What difference?" asked Obara, who decided to join the conversation, having preferred to stay silent until then.
"His father." Arianne quickly responded.
"What do you mean, cousin? What does Lord Stark have to do with this?" asked Obara, not understanding why the bastard's father was the main reason the Prince of Dorne might consider the young man as a possible candidate for her cousin's marriage.
"The Starks, as much as some may hate them, are one of the greatest and most important houses in Westeros. Not only that, but they have ruled their kingdom the longest and only knelt to the dragons to prevent their people from suffering. Moreover, they were more than important during the Usurper's War, and now they are part of one of the most powerful alliances in all of Westeros, as they are related to the Tullys and the Arryns. If a war broke out in Westeros and Dorne joined them, it would be four kingdoms against their enemies."
Arianne's words carried a hidden message: if I marry the bastard and my brother tries to take my inheritance, he will face nearly a hundred thousand soldiers, something no house in Dorne could match. The only thing that could equal that strength would be if he married the Flower of Highgarden, but that was impossible, as the Fat Flower would never allow a Tyrell to marry a Martell after what happened with her uncle Oberyn and Willas Tyrell.
"So, will you help me convince him to at least support me?" Arianne asked her cousins.
"That depends... How far will you go in your attempts?" asked Sarella.
"Until he accepts my plan."
"But even if he accepts, he's still a bastard. How do you think that will change?" questioned Obara.
"That's easy, cousin. His father is the best friend of the Usurper. With just one raven, the boy would be legitimized and become Jon Stark."
"That is, if he really is Lord Stark's son." pointed out Nymeria.
"Yes, but I'm sure both Lord Dayne and my father will discover the truth. That's why I want you to contact him, so we can talk to him once they've spoken with him."
Jon watched with amusement at what was happening, finding nothing more entertaining than seeing everyone go crazy over his declarations. Although he knew his words would be taken cautiously, as he was supposed to have died years ago, he was aware that his mere presence in Dorne would unleash chaos. Even during the battles of the Braavosi incursion in the Stepstones, he avoided saying his real name. When asked about Ghost, he would usually respond that he was a hybrid, a mix between a wolf and a dog, which explained his size and ferocity. That's why he was sure that in Dorne, they knew nothing about him. Although it was possible they knew him through the king's master of spies, he believed that was unlikely, as Dorne didn't have much presence at the court of King's Landing, or at least he hoped so.
'Fortunately, everyone's reactions seem to match my expectations. No one seems exempt from surprise. Now comes the tricky part: the meeting with my mother's family.' Jon thought, but he didn't have time to think further, as Ghost fixed his gaze to the south, not taking his eyes off that direction.
"Is something wrong, boy?"
Jon's question was answered when Ghost bared his teeth for a second, a signal for Jon to look in that direction. Jon followed his gaze and saw that Ser Dondarrion, his aunt's betrothed, appeared there. Seeing him approach, Jon knew his uncle wanted to talk to him. Without wasting time, he dismounted his horse and, as he approached, called one of the stable boys.
"Take care of him for a while, please. When I return with him, I'll pay you well for the service."
The stable boy observed Jon for a moment and, after thinking for a second, nodded and took the reins of the horse to lead it to the stables.
When the stable boy walked away with the horse, Jon removed his gauntlets, keeping his helmet in his right hand, and approached the man who would be his uncle in the future.
"Good day, Lord Dondarrion." Jon greeted the Lord of Lightning.
"Good day, Ser." Beric responded to the young man's greeting. "Do you know why I'm here?"
"Of course. I can guess the reason. So, why don't we speed things up and you take me to where my uncle is so we can finish all this?"
Jon's response, which would have offended any other lord, made Beric smile. He recognized in him the same disdain for formalities that his betrothed often showed when she wanted to finish something quickly. Thinking that he truly was Allyria's nephew, Beric nodded without a word.
"Sure, follow me, please."
With those words, Beric and Jon left the arena, leaving everyone watching them to continue whispering. Meanwhile, the herald announced that the tournament had ended, but due to urgent matters, Prince Doran would not give a speech to close the event.
Although that sounded like an excuse, everyone, from nobles to commoners, understood that what had happened deserved to be examined in depth. Not only Doran, but several of the lords of Dorne realized that they were probably entering dangerous territory due to the revelation of the young bastard.
Jon and Beric walked through one of the city's streets, arriving at one of the many houses in the area. Their route had taken them through one of the poorer neighborhoods, then into the blacksmiths' district, where Jon knew Daenerys had met Edric. However, they didn't stop there but continued walking through several more streets until they reached this house. The property was nothing extraordinary: a large adobe house, reinforced with plaster and lime, giving it a beautiful white color. Although the house wasn't very large, it was well-decorated on the outside, with a small garden featuring some palm trees.
"So, is this where my uncle stays when he comes to the city?" Jon asked curiously.
"Not always, as he usually stays at the castle, but when he needs privacy away from the prince's spies, he uses this residence." Beric replied as they approached the house, and some guards came out to greet them.
The guards, dressed in chainmail and half-helms wrapped in purple cloth, wore surcoats with the colors of House Dayne. Seeing Beric, they nodded and allowed them to enter.
"It seems the prince doesn't trust his vassals." Jon commented as he crossed the threshold of the house.
"It's understandable. Here in Dorne, they are not only sinful but also dangerous in many ways. The prince is wise to keep an eye on them." Beric responded.
Jon nodded at the words of his aunt's betrothed, understanding why Prince Doran took such precautions. After all, Dorne didn't have the best reputation in Westeros: they had broken a peace banner to kill the young dragon and frequently resorted to poison to achieve their goals. Although it seemed they had no honor, Jon had no problem with it; he always believed in treating people as they treated you. If they tried to kill him with poison, he would do the same; if they were honorable, he would treat them the same way.
After this conversation, they walked through several hallways until they reached one of the rooms, which Jon assumed was where his uncle usually received his guests.
"Is this it?" Jon asked, looking at the door.
"Yes, this is it. Lord Dayne will be waiting for you inside."
"Is he alone?"
"No, he's with his son and my betrothed."
"Good, that will make it quicker." Jon said as he opened the door and entered the room.
The room was nothing impressive; it was tastefully decorated but without excess. Jon saw an oak table with some papers, probably letters, and shelves with silver and gold vases and goblets. On the walls hung some banners of House Dayne. At the back, in the center, Jon saw five chairs, three of them occupied by three people: a man, a boy, and a young woman. Seeing them, he at once showed them as his uncle, his cousin, and his aunt.
Jon was about to greet them, but before he could say anything, he watched in amazement as his uncle and aunt stood up and approached him. As they did, Jon noticed with surprise that both had slightly watery eyes, but it was his aunt who showed more emotion. Her face was on the verge of tears.
"You really are her son..." said his uncle, his voice choked. "Although you have your father's appearance, your eyes are your mother's, though somewhat strange, even more so than Ashara's. But there's something else about you: when you stand, you have the same bearing as your uncle Arthur."
Jon didn't know what to do upon hearing what his uncle said, especially when his aunt Allyria hugged him tightly. When they separated, she took his face in her hands.
"I can't believe you're alive. Years ago, when Ulrick sent a letter for you to come to Starfall to be a squire, Lord Stark confessed to us that you had died..." his aunt commented, looking into his eyes. "Where have you been all this time? What happened when you disappeared...?"
And so, Jon's aunt began to ask him a series of questions. Fortunately, her betrothed, Beric, took her hands and led her to her chair to sit down. He settled next to her.
After that, his uncle, whose name Jon discovered was Ulrick, introduced him to his cousin, who did so in a somewhat comical manner, as he stumbled over some words. Then, his uncle showed him to sit down so they could talk more calmly.
When Jon sat down, his uncle began to ask him questions, the same ones his aunt had asked moments before. After hearing the questions, Jon decided to tell the truth. Without hesitation, he recounted how he had almost died, his training with the Dovahkiin, and how he could now use some magic. However, he omitted talking about his mission to travel to Valyria, as he realized his relatives had already suffered enough with his supposed death and didn't want to add more worries with such news.
"So, you're traveling the known world to seek trade routes and create a company, right?" Ulrick asked, looking at his nephew with some pride. It was clear he was aware of what Jon wanted for his future.
"Yes, uncle. That's my long-term plan, but in the short term, I'm traveling to see the world." Jon replied, bringing a cup of wine to his lips. During the conversation, Jon's uncle had requested snacks and wine to make the chat more pleasant.
"And where have you thought of placing your company's offices?" Edric asked with a smile.
Jon looked at his cousin and, smiling, replied. "For now, I'm thinking of Braavos."
Jon's response surprised his relatives a bit, as they didn't fully understand his decision.
"Jon, why Braavos?" asked Beric Dondarrion, who during the conversation had received Jon's permission to call him that, as, according to Jon's words, he was his uncle in almost everything but name.
"Well, I suppose it's because it's the most powerful and richest of the Free Cities that doesn't have slaves."
"I understand that, but my question is: why there and not in White Harbor? I mean, the Manderlys are one of the main vassals of the Starks, I'm sure they would be more than happy for you to open a trading company in that city." commented Beric, then arriving at a somewhat curious conclusion. "Or is it because you fear Lady Stark might cause the Manderlys to bother you?"
Dondarrion's question made Allyria and Ulrick frown, as they thought that perhaps that woman could do such a thing. However, to everyone's surprise, Jon responded to the question with a soft laugh.
"Heh, heh, heh... no, not at all. I'm not afraid of Lady Stark." Jon replied, with a somewhat sinister smile. "She may not like it, but I am her husband's son, and even though I'm a bastard, I am Ned Stark's son, and that carries more weight than the words of a Tully."
Jon's response caused his relatives to look at him confused for a moment, then smile amusedly.
"Besides, who says I'm not going to set up my company in White Harbor?" Jon said with a smile, confusing his uncle.
"What do you mean, Jon?" Allyria asked.
"My goal is for my company to have trading posts and offices not only in Braavos but also in several important cities and ports in Westeros and other parts of the known world."
"Really?!" Edric shouted excitedly upon hearing his cousin's plan.
"That's right. That's why I'm traveling a lot. I'm looking for trade routes and ports where I can establish my company."
"I see, that makes sense." Ulrick said, then asked Jon another question. "By the way, why did you enter the tournament? I ask because, according to your stories, you already have quite a bit of money, so..."
"The truth is it was something fortuitous. I suppose you remember the girl I crowned at the end, right?"
Jon's question was answered with a nod.
"She convinced me to do it."
Jon's words made it clear that he had no intention of entering the tournament from the start. While this was curious, what really began to confuse his relatives was the fact that he said she had convinced him, suggesting that she was probably his lover, or perhaps his wife.
"Jon..." Ulrick called his nephew, who looked at him. "Is that girl your lover?... Or maybe your wife?"
His uncle's question left Jon completely stunned, as he didn't know how to respond. In fact, he never imagined his uncle would ask him about that.
Under the inquisitive gaze of his relatives, Ned Stark's bastard remained silent for several seconds, almost making his relatives think the girl really was his lover, as the saying goes, "silence implies consent". However, to everyone's surprise, Jon opened his mouth. As tempting as it was to say that Daenerys was his lover to avoid marriage proposals that would only tie him to one place, he decided to be honest, as he was with his family.
"No, uncle. Dany is not my lover. She is my traveling companion; I met her in Pentos. I allowed her to accompany me because she no longer had a family to return to, and I felt some pity for her."
"I see... so that's it... and here I thought my sister might have grandchildren soon." Ulrick said jokingly, then let out a small laugh.
Ulrick's laugh was accompanied by Allyria's, who also laughed amusedly at the thought of how her sister would have been as a grandmother. The rest of those presents laughed as well, except for Jon.
Although everyone laughed, Jon did not, as there was something that tormented him. He waited for his maternal relatives to finish laughing so he could ask a question that was stuck in his throat.
"What's wrong, Jon?" Ulrick asked when he finished laughing, seeing that his nephew was completely serious.
"Uncle, what was she like? What was my mother like?" Jon asked, clasping his hands and squeezing them a bit.
Ulrick and Allyria's expressions softened upon seeing Jon's face. At that moment, he no longer had the confident expression he had during the tournament but showed the face of a lost child. Seeing his nephew in that state, Ulrick decided to speak, knowing that he had the right to know about his mother. After a sigh, he began to speak.
"Your mother was an independent woman who didn't give up when she had a goal." Ulrick began, recalling how his sister was so stubborn that no one, not even their parents, could make her change her mind. "She was a kind woman who enjoyed spending time with her friends, especially Princess Elia."
"Princess Elia? The sister of the Prince of Dorne?"
"Yes. They were very good friends, so much so that she became the princess's lady-in-waiting when she married Rhaegar Targaryen. She was so close to Elia that when she learned of her death, she fell into such a deep depression that she didn't eat for days."
"I see... D-did she love me?" Jon asked.
"More than you can imagine. When Elia and her children died, you were the reason she kept living." Ulrick replied, as he stopped looking at Jon and directed his gaze towards the ceiling. "Tell me, Jon, did your father ever tell you how you were conceived?"
His uncle's question left Jon confused, but after a few seconds, he shook his head, as his father never spoke of his mother.
"No, he never told me. In fact, he never talks about my mother, and as far as I know, no one can speak of her in Winterfell."
"I see. I suppose he's still mourning." Ulrick commented with a sad smile. "You see, Jon, your parents met at the Tourney of Harrenhal. Your father fell in love with my sister at first sight, and she with him after a dance they shared. She had met many men during her life, some very attractive, but your father, although not particularly handsome, was the only one who truly caught her attention. He was a man very different from all the others she had met in Westeros, and he was unlike anything she had seen in the men of our land. It was precisely that which made her fall in love with him. At that tournament, he promised her that he would speak to his father to try to arrange a marriage between them, as he was a second son and had more flexibility in choosing his wife. However, their love was not destined to be sealed with marriage, for as you know, Robert's Rebellion occurred, leading your father to marry Hoster Tully's daughter. When my sister learned of this, she had already been sent back to Dorne from Princess Elia's service, who had removed her from court to keep her away and to deliver a message to her brother, Prince Doran. However, my sister, as stubborn as she was, decided to go north first. Taking the Kingsroad, she traveled incognito and infiltrated the Stark camp when they were encamped. I don't know exactly what happened there, but what I do know is that it was there where you were conceived."
The story his uncle told made Jon realize, up until that moment, that his father had loved his mother so much that he didn't care about maintaining his honor. However, now there was a question that tormented him. He knew she had committed suicide at the end of the rebellion. He didn't know the reason for it, but now he had his uncle in front of him, and perhaps he could shed some light on the matter. So, without wasting time, he asked the question.
At first, Jon noticed that his uncle felt uncomfortable, but after a few seconds, Ulrick opened his mouth and began to speak.
"When you were born, your mother was weak, not only physically but also mentally. Before she went into labor, we received news from one of the border guards, who informed us that Lord Stark had entered our lands and was heading to Starfall. He not only carried the Valyrian steel sword of House Stark but also 'Dawn' on his back. This caused your mother to fall into a deep depression, which we believe was the main reason she decided to leave you with your father. When he arrived at the castle, she asked to see him, and when they finished talking, he came out with red eyes, holding you in his arms. Then, she asked me to enter her room. There, she told me that Eddard would take care of you and that when you were eight years old, you should be sent to Starfall to become a squire. She made me promise that I would ensure your father kept that promise." Ulrick said, his voice choked. "I didn't understand why she spoke as if she wouldn't be there for you, but I still accepted her request. After that conversation, I left, as she said she wanted to rest. After that, I spoke with Stark, and we reached an agreement about your upbringing. Although I didn't want him to take you so far north, my sister had already made her decision, and he would leave when the time was right. That night, the servants woke me up, alarmed. That's when I found out that your mother had committed suicide by jumping from a tower into the Torrentine."
When his uncle finished that story, Jon didn't know what to do, say, or think, as there were many things he still didn't understand. However, before he could speak, a servant entered the room and, approaching Ulrick, whispered something in his ear.
"Damn it. Are you sure it's him?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Alright, tell him he'll be there shortly."
"At your command." said the servant, bowing and quickly leaving the room.
"Brother, what's happening?" Allyria asked, worried, seeing Ulrick frowning.
"Doran has sent Oberyn to escort Jon to the palace." Ulrick replied with concern. Then, he looked at Jon and said in a grave voice. "It seems you'll have to go see the Prince of Dorne, Jon."
Hearing this, Jon let out a sigh. It seemed he would have a very heavy conversation with the Prince of Dorne.
Author's Note:
To those who have made it this far, thank you for reading. To be honest, my English writing skills are not strong, and I'm relying on Google Translate and the dictionaries that come with Office 2019.
And finally, we reach the end of the tournament, but not the end of Jon's time in Dorne.
We see that Jon has won the tournament, which was predictable since he is stronger than others. His decision to crown Daenerys came from an attempt to annoy Arianne, something he succeeded in doing.
We also see Jon's reunion with his maternal family, something I have tried to depict well.
Now, the formal meeting of Jon with Doran is coming up, and I hope to write a good chapter when that happens.
I apologize for any spelling errors. Please don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed the chapter, or if there's something that needs improvement, or if you have any questions about the story. Any constructive advice is welcome. With nothing more to say, see you in the next chapter.