Jon Frost sat in the great hall of Iron Crag, the faint glow of the firelight casting long shadows on the stone walls. The weight of the day's decisions pressed heavily on him. Thrain's dying wish echoed in his mind—"Take her as your wife." Hilda had remained stoic after her father's death, her grief hidden beneath a mask of strength. Jon respected her resilience, but his heart was elsewhere.
Jon leaned back in his chair, staring into the flickering flames. Orrick, his trusted bannerman, stood beside him, awaiting orders.
"I've made promises, Orrick," Jon began, his voice steady but weary. "Thrain asked me to marry Hilda. I gave him my word. But before that, I promised Val I would marry her, and I won't break my word to her either."
Orrick crossed his arms, his grizzled face unreadable. "A complicated knot you've tied yourself, my lord. Two women, two promises. What do you plan to do?"
Jon's lips twitched into a faint smile. "The First Men didn't limit themselves to one wife. Thrain himself reminded me of that. I'll honor both promises. I'll marry Hilda and Val. At the same time."
Orrick raised a brow, but he said nothing, his silence an acknowledgment of Jon's resolve.
Jon continued. "When I marry, I want my family to witness it. My father, my siblings. I dreamt of a wedding with them all present. But Father is in King's Landing, and my siblings are scattered across the North. That dream will have to wait." He paused, his gaze hardening. "Still, if I am to marry, it will be a dual wedding. One ceremony, both Hilda and Val."
"And Val?" Orrick asked. "She's far from here, isn't she?"
Jon nodded. "In the Cold Frontier. That's where you come in. I need you to bring her back, Orrick. Tell her everything. Tell her that my word to her is unbroken. And tell her that this marriage is more than duty—it's about uniting Skagos and the North."
Orrick nodded. "I'll leave at first light, my lord. But you know Val—she's not one to take kindly to sharing."
Jon smirked faintly. "I'll deal with that when she arrives. For now, just bring her back."
Later that evening, Jon sought out Hilda. He found her in her chambers, standing by a window that overlooked the rugged landscape of Skagos. She turned when he entered, her expression guarded.
"You've come to speak of our… arrangement," she said.
Jon nodded. "I have. Hilda, I won't insult you with half-truths. I promised your father I would marry you, and I intend to keep that promise. But I've also promised another. Val of the Free Folk. She'll be my wife as well."
Hilda's eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing.
"I know this isn't ideal," Jon continued, "but I won't break my word. This marriage is about more than us—it's about uniting Skagos, bringing an end to the bloodshed. With you and Val at my side, we can build something stronger than what Thrain ever dreamed of."
Hilda regarded him for a long moment before speaking. "My father believed in strength above all else. He would have respected your resolve. And while I may not like sharing a husband, I see the sense in what you're saying."
Jon inclined his head. "Thank you. I'll ensure you're treated with the respect you deserve, Hilda. Together, we'll shape a better future for Skagos."
The next morning, Orrick prepared to depart for the Cold Frontier. Jon stood with him at the gates of Iron Crag, the wind biting at their faces.
"Tell Val everything," Jon said again. "She deserves the truth. But make sure she knows this: I haven't forgotten my promise to her. This marriage is about uniting, not dividing."
Orrick gave a curt nod. "You're asking me to bring back the fiercest woman beyond the Wall and tell her she's sharing you with another. If she doesn't kill me outright, I'll consider it a success."
Jon smirked. "If anyone can manage it, it's you, Orrick."
With that, Orrick mounted his horse and rode off into the icy wilderness, leaving Jon to prepare for the challenges ahead.
As the days passed, Jon turned his focus to fortifying his position. He knew that uniting Skagos under his rule would not be easy. Marrying Hilda and Val was just the first step. He needed to prove that he could balance duty and honor while bringing stability to a land that had known only chaos.
Standing atop the walls of Iron Crag, Jon gazed out over the rugged mountains and valleys of Skagos. The wind howled around him, carrying with it the promise of challenges yet to come. But Jon was ready. He would keep his promises, forge alliances, and lead his people into a new era.
Jon sat at the sturdy wooden table in his chambers, the fire in the hearth crackling softly as he dipped his quill into the inkpot. The events of the past days weighed heavily on his mind, and he knew he needed to inform his brother, Robb, of everything that had transpired.
He began to write, his hand steady, the words flowing with purpose:
"Dear Robb,
Much has happened since I last wrote to you. Skagos, once divided and plagued by chaos, now bends the knee to my rule. The fortress of Iron Crag stands as a testament to this new unity, though it was not won without bloodshed. Thrain, the tyrant who ruled this land with an iron fist, is dead by my hand. He fought fiercely, and I respected his strength, but his reign of terror had to end for the good of these people.
Before his death, Thrain made a final request of me—to marry his daughter, Hilda, ensuring her safety and a future for his line. As you know, I am a man of my word. Yet, I had already promised another, Val of the Free Folk, that she would be my wife. To honor both commitments, I have decided to marry them both in a single ceremony. The customs of the First Men allow for such unions, and it is a fitting way to unite the people of Skagos and the Free Folk with our own.
The weddings will take place here in Skagos, but I have not forgotten my dream of a true celebration with all our family present. While Father is in King's Landing and our siblings are scattered, I hope that one day we can gather for a celebration worthy of our family's name. Until then, I entrust you with the duty of informing Sansa, Arya, and Rickon about my upcoming marriages. I lack the ravens to write to each of them, but I trust you to deliver the news and my love to them.
Now that Skagos is mine, I intend to shape it into a strong and prosperous land. These people have endured much, but they are resilient. With time and effort, Skagos can become a bastion of power in the North. Once the land is stable, I hope to leave it in the hands of our youngest brother, Rickon. Skagos could be his to rule, a place where he can grow strong and lead with honor.
I hope you will come to see what I've built here, Robb. Skagos is a harsh land, but it is beautiful in its own way, and its people are as fierce and untamed as the land itself. Together, we can make it a place that our ancestors would be proud of.
Write back when you can. Your counsel is always valued, and your support means the world to me.
Your brother,
Jon Frost
Jon folded the parchment neatly, sealing it with wax and pressing the Stark sigil into it. He handed it to one of his trusted men.
"Take this to Winterfell," he instructed. "Deliver it to Lord Robb Stark."
The man nodded, tucking the letter carefully into his pack before setting off.
After sending the letter, Jon turned his attention to the challenges ahead. Skagos was wild, its people hardened by the unforgiving land. It was a place where strength commanded respect, and Jon knew that earning their loyalty would require more than just words.
He gathered his council—a mix of Skagosi chieftains, trusted bannermen, and Free Folk allies.
"We've won the battles, but the real work begins now," Jon said, addressing the room. "Skagos must become a land where people can thrive, not just survive. We will rebuild what was destroyed, fortify what remains, and ensure that no one dares to challenge our strength again."
One of the chieftains, a grizzled man with a scar running down his face, spoke up. "And who will lead us when you're gone, Lord Frost? You've claimed these lands, but will you rule them?"
Jon shook his head. "Skagos is not my destiny. Once it is secure, I will leave it in the hands of someone I trust—my brother, Rickon. He is young, but he will learn, and I will ensure he is ready."
The chieftains murmured among themselves, but none objected. Jon's vision was clear, and his resolve was unshakable.
As the meeting concluded, Jon allowed himself a moment to reflect. His journey was far from over, but with each step, he was shaping a legacy—not just for himself, but for his family and the North. Skagos would rise, and with it, so would the name of Jon Frost.
Jon Frost stood on the rocky cliffs overlooking the eastern coast of Skagos, the sound of crashing waves below filling the air. This was the spot he had chosen for the new port, a bold undertaking that would transform Skagos from an isolated, untamed land into a hub of trade and prosperity.
The work had already begun. The Skagosi, hardened by their harsh environment, worked tirelessly. Men hauled massive stones to reinforce the harbor, women and children crafted nets and tools, and the elders offered their wisdom, guiding the construction to withstand the unpredictable sea.
"These waters are not forgiving," one elder, a wiry man named Grevar, remarked as he watched the laborers. "But if anyone can tame them, it's you, Lord Frost."
Jon nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "It's not just about taming the waters," he said. "It's about giving the people of Skagos a future. This port will bring trade, opportunities, and prosperity. No longer will Skagos be forgotten by the rest of the world."
Jon's trading company had started modestly, with a handful of ships navigating the treacherous waters around the world. Over the years, his fleet had grown to nearly a hundred ships, each built with unique challenges in mind. These ships, sturdy and agile, could weather the worst storms and sail through the most unpredictable waters.
The company traded goods that only North could provide—northern honey, coffee, exotic furs, rare minerals. In return, they brought back food, tools, and luxuries that the North had never seen before.
The port was the next step in Jon's plan. Located on the eastern coast, it was strategically positioned to connect Skagos with White Harbor and the rest of Westeros. With its deep harbor and reinforced piers, it would become a vital link between the Skagos and the wider world.
Jon stood before the gathered crowd of workers, their faces lined with determination. "This port is not just for me," he began, his voice carrying over the din of construction. "It is for all of you—for your children and their children. This is the start of a new chapter for Skagos, where you will no longer be seen as savages or outcasts. Together, we will build a future that no one can ignore."
The crowd cheered, their spirits lifted. Even the youngest children, too small to lift stones, found ways to help, carrying water and food to the workers. The unity of the Skagosi was palpable, and Jon felt a surge of satisfaction that was absent for a long time.
Author's Note:
Enjoying the story?
Consider joining my to get early access to more chapters and exclusive fanfictions! Even as a free member you will get one extra chapter and you'll receive early access to chapters before they're posted elsewhere and various other fanfictions.Your support helps me create more content for you to enjoy!
Join here: (dot)com(slash)Beuwulf