[Chapter Size: 3300 Words.]
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Third Person POV
North, 297 AC.
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While Arya was in Winterfell sparring with Ser Rodrik, the Artican ships had finally reached the main channel, sailing with the fleet across the sea.
Jon was holding his children, with Brandon looking curious and Jahaerys excited.
"Big!" Jahaerys exclaimed monosyllabically, pointing at the statue ahead, which marked their official entry into the kingdom.
"Is that you, Jon?" Rhaenys asked beside him, her gaze fixed on the giant statue.
"You could say so..." Jon replied, somewhat unsure how to feel about it. He wasn't one for self-aggrandizement, let alone commissioning statues of himself. However, the dwarves had taken it upon themselves to build such a thing, and the ministers had agreed to it.
"It's larger than Braavos' and more detailed—a wolf and a dragon in your armor... I think it represents you well, Jon," Daenerys remarked, standing with the queens and future queens surrounding Jon, their son in tow, to witness Artica for the first time or, for some, to finally see their home again.
Ygritte said nothing, already accustomed to the statue, while Hiyori remained silent but observed it with curiosity.
"Daddy!" Jahaerys exclaimed at the statue.
"Big, isn't it?" Jon said, lifting his children higher near his face as the ship finally passed through the portal leading into Artica.
For now, they could see little beyond the massive tree in the distance, as the 25-meter wall blocked the rest. However, as they entered the canal on the other side of the giant statue, the kingdom's interior began to emerge in the distance. Though still kilometers away from the city, they had entered the central farming area of the realm. Surrounding them were vast expanses of fertile lands dedicated to agriculture, providing sustenance for the entire kingdom, with mountains and animal-laden forests in the distance—a stark contrast to the icy landscape of the North.
"It's incredible!" Hiyori remarked, leaning on the ship's edge, her wide eyes marveling at the vibrant and varied tones of vegetation covering the fields. It was hard to believe they were in a place renowned for its ice and snow. Up until that moment, they had only crossed frozen expanses and icebergs from the North to the channel that led them here.
"It truly is magical," Daenerys agreed, her violet eyes shining with fascination. Those already familiar with the sight, like Jon, Ygritte, and Wind, watched their reactions with discreet smiles.
"You said the water in this canal comes directly from the city?" Rhaenys asked, gazing at the horizon in awe. All she could see were the giant tree and small buildings in the distance. The city itself was still hidden by the distance.
"Yes," Jon confirmed. "It was built for that purpose. The canal system aids sanitation, provides clean water, and even serves as a means of transport, allowing small boats to navigate throughout the city."
"Don't forget the water comes from the roots of the Great Tree," Wind added, watching the three queens gaze admiringly at the scenery. "We also have a heating system from the volcanoes, which keeps the people warm when it gets too cold..."
Hiyori, standing nearby, remained silent, clearly impressed by everything she saw. "It's... truly incredible," she murmured, still at a loss for words that something like this could exist.
Jon smiled but soon turned his attention back to his wives and children. "Well, in any case, he's coming. I don't want you to be startled. He's much bigger than the last time I saw him," Jon said simply.
As Jon finished speaking, the sound of massive wings filled the sky. Not only Jon but everyone on the ship—wives, children, and crew—looked up to see the white creature approaching.
ROOOOOOOAAAAARRRRRR
The dragon's powerful roar echoed, causing the ship to sway slightly. Those who had never seen the creature before stared in awe. It was colossal.
"It's Eragon!" Jon said, holding his children, who shrank back, frightened by the dragon's roar—the loudest sound they had ever heard in their lives.
"Hey, don't scare the children like that," Jon murmured to the dragon, though it was impossible to hide the satisfaction in his voice at seeing him again. A smile spread across his face as he took in how imposing Eragon had become. The dragon, flapping his wings powerfully and generating a strong wind around them, began to circle the colossal statue before landing beside the canal, near the ship. He stretched his neck toward Jon, fixing his gaze on him.
Jon's children seemed cautious and nervous at the sight of the dragon, though their curiosity was evident. They were used to smaller dragons, but Eragon was immense, nearly 25 meters long. His presence was overwhelming to everyone.
"Take them," Jon said, handing one child to Ygritte and the other to Rhaenys, while he smiled at the dragon.
"He's enormous," Daenerys murmured, unable to take her eyes off the white creature with green patches.
The rest of the ship's crew merely watched in silence. Some were already accustomed to dragons, but even they were awestruck by Eragon's size and majesty. Jon approached the edge of the ship to get a closer look at Eragon.
"Hey, big guy, it's been so long!" Jon called out, standing at the far end of the ship and looking at Eragon. The dragon, too large to land on the ship, observed Jon with a gleam of nostalgia and excitement in his eyes, as though recognizing his rider, though he displayed little outward reaction, keeping his gaze fixed on Jon.
Jon smiled. "Well, I hope you'll be greeting us at the port. We have a few more dragons now. Also, would you mind if I took a look at what's been happening in the kingdom since I left?" he asked as he began to access Eragon's memories.
Through their connection, Jon saw that the smaller dragons were growing rapidly, many now reaching four to five meters in length. In just under two years, they had become a significant presence—troublesome, even—especially since there weren't enough Targaryens to bond with them. His children had managed to bond with only five, while the remaining seventy-eight dragons remained riderless. Despite this, Eragon seemed to maintain a degree of control over the younger dragons, who viewed him as their leader and role model.
"I see that things have stayed as under control as they could... The smaller dragons still try to provoke you, as always," Jon murmured, absorbing the memories. It was bittersweet for him to witness his children's and their dragons' growth through Eragon's eyes, but now things would change since he was back.
Jon also glimpsed memories of the southerners' attack. "So, that's what happened..." he muttered. The attack had been an utter failure, with Eragon brutally annihilating most of the enemy forces alongside the White Walkers. Artican troops had pursued the survivors, capturing the majority. Those who escaped met cruel fates, either killed by the White Walkers or by Free Folk tribes on their way to the Wall.
Eragon felt Jon's mind probing his but did not resist. On the contrary, he seemed to welcome his rider's presence. After a while, Jon withdrew and smiled. "Thank you for protecting Artica, Eragon. I'm back now. We'll fly before the day ends, but first, I need to greet my family," he said as the dragon moved aside to let the ship pass.
Everyone aboard watched Eragon, who stared at them intently. Then, the dragon unfurled his wings, flapping them powerfully. The movement caused a great disturbance in the canal's waters as he ascended, soaring high into the sky and accompanying the fleet.
"He truly is beautiful, Jon. And he has four legs, just as you mentioned," Rhaenys remarked, her voice filled with wonder.
A man approached the group, looking concerned. "My king, the dragons are restless in the stable..." he reported.
"That's normal," Jon responded calmly. "They feel threatened since Eragon roared. The presence of a larger dragon unsettles the smaller ones, but they'll get used to it. After all, they'll finally be able to leave this ship," he explained.
Smaller dragons began following Eragon everywhere, but they couldn't stray too far from the city. Some were starting to make short flights, though they wouldn't venture beyond two or three kilometers. They had also begun to cause trouble in the city as they tried to fly and follow Eragon, leading to occasional fires and damaged rooftops. Jon knew he would need to find a place where they could live more peacefully, as keeping them near the city was becoming problematic for both the dragons and the people of Artica.
"So, is this the tree you spoke so much about? Is it a symbol of your gods?" Hiyori asked curiously, shifting her attention from the dragon to the massive tree dominating the landscape.
"Yes, the Weirwoods are the highest point of connection with our gods. They're like our temple. The Old Gods represent nature," Wind explained, gazing at the scene with an enthusiastic expression.
Jon seemed even more so, eagerly awaiting the moment to finally enter the city.
Jon gave no further orders to his men as the ship continued along the canal. The children were still a little frightened by Eragon, especially Brandon, who began to cry. Ygritte tried to soothe him, gently rocking him in her arms.
"Hey, welcome back!" shouted some workers who began to approach the canal on horseback. Articans working in the surrounding fields dropped their tools and came to greet the king. Some children, eager to see Jon, ran to the water's edge, while their parents tried to hold them back.
The ship moved slowly along the canal. Jon issued no immediate commands, taking the opportunity to admire the landscape of the kingdom that now stretched out before his eyes. Up ahead, he could hear the hum of the crowd gathering at the main port.
The port was bustling with activity, with ships being moved back and forth to make room for unloading goods brought from the south and animals that had been transported.
Jon observed the flow of the port, satisfied to finally be here after establishing the maritime routes during this journey. In addition to numerous goods, he had acquired exotic animal species from Yi-Ti, Braavos, and Sothoryos. Among them were basilisk lizards and other creatures that could be used in various ways in the kingdom—from livestock to experiments aimed at creating fast mounts. Though such creatures had never been domesticated for this purpose, Jon saw an opportunity to develop something innovative, perhaps even a unique cavalry unit with Yi-Ti's basilisks.
'But that can wait...' Jon thought, focusing on the present moment. First, he needed to greet his people as the King of Artica.
As the ship neared the port, Jon saw the gathered crowd awaiting his arrival. Before entering the main canal, he had written a message to prepare the kingdom for the ships' arrival and organize the fleet's needs. The voyage had been a success, and the established trade routes brought more prosperity and unity than he had initially expected.
Braavos, Pentos, Lys, Myr, Tyrosh, and Yi-Ti were stabilized. Despite Westeros being a failure, Jon would still profit from Essos and bring prosperity to his kingdom. Their products would also be sought by third parties, and he was certain Westeros would buy from them.
He knew some goods would be sold in Westeros at inflated prices due to intermediary buyers, but Jon was already planning to establish a robust and self-sufficient commercial structure in Artica. Once ready, he would initiate that project.
The roar of the crowd erupted ahead as everyone on the ship looked on curiously. It seemed like the entire city had gathered at the port to welcome their king. The love and admiration they had for Jon were evident, as he had founded Artica and saved them from a life of food scarcity and the constant threat of death from the undead and the merciless cold.
Jon was pleased. The birthrate in Artica had soared, and he knew that future generations would be even better than the first. Many were still facing challenges, adjusting to their new reality after decades of living as nomadic tribes like the Free Folk. Now, instead of fighting for food or fleeing from the undead, they could study, train, and develop their skills in safety while watching their children grow.
'This is the generation that will come after us,' Jon thought. "Those who will be educated from an early age at the Artica academy and schools. They will be the future, only needing to manage what we have built. Just as I forged this kingdom, it will now be my children's responsibility to maintain it as a safe home for everyone." Jon reflected, his gaze fixed on the city.
The ship finally approached the main dock. Jon could see the Queen of Artica, Seryna, waiting for him with a boy and a girl by her side. The children were impeccably dressed, their gazes fixed on him with curiosity and a hint of nervousness, while Seryna looked at him with warmth in her eyes.
Jon couldn't suppress a smile as he saw his loyal and loving wife waiting for him. To him, Seryna was a giantess blessed by the gods, the woman who had believed in him more than anyone else since the days when he was just a lost young man in the North. He owed her so much.
Eragon continued roaring in the sky, circling the port until finally deciding to land in a space reserved for him. Everyone knew the dragon wouldn't hesitate to cause damage to make room for his descent, as he often did when Jon returned to Artica after time away. The dragon landed with an imposing presence, but the citizens of Artica were used to their king's majestic companion.
The ship finally docked at the pier. Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet emerged into the central lake and proceeded to other docks nearby. However, most of the attention was focused on the king's ship. The euphoric crowd greeted him with cheers, while some scanned the other ships for their husbands, sons, and fathers returning after two years away.
Unfortunately, Jon knew some families wouldn't share the joy of reunion. There were those who had lost their lives during the journey, and Jon would have to report their deaths to the families, offering compensation for their service. But that moment would come later. For now, he focused on disembarking and reuniting with his family.
Jon stepped forward as the gangplank lowered, maintaining his firm posture. He wore a simple suit of Valyrian steel armor, befitting a medieval knight. He had left his samurai armor behind, now intended only as part of a special collection, and carried the sword Blackfyre at his waist, replacing the two katanas he had used until finding it.
Arya also had a Valyrian steel armor that he had crafted for her, though it remained with Jon since bringing it to Winterfell could cause problems. She already had Darksister, but she would wear the armor upon returning to Artica, where Valyrian steel would no longer be such a rarity from this point forward.
The sight of Seryna with their children by her side, combined with the vibrant energy of the people of Artica welcoming him with such joy, filled Jon with deep satisfaction. He had completed his mission outside the kingdom and was now back to fulfill his role as king, father, and protector of the people who trusted him.
Jon took the first step down the gangplank, being the first to disembark, the crowd's cheers growing even louder as they saw him. He advanced toward his wife and two children. Behind her stood the ministers and royal guards, positioned to greet the king. However, Jon ignored them, focusing entirely on the two children who were watching him with curious eyes. Both were nearly two years old and were seeing their father consciously for the first time after hearing many stories about him.
"Jon..." Seryna murmured, almost unsure of how to react as he approached after so much time apart.
Jon didn't say anything. He closed the distance with steady steps and simply pressed his lips to hers in a brief but firm kiss, catching Seryna by surprise. She looked at him, stunned. As they parted, he smiled and immediately turned his attention to the children, who observed him with cautious and curious expressions.
Jon didn't reach for one child first but instead knelt before Seryna, meeting the children at eye level. In a calm voice, he said, "Jon, Lyanna, I am your father. I am finally home again. I am so happy to see you for the first time. Please, come give your father a hug."
Lyanna, still cautious, and little Jon studied him intently. Their gray eyes with a ring of green tones, identical to his, observed him carefully. There were portraits of Jon created by skilled artists, so they were somewhat familiar with his face, yet it was still their first time seeing him in person.
"It's Daddy..." Jon murmured, taking a small step forward. Seryna leaned down slightly and whispered softly in the girl's ear, "Your father is waiting. Go to him."
Lyanna took another step forward, while Jon extended his arms toward his son, who was the first to approach. Lyanna followed, still a bit cautious, but Jon gently touched her shoulder and then pulled her into a tight embrace alongside her brother.
He held them there, kissing their faces tenderly. Jon closed his eyes, allowing himself to be swept away by a rare wave of emotion.
"My children... It feels so good to have you in my arms," he murmured, nearly at a loss for words.
"So, you're really our daddy?" Lyanna asked, finally breaking the silence.
"Of course I am," Jon replied with a smile, looking at the curious girl. "I'm home now, and you won't get rid of me so easily." He gave the children more kisses on their foreheads, making them laugh and dispelling the initial tension.
Seryna glanced at the approaching group with a curious expression. "I see you've brought more people than usual," she commented, noticing the women coming closer ahead of the others.
Ygritte was approaching with a look full of longing, her focus entirely on Lyanna, who was in Jon's arms. She held a baby in her arms and gazed at the girl tenderly. Rhaenys, elegantly dressed, walked beside her. Seryna already knew Jon had remarried—she had received word about it when the small group returned to Artica with news of the Yi-Ti war. She had accepted it, though she couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise seeing, besides Ygritte and Rhaenys, the platinum-eyed woman, her rescued aunt, who seemed to have also become involved with Jon. Her intuition told her as much.
There was also another woman—Hiyori. From what she had heard, there was a princess of Yi-Ti, and Seryna had already deduced that certain alliances had been formed following the conflicts in that region.
"I'll explain everything," Jon said, addressing Seryna. It didn't sound like he was asking for permission, but rather informing her, as a husband would his wife.
Seryna simply nodded. She wasn't surprised that Jon had taken multiple wives—this had been expected when Artica was established. Jon, however, remained focused on his two children, who were becoming more comfortable in their father's arms.
"More important than that," Jon continued, with a warm smile directed at the children, "is that I'm finally home."
As he spoke, the rest of the group approached them, officially beginning their reception in Artica after so much time away from the kingdom.
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Next Chapters -
Chapter 216 - The Routine of the King of Artica 02. |
Chapter 221 - The Truth 02. |
Chapter 231 - The She-Wolf of the North 01. |
Chapter 240 - Arriving in Vaes Dothraki.
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