41 chapter 40 : The Weight of a Kingdom
*CROA*
*CROA*
*CRAAAH*
*CROA*
Later it was daylight, the battle was over and Jon sat atop one of Moat Cailin's walls admiring the snowy lands outside while thousands of mutated crows feasted on the corpses of Jon's dead enemies .
Mutant crows were an incredibly effective way to dispose of corpses, they were not only larger than normal crows but fed much more voraciously.
The crows weren't the only ones feeding, Jon's army celebrated their victory with a feast. There was plenty of food to feed the conspiracy army at Moat Cailin so they helped themselves.
He watched a rider coming in the distance and recognized with his bionic eyes Grenn coming on one of the mutant horses so he got up to walk towards the main dungeon.
Since the end of the battle, he had not shown himself to his men so when they saw him, the soldiers respectfully greeted Jon with renewed respect because this battle was one-sided and everything was perfectly in tune with his plan.
"RAHAHAHAH I have never experienced anything like this…" Tormund came completely drunk to cling to Jon.
Jon: You seem in a good mood.
Tormund: This battle...*burp*...the fighters on our side were as possessed by gods and the crows...the birds fought with us...
"Welcome to my North…" Jon said, patting Tormund on the shoulder to let him laugh in his drunkenness.
He saw in a corner Val who was taking care of Jarl's cuts, the two men's eyes met and he nodded to Jon and Jon responded with a smile as he continued on his way.
He saw Mance and Mag in the distance also talking about this battle, they never imagined that a battle could be won so easily.
Jon gave a smile then continued his way to the main tower where he met Aurane.
Aurane: Majesty, we have been looking for you...
Jon: That's why I'm here. Where is my uncle ?
Aurane: In the large room with the others and a few lieutenants of the Night's Watch, the enemy leaders are captive.
Jon looked slightly incomprehensive before entering with Aurane, the sworn brothers respectfully greeted him as he passed and he responded humbly.
They reached the large room and Jon walked towards Torrhen and Benjen who were there in front of the prisoners.
Benjen: Jon…
Torrhen: You are finally here my lord.
Jon: You all did a good job. However, why are the traitorous leaders still alive ?
Benjen: We thought they would have some use.
"They don't have any, uncle. The enemy remains the enemy regardless of his rank..." Jon said as he moved closer to Roose who looked at him with some contempt, Jon didn't give him a look but his eyes were fixed on Lyra.
Jon: According to our informants, your mother Maege and one of your older sisters were killed during the Red Wedding on the orders of Roose Bolton. I leave him to your care, my lady.
When Jon closed his mouth, Roose tried to say something but it was impossible, his throat was immediately constricted by something terribly strong.
It was Lyra who moved with superhuman speed to hold Roose tightly by the neck.
All the other prisoners watched in disbelief at this action before with one hand, Lyra completely lifted Rosse by the neck with her feet off the ground, causing the others to be even more shocked. How could a woman be so strong ?!
"If all my sisters and mother had died on the battlefield for the North, it would have been honorable but you had them cowardly murdered during the Red Wedding..." Lyra declared with deep anger and extended her hand to Lyana her little sister who lent her one of her daggers.
As Roose struggled in the air, Lyra slowly thrust the dagger into Roose's genitals as he let out a muffled howl of pain.
She repeated the action over and over before violently cutting open his stomach to extract his entrails.
The other leaders of the conspiracy were now in a state of horrible terror, some even urinating in their clothes after watching Roose's execution.
Jon looked at Wylis Manderly who was there and gave him a soft smile.
Jon: I'll give you the opportunity to avenge your father killed by one of my archers earlier. Stand up Wylis, (to his men) Give him his weapons and give me a simple sword, it wouldn't be fair with a Valyrian steel sword.
Wylis: Will you let me live if I win? The sword that was just given to you was my father's sword.
Jon: In the North I swear, you will be freed in case of victory, your father's sword will be returned to you and your family will be forgiven. My men are witnesses to this.
"I have heard of your fighting prowess and i am not afraid of you, I'll avenge my father" Wylis said taking a stance with his sword, Jon only nodded calmly before attacking first with a light, vertical strike from top to bottom.
Wylis was able to block the strike with a horizontal parry but because of the force of this strike considered very light by Jon, Wylis quickly found himself with one knee on the ground and eyes filled with surprise and disbelief.
Jon effortlessly applied a little force to the sword and in a few seconds the blades were already in front of Wylis's neck who tried to resist in vain.
He looked into his eyes as Wylis seemed to realize something but it was too late.
In a very simple motion, Jon simply thrust his green blade forward and the tip embedded itself several inches into the side of Wylis's neck in complete disbelief.
He dropped his weapon to reflexively grab his neck because of the bleeding but with a quick movement, Jon decapitated him without any restraint or mercy.
"Kill everyone else, the fate of a traitor is death and many thousands of Northmen were corrupted and slaughtered tonight because of them. Jon said before walking towards what looked like a throne in the room while behind his back the traitors begged for leniency before getting killed by the others.
As Jon sat, Grenn suddenly entered the room with something wrapped in a bloody cloth.
"I want to see her..." Jon said and Grenn pointed to Bardrey Dustin's severed head in the cloth and Jon had a smile recognizing her face he waved to Grenn who threw it into the pile of corpses in the room.
"Jon…" Torrhen said, moving closer to his friend.
Jon: We have finally rid the North of its parasites, hearts will be eased and losses avenged.
Lyana Mormont: About the Freys ?
Jon: Don't worry Lady Mormont, a man unconditionally loyal to the North and the Starks will settle his score. Howland Reed will take care of him.
Benjen and Torrhen looked at each other before Benjen nodded in approval with something, Torrhen under his coat at the small of his back took out a package in black leather and handed it to Benjen this attracted attention from everyone.
Benjen: Go gather everyone outside.
Aurane: ??!
"Hurry up..." Torrhen said sternly and they all walked out except Lyra and Jon's other lieutenants.
Jon: Uncle, what is this package ?
Benjen: Something the Lord Commander and the rest of us decided to do for you. Come, let's go out, we must do something of the greatest importance.
Jon: Uncle...
Benjen: Trust me Jon.
He shrugged his shoulders and followed his uncle outside with the others where they watched their men and the wildlings being rounded up with looks filled with curiosity. Once the gathering was complete, Benjen asked Jon to get on his knees and he obeyed, shocking everyone.
Benjen: My friends, my sworn brothers, my brothers in arms, several centuries ago the North ceased to be a complete and sovereign kingdom to become a province of Westeros with the arrival of the Targaryens. However, the old gods didn't abandon their lands and the descendants of the first men so they allowed us to return to being the kingdom we were before through Jon. He's the one they chose to make us stronger and become the North our ancestors dreamed of.
" IT'S TRUE"
"JON"
"LONG LIVE THE CAPTAIN COMMANDER"
Benjen: Jon changed the Night's Watch, he gave us glory and strength never equaled even in his greatest hours in the past. He allowed the people beyond the wall to pass through to save them from the White Walkers and brought us together to fight a common enemy. What he did with the Night's Watch, i want him to do the same and more for the North. He's by far the only man capable of doing it.
To the screams of the others, Benjen unfurled the package to reveal a magnificent black crown made of Dragon Glass and with pure gold ornaments. Everyone went silent when they saw this and Jon knew what was going to happen.
Benjen: Jon Stark, do you swear to protect the North ?
Jon: I swear by the old gods.
Benjen: Do you swear to rule it justly ?
Jon: I swear by the old gods.
Benjen: Do you swear to do everything in your power to ensure that the North never falls.
Jon: By the old gods I swear.
Benjen: (slowly places the crown on Jon's head) By this crown and to the assistance of the people without question, I make you today king of the North, may the old gods guide you and protect us, my nephew...my King.
Jon stood up and Benjen bowed his knees to him, Torrhen and the others did the same and like a wave, all the other men gathered there bowed down to him except Mance and the other wildlings who had mixed emotions.
Jon looked at these people prostrated before him and understood one thing, all these people, they were not in this posture out of submission or inferiority but because they entrusted their future in his hands, the weight of the crown of a true king was the weight of his subjects' trust, the Weight of a Kingdom .
[Part 3 : End]
*** That's it guys, my dog is gone. You can't imagine the pain I'm carrying, it's as if my heart had been ripped out. I don't know if I'll have the strength to continue, but I'm going to put this story and the others on hold for now. I need to grieve and mourn an exceptional being. Sincere thanks to those who have been there since the beginning of our adventure with the entities and who have supported my mediocre work. Love you all ***
