Jon was smiling when he dressed the next morning. Ser Arthur had needed to send a maid to fetch his outfit in his chambers where Dany was still asleep. He and Dany had talked till deep in the night until Jon had stopped mid-sentence when he had heard a soft snore. Dany had fallen asleep in his bed, fully clothed, with her head on his chest. He had freed his arm, put her head down and covered her with the bed furs. Then he had fetched Ser Barristan and Ser Oswell who were on guard duty in the hallway. They had agreed to Jon's request to let her stay there and had moved their Prince to a modest room nearby.
Despite being reminded to do so often, Jon had still not chosen a manservant. If it were up to him he would hold off on that as long as possible. He was perfectly capable of looking after himself and he knew that neither Ser Arthur nor Ser Oswell minded very much to help him with some small detail or other. He would miss those private times when he eventually needed to give in.
This morning Ser Arthur was assisting him with putting on his boot on his right foot so Jon would not need to bend that leg too much. When he looked down at Ser Arthur he remembered the conversation he had had with Dany last night about the strange tension that had initially hung over dinner.
Dany had also noticed the tension that had hung around his dinner companions at first. According to her, things had gotten more relaxed as soon as she had engaged Lady Ashara in a conversation and had made her describe the beauty of the lands surrounding Starfall. Jon had admitted he had never seen his uncle that socially inept with a female as he had been during the first part of their meal. Eventually Uncle Ned had recovered enough to join in the conversation and had seemingly overcompensated by entertaining them with the story of how the three Stark brothers had been introduced to Lady Ashara at the infamous tourney of Harrenhal.
Lady Ashara had helped him out by adding a few more details to his tale. She had smiled and had told them how all three Stark brothers had been quick to secure her hand for a dance. She highlighted how a rather young Benjen Stark had been very nervous and oh so very much honoured that she had accepted a dance with him. His uncle had then taken over again and didn't spare his brother's sensibilities when he recounted how the youngest Stark had forgotten the steps of the very simple dance and had tripped over Lady Ashara's feet several times.
Dany had taken note that Lady Ashara had offered no particulars on her dances with either Brandon or Ned Stark. Jon and Dany had speculated about that a bit last night. However, without further information, they were still left guessing whether there had been something going on between Lady Ashara and the handsome Brandon Stark back then or not.
"Ser Arthur, were you aware that my Stark uncles knew your sister?" He asked and was perplexed when he saw the knight stiffen.
"Of course. I was there when they were all were introduced. Why do you ask?"
Ser Arthur's bland reply for some reason made Jon more convinced than ever that they all knew something that he did not.
"Did she favour Uncle Brandon back then?" Jon asked. "Uncle Ned told me often enough how all the ladies admired his elder brother and never really noticed him."
"I will not discuss my sister's past. It is hers alone to reveal. Will that be all, my King?" Ser Arthur having fastened the laces on Jon's right booth rose swiftly and headed for the door.
"I'm sorry, Ser Arthur. Please do not be offended. I won't bring up the subject again." Jon was quick to apologize. He would tell Dany about the knight's strange reaction though. She would not speak to anyone about it if he asked for discretion.
"It is I who should apologize, my King. I only had a few hours of sleep and I am very protective of my sister. She has been gossiped about her entire live and uh well uh I am very protective of her." He finished awkwardly, obviously regretting his abrupt reaction.
"I understand. Please consider this matter closed." Jon was quick to reassure his loyal Kingsguard and friend. Let's head to the room where they serve breakfast in this large place. We are all of us much more diplomatic when we have something in our stomach."
***
Jon sat at the head of the large table ready to start the first official meeting of his small council. Davos, now Lord Seaworth sat opposite him the farthest away of them all but directly in his line of vision. Sam sat at his right side, Dany at his left. Only after Prince Oberyn, Prince Stark, Lord Royce, and Varys had chosen a seat, did Ser Gerold and Ser Arthur sit down. Ser Barristan and Ser Oswell guarded the door from the outside.
Jon smiled at them all. "This is not so different if you compare it to all the other meetings we held, is it? Just perhaps the fact that Prince Stark has agreed to attend."
Davos coughed. "First order of business is to define the members of the small council, your Grace."
"No need for titles, Davos. And yes, that is indeed the first thing we need to make clear. I of course, will take an active part in all meetings for as far as my other duties allow. Lord Seaworth is my Hand, Yohn Royce my Master of Laws, Lord Manderly absent for the time being is my Master of Ships. His presence will not be required often and he can divide his time between the capital and White Harbour. The same applies for Yohn Royce although his presence will be required when a major trial needs a chairman."
Jon took a sip from his cup. Since he had foreseen this meeting would be a lengthy one, he had ordered pitchers filled with fresh water and enough cups to be brought in her before the meeting started.
"Prince Oberyn will represent the interests of the Kingdom of Dorne and has chosen not to take on extra duties, Ser Gerold will attend as Lord Commander of the Royal guard, Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell and Ser Barristan will be allowed to attend these meetings on personal invitation when deemed necessary and the Princess of course may attend at will." He smiled at Dany before continuing.
"An adult member of House Stark may represent the North when in King's Landing. That leaves us with several issues. First, I do not want to use Grand Maester Pycelle's services. If you want me to refrain from calling him an incompetent whoring fool to his face, you will need to come up with a dignified way to give him another duty that keeps him out of my sight. That is one. We will also have to find a competent Master of Coin, and an intermediary solution for the post of Grand Maester, and we have to decide how to ascertain that the other Kingdoms' interests are fairly represented without having the moniker 'small' council no longer fit this meeting."
Varys spoke up. "Grand Maester Pycelle might be persuaded to spend the rest of his days at the Citadel writing a book detailing all his experiences as a Grand Maester. He has served four Kings and wouldn't it be a shame if all that history was lost to posterity. Leave it to me, your Grace. I have ample means of persuading him. He will be on a ship bound for Old Town before you know it."
Jon nodded at his Master of Whispers. "Thank you, Lord Varys. Now for the other issues, how urgent is the appointment of a Master of Coin? I have heard several accounts of Lord Tyrion Lannister having a keen financial mind but I would like to take his measure first before granting him this position. I have sent an ambassador who amongst other things will present him with the legitimization papers for his nephew and niece and will invite him to the come to the capital to swear his allegiance. But he probably won't be here for another three sennights."
"Not an obvious choice but one I could approve of." Prince Oberyn offered his opinion.
"I am not sure that that is a recommendation." Ser Gerold muttered under his breath but loud enough for most to hear.
"He did help us with the allegations of fraud against Littlefinger. He deciphered those ledgers in no time." Jon defended his candidate. He turned to his left. "Uncle Ned, what can you tell us of the current finances of the Crown and the state of our war fund?"
Eddard Stark exchanged a short glance with Varys before answering. "The finances of the Crown are in a deplorable state. Our war fund, well, there is still a rather large reserve but be aware that in the near future that will no longer be replenished as easily as before. Bottom line, as long as you don't start outrageously expensive projects before a Master of Coin has been appointed, you can afford to take your time. With your Grace's permission, I will bring your Hand up to speed on recent events regarding the war fund and the debts the former King left behind after this meeting."
Jon almost rolled his eyes at the formal way they were dealing with each other. He had fond memories of Sandor calling their bullshit when they had been using language not even half as formal as some of the phrases used now. "I thank you, Uncle. That would be appreciated. But can you tell all of us present here how much debt we have inherited from Robert Baratheon's reign? Had not a massive loan from House Lannister recently been uh let's call it 'paid in full' by all the concessions we granted them?"
"There is still the debt with the Iron Bank of Braavos. Luckily it is not that substantial. I am sure we will be able to get an extension if we can prove to them we can not only keep the peace but also improve the way Westeros is governed."
"Peace is not yet assured, Prince Stark." Davos cautioned.
"Can't we repay the debt and be done with it?" Jon asked no one in particular.
"That would be unwise, my King." Varys spoke up now. "Better keep our resources separate. It is better to set our war fund apart from the official finances of the Crown that are noted in the ledger."
"I hate to start my reign with dubious transactions." Jon objected.
"Jon, let's table this discussion for afterward. You know I had to promise never to disclose some things to certain parties." His uncle looked at him with a pleading expression in his dark grey eyes.
Jon pursed his lips and nodded. He exchanged a frustrated look with Davos who took charge.
"Before we proceed to the next topic, does anyone have a better candidate for Maester of Coin to put forward?"
When nobody offered up any names Jon took a deep breath and turned to Sam. "Then we are a Grand Maester short. As high as I rate the invaluable services of Sam, neither the Citadel nor the realm will see this my way. Sam has agreed to complete an important task for me first. Upon completion, he will officially starting the forging of his links at the Citadel."
He smiled reassuringly at his friend and then addressed the room. "I will use my influence to speed up this process for him. He has already gained enough knowledge to take several tests and forge his first links almost immediately upon arrival there. Still we must be realistic. He will be gone for a couple of years. We will need to use the services of another Maester in the meantime, preferably one willing to serve me without gaining the title of Grand Maester and stepping aside once Sam completes his chain."
"What about Maester Pylos?" Dany offered timidly. "I know you all ignored him most of the time on Dragonstone but I spoke with him at several opportunities. As far as I can tell he is intelligent and not overly ambitious. I have witnessed first-hand that he has common sense and acts with decency and honour even though he had every cause to feel slighted."
Jon grasped Dany's hand under the table and caressed it to express his appreciation with her proposal as he addressed his question to everyone present. "I would indeed prefer someone we know to a complete foreigner chosen by the Citadel. But what about the people on Dragonstone? They need a Maester as well."
"The way I see it, the Citadel needs to send out at least one new Maester." Prince Oberyn was quick to offer his advice. "Have an honest conversation with Maester Pylos. Inform him that as soon as Sam has obtained his Maester's chain, you will have two Maesters to do your bidding. With Seven Kingdoms to administer, they will both be glad for each other's assistance. If Maester Pylos agrees, just inform the Citadel that you took him with you and that they need to send a new Maester to Dragonstone."
Jon looked at Sam. who nodded uncomfortably. Clearly his friend was ill at ease with being the main cause of this issue. Jon gave him an encouraging smile. "I'll send a raven to Maester Pylos that he can expect me shortly after my wedding to discuss a few matters."
Since nobody had anything further to add, Jon quickly moved ahead. "That just leaves the matter of how to represent the interest of each of the Seven Kingdoms."
"It is not necessary to have each of them represented on your small council, Jon." His uncle spoke up now. "A small council can only rule effectively if it consists of a limited number of men or uh women," he added awkwardly his gaze lingering on the Princess for a short moment. "It is very important that you choose people who work well together and are at your disposal when you need them. Also, the more members, the more chances that opinions will differ. It will complicate decisions and make for tedious meetings. As long as you make sure that each Kingdom can bring their issues before the small council, then all is as it should be. Just make sure that they are aware that they can be heard if necessary."
"How about holding a larger council where all Seven Kingdoms are duly represented, let's say once a year with the possibility of organising another one if circumstance call for it?" Again it was Dany who presented the idea.
"That might work for most matters." Jon immediately supported her. "But when a delicate issue arises, they must be able to appeal to us and get a ruling without the other Kingdoms butting in."
"So," Davos spoke up now his tone slightly admonishing. "If I understand this correctly, you establish a small council with only four core members you want present all the time, myself, Varys, Ser Gerold and a Maester. The rest can attend when they are in the capital or whenever it takes their fancy?"
"That sounds rather harsh when you spell it out like that." Jon was taken aback by that comment for a moment and mentally reviewed how he had presented it. He swallowed. "I will make every effort to attend and will only be absent when I am travelling on official business for the Crown or defending my Kingdoms on a battlefield. My imminent short honeymoon of course will be the exception. I hope I can depend on all the other members to attend regularly. And don't forget that there will also be a Master of Coin in the near future."
"I would prefer to establish some sort of minimal requirement of attendance for every member. Let's say they need to be present for at least half of the meetings calculated over a period of a year?" Davos didn't relent.
Jon looked out of his depth for a moment. His uncle stepped in. He used his experience of moons governing Westeros to proclaim in a calm voice but with absolute conviction. "Jon, don't lose time over these smaller details. You need to establish your rule first. You will need everyone's help in these first few moons. This is a learning period. Your small council can address this matter later."
Everyone nodded. And Jon looked relieved. "Thank you, Uncle. That is wise advice. Can we consider the matter of the founding of our small council finished for now and move on to the next topic?"
"Of course," Ser Davos accepting the verdict looked at his scroll and spoke up. "Lord Varys, how are the first reactions amongst the servants and the smallfolk living in the city?"
"Mostly favourable, I am happy to say. There were a few small skirmishes but overall the people are accepting the change in power. Most of them have fond memories of your father, my King."
"Ser Gerold, do you have something to add?" Jon asked his Lord Commander.
"It is as Varys says. A few minor skirmishes easily stopped by the City Watch. For now we need to stay vigilant. Troublemakers are by nature cowards. They tend to grow their numbers first before attempting anything substantial. All the guards and servants in the keep have sworn allegiance. As little as two guards hailing from the Stormlands have disappeared. King Robert's Kingsguard have petitioned for a position in your Kingsguard. I am not willing to grant them that. Perhaps they can be given a position in the royal guard."
Jon nodded. "Handle that any way you deem fit, Ser Gerold. I think we all are of one mind on this. It is imperative that only men we know and trust absolutely are to guard Dany and me." He addressed the room at large when he tackled the next issue. "Lord Royce, can you handle the increase of visiting Lords over the next few sennights?"
"We have asked the Lords in the neighbouring lands to lend us their tents. I am afraid some highborn Lords and their kin will need to sleep in tents. It can't be helped."
"Then see to it that they have ample food and that the camps are organised in an orderly manner as much as you can control. We do not need unsavoury conditions and illness to spread out." Jon ordered.
"Contact the nobles living in the city and ask if they can take in some of the more important Lords." Davos advised Lord Royce.
Lord Royce shook his head and sighed. "I already did that when the tournament turned out to be more popular than expected." When he met the stern look of Lord Seaworth he added reluctantly. "I will contact them again."
Jon understanding Lord Royce's predicament offered him his help. "I will give you a written royal request to show to the owners of the larger mansions. Perhaps they will make an extra effort if they get some recognition from their newly proclaimed sovereign. We could promise them an invitation to a dinner in the Red Keep preceded by a short private audience with the King. They can also expect to receive a few words of royal gratitude in front of witnesses during the banquet."
Lord Royce nodded gratefully. "That would sway most of them to make the extra effort. Thank you, your Grace."
"Can't we use some of Peter Baelish's former brothels?" Prince Oberyn suggested.
"I'll look into it." Lord Royce sighed. "I might require more assistance. Thoros of Myr and I can only do so much in one day."
"Take Cassel with you." Eddard Stark was also keen to help his ally and friend out. "He has grown familiar with the City and can recommend you the services of some female members of my houseguard who travelled with their husbands to King's Landing. I can only imagine the work to be done to transform the brothels into adequate quarters for Lords and Ladies."
"By that comment, I can only surmise that you have never set foot inside one of Littlefinger's brothels, Prince of the North." Prince Oberyn commented amused. "Those establishment you want to 'transform' are most likely more luxurious than the average home of a noble family here in the capital."
"I concur," Varys piped up. "It will probably be enough to remove a few of the more suggestive ornaments."
"Then see to it." Jon ordered Lord Royce. He was ready to declare the subject closed when Lord Royce coughed. "Your Grace, Lord Tarly, did one of you by any chance review the list of competitors for the joust? More in particular the younger Lords who qualified by way of the pre-tournament?"
Jon looked at Sam and they both shook their heads. "Why do you bring that up, Lord Royce?" Jon asked. When he saw the man frown and swallow.
Ser Gerold straightened his back. "If there is a threat to the King then why was I not informed?"
"Not a threat as such, Ser Gerold." Lord Royce looked rather uncomfortable now. "Perhaps a delicate situation is a better way of phrasing it. Lord Dickon of House Tarly is one of the contestants."
"Dickon is here in the Capital?" Sam's face lit up for a second only to darken again and a large frown appeared on his forehead. "My father is still on the list of Lords who have not yet announced their imminent visit nor has he sent a promise of his allegiance by raven. Dickon has not shown up at Court either." He hesitated and looked at Jon who could see his friend was starting to panic. "What does that mean for my brother, Jon? Will you summon him? Use him as a hostage?"
Jon looking rather grave exchanged glances with Ser Davos before answering in a composed manner. "At the very least I would want a word with him, Sam. And I would like for you and Davos to be present. Let's hear him out first."
"I don't know if he is aware that I am a part of your inner circle, I mean uh. Never mind. I also don't think he is aware yet of the real reason I left for the Wall."
"I want to surprise him with your presence, Sam. That will make it easier for us to have the upper hand in the conversation and get a genuine reaction out of him. I won't reveal your father's part in your exile from Horn Hill. I leave you to decide how much you want him to know about that."
Jon turned to Lord Royce. Can you see to it that Lord Dickon of House Tarly receives a summon and is escorted to the Red Keep. I guess I will be granting another private audience this afternoon. I'll receive him after the delegation from Craw Isle.
Jon now turned to his uncle. "How is Robert Baratheon faring? How much longer will he remain alive and conscious?"
"Two days at the most." His uncle answered. "You promised him a visit and he has asked to see me immediately afterwards."
"Then we will do that first thing after this meeting." Jon nodded at his uncle and reckoned Dany had been right when she had whispered to him during breakfast that Lord Stark looked as if he had not slept and most probably had spent the night at the bedside of Lord Baratheon. "What can you tell me about the Reach?"
"Except for the fact that they want a private audience?" His uncle asked.
"Except from that." Jon nodded.
"Rumours are that they are planning to raise the prices of their food. Rumours courtesy of Lord Varys." His uncle added giving credit where it was due. "It is the only real power play left to them now. You are betrothed so they lose all immediate chance of advancing their status. They lost status to The North, The Vale and it probably hurt their pride even more to learn that Prince Oberyn is a member of your inner circle. You also gave some smaller houses an honourable mention and they were completely passed over. Lady Tyrell is a cornered animal and is using the only play she has left."
Jon looked at his uncle with astonishment and totally missed the silent exchange of looks and small gestures between Varys and Prince Oberyn. "What about the betrothal negotiations between your houses?"
"I haven't contacted her again and she is smart enough to realise that she hesitated too long and that House Stark is now in a much stronger negotiating position. My sons and daughters are Princes and Princesses of the North. They are also cousins to the new King and will be in high demand now, even more than before."
"Well there are still enough Freys she can choose from as we all well know." Ser Arthur laughed and everyone relaxed for a moment."
"I need to find a way to rebuff her without punishing her grandchildren. And I think I just had a most fitting idea." Jon smiled mysteriously and Prince Oberyn nodded approvingly.
The meeting went on for some time covering mostly safety issues and getting everything organised for the coming festivities. They reviewed the list of nobles present and added the more recent arrivals. This list was then used to issue invitations to large banquets they would hold every other night where nobles would be allowed to talk to their King in a less formal setting. They drafted the King's itinerary over the next few days allowing for time to screen new messages, refresh his knowledge on the visitors and make a public appearance in the city. Jon made sure there was time set aside to visit his dragons with Dany at least once every other day.
The next topic on the agenda was the rather complicated situation in the Stormlands. Jon noticed everyone looked tired and their attention had been waning on and off. When he suggested adjourning the meeting and continue the next morning, they were all quick to agree.
Chairs scraped over the stone floor and everyone proceeded to leave the room. Jon quickly intercepted Davos and his uncle and requested them to stay behind for a moment. Dany looked at Jon, a question in her eyes but Jon whispered in her ear that he would join her afterwards. He waited until the door fell closed behind her before addressing his uncle.
"No better time than the present to discuss what is happening with the war fund and tell Davos what that is all about, Uncle Ned."
Much to his surprise his uncle cooperated immediately. "I agree. But let us sit down and have a cup of wine first. I asked a servant to bring us a pitcher."
A bit later they had all been served and sat close together. Davos looked curiously at the way Prince Stark was twirling his cup nervously. He tried to put the newly proclaimed Prince at ease. "It can't be as bad as all that now can it, Ned. We all go a long way back and are friends are we not?"
Ned Stark exhaled slowly and started to speak. "It was an extraordinary coincidence that started everything." He looked at Jon. "I never told you all the details, just the outcome."
Jon put his hand on his uncle's shoulder for a short moment. "Just tell us, Uncle. I think I guessed anyway and I am sure Davos here will vastly appreciate the irony."
Ned looked at Davos. "Do you recall how the Mountain ended up being punished for his crimes?"
"I did." Davos looked curious now.
"Well at the same time a team of ours went after Lord Tywin of House Lannister. He was rather easy to track down. When at the Rock, he had the same strict routine. Our men managed to corner him during one of his inspections of his gold mines. Apparently they had found a new vein in a shaft that had been abandoned for … I don't know exactly how long ago. Suffice it to say it was a very rich vein a bit out of the way of the main area where the Lannisters mined their gold those days. To be more exact, the shaft where the discovery was made had to be accessed by a separate entrance at the other side of the mountain. When my men caught up with Lord Lannister he was conferring with his overseer in that remote area."
Davos nodded sensing where the story was headed, but kept silent letting Ned Stark tell it at his own pace.
"When Tywin Lannister understood the predicament he was in, he bargained for his life. They kept him a prisoner until my brother Benjen and Lord Howland Reed arrived. I will spare you the details of the negotiations. I will only tell you that our main argument was that nothing could compensate for the murder of Princess Elia and her two royal children, nor would the Dornish ever be appeased before they extracted their revenge upon him. In the end, in exchange for his life, he signed away all rights to the newly discovered vein but under the condition that we would keep it a secret from his heirs and the other Kingdoms so House Lannister would not lose even more face over this. He agreed to live in exile and swore not to leave the place we chose to send him to. He also promised not to reveal his identity or whereabouts to anyone. We sent him to a location where he is nobody and has no resources to return. He knows we are keeping an eye on him and that he will only be allowed to come back to Westeros if we pardon him. When everything was settled in writing, my men taunted him with what the gold would be used for. All in all it is a fate much worse than death for a proud man like him."
"Does Prince Oberyn know any of this?" Davos asked.
"He knows enough to be pleased. Not enough to find him." Lord Stark's answered to the point.
"So you have documents entitling you to that gold?" Davos asked to be sure.
"I do. But I don't expect Tyrion Lannister will consider them valid. He will claim that his father was unfairly pressured into it."
"He wasn't though." Jon spoke up for the first time. "He was a murderer and faced the death penalty. He didn't deserve to live. He paid a fair price to be allowed to stay alive. I am inclined to think that Lord Tyrion knows very well what kind of man his father was uh is. But I agree not to tempt fate before I am more acquainted with Lord Tyrion. How do you explain that back then and all this time nobody got wind of strangers mining at the Rock."
"Because there weren't any strangers mining it. "We bought the services of the overseer, a man called Stout and his crew that discovered the new vein. The entrance is at the other side of the mountain. Lord Tywin kept all his dealings to himself. His sons took no part in ruling his lands. Somehow it all worked out. Things are about to get complicated though." Ned Stark frowned.
"Uncle? What haven't you told us?" Jon frowned when he looked at his uncle's troubled expression.
"We got a report that a new vein has been discovered in the part of the mines exploited by House Lannister. They are currently digging deep under the mountain in the direction of our shaft. It might take another three moons or so before they will be coming dangerously to connecting their new shaft to ours. We must make a decision soon. Come forward, which would break our promise to Tywin Lannister or stop mining and leave the area without a trace."
"Do the Lannisters pay taxes to the Crown in proportion to what the mines yield or is it a fixed fee no matter how much the mines bring in?" Jon asked his uncle.
"I must check with Varys but I think it is a fixed fee." His uncle replied.
"If it is, then we change it. House Lannister is not in a position to object and it is not an unfair thing to ask. When they fall on hard times, their taxes lessen, when they discover a new vein, they can afford the higher contribution they have to pay the Crown."
"Spoken as a true Master of Coin." Davos praised Jon. "Perhaps you don't need to find one after all?"
"I do need one. I don't want to spend my mornings going over the books in addition to my other duties. I'd rather pick up my sword and train."
"Something you and Robb have in common." Ned smiled relieved that that part of his confession was over. "So If I understand this right, you opt to withdraw our men from the Lannister mines before they risk discovery.
"Yes, Uncle. I am confident that with good management, the Seven Kingdoms will once more be prosperous. The Crown needs to focus on getting everyone to do their part to keep their corner of the realm from living up to its potential. The Crown will reap enough benefits from the Lannister mines by collecting taxes proportionate to the estimated value of the yields."
"And the Crownlands will have to start earning their income as well." Davos chimed in.
"Indeed. Anyone who is lazy will still have to pay taxes calculated on the possible income he would have earned had he done the work."
"A noble notion, but impossible to enforce, Jon." Ned cautioned. "How do you even start to make an accurate assessment of everyone's income? Don't rush these plans. Start with a small community and see how much effort it takes to implement such a tax. In the unlikely event that it works, go from there. If not, learn from your mistakes and make your plans a bit less ambitious."
"Just an idea, Uncle. Brainstorming, remember? I know the premises is righteous but am well aware that putting it in practice is a different thing altogether. It is something to keep in mind for when my reign is more established. Now, about the debt we owe the Iron Bank, can you tell Davos and me how deeply the Crown is indebted to them?"
His uncle gave them the exact figure which in the end was less than they had feared. Not much later the discussion ended. His uncle agreed to delay the promised visit to Lord Baratheon till after lunch. Jon was in need of fresh air. He cursed the fact that he better be sensible and refrain from climbing too many stairs. He yearned to access a balcony in one of the towers and look out over the city, his city. Instead he needed to satisfy himself by using the small balcony of the council room. Finally alone, Jon stepped out on that balcony and shifted his head upward to enjoy the warmth of the sun on his face. He startled when Dany came up behind him and encircled his waist.
"I asked the servant to serve the two of us a light lunch in here." She stood on her toes to kiss the back of his neck.
He turned took her hand and together they sat down on the stone bench that was the only furniture present on the small balcony. They passed a peaceful moment and avoided all talk of politics for now.
"I'm glad you stood your ground and we will visit with the dragons later this afternoon. " Dany still held his hand and caressed the back of it absently.
"Let me contact them to make sure they'll arrive on the beach near the Kingswood in time." This would be the very first time he warged in her presence and he made sure not to frighten her. "Don't be afraid if I don't respond to you for a short while. I need to concentrate and will close my eyes."
Dany nodded and Jon closed his eyes and opened his mind. The first thing he became aware of was the niggling presence of his direwolf. Surprised he focussed on Ghost. His direwolf had refused to accompany Gendry to Winterfell. Neither had he joined Edric, Brienne, and Loras to White Harbour. Ghost had opted to travel south at his own pace.
Jon warged into his wolf and was relieved to learn that Ghost was no longer travelling alone. Despite the fast pace Uncle Benjen had been travelling, Ghost had managed to catch up with him. It reassured Jon that Ghost planned to stick with Uncle Benjen for the rest of the journey so both of them could look out for each other. He was glad to witness through Ghost's red eyes that Uncle Benjen looked healthy enough except for the expected signs of exhaustion. His uncle looked a bit thinner and had dark circles under his eyes. Satisfied that they were both safe and approaching at a steady pace, he severed the connection and searched for Rhaegal's presence.
Rhaegal eager for news accepted Jon's probing and opened his mind. His dragons were circling impatiently over Dragonstone. Understanding that their human was finally recognised as the superior being over all those insignificant two-footers of his own race, they easily accepted to meet him on the prearranged spot and would take over the search for a suitable place to settle there. They were better placed than some tiny humans to sniff out caves. Jon urged them not to scare anyone unnecessarily and informed them that he and the Princess would arrive at the beach on horseback later that afternoon.
Satisfied, Jon broke off their mind sharing session and stared straight into Dany's purple eyes. He smiled, easing her worried expression. "I'm sorry it took longer as expected. I first connected with Ghost. He is travelling in the company of Uncle Benjen now. They will be here in less than a sennight if all goes well."
"I envy you this bond with your wolf but most of all with the dragons, Aegon."
The servants preceded by Ser Barristan entered with their lunch before he could react. Jon gestured to Ser Barristan and the knight quickly ushered the servants out and joined Ser Oswell at the other side of the door allowing the couple to continue their tête-à-tête.
They enjoyed their meal addressing nothing more significant than the weather and the decorations in the Red Keep. When Jon noticed that Dany had eaten her fill, he gestured for her to sit closer to him. He adjusted his position on the bench sitting astride it on the far edge so he could lean with his back against the stone wall and guided Dany until she was installed between his legs her back resting against his front. He encircled her waist with his arms pulling her closer to him and nuzzled her slim neck that was exposed since her braids were mostly arranged in an elaborate crown on the top of her head.
"I'll help you with Viserion as much as I can." He promised revisiting the topic they had stopped discussing when the servants had entered with their lunch.
"It is not your willingness I am nervous about." She confessed.
"Just take it easy and don't expect too much progress at once. They are not our servants but our equals if not superiors. Respect them as such and be grateful for every concession they make. Let them feel your acceptance of their decision not your frustration."
"Will they be able to feel what I feel, you think?" She turned her head and gave her a quick kiss before he answered.
"I don't know. But they are extremely intelligent and do understand everything I feel, think and say. Talk to them in High Valyrian though, as the dragonriders before me did. And we'll take it from there. I'll be with you every step of the way but I will need to walk a fine line between not betraying their confidence and helping you. You understand?" He leaned his chin on her shoulder.
"I repeat, it is not your willingness that I have doubts about." She cocked her head so it rested against his.
"We'll take a small ride on Rhaegal if you like." The promise was whispered with his lips close to her ear. The small puffs of breath he released while he spoke tickled her ears.
"Will Ser Gerold agree?" Her shaky voice betrayed how affected she was by his closeness.
"We'll only circle above the sea and see to it that we keep within the line of sight of the guards on the beach the entire time. Nothing can happen to us up there, Dany. Even Ser Gerold has to acknowledge that. The more difficult task was to get him to agree to us venturing out and visiting the beach." His hands were starting to move over the curve of her hips.
"Well, he had no rebuttal after Varys told him of a safe way to reach the beach by travelling underground. I am excited to see those secret tunnels below the Red Keep and part of the city." Dany smiled and turned slightly in his arms. If she was a kitten, she would have purred. Instead she basked in the warmth of their embrace.
"These tunnels played a dire part in the events of the Rebellion." Jon hands stilled as his mood got more serious. "They remind me of Jaime Lannister's fate."
"You sympathize with him that much?" She looked sceptical and a bit jealous of whatever it was that had distracted him away from her.
"I realise it is difficult for you to grasp but I am convinced that deep down he is a good person who was in the right place at the right time but at great cost for his own reputation and sanity. He is coming to term with his past now ever since he has found a new purpose in life. He is turning back into the man he was destined to become all along. I saw proof of that with my very eyes." He defended his change of heart.
"And you are sure that you are not fooled into thinking that by a man who has nothing left to lose now that he is condemned to spend the rest of his life at the Wall?" Dany was not convinced yet.
Jon pulled away slightly and leaned with his head against the wall. "I am. I can't explain it. It is as if he is a kindred soul. He could have become another version of Ser Arthur but fate decided otherwise. Often now, when I think about these three loyal Kingsguards who helped raise me, I wonder how things would have turned out if one of them had been in the Red Keep and Jaime Lannister had been amongst the ones that guarded the Tower of Joy."
"But that didn't happen, Aegon." She felt a bit frustrated by his slight withdrawal and stared straight ahead.
"He was our age when it happened, Dany. I can't help but feel for him, more so after his heroic deeds during and after the battle near Hardhome."
"When will you tell me about that battle, Aegon?" She turned her head and saw the empathy for another in his kind dark eyes disappear and a troubled look take its place.
"Soon, Dany. Allow me a bit of respite still. I hardly have had time to process the events myself. So many things are happening now and are demanding all my, our attention. Aren't you troubled by the situation in the Stormlands? Not all the families of the bannermen from the Stormlands that swore allegiance to us have been brought to safety yet."
They had only briefly mentioned the situation in the Stormlands near the end of the meeting agreeing that the subject warranted more of their attention and it would be better to dedicate their entire next meeting to this topic. Varys had eagerly agreed relaying he was expecting two of his spies to return to the capital this evening with recent news and he would most likely have received additional reports from his little birds by tomorrow morning as well.
She almost strained her neck in order to gaze deep into his troubled eyes. "I will wait for you to be ready, Aegon. I only am keen to learn more of what happened to you back there in the north so I can help you cope with it."
He didn't reply. Instead, he turned her body sideways, dipped her slightly and took possession of her lips. On hand supported her back, his other hand caressed the curve of her hip sensually. He could sense her response by the slight quivering of her breath and the way she tilted her body closer to him, an open invitation to become more daring. His free hand ventured to her butt cheek and she lifted it willingly so he could cup it in the palm of his hand.
He squeezed it and sighed against her lips. "If only we were married already."
She was not able to offer a reply, his tongue preventing it by instantly seeking entrance to her mouth again, willing her to submit to him even further. He felt her hands playing with the curls at the back of his neck another sign that she was totally on board with anything he wished to do to her. His kisses slowly evolved in gentler ones and his mouth wandered from her mouth to her chin, to the exposed flesh above the neckline of her dress. His hand released her buttock and now wandered to the curve of her breast.
"I want to kiss every inch of your body, Dany, starting with your perfect breasts. If only we were married already."
"Do we really need to uh wait until we are officially married? We are officially betrothed. You are mine and I am yours, we only need to confirm it before witnesses which will happen in a few days' time." She managed to hold in a squeak when his other hand belonging to the arm that supported her ventured from her waist closer to the tingling spot between her legs.
"Don't tempt me, Dany. I gave my word to Ser Barristan. Besides, our first time should be on a soft surface without servants or loyal Kingsguards threatening to burst in at any moment." His fingers of his other hand meanwhile had wormed themselves under the neckline of her dress and were inching closer to the tip of her left breast.
He felt the warmth of her breath against his cheek and a shiver running down her spine when he reached the tender rosebud and took it gently between his thumb and middle finger.
"What if we said our vows to your Old Gods in secret?" She barely got the words out overcome with some unfamiliar but very pleasurable sensations.
"Ser Gerold and Ser Barristan were thorough in extracting that promise from me." He kissed the spot he had been caressing wetting the cloth that covered her upper body in the process and withdrew.
She looked disappointed and slightly frustrated when both his hands stopped their administrations. She readjusted her position so she sat upright without his support. "I made no such promise. Can't we work with that given? What if tonight, I touch you where you touched me just now?" She touched his upper torso to make her point. Would you like to be kissed there as well?"
He looked at her, relishing the innocent expression of her desires. "Gods, Dany, I adore you. I love the way your body responds to me. I cherish the way you hunger for my caresses. Don't ever doubt that I want you just as much. Our first coupling will be even more perfect if we succeed in waiting until it is allowed. We will be able to spend an entire night together without disturbance. I want it to be perfect, to be the stuff of legend, a memory to cherish until the day we die."
He gave her an innocent peck on her check. "Help me wait, Dany. Don't tempt me overly much."
"I didn't do anything, Aegon. It was all you." She kissed the top of his nose.
"I know," he sighed with frustration. "I know all too well. Let us set the date and announce it tomorrow at the start of the council meeting. I only wish for two things: one that my Uncle Benjen can attend and two, that we say our vows in front of the Old Gods the night before we put on a show and hold a grand ceremony in the Grand Sept of Bailor for the sake of the realm."
"Your uncle will be here within seven to ten days? We can get married in a fortnight then?" She whispered the words close to his lips.
"At the very latest." He underlined his words with claiming her lips once more. "I can't wait much longer, Dany. I have lived without a woman for far too long. My body sometimes struggles with this forced abstinence and I wake up finding it released some of its seed during an uh passionate dream."
"Those dreams better feature me, Aegon. Can I ask if you have bedded many women?" Her cheeks were a burning red and she turned her head away from him.
"Dany, I, …" He had often imagined telling her about this but now that the occasion presented itself his mind drew a blank. He took a deep breath and slowly, the words that he had often rehearsed came back to him.
"It was only one night some moons ago. It was all set up as a kind of a training session. I was taught how to please a woman. They were very thorough. The next morning we parted ways. No feelings were involved and I didn't actual touch any of them. They kind of uh showed me things? They were my teachers, sweet, willing, but I didn't actually bed them even if I saw every inch of them naked from up close."
"Them? They?" Dany looked more curious than put out.
There were two of them." He admitted. "I saved their lives and gave them their freedom and a chance to become part of a community of smallfolk at the Driftmark. They were pleasure slaves in Essos who had been captured by pirates. You remember the letter I wrote to you when I returned from visiting you in Pentos?"
"I do. And have you seen them since?" She looked down at her lap, growing uncomfortable now that these girls became more real in her mind.
"I have passed them by a few times. They still live on the island. You met them as well. They both greeted you when we walked from my grandmother to the inn for that serenade. I have never touched them except perhaps their hands. Please look at me, Dany." He softly took her chin and guided her head back to face him.
"But you have felt the need to couple with a woman?" She looked embarrassed when she asked him that. "You promised me honesty, remember?"
"I have felt the need. And I have given you honesty, Dany, no matter how embarrassed all this makes me feel. And if you insist on full disclosure then yes, I do feel the need to couple. Daily, I must add if you really want me to reveal my baser instincts. But it always happens in combination with thoughts of you. Once we're married, I'll describe some of those thoughts in greater detail and you may decide whether you want to help some of them become reality." He kissed both her eyelids.
A soft sigh escaped from her lips. "We only need to wait ten days or so. Let's present it that way to the small council. If they want to stall, we can give them a few extra days. A fortnight is the longest I am willing to wait to learn what you have been taught so diligently by two pleasure experts. I am envious of the opportunities you have been given, Aegon. I am jealous and a bit scared now too if I am being honest. Scared that I will not be enough for you, that I will disappoint you. I know so little about any of this." Again she looked away and once more he took her chin and gently turned it so he could stare in her eyes.
"There is no need to be scared. I vow to never love another. You are it for me, Dany. And you have the opportunity to learn more too. Ask Irri to help you with this. Have you not heeded my previous hints? Don't be shy with your own body. Let her teach you where you can touch yourself and find pleasure."
"I'd prefer to discover it with you." She looked very young and shy now.
"Then I'll cherish the honour to be allowed to be the one that gets to teach you." He kissed her chastely. "Now I am afraid that I must leave you. Lord Baratheon is expecting my visit. I believe you promised your help with the selection and seating arrangements of the nobles to invite to our first royal banquet? I'll see you this afternoon at the entrance of the secret passage way. Be sure to dress for the occasion. Breeches would not be remiss. We're going flying."
She nodded. Then stood and pulled him up as well. Hand in hand they walked to the door ready to attend to the rest of their duties.