Chapter 53 - Meeting with the King 02. 

[Chapter Size: 2500 Words.] 

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Third Person POV 

Harrenhal, 101 AC. 

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When Jon realized it, he was already telling stories of the North to the king. 

It all began with a certain hesitation. He still wondered why the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms would be interested in hearing about the life of a simple boy from a farm in the North. 

But as the conversation went on, he gradually relaxed. He ended up talking about his childhood on the farm. There was no reason to hide those stories. After all, if the king had truly been watching him for so long, he certainly already knew a good portion of them. 

He told how summer was the most important season for his family, when everyone worked together in the fields to make the most of the growing season before the arrival of winter. 

He also spoke about the forest. He explained that he had always befriended many animals and that his father avoided hunting near the farm. His mother also possessed an unusual ability to approach them without frightening them. 

It was common to see deer, rabbits, squirrels, and even small birds accepting food from the hands of the two before calmly returning to the forest. 

No one else could do that. Not even Jon's brother, Sam. Only Jon and his mother seemed to possess that gift. 

Then he spoke about the harsh winters, the hardships of surviving through the long months of snow, and finally the heart tree, about raising Ghost and his life in the village, the ordinary people he knew and shared conversations with day after day during the time he lived on his parents' farm. 

He also recalled the day he nearly died because of the enormous bear. Jon didn't realize it, but everyone in the room listened attentively to his stories. 

Even the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard had to admit to himself that the boy from the far North possessed an unusual gift for expressing himself. 

He spoke with an eloquence far beyond what was expected of a ten-name-day-old child raised among humble farmers. 

In fact... Not even many young nobles educated by the finest maesters and noble tutors could hold people's attention in that way. 

Jon had always possessed that talent. Even in the North, it was common to see lords interrupting their conversations just to hear him tell a story in his own way. 

Without realizing it, even Princess Rhaenys and her children had turned their attention away from Ghost to listen to the boy. 

The direwolf himself eventually approached Jon and lay down beside him. 

Taking advantage of the animal's calmness, the king gently ran his hand over its head. Ghost showed no hostility. 

That seemed to reassure even the Lord Commander, who continued watching the wolf's every movement, searching for any threat to the king or the royal family. 

"I was told you faced an enormous bear," the king commented. "I've even heard a ballad about that incident a few times." 

Jon merely nodded, still a little embarrassed by it. Everyone turned their eyes toward him. 

There was a brief silence. For a moment, he remembered the vision he had that night. But he decided to leave that part out entirely. "My father had been attacked by a bear," he began. "When I found out what had happened, I took Ghost and left Winterfell immediately. We went straight to the farm to see how he was doing." 

Jon continued the story, carefully hiding both the vision and the way he had managed to save his father. 

"I heard your home was in another territory, relatively far from Winterfell. You rode your wolf all the way there?" the king asked, clearly impressed. 

"Ghost may not be as fast as a dragon," Jon replied with a small smile. "But he's also very fast. Much faster than a horse when he really wants to run. We traveled through the entire night without stopping." 

"That is incredible." The old king nodded slowly. "I never imagined a direwolf could be so resilient and could be ridden like a horse, at least there has never been a Stark who could ride the skies like that!" 

"That's true, but there has also never been a seven-foot-tall direwolf." Jon said proudly. 

"Tell us more! Tell us more! I want to hear the rest of the story!" Laenor asked, now much more comfortable with Ghost's presence. His eyes shone with excitement as he stared at Jon. 

"Laenor! Don't interrupt the king's conversation!" Rhaenys said. 

"Sorry..." he murmured at last, and Jon smiled at the boy before continuing. 

"Continuing... When I saw my father in that condition, I realized that bear had come far too close to the farm. If it had attacked my father once, it could come back to attack my family. I wouldn't be there to protect them all the time." 

"Was that why you took your bow and entered the forest with your wolf?" the king asked, looking at the boy with a gleam of interest in his eyes, but also something like disapproval... 

Jon nodded shyly. "Yes, Your Grace." 

"That was very brave!" Laena commented. Even her brother looked at Jon with admiration again, something that made him feel a little awkward. 

"And reckless... Continue." the king added... 

"My mother said the same thing. I found the bear after exploring the forest for some time. Then I had no choice but to face it with Ghost by my side. We fought using only a bow and arrows... and, after a great many of them, we managed to bring the beast down." 

"Is that true?" Laenor asked, looking first at his mother and then at Jon. The expression on his face made it clear that he still found the story hard to believe. 

Rhaenys smiled. "That's what everyone says. The boy really did enter the forest alone and returned to Winterfell carrying the giant bear's head. I believe it." 

Jaehaerys smiled as well. "I heard another story about you." Jon turned his attention to the king. 

"They told me you found a way to preserve the bear's head. A formula made with herbs, plants, water, and other ingredients." 

The old king's curiosity was evident. Jon nodded once more. 

"Yes. I developed that formula about a year and a half ago. If you remove all the flesh so the skull doesn't rot and then apply this oil, you can preserve the head of practically any animal." 

As he answered, Jon was still surprised by how much the king knew about his life. 

But, on second thought... He shouldn't have been. 

He was the king. Reports from the Master of Whisperers and other spies would inevitably reach him, and much of the North already knew about the oil. 

Even so... It was still strange to hear someone like Jaehaerys show interest in something he himself had created. 

"That really is true. You seem to be quite an intelligent boy, Jon," Princess Rhaenys commented. 

Jon merely nodded, surprised that the princess would speak to him like that. It was at that moment that the door opened once again. 

Everyone looked in that direction. Jon caught sight of several guards and members of the court watching curiously from outside before a silver-haired man entered without ceremony. 

"You shouldn't barge in like that, Daemon," Viserys said, entering right behind his brother. 

As soon as he crossed the threshold, Daemon's full attention turned to Ghost. The enormous wolf was lying calmly beside Rhaenys and the children. 

"By the gods..." escaped his lips. "He really is enormous. Bigger than a horse." 

Behind them came Aemma Arryn, leading a little four-year-old girl by the hand. 

Rhaenyra. 

"Just look at this beast, brother." Daemon smiled as he observed Ghost. "Not as impressive as a dragon... but it seems the North has beasts of its own." 

Ghost slowly lifted his head toward the newcomers. 

Daemon's fixed stare, combined with the fact that his hand rested naturally on the hilt of Dark Sister, began to make him uneasy. 

"Behave yourself, Daemon." Jaehaerys' voice was firm. 

The prince immediately turned his eyes toward his grandfather. "Of course, Your Majesty. I was merely impressed by the animal." 

"He was perfectly calm until you walked in. Don't do anything foolish." Daemon simply raised his hands in surrender at the king's words. 

Meanwhile, Viserys approached with a curious gleam in his eyes. 

"May I pet him too?" 

"I don't think that's a good idea..." Aemma murmured, casting a wary glance at her husband. 

She seemed far more concerned than he was. 

"I never thought I'd see a direwolf up close." Viserys slowly approached Ghost despite his wife's words. 

The wolf brought his snout closer, sniffed his hand for a few moments, and, sensing no threat, remained completely calm. 

Viserys then ran his hand over the thick white fur. "He truly is magnificent." 

Jon smiled discreetly, seeing that everything had gone well with the other claimant to the throne. 

"Come, Aemma. Pet him too." 

Before she could respond, a childish voice rang out. "I want to, Father!" 

Rhaenyra slipped free from her mother's hand and ran to Viserys. He laughed before picking her up in his arms. 

"Slowly." Holding his daughter carefully, he guided her little hand toward Ghost's fur. 

The little girl immediately broke into a wide smile. "He's so fluffy!" She kept stroking the wolf. 

"He's softer than dragons." Viserys laughed when he heard his daughter. 

"That's true, my dear." 

Then he turned his attention to Jon. "He's yours, isn't he?" 

Jon rose from his chair and repeated the same bow he had made before the other members of the royal family. 

"Yes, my prince." Daemon watched the scene for a few moments before approaching the boy, ignoring the wolf with his brother. 

"So the brat really does have manners." An amused smile appeared on his face. "I heard you came from a farm... but ended up being taken in at Winterfell." 

Jon raised his eyes to the prince. Daemon was only eight years older than he was. 

Even so... He already carried a presence that was difficult to ignore. He certainly was arrogant. 

"Daemon, don't speak like that. He is our grandfather's guest," Viserys scolded. His tone was full of disapproval. 

Even the king seemed pleased by his grandson's intervention. 

Jon remained standing. He still found it hard to believe he was surrounded by practically the entire royal family. His eyes also met Viserys' pregnant wife and their daughter, only four or five name-days old. 

Aemma watched him with curiosity, and Jon gave her a small bow as well. 

Aemma smiled politely before returning to her conversation with Rhaenys. The two seemed quite comfortable with one another. 

Jon, on the other hand... Felt completely lost. 

At that moment, he was surrounded by the royal family. 

While Viserys spoke with his grandfather, Rhaenys and Aemma talked among themselves, and the children continued playing with Ghost as though the enormous wolf were nothing more than a very large dog. 

"So, brat..." Daemon's voice drew his attention again. Jon looked at the prince. 

"I've heard you're one of the North's greatest promises for the future. They say you're already very skilled with a sword." There was a curious gleam in his eyes. 

Jon merely nodded. "That's what they say, my prince. I only try to do my best. Sometimes people exaggerate." 

Daemon arched an eyebrow. "Are you saying Lord Stark exaggerates?" 

Jon's eyes widened slightly. "Of course not, my prince. Lord Stark is a very honest man." 

Daemon's smile widened. "I suppose you won't be taking part in the tournament melee. After all... you're only ten name-days old." 

Before Jon could answer, Viserys lightly nudged his brother with his elbow. 

"Are you suggesting that a ten-year-old child should fight in that tournament?" He shook his head, laughing. 

"I expected better from you, brother." He said before turning back to Jon. "Forgive him. Sometimes Daemon forgets that not everyone was born wanting to settle everything with a sword." 

Even Jaehaerys let out a small smile, while Daemon merely rolled his eyes. 

"Come on, Viserys? I'm not saying he should enter the melee." Then he turned his attention back to Jon. "But I've heard many Northmen say this boy defeats lads several years older than himself during training." He crossed his arms. "I'd like to see that with my own eyes someday." 

Jon wasn't quite sure how to respond. 

Fortunately, at that very moment, Laena came running over to him. Jon silently thanked her for the interruption, glad he didn't have to continue that conversation with Daemon. 

"Can you tell me more about the North?" Laena asked, clearly excited as she stood beside him. 

Jon smiled, a little surprised by the request. "Of course... but only if you'll tell me about Driftmark afterward." 

The girl's eyes lit up. "Deal!" 

That pleased Jon. Driftmark was a place he knew almost nothing about. Not even in his dreams had he seen much of the island. This was perhaps his best opportunity to hear about it. 

And, most importantly... About the dragons. 

The two began talking. Jon spoke about the North, about Winterfell, and about the farm where he had grown up. He explained what it was like to live in a simple place, surrounded by fields, forests, and animals, very different from a castle full of lords, servants, and maesters. 

He also explained that he had only begun living in Winterfell a few years later. 

Laena listened to everything with great attention. Then it was her turn. 

The girl began talking about Driftmark, about High Tide, and about what it was like to grow up surrounded by the sea. 

Jon realized that, despite coming from completely different worlds, the two of them also shared some similarities. 

She had grown up in a castle. And like Rickon, she spent much of her time with servants attending to her every need, while also receiving many lessons from the septa and the maester. 

The great difference... Was that Laena had her mother's dragon practically in her backyard. 

She explained that her mother often flew between Driftmark and Dragonstone and that, on some occasions, she took Laena along on those journeys as well. 

Jon was immediately intrigued. "What is it like to fly?" he asked, unable to hide his curiosity. 

Laena broke into a wide smile. It was exactly the question she had been hoping for. 

As she described the feeling of the wind, the height, and the speed, Jon asked one question after another. 

Without realizing it, some of her answers confirmed details that were remarkably similar to what he had already seen in his dreams. 

But he was careful not to reveal that he had been inside that dragon's mind... Cannibal's. 

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