Ice and Fire: Conquering the World Starting from the Wall

"Your Majesty," he said with difficulty, "you've forgotten, I am Jon Snow, not Stark."

Seeing that Jon's emotions had stabilized, Lynn also resumed her smile.

"I am now the true king, Jon."

"Although I haven't decided on a title, family crest, or clan name yet, I undoubtedly already have the power of a king."

If you kneel at my feet and offer me your allegiance, my sword can legitimize you, and you will become the last Stark.

Of course, you don't have to kneel if you don't want to; I don't care.

“Yes,” Jon said hesitantly, “there have been precedents of kings making bastards legitimate heirs; we’ve all heard the story.”

But... but I am a man of the Night's Watch, and I swear before the Tree of Hearts that I will not marry, nor hold land, nor have children, nor wear a crown, nor seek glory."

"Jon,"

Lynn rested her elbows on the table, her tone gentle and persuasive:

"I respect everyone's beliefs, but to be honest, swearing to a tree is no different from swearing to a worn-out boot; it has no effect whatsoever."

Lynn harbored no animosity toward the Old Gods, but he knew that the Three-Eyed Raven was the one who listened to the believers' prayers on behalf of the Old Gods, and that the Three-Eyed Raven and he probably didn't have anything good to say to each other.

"Furthermore, the King and the Night's Watch have reached a very good agreement, and I think Lord Dennis will not hesitate to agree to this small concession of power."

What else could Dennis say?

He nodded to Jon.

As Jon realized things were heading in that direction, his thoughts drifted back to his childhood.

Before Jon Snow understood the meaning of bastard, he often dreamed that one day Winterfell would become his castle.

As he grew up, he felt ashamed of those dreams.

Winterfell should be inherited by Robb and his children. If Robb has no offspring, then it will be Bran or Rickon's turn, and after them Sansa and Arya.

My childhood dreams now seem like a form of rebellion, as if I had betrayed my brothers and sisters in my heart and wished for their deaths.

"I never imagined I'd become a duke. I love Robb, I love them all... I don't want them to get hurt."

"But they were still hurt, and in the end, only I was left."

"And now, all I have to do is nod in agreement, and I can become Jon Stark, no longer Jon Snow."

"I only need to swear allegiance to this king before me, and Winterfell will be mine. I only need to..."

...breaking the vow once again.

But can the same vow be broken twice?

He couldn't help but wonder to himself.

Seeing that Jon was still hesitating, Lynn decided to add fuel to the fire.

"Think of Bolton, Jon. Their bastards could very well have captured your brothers and skinned them alive."

And your brother, it is said that the traitors cut off his head and sewed on a wolf's head as a form of humiliation.

Do you want such shameless scoundrels to rule over your father's and brother's land, after they cruelly murdered your own flesh and blood?

Lynn didn't give him much time to think.

While the flames of hatred burned brightly, he picked up the Dark Sisters and walked around the long table to Jon's side.

"Let's hurry, the dragon is still waiting for me to feed it outside the Great Wall!"

As Lynn spoke, he tilted his chin toward Mance, and Mance immediately handed the "long claw" he had prepared to Jon.

"I've just thought of a pretty good title for my future kingship. Jon, hurry up and get it before I forget it!"

Jon Snow looks like he might faint at any moment.

He got up in a daze, then stumbled to his knees, and with great effort managed to place his long claws at Lynn's feet.

"You can stand up, to be honest, I really don't mind."

Lynn kindly reminded him, and seeing that Jon showed no intention of getting up, he pulled out the Dark Sisters and placed them on Jon's shoulders.

Lynn cleared his throat and then said solemnly:

"In the name of the Sons of the Stars, Protectors of all living beings in Westeros, Lightbearers who resisted the Long Night, and the sole rulers of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men:

I, Lynn I, King of House Morningstar, hereby bestow upon you the name Stark and appoint you Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.

"Jon Stark, will you swear an oath to serve me for the rest of your life, to give me honest advice and absolute obedience, to protect my rights and my country, to fight alongside me, whether the road ahead is fraught with peril, to care for my people, and to punish my enemies?"

For a moment, Lynn thought he was going to refuse.

But the next moment, Jon Stark replied in a hoarse voice:

"I swear!"

I will serve you for the rest of my life!

I will offer you honest advice and absolute obedience!

Protect your rights and your country!

No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, we will always fight alongside you!

Take care of your people,

Punish your enemies!

Lynn nodded in satisfaction, then looked around the room:

"Who is here to bear witness?"

The Shadow Tower Commander stepped forward, looking somewhat agitated.

"I, Dennis Mellist, from Seafront City, Acting Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, hereby bear witness!"

Lynn turned his gaze to Mans.

"I am Mance Red..."

Mans was stuck. He was originally the King of the Frontier, but it was clearly inappropriate to mention that title now.

"...the free governor under the Wall of Despair."

Lynn filled in the missing part of his name, which surprised everyone present.

"Alright, get up, Jon Stark."

Lynn tapped him on both shoulders with his sword, then said jokingly:

"I pondered these words for a long time, just when you were immersed in sadness."

I should have Maester Aemon take notes; I'm afraid I might forget a particular sentence later, or get the order wrong.

The newly appointed Duke of Winterfell seemed somewhat bewildered, unable to believe that he had so easily completed his transformation.

But upon hearing Lynn's words, he immediately stood up and said in a firm tone:

"Your Majesty Lynn, I will never forget these vows."

Lynn was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said:

"You misunderstood. I was referring to the part about titles earlier... I had a hard time picking a few respectable titles from those given by others."

"Don't be nervous, Jon. You know oaths are like the wind... I don't expect to win someone's loyalty with just a few words. It's just a formality."

Lynn winked at him and then said:

"Go find Maester Aemon and have him record what just happened."

"By the way, ask him to do the same for you, sending a few letters via ravens to lords you trust, and try to win their loyalty!"

"Next... Amber and the Karstark families are no threat, we'll most likely be going to fight Bolton."

Although that illegitimate son named Rams can curse like a child, I am still a king, and I can't just let it go like this.

After making his witty remark, he turned to the acting Lord Commander of the Night's Watch:

"Sir Dennis, you might as well go with Duke Jon Snow and bring the other Night's Watchmen from the Ice Prison back to the Shadow Tower."

Oh, and remember to persuade Donald Noy to come back to work; I have a ton of armor that needs repairing and resizing.

There are many excellent bronze craftsmen among the Thane people; with a little guidance, they can master the art of iron forging, which could free Donner from arduous work. Please be sure to explain this to him.

Before the two left, Lynn added one last thing:

"Also, don't forget to return 'severed limb' Colin."