Game of Thrones: The Legend of Jon Arctic - Chapter 200 - Leaving Yi-Ti.

[Chapter Size: 4400 Words.]

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Thrid Person POV

Yi-Ti, 297 AC.

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“You made a decision about my father’s proposal?” Jon heard the princess as they walked through the castle corridors toward the treasury.

“Not yet… But are you okay with it?” Jon asked.

“I can’t say that living far from Yi-Ti pleases me, Arctic King... but…” She paused to look at him for a second. “I couldn’t ask for better...”

With those words, they continued through the corridors until they reached the place they had visited once before. After she opened the door with a key she kept, they both entered the royal treasury wing.

Jon looked at his reward with a satisfied gaze, while the princess’s hands began rolling it up, placing it in a black tube, and sealing it before handing it to the foreigner.

“I hope this is useful...” Jon commented, looking at the sealed document holder.

“It’s meant to be. After all, my mother received it from your family, passed down through generations until it landed in the hands of the one who would use it. The Red Witch said it would be you. Even though this is one of the last memories of my mother, you saved Yi-Ti and deserve this item more than anyone else. I hope it’s as useful as you seem to believe. Actually, this task should have been passed to me after my mother’s death, so I’m glad I can finally find the person who will keep it...” she said as Jon nodded.

“Yeah, I guess...” Jon murmured as they both seemed to fall silent, the only sound being the crackling of Jon’s torch as the princess stared at Jon. He looked at her for a few seconds until she averted her gaze.

“I think we should go. We can’t be seen together like this,” she said, and Jon nodded.

They returned to the upper floors of the castle, passing by one or two servants working in the castle. They saw Jon Arctic and a hooded woman; of course, rumors would circulate in the coming days, but none about the woman being the princess herself, as she was hidden and unlikely to be suspected. Even if someone guessed, they would risk losing their tongue.

“Thank you for accompanying me this far, Arctic King. I hope you have a good night,” she said in front of her door, where no guards were present, as she had dismissed them to say her goodbye.

“It was an honor, Princess. I hope you have a good night as well,” Jon said, nodding before leaving to return to his room.

“Arctic King,” she called suddenly while her door was half open, and Jon turned back to her, curious. She looked at him, pressing her lips together before continuing. “If you accept the proposal, I’ll be a happy woman to accompany you, even to the other side of the world,” she said. Jon nodded and finally left, returning to his room as the door behind him closed, with the princess watching him for a moment before fully shutting it.

Jon walked through the corridors as if he already knew the place very well, passing the men guarding the princess’s quarters. They nodded at him before returning to their posts. Finally, he reached his own quarters, where the Arctic guards waited, relieved their king was safe. None of them liked Jon wandering through the castle alone, but it was his order.

“My lord… You have a visitor in your chambers. She’s waiting for you,” one of the royal guards said, and Jon nodded.

“Yes, I’m aware. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must see her,” Jon said, heading inside. He found his aunt lying on his bed, smiling as she saw him.

“How is my king tonight? I heard he went sneaking around with the princess of Yi-Ti,” she said as Jon raised an eyebrow, brushing her comment aside as he went to a dresser, placing the tube on top before returning to her.

“I had to take care of a few things,” Jon replied.

“Like your marriage proposal, as everyone in the castle is talking about?” she asked, though she didn’t seem upset about it.

“How would you know that? It was a private conversation with the Shogun,” Jon responded, approaching the bed, where Daenerys waited for him to remove his clothes.

"You know that's quite obvious. Besides the way you look at her, which many would call the gaze of a woman in love, it would also be rather petty for the Shogun not to offer his only daughter to the man who fought for his country and became a hero. Isn't that how things have happened throughout history?" she said as she slid into bed, wrapping her arms around him for comfort.

"Perhaps..." Jon brushed the thought aside, sealing a few kisses on her lips.

"You should accept it… she doesn’t seem to dislike the idea, and it would even be offensive on your part to refuse," she said, as Jon raised an eyebrow at her.

"You want to teach me about politics?" he retorted.

"No, I don’t think I can compete with you on that, but you seem undecided. Still, I believe you’ll make the right choice. You already have many wives; you could have one or two more," she remarked.

"Let’s leave this aside. I’ll decide for myself. For now, let’s enjoy what’s left of the night, my queen," Jon said, smiling as they surrendered to each other.

The following day, the celebrations continued in the city, filling the place with excitement. Jon departed for the Arctic camp to celebrate with his men—the ones who had fought alongside him from the start to the end of the war. He spent the entire day there and stayed the night in his tent, while 20,000 Articans celebrated in their own way, using the provisions still kept on the ships. Many samurai and soldiers of Yi-Ti joined the festivities, as the provincial armies were nearby, and friendships had been formed between them and the Arctic dwarves or humans, though the giants remained a much more reserved race, rarely forming bonds.

Afterward, Jon returned to the castle to settle the final matters with the Shogun. They spoke for hours behind closed doors, often with Prince Momonosuke present at his father’s request. Jon handled the discussions himself, passing certain points to his ministers when it was convenient.

Three days passed, during which announcements were made across the country. Three more days followed as the armies began to disband. Jon shared updates on how the Mongol Empire was dealing with its devastating loss in the war after so many initial victories.

The Mongol Emperor was not in a favorable position, as the loss of soldiers had been immense, leaving internal issues to resolve. Jon assured the Shogun that they would not pose a threat for decades, needing time to rebuild an army strong enough to invade again.

Yi-Ti, however, also faced challenges. Much of the provincial land had been devastated, requiring years to restore its fertile fields. Many people had been trafficked to the Mongol Empire, particularly women—a cruel reality of war. The Shogun informed Jon that such atrocities would not go unpunished. Jon, however, could no longer interfere, as his presence in this part of the world had reached its limit.

During these days, the prince requested a private conversation with Jon. It turned into an extended discussion of gratitude for the rescue. The prince even proposed making Arya his bride, viewing it as a politically advantageous move to strengthen ties between their nations. Arya, being the only unmarried woman of age and a cousin to the Arctic King, would have been a suitable choice. However, she would immediately refuse, and Jon relayed her sentiments on the matter.

Jon later discussed the matter and expressed his gratitude for not forcing such a union. Preparations to leave the capital began soon after.

Another grand feast was held, during which it became apparent that the princess and the Arctic King had grown closer than they should have, sparking rumors. At the end of the celebrations, the Shogun made an announcement regarding Jon’s rewards for the war.

He was gifted numerous chests filled with jade gemstones, gold, and the country’s historic treasures. However, the final announcement surprised some, though many had anticipated something of the sort.

Jon returned to his camp to meet a visitor he had been expecting. Lord Shimura had not yet arrived in the capital, as he was still organizing the eastern province. Jon couldn’t blame him; it seemed they might never meet again. Still, Jon sent his regards, along with messengers bringing news and reports from the west. Lord Shimura responded with a few words for Jon:

‘The greatest warrior alive, an honor I will carry with me to the end of my days, remembering our fight side by side.’

These were the words of the old samurai. Though he was not a great admirer of the wildfire Jon and the Articans used, he understood they were not samurai bound by strict codes of honor and combat rules. What was indisputable was Jon’s strategic mind and unparalleled swordsmanship. Jon couldn’t deny that there was no living warrior who could rival him at this moment, having bested all who dared challenge him.

Now, Jon waited in a tent for a man to enter. Someone connected to Lord Shimura had arrived.

“Arctic King…” the man greeted, looking at Jon.

“You’ve finally arrived, Ghost of Yi-Ti,” Jon replied, his eyes fixed on Jin Sakai.

This was the man Jon had encountered while he and a few others built a resistance against the Mongol invasion in the east. Jin had even helped Jon rescue his uncle. However, Jon had employed methods disfavored by the samurai, as he was not a follower of their code but an outsider. Jin Sakai had faced similar disdain, particularly from his uncle, Lord Shimura, who eventually cornered him. The two had fought, and Jin Sakai had emerged victorious. Yet, he had spared Lord Shimura, denying him the honorable death he sought. From that moment, Jin ceased to be a samurai.

His legend, however, was well-known in the affected regions before Jon’s arrival. Jon had to admit that this man had fought valiantly for his country, even if his methods deviated from the rigid samurai honor code. Jon respected that he fought as best he could.

“I am here to accept your proposal,” Jin said immediately, and Jon nodded.

“That is good. I am certain you will become a powerful warrior in Artica, and I am willing to believe in that. So, welcome to our lands,” Jon said in conclusion.

Jin Sakai had little choice after Jon assessed his situation. He would have spent the rest of his life in hiding if he stayed, so Jon’s suggestion to move to Artica had come as a relief.

“Thank you for this, Arctic King,” Jin replied, and Jon nodded.

“Now you may go. I’ve assigned a royal guard to inform you about your departure and where you will stay. A portion of my men is already marching south; you can join them,” Jon said. Jin nodded before departing.

Jon had already set his troops marching south. Knowing the journey would take a long time, he sent them in small groups to avoid needing large campsites, which would delay their progress. In the end, the journey moved swiftly.

Jon eventually left the camp with the remaining men and returned to the city. There, he began the process of formally bidding farewell to the Shogun, his son, and the empire’s key administrators and nobles.

“I hope this isn’t the last time we meet, Arctic King. If it is… know that you will be unforgettable in these lands. Your legend will be passed down from generation to generation. You must know this,” Oden said as Jon nodded.

“I appreciate your words. Perhaps I do not deserve such a reputation,” Jon replied humbly.

“You do. You are named the greatest warrior in the world, and many will write that in our history books. I hope we meet again if fate allows. Also, promise me that you’ll take care of her,” Oden added. Jon nodded and stepped aside as others came to bid their farewells.

“Father…” the princess said, wearing a long dress as tears welled in her eyes.

“My daughter… I hope you find happiness in foreign lands. From the depths of my heart, I pray this is not the last time we see each other. I hope you visit one day, bringing my grandchildren so I can meet them and see that they are as impressive as their father…” The Shogun’s voice broke as he watched his daughter burst into tears.

"I don’t want this to be the last time I see you either. One day, if I can, I’ll return to Yi-Ti. I want to find it under our family’s rule at its peak again. Until then, I’ll miss you and my brother," she said, still in tears, as she embraced her father and then her brother, breaking all royal decorum. But no one could blame them, not when the daughter was leaving.

Jon felt a twinge of guilt for this, but he had already spoken with the Shogun and his daughter. Moments like this were inevitable with her heading to the other side of the world.

As a final gesture, Jon presented two samurai swords, crafted by him from Valyrian steel, to the Shogun and his heir. It was a token of friendship, signifying not only the blood spilled together on the battlefield but also the blood they now shared, forging an eternal bond between Jon and this land.

Jon began his departure, riding Ghost clad in his war armor, the same he had worn throughout the conflict. Arya rode beside him on horseback, accompanied by the foremost Arctic warriors—men who had become legends through their acts of heroism and great victories, defeating key figures in the Mongol army and building fame that extended beyond even Jon’s own reputation.

Arya herself had earned renown after defeating a Mongol commander in single combat. She was nicknamed the "Jade Blade" for her graceful yet deadly movements on the battlefield, always with her wolf by her side, demonstrating her dual skill and beauty.

In the wagon following them, Daenerys and the princess sat, traveling out of the city. The people of Tian-Quo gathered in droves to witness Yi-Ti’s hero departing.

"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"
"Okuchi no Makami!"

The chant of Jon’s new title echoed from the crowds as they moved slowly through the streets. The Shogun’s men cleared a path through the throng to allow their progress out of the city.

Tian-Quo was left behind, the population still fervent with emotion. Once they were beyond the city, Jon joined his men, who had already dismantled the camp and prepared for their journey south. Many samurai and soldiers of Yi-Ti organized to escort them. After all that had happened, Jon deserved the greatest honors the empire could bestow, now hailed as a legendary warrior and hero.

They traveled south for several days. The group consisted of no more than 5,000 Articans, as the rest had already moved to the port of Yin. Hundreds of ships had set sail from there, waiting offshore for the king and his company.

When Jon arrived in Yin, Kin’emon greeted him immediately. But Jon’s first destination was the harbor, where he was eager to reunite with his wives and check on Ygritte’s pregnancy and his son Jahaerys, who was now nearly a year old. He also wanted to see the dragons.

Finding his wives waiting on the ship, Jon wasted no time. He embraced each of them with loving eyes that mirrored the deep longing they had felt for him during his absence.

"It’s good to have you back, husband. It’s been six months, and all we’ve had were scraps of news about you!" Rhaenys said, her eyes filled with yearning, almost as if she wanted to devour him.

She held their nearly one-year-old son in her arms. Jon couldn’t help but notice how much the boy resembled him. The child seemed to recognize his father, reaching for him. Jon took him into his arms, holding his third son tightly, overwhelmed by the fatherly love he felt after so much time apart.

Ygritte stood quietly nearby until Jon approached her and took her hand.

"We’ll talk later. How are you?" Jon asked, turning his attention to her swollen belly.

Pressing his hand gently against it, he could feel the life within. She was on the verge of giving birth—she should have already given birth—but it seemed as though she had willed herself to wait for his return. Somehow, she had succeeded. But now, everything was about to change.

"I'm fine," she replied.

It was clear that Ygritte was a little upset, as her husband had gone to war alone. But Jon would never have allowed her to go, given her pregnancy. He knew she wanted to be by his side, but he also understood it wasn’t the right time. Other opportunities would come. After all, the world would never be a peaceful place, and Artica would always have enemies to contend with.

Jon began spending time with his family and the dragons, which were no longer small. They had grown to the size of giant wolves, causing considerable trouble aboard the ships. They could no longer be kept in quarters and had to be moved to the storage areas, displacing horses and other animals to make room. Jahaerys had to be brought to the dragons daily, as otherwise, they would wreak havoc, breaking everything in sight. Only the baby could calm them.

"So no one else can control them..." Jon murmured, watching the beasts vying for his attention. He managed to calm them to prevent the chaos of fire-breathing, clawed, winged creatures behaving like unruly dogs. He now had to use his warg powers to bring them under control.

Jahaerys, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy the dragons’ chaotic behavior. At some point, he would have to choose a dragon to bond with, perhaps even more than one. Jon wasn’t sure how the dragons would choose their riders. While Daenerys and Rhaenys had been able to claim one dragon each, Jon and his children might end up with several.

"A rider of dozens of dragons with warg powers—who could compete with that? Controlling all their movements through a mental connection..." Jon doubted that any force in the world could stand against them.

Daenerys’ dragon had grown large as well, and she stayed with it for hours after finding it. The creature recognized Daenerys as its rider the moment it saw her, just as Rhaenys’ dragon did with her. However, the dragons of the two women were not as large as the other thirteen. Jon suspected this might have something to do with the connection he and Jahaerys shared with the dragons, but he couldn’t say for sure.

The princess of Yi-Ti was astonished to see the creatures. She had heard rumors about them—Jon’s dragons were no longer a secret in Yi-Ti. Despite this, most people still treated them as mythical creatures, exaggerations to enhance Jon’s legendary status. Those who had asked Jon directly, however, had received confirmation. Jon never lied about the dragons, explaining that they were part of his bloodline.

Jon spent hours speaking with his wives, explaining the situation and his decisions. This time, he did so face-to-face, no longer relying on letters as he had during the past moons. His wives were finally satisfied with his explanations.

It was time to return to Artica with their fleet of 432 ships. Twenty ships had been sent back to Yi-Ti after Jon had gone north with his army. These carried messages from Jon explaining his participation in Yi-Ti’s war and the reasons for his absence.

Jon had not wanted to join the war without informing his kingdom, particularly his wife Seryna and their two children, who were waiting for him.

He spent one more day in the city, speaking with Kin’emon and bidding him farewell. They had formed a friendship, and Jon took the opportunity to finalize a few remaining matters before departing.

One of these was a conversation with Gerion Lannister, who had been living in Yin. Known in Westeros as the "Smiling Lion," Gerion confirmed to Jon that he would not be returning to Westeros due to his family’s situation. However, he made a somewhat bold request.

"Please, if you can take my daughter to your kingdom, I’m certain she’ll have a better life there than she would here, even as a Lannister bastard," Gerion asked.

His daughter, Joy Hill, would always carry the stigma of her bastardy. From what he had learned during his months among the Articans, such distinctions didn’t seem to exist in Artica. Through his interactions and growing knowledge of their culture, Gerion had come to admire and trust the Articans far more than he had expected.

"If I get the chance, I will," Jon replied, not outright refusing, despite his less-than-favorable view of the Lannister family. He nodded to Gerion before finally departing, returning to the ship for the final preparations.

As he boarded, Jon noticed a striking figure standing in a corner of the deck. The unique beauty of the woman, marked by her graceful posture, caught his attention. She stood gazing at Yin, as if bidding farewell to her homeland one last time. Her expression was deeply melancholic.

"I know this is a lot..." Jon approached her with a calm voice, and the princess turned to look at him.

"I apologize for appearing so withdrawn, and for making you think I might regret this, but I don’t. I chose this, Jon," she murmured, calling him by name. She had done so ever since he had asked for that kind of familiarity between them. "I don’t believe I’ll be unhappy with you. None of your wives are, and they all love you. Why would I be any different?" she added.

Jon observed her, noting how deeply the princess seemed to care for him. Since the announcement of their marriage and her journey to Artica, they had spent much time talking. She sighed, seeing her future husband watching her with quiet intensity.

"I will be obedient to my king from this day forward and give you descendants both our families will be proud of. And if, one day, you can bring me back here to see my father at least one last time, a few years from now, I would be an immensely happy woman, Jon," she said, making her only request.

"All right. We’ll see what the future holds, Hiyori," Jon replied. He stayed with her for a while, eventually escorting her to join the other women. They would not share the same quarters yet; that would happen only after their marriage in Artica—or so they hoped. Hiyori spent time with a group of Arctic women who acted as companions, teaching her the Arctic language and sharing stories about the northern kingdom’s culture and what she could expect to find there.

Jon then turned to oversee the final orders. The last 50 ships still in port began to set sail, leaving the lands of Yi-Ti behind. Many people shouted their farewells from the shore, and Lord Kin’emon waved alongside them. Jon returned the gesture with a nod as the ships moved into the open sea. They soon joined the rest of the fleet, which had been waiting for their arrival.

Finally, the fleet was aligned. Among the ships were several new additions, including one specially designed to carry a large structure for transporting items from Sothoryos. Another ship had been rebuilt to house the Valyrian steel forge, entirely operated by dwarves, who were passionate about the craft. The structure had been designed to move with the fleet regardless of its weight.

With the ships loaded with gold, jade, and all manner of treasures they had received, they set out, heading westward. Their ultimate goal was to return home, making at most two stops along the way.

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Raccoon Here: They finally set out. I didn’t delve into some points to leave them for the same chronicler introduced earlier in the story to write about Jon and conclude his tale, which will be done at the beginning of the next chapter.

Jon will now begin his vengeance for what happened in Volantis. With the ships emptied, there’s room for a grand celebration—and perhaps for raiding a few cities in Slaver’s Bay. Besides, it’s time for Jon to acquire a new sword. I’ve planned a blade worthy of him for the upcoming wars, as the katanas are no longer practical.

Jon will wield four main weapons throughout his life:

• Dark Sister: Used during his journey in Westeros.

• The two katanas: Wielded during his journey to Yi-Ti and its war.

• The next sword: He will unearth this from the desert lands of Essos. This is the true sword, not a replica as previously hinted at. It will be used in the wars of Westeros.

• The final sword: He will obtain this years later after a time skip. It will be essential for the war to end all wars—a true battle for humanity’s survival, not the watered-down version seen in the show.

Jon now has strong ties to Yi-Ti, and he will fight alongside them, uniting men from all nations of the world to stand against the threat. That is how the war against the Night King should be portrayed.

This is why I positioned the princess of Yi-Ti as Jon’s wife—he needed a bond with this far-off land.

As for what Jon received from the princess, it’s something that will be revealed in the future. He’ll need two more parts to complete it.

Anyway, leaving aside some points reserved for the beginning of the next chapter, feel free to share your opinion about Yi-Ti.