A Jon Snow sequel: Beyond the North (GAME OF THRONES)

I. A New Game

The dimly lit room held a round table and ten chairs. The doors opened with ten rulers and their guards filled the room; each King taking a seat in one of the ten chairs. The doors closed and a large book was set in the middle of the table before the conversing commenced.

"King Ignis," King Paramenti stood facing his fellow kings and queen. The man with fire in his hair stood slowly and bowed.

Paramenti continued, "It is time we finally come to a consensus on the first born female heir and her legitimacy."

Ignis furrowed his thick brows, "Your Grace, she is my heir.. We have a queen in another kingdom, what is the problem?" Others whispered amongst themselves. The candlelight flickered leaving most of their faces in limited light, but worry was a clear expression on the kings.

"Apologies, your Grace, I know it has been ten years since her birth, but our concerns are as follows," Paramenti cleared his throat, "Since the beginning of your house every first born has been male. We have been blessed with beautiful trees and plentiful wood for our people, but we fear this girl may cause disarray."

"How so?" Ignis was furious.

King Granum stood and interjected, "My King, there have been whispers in regards to your first born's legitimacy.. I never saw my sister pregnant." The former king, his father, nodded beside him.

Ignis's heart was pounding, "What are all of you suggesting?"

Granum Continued, "Your Grace, we want your second born, your son, to claim the throne. As for your daughter, she will marry King Petra's son." King Ignis simply nodded.

"Next order of business, I have received word from a raven in Westeros-" King Mare stood.

"You've been speaking to Westeros?" All of the rulers gasped.

Mare lifted a hand, his giant rings glistening in the light, "It is from a whisperer. He told me there is an army of dead in the north."

"Is this really of any concern to us?" Queen Frutta interjected. All eyes on the beautiful queen as she stood.

"Your Grace," Mare continued, "If this army moves to us-"

The queen laughed, "As far as I'm concerned, the army of the dead has no idea we exist.. They are heading to Westeros, it's their problem. Do not write back to that whisperer of yours. You know it's a law, you'd better abide by it or it's the gallows for you." Her dark eyes glared to the fish king followed by the eyes of all others. The king nodded and the meeting was adjourned.

King Ignis walked through his castle halls with sorrow as he looked for his daughter. The ten year old with short, curly raven hair had been in the garden as she usually was. A small sword in her hand, she practiced jabbing and slicing with an imaginary foe. Her bare feet in the ground stepped wildly as there was no rhythm to her movements. Her younger brother and sister laughed as she moved.

"How dare you laugh at your queen? I shall hang thee for such treasonous acts!" Lilith laughed and pointed her weapon to her siblings.

Ramses put his hands up trying to keep a straight face, "Your Grace, I'm terribly sorry you just suck at sword fighting." He let out a giggle.

Lilith threw her sword on the ground, "Well I'm excellent at hand to hand combat!" She pounced on her brother beginning a very serious wrestling match. From the balcony of the King and Queen's chambers, Queen Emylia Ignis watched the children play. She stood with a small smile across her lips. Ares Ignis approached her and stood beside his Queen. He gently touched her shoulder causing her to let out a sigh.

"How did the meeting go?" She spoke coldly to the man she did not love.

Ares sighed back, "Not great.. They questioned Lilith's legitimacy, specifically your father and brother."

Emylia nodded slowly, "They have every right to, don't you think? Her raven hair and light eyes, she is the complete opposite of you and I." The queen's blonde hair shimmered beautifully under the hot sun.

Ares rested his arms on the balcony, setting his head down, "I denied it, but still, they request Ramses to take place as my heir."

Emylia frowned, "Ramses will make a great king. He is my son and I believe it will be good for the realm. I pity Lilith." The woman had always been a bit cold to the eldest child, but she never hated her.

"She's not going to like marrying someone she can't choose.." Ares groaned knowing his daughter's stubbornness.

Emylia set a gentle hand on Ares's back, "We all have to do things we do not like.. You and I had to marry though we loved another. It is the price we pay being of royal blood."

Ares lifted his head back up, "Have you heard from Alayna?"

The queen held back her tears, "No. I fear she may be dead. My father always knew about us; it wouldn't surprise me if he silenced her in case she wanted to come forward."

Ares sighed once more, "I'm sorry.. There is another thing.."

Emylia walked to her glass of wine and brought it to her lips, "I'm listening."

He poured a cup for him as well, "King Mare received a raven from Westeros.."

The queen's eyes widened, downing the wine quickly and setting the glass down on her table, "The whisperer?"

"A whisperer, not the whisperer. An army of the dead was seen in the north beyond the wall, they will soon march through Westeros," Ares explained.

Emylia replied, "Are we safe?" The king simply nodded.

He finished his wine and reassured his wife, "Don't worry.. No one can make it up those mountains."