An Englishman in Westeros

Chapter One

Money, Money, Money

Disclaimer: All this belongs to GRR. Martin, I'm Just borrowing it.

I woke with sunlight streaming through a circular window, situated at the foot of my bed. Something was wrong I didn't have a window at the foot of my bed, I opened my eyes and looked around, I was lying in a small, stone room, empty save for the bed that I inhabited, it seemed almost medieval. Where was I? How the hell had I got here?

As I made to sit up, pain suddenly shot through me my chest was in agony.

"FUCK!" I shouted and promptly collapsed back on to my pillow, swearing profusely under my breath.

The door to the room swung open to reveal a beautiful, brown-haired girl in her late teens, wearing a blue dress, with a worried expression on her face.

"Milord? Are you all right, shall I get the maester?"

"Maester?" I asked, puzzled. This must be a dream, and I am dreaming about being in Westeros, it was the only possible explanation, but usually, dreams don't involve large amounts of pain.

"Yes, get the maester," I said, anything to stop the pain.

The girl scampered off to fetch the maester. While I waited for the girl to return, my head began to swim and my eyes began to close, the last thing I remember, before I drifted into unconsciousness was the face of an old man, clad in brown robes, looking down at me.

Dear Diary, (not sure what year it is)

I am going to record my story as it unfolds because, although I doubt I will ever be able to tell anyone what happened, I hope that, maybe, someone will read this and that someone at some point will know what happened to me.

I am in Westeros, it isn't a dream, I'm not sure whether to feel shocked or terrified: probably both. Though, if you look at it positively, it's not as bad as it could be. I'm in the body of Jon Mooton, a thirteen-year-old boy, which although it does have downsides(i.e puberty) is pretty cool, as I get another few decades of life. I've got black hair, hazel eyes, am reasonably attractive and in good physical condition and am the only child of the Lord of Maidenpool, William Mooton. I used to be a thirty-something Englishman from Yorkshire living in the early 21st century, but apparently, the powers that be aren't aware of that and instead have thrust me into Westeros(Why you may ask, don't have a clue).

I don't how or why I'm here but I'm trying to put it out of my mind as I have more pressing matters to deal with. My biggest worry, aside from all the murdering psychopaths(plenty of those around), is somebody realising I don't know something I should, especially my 'father'. Despite my vast knowledge of both the show and the books, there's only so many things mentioned. I'll have a look around and see if I can think of anything but in the meantime, I'll try to keep my head down and survive.

Dear Diary, (12th May 288 AC)

I saw the maester writing a letter labelled, the twelfth day of the fifth moon 288AC, so at least I know what the date is now.

I've been in Westeros for a week, and I'm not dead(Yippee)and nobody has noticed I'm not Jon. So, all in all, it's not been too bad,(touch wood) but now I need to start thinking about what happens next. There are ten years to the start of the war of five kings, and then, of course, there are the white walkers. I've been able to think of several broad options available to me.

I could try and get back to England. I don't know how I got here in the first place, so I don't have a clue how to get back. If we assume it's magic, which seems likely, then I'm even more screwed because I don't know any magic. So that option is pretty much ruled out.

I could run away and get as far away as possible. Get a bag of gold and a ship and go to some tropical island where neither the war or the white walkers can reach me. Like the Summer Islands, after all, they do have lovely weather. I'm considering it, but neither the books or the show have finished yet so I don't know if the white walkers can build boats. Also, I don't know much about the Summer Islands so I wouldn't have all the advantages that I would in Westeros.

Or I can stay in Westeros and try to prepare for the war of the five kings and the white walkers. Although it sounds crazy, it's not as stupid as it seems, I can try to get control of Maidenpool and make changes to prepare for the shit coming, it won't be easy, but I reckon with the advantage of foreknowledge and understanding of modern science and technology it will be feasible. Anyway, it gives me time to get a bigger bag of gold if I decide to get the fuck out, after all, the Summer Isles aren't going to disappear(at least, I'm pretty sure they're not).

At the moment, I will go with the third option, stay and fight but I am definitely keeping the option of running away as fast as I can available in case everything goes wrong(a very probable outcome).

So now I know what I'm doing, I need to start planning how I'm going to do it.

Dear Diary, (17th May 288 AC)

Lord William Mooton, 'my father,' has fallen ill he's at death door. He started coughing three days ago and it's getting worse, he's now coughing up blood, and he has a fever, the maester doesn't think he'll last the day. I'm rather glad, as I might have had to assassinate him if he hadn't died naturally.

I will become Lord of Maidenpool much sooner than I expected, which could be problematic as I will have to appoint a regent until I come of age(that's 16 by the way). My plan is to find someone unimportant and have them act as a figurehead, while I do the ruling myself.

I need to think about the war of the five kings and start planning for it in earnest, as it's only ten years away. When I'm Lord of Maidenpool, it will be easier to succeed as I will have more power and resources, but it will involve a lot more work. I shall devise a plan over the coming days.

I was working at my desk, by the dim light of a lone candle in the dead of night when the maester came. Seeing the sombre expression on his face, I immediately knew why he had come.

"My lord, I'm very sorry," he said gently, "Lord William is dead"

I put on a big show of trying to hold back tears, as I reckoned that was the appropriate reaction and then said "Very well, I will retire now and make the appropriate arrangements on the morrow(Westeros speak for tomorrow),"

The maester bowed his head and, with another "I'm sorry," left the room.

As soon as he was out of the door, I got back to work, putting the dead man out of my mind. At another time I might have felt sadness, but I couldn't afford to be sentimental if I wanted to survive. After an hour or so, I undressed and retired to my bed, where I soon drifted off into a fitful sleep.

Dear Diary, (25th May 288AC)

It has been a week now since Lord William died and I have done much in the intervening time. I appointed a regent, Lord Myles Snow, he is a minor member of the Mallister family, a bastard cousin to the current Lord of Seaguard, Jason Mallister and son of Denys Mallister(a member of the night's watch). He was loitering in the area, and I had a blunt conversation with him about who was going to be in charge. He's hardly a competent leader, but he's willing to defer to my decisions, and he may be useful in dealing with the minor concerns of the smallfolk which I may have little time for, on a day to day basis. Although I haven't told him about who I really am, not that he'd believe me anyway, I am quite confident that I can trust him but I obviously won't be letting my guard down.

I only appointed one other person to my council, Cedric Forester, as my seneschal, he was formally the seneschal for House Cox of Saltpans but he was dismissed from their council two years ago. I requested a meeting, after learning of his skill. I managed to convince him, with little difficulty, to become my seneschal, I offered him the chance to become rich and powerful, while in the process screw over the ones who had spited him. I suspect, he will be a far more valuable member of my council and will provide some beneficial contributions, unlike Lord Myles if my impression of him was accurate.

In other news, Lord William left House Mooton in the shit heap. We're almost bankrupt, and Maidenpool is becoming less and less prosperous with every day that passes if this situation isn't sorted I fear House Mooton won't survive.I'm instituting several new laws to improve the general health of the smallfolk, over the coming months, to create a happier and more stable populace. Some of the health laws I'm instituting:

Boil water before drinking it — fine of five coppers(increasing by a copper per offence)

Dispose of excrement hygienically(not throwing it into the street) aka the shit tax — fine of one silver stag.

I'm creating a force of 'sewer boys', to go around with carts collecting people's sewage and handing out fines, while the smallfolk might be resentful at first they will probably accept it as a strange quirk of their lord.

On top of those laws, I am planning several major construction projects to provide employment for those who need it and to create a need for manpower, which will attract more people and therefore bolster the population. I aim to start the first of these within the next, six months to a year. I will also be installing water fountains around the town to provide the smallfolk with a clean source of fresh water, funded by the shit tax.

I have to deal with a load of noblemen, who are visiting the castle for the funeral of my 'father,' it will be a test, to see whether I can be diplomatic and not cause offence. To improve my chances of success in this venture, I have spent lavishly on the event, spending roughly fifteen-thousand gold dragons(That's a lot considering the size of our treasury). The funeral will be vital in securing good relationships with neighbouring lords and setting a precedent for possible alliances in the future. So basically if I fuck this up, it will be bad.

Dear Diary, (7th June 288 AC)

On the whole, the funeral didn't go too badly, I didn't offend anyone much, except Walder Frey(Bastard) but then again I don't care about him for obvious reasons(Ahem…the red wedding). Hoster Tully was a bit full of himself, many of the other lords shared this feature, but he wasn't that bad. Many of them thought me a weak boy that could be easily manipulated I made sure not to disillusion them it could work to my advantage. They stayed for two days and ate like pigs although it cost me a considerable sum, I feel it was a success.

I also have a new master-at-arms Ser Donnel Haigh, the second son of Ser Lesyln Haigh, he is a skilled fighter, but is particularly proficient with the bow and arrow and a new treasurer Leobald Tallhart, brother to the heir of Deepwood Motte.

Dear Diary ( 1st July 288AC)

Finally some good fortune(I mean GOOD), I ordered several surveyors to go out into my lands and see if they could find any unexploited natural resources, they came back with reports of an area rich in gold, where a mine could be set up. This was just the thing I needed, to be able to fund my upcoming projects and it could prove vital to my overall success.

I immediately summoned Leobald and Cedric, to inform them and discuss how best to utilise the gold: to mine it ourselves and keep the profits, to sell shares or lease the mine for a certain number of years. After several hours of deliberation, agonising over every detail, we devised a plan, not only the best use of the newfound gold but also helpful to the overall prosperity of my realm.

"Representative Nestoris, it's a pleasure to meet you,"

"Indeed," said Nestoris. "Now, let us get down to business, why did you want to meet with me?"

I liked that, straight down to the matter at hand no small talk, my kind of man.

"I wish to make a deal with the Iron Bank "

"Aren't you a bit young for this kind of thing? I was under the impression that I would be meeting with Lord Tallhart," said Nestoris, obviously trying to anger me, which to my annoyance, worked.

"I assure you, I'm perfectly capable of dealing with this myself," I said, careful not to let any of my irritation into my voice.

"Very well, what is the deal you are proposing?"

"Before I begin, I presume I can rely on your discretion in any matters that we discuss?"

"Naturally,"

I took a deep breath and began to talk.

"I recently ordered a survey of my lands and made a rather incredible discovery, a considerable deposit of gold, that as we speak is being readied for mining operations. I estimate it to have a value of around ten million dragons, however, we, are prepared to sell a 25% share to the Iron Bank, for only two million dragons, you wouldn't be responsible for the maintenance or operation of the mine, though you could oversee it as you wish."

"I will, of course, have to inspect the site before I can agree to anything, but if I am happy with what I see, I am happy to agree to the deal. It will be very equitable for the both of us,"

I allowed a slight smile to spread across my face. Now came the hard part. "Good, but that is only one part of the deal. I will also allow you to set up the first Westerosi branch of the Iron Bank in Maidenpool, and grant you a charter giving a 50% reduction in all taxes. Just think of the opportunities, the money to be made" I paused and watched as Nestoris' unflappable demeanour wavered slightly before continuing. "In return, you will give me a 5% share in the Iron Bank, and make me a key-holder,"

I watched, with some amusement, as Nestoris' calm expression was shattered by a look of utter shock.

"W-What?" exclaimed Nestoris incredulously.

"I will allow you-," I began to repeat, despite knowing he'd heard me the first time.

"I heard what you said I just wondered if you were still in possession of your sanity. We could set up a Westerosi branch of the Iron bank for much cheaper than the price you offer if we even wished such a thing" Nestoris snapped.

"I thought you would say that. I wasn't expecting you to say yes. I would like 5% of the Westerosi branch of the Iron Bank, and to become a key holder,"

"8% and no key," Nestoris said evenly, recovering his composure impressively fast.

"4% and a key," I replied.

Nestoris paused and took several moments to consider. "I believe these terms are acceptable. I will go back to Braavos and speak with my superiors, if they agree to the deal, it can go ahead,"

Having already anticipated his responses and the outcome of the conversation, I drew out a scroll, outlining the agreement in further detail. "Read this through, and if you find it in order, I will sign it and imprint it with my seal. You can take it back to Braavos and get the appropriate people to sign it and then bring it back,"

Nestoris took the scroll, and upon reading it thoroughly, looked up at me and gave a wry smile. "You've played me for a fool you already knew what you were going to get before I even walked in here. Masterfully done, I admit, it seems I was wrong, you were quite capable of doing this yourself,"

I returned the smile. That was my financial situation secured.

This is my first fanfic so I would really appreciate any feedback you guys can give me, positive or negative. The next chapter should be coming out within the next week.

Also, if there are any Beta readers who would be interested in being a Beta reader for this story, please PM me.