The Pearl of Driftmark

I Jacaerys' P.O.V

King's Landing, The Red Keep - 125 AC

As we rode towards Kingslanding, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of the Crownlands, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of leaving Winterfell behind. For two years, it had been my home, and Cregan, my closest friend, had been by my side through it all.

Despite the impending separation, Cregan and I found solace in each other's company, our banter and laughter echoing through the wheelhouse as we journeyed southward. As Cregan and I exchanged stories about our adventures in Winterfell, Wintertown, and the Godswood, the memories of our time in the North made me feel warm from the inside.

"I'll never forget the time we climbed to the top of Winterfell's walls," Cregan reminisced, a fond smile playing on his lips. "The view was breathtaking, wasn't it?"

I nodded in enthusiastic agreement, the memory of that climb still vivid in my mind. "Absolutely," I replied, a grin spreading across my face as I recalled the exhilaration of gazing out over the vast expanse of the North. "We could see for miles in every direction. It felt like we were on top of the world."

Cregan chuckled at my excitement, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "And what about the Winter Solstice Festival in Wintertown?" he continued, his voice filled with nostalgia. "The food was unlike anything I've ever tasted."

The memory of that feast flooded back to me, the savory aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked breads still lingering in my mind. "Oh, yes," I exclaimed, my mouth watering at the thought. "The kidney pie was delicious! It will take me a while to get used back to the food of the royal court."

As we continued to reminisce about our adventures in Winterfell, Cregan's eyes lit up with excitement as he recalled another memorable moment. "Do you remember the hunt in the Godswood?" he asked, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

I nodded eagerly, the memory of that exhilarating experience still fresh in my mind. "How could I forget?" I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "That was our first hunt, led by Lord Rickon Stark himself."

Cregan nodded in agreement, a hint of nervousness creeping into his expression. "I was so nervous," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I had never been on a hunt before, and I wasn't sure what to expect."

I couldn't help but echo his sentiments, remembering the butterflies that had fluttered in my stomach as we ventured into the Godswood. "I was nervous too," I confessed, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. "But once we got started, it was exhilarating."

"We did!" Cregan agreed, his voice filled with excitement as we recalled the game we caught. "We even feasted on the spoils of our hunt that very same day."

As we neared the gates of King's Landing our conversation was cut short and my foster father, Lord Rickon Stark, joined us in the wheelhouse. As we crossed the busy streets of my home city, I couldn't ignore the subtle changes that had taken place since my departure. The air was cleaner, the streets less crowded, and the smallfolk seemed to wear smiles more readily upon their faces. It was a stark contrast to the King's Landing I remembered, a city plagued by poverty and despair. And though I knew that much work still lay ahead to improve the lives of its inhabitants, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future.

"Jacaerys, my boy, I see that look of surprise on your face," Lord Rickon said, his voice warm with affection as he noticed my reaction to the changes in King's Landing. "Let me fill you in on what's been happening. With most of the Flea Bottom small folk relocating to the North, the city seized the opportunity to revitalize the area. They've gentrified Flea Bottom, spruced it up with flowers, and even planted many around the streets and other neighborhoods, which is why the air smells much sweeter now."