He killed him.

He killed Ethan, her own twin in cold blood.. right in front of her. It was the only thing she could think about.. the now dried droplets of blood that had speckled the end of her sleeve reaching out to Ethan serving as a constant reminder.

But before she could even hold Ethan, his body falling to the floor as blood rapidly spilled from his neck; Ramsay Snow had pulled her away, claiming her as his ward.

"Finally.. we can get a fuckin' fire started.." Skinner growled as he stopped, climbing down from his mount; dragging Talia off after him.

She landed on her feet, a little startled from the sudden movement as she was pulled from her thoughts.. they had stopped. Looking to the treeline she realised it was near to nightfall already.

Then she heard an all too familiar tone, ordering his men to get the tents started.. Ramsay Snow. She winced, looking down as he walked towards her.. she was terrified of him.

"Well then, My Lady.. how was your journey?.." Ramsay's eerily chirpy tone filling her ears and sending a shiver down her spine..

"No unwanted touches from Skinner I hope.." he sniggered and smiled, looking up to Skinner as they shared a grin.

Talia shook her head. "No.. My Lord.." she said softly, not even daring to bring her eyes up to his.

Ramsay smiled a seemingly sweet and sincere smile, bringing his hand underneath her chin and gently tilting her head upwards.

"Good.." he turned and left, ordering a few more commands to his men.

Skinner pushed her down to sit on the ground, looking down at her. "Don't get brave now.." he said, his face solemn and serious..

"You wouldn't survive if ye' tried to run.. the cold'll set in before nightfall." He looked into her eyes, staring into them for a minute before walking away.. knowing she wouldn't dare try to run.

Nightfall soon came, and as Skinner had said.. with it came even more cold. She shivered as she still sat on the ground, watching as the fire slowly grew higher and higher as Ramsay and his men added more wood..

"Come.." Ramsay beckoned with an insincere wave of his hand.

She stumbled to her feet, her legs weak and wobbly as she walked over to the fire, needing the warmth.

She sat on the little log that was furthest away from Ramsay.. but he moved closer. Ramsay and his men japed and sneered over crude stories.. though it seemed she was the only one with that opinion.

"I named two of my hounds after her.." Ramsay said matter of factly, speaking of one of the girls he had previously chased. "She gave such a good run.. I thought I'd honour her even more than usual.." he sniggered, leaning towards Talia.

"Do you like hounds, My Lady?.." he asked with a grin, looking up at her.. his ice cold eyes staring at her.

"I-I'm not sure.." she said softly, trying to avoid conversation with him.

"We don't keep them at Ironrath."

"Well.. I'll have to introduce you to my hounds when we get to the Dreadfort." He said cheerily, going back to talking with his men.

As the night grew later Talia's eyes fluttered closed.. and then opened quickly, the process repeating over and over as she tried to fight the sleep that was trying to claim her. She was too nervous to sleep.. too nervous about what might happen to her if she did.

Ramsay caught her in the corner of his eye.. fighting her own sleepiness. He grinned slightly, watching her.

"Come Ward. It's time for bed." He stood abruptly, looking over to Skinner, Damon and the rest of the Bastard's Boys.. his plans falling into place.

He guided Talia into his tent and laced the tent up after them. A grin ever present on his face.