A.N. Hey everyone. Let's bring up the Stat Chart
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Anime PJ
Carleen
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I really didn't think that this story was going to have a good view number, thanks everyone. Let's start
Days had passed since Ethan's death, and Talia was charged with making a song for the funeral. The extra soldiers had yet to come for the Whitehills, and some of the Whitehills were starting to get nervous. James had been training the Forrester soldiers when he saw a commotion at the gate. A caravan had been 'driven' in and the person sitting on the 'driver's' seat claimed to have dead Forresters.
Ser Royland brandished his sword and sent him away. However, James noticed someone trying to leave the caravan and fell off the back. Ser Royland approached the cadaver and yelled for the Maester. The body had turned out to be a very much alive Rodrick. From there, Rodrick was attended to, and was eventually moved to his bed chambers to recover.
James had Talia sitting on his lap writing some ideas for the song in Rodrick's room. Rodrick was sleeping on his bed, and looked better than when they first saw him. The sound of a vase (?) breaking alerted them to Rodrick.
"Morning you two" Rodrick says with a smile.
"Rodrick! Thank the Gods" Talia exclaims, jumping out of James' lap, and discards the paper and quill. She runs over to Rodrick and envelops him in a hug. "Brother, I thought I'd lost you"
Talia lets go when Rodrick lets out a small grunt in pain. James joined them as they embraced each other again a bit more gently.
"James"
"Rodrick"
"You've grown. You don't look like that small boy that I knew when we were younger"
"It's good to see you too"
"So how bad it is?" Talia asks, gesturing to his leg, "The maester says that it'll never fully heal...and your face"
"These wounds will heal, Talia"
"I know, soon you'll be back to your old self"
Talia adopted a sad look, and James knew what she was going to say. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, to which Talia returned with a smile, before she started speaking.
"Rodrick...there's something you need to know..."
"Ethan...is dead" James says
"Ethan!?" Rodrick exclaims
"Roose Bolton's bastard came here and threatened to take me away..."
"Ethan protected her, but paid with his own life..."
"And that monster put a blade through his throat" Talia finishes with a grimace, "Like it was nothing"
Talia hugged her brother in comfort while James watched with a sad expression.
"We'll make him pay" Rodrick says
"Good...we're planning to honor Ethan in the grove...alongside, father. Now mother wants me to write a song for the funeral. I can't...even with James' help"
"Don't cry sister" Rodrick says as Talia hugged her brother
A small commotion outside made James move towards the window, and Talia sat herself up.
"It's been chaos here since Ethan died...your people need your leadership Rodrick" James says, "The small council is in a meeting right now, think you can make it?"
"Only one way to find out" Rodrick says
Talia gets up from the bed as Rodrick sits at the edge, preparing himself. He is able to stand, but quickly falls after taking a few steps forward. James shuts the door out of respect for Rodrick's honor while Talia helps her brother. James pulls out his sword and holds onto the blade, giving Rodrick the handle. Rodrick accepted the sword graciously, and lifted himself up.
After walking a bit, the three stand a few feet away from the entrance to the Great Hall. Rodrick starts walking forward, and James and Talia hang back a few steps. Some of the Whitehill soldiers took notice and started gibing at him. The Forrester and Winter onlookers smiled at him and watched as he approached the steps.
When the three made it to the base of the steps, a Whitehill soldier had sat down in front of them.
"Move, soldier" James says
"I'm quite comfortable thank you" The Whitehill soldier replies
The Whitehill soldier looks around to see a crowd gathering. From either stupidity or bravery, he stood up and walked up to Rodrick.
"I wonder what's weaker. Your legs, or this house" he says with a smug smile
"Move, NOW!" Rodrick says, making the guard flich
The Whitehill soldier walked away, and James and Talia led Rodrick inside. Once they stepped into the Great Hall the members of the small council took notice. Rodrick took a seat at the head of the table. Talia stood at his right and James to the left. The meeting started, and the members of the small council filled Rodrick in on what had been happening.
"New Whitehill soldiers are suppose to be here in a few days" Ser Royland states
"If we need more security, I think I know someone that can help" James inputs
"How?" Ser Royland asks, intrigued
James pulls out a letter with the Winter seal on it.
"My father is sending my sister over for support" James says, handing the letter to Rodrick, "He thinks that we may need more troops"
"This is very generous" Rodrick says after reading the letter, "More troops would be appreciated"
Soon they finished the council and went their separate ways. Talia said she had a surprise for James and asked him to wait by the training yard. James was a bit intrigued by this request and waited by Ser Royland training his men, with ome Winter Soldier help. Soon Talia appeared, wearing a small set of armor, and had a short sword at her side.
She approached him with a nervous smile, and says, "I told you I knew how to fight...would you care to spar?"
"Of course my lady" James replies, as they both walk into the training ground. Some soldiers stopped to look for a few seconds before training again. Once the two made it to a clear spot they picked up two shields, drew their swords, and touched blades. Talia jabbed forward, but quickly retreated back one step and swung low. James easily backed up to avoid being hit.
Talia then hid her petite frame behind the shield and charged forward. James sheathed is sword and grabbed Talia's shield and pushed it out of the way. He then found himself staring at the tip of a blade. Talia smirked in a victorious way and lowered the sword.
"Very good. That was smart in using your shield. I couldn't see behind it and you had the element of surprise, well done" James praises
"Thank you" Talia says, blushing a bit
"Here, let me show you something" James says, taking a position with his shield.
"If you time it right and aim it right, you can lift the enemy off the ground, watch"
James aims at one of the practice dummies and charges. He tilts the bottom of the shield up slightly, and raises the dummy out of the ground. He then tosses the piece of hay a good distance away from it's original spot.
"Impressive" Talia says
"Thank you. Care to continue sparing?" James says, raising his sword
"Of course, my lord" Talia says, copying his action
The two continued sparing for a while longer before Talia started running out of energy. They decided to take a brake and relax for a bit. After Talia changed her wardrobe, the two went for a walk through the woods and found themselves in a small clearing. Talia laid down against a tree and James sat down next to her. Talia pulled him down a bit more, slightly surprising him, and hugged his arm. James placed his free hand on Talia's hand, and took in the moment of quiet.
A few days later, Rodrick's betrothed had arrived, and James was escorting her to the Great Hall. He steps inside and tell the three in the room that she's here. They leave the room to Rodrick and Eleana. Outside, Lord Whitehill had welcomed himself in and made his way to the Great Hall. On his way he met James.
"You! I remember you boy. You had the audacity to make me bend down to leave this sh*thouse" Lord Whitehill says
"You helped in the killing of Lord Ethan, you deserved to crawl out, you creeten" James says
"I have business with the deceased, so if you don't mind, I'd like to get on with it"
"Get out of my sight" James says, bumping his shoulder against Lord Whitehill
James made his way outside to cool down. After some time, Lord Whiteblubber finally left, and Rodrick had informed him that the engagement was in effect. He was also informed that he kissed Lord White (*cough cough* fatty *cough cough*) hill's ring. James was a bit annoyed, but after hearing the reason let it slide.
A couple more days later, the day of the funeral was to take place. The bodies were ready, and Ryon was there. After Rodrick and Lady Foresster said a few words, Talia placed some Ironwood seeds in their hands. Rodrick approached Ethan's body and lit the pyre, then did the same with the late Lord Foresster. Talia then walked up to the front and stood on the platform. James gave her a comforting look. She took a calming breath before starting.
(A.N. Y'all get a song time. One of my favorite songs, so let's get this underway. Ballad of the Forresters)
From ice, from ice, we Forresters born,
To ice we all return,
Father, brother we mourn, we mourn,
These family trees we've burned.
May kings and queens melt down their crowns.
A pyre on Aegon's hill.
In floods of gold, I pray they drown,
For all the blood they spilled.
Mance, sound the horn of winters past
Call starving giants forth.
Urge cannibals to break their fast,
On wardens of the North.
Eastern mages empty the veins,
Of beasts across the sea.
Paint Slaver's Bay in crimson rains,
To bring Ethan back to me.
When Ramsey claimed me for his ward,
Ethan spurred the tyrant,
My brother's clam defied our lord,
Ethan strong and silent.
Watch on, watch on,
Ethan the wise,
Old Gods be one with you.
Our Lord, my kin and an old soul dies.
So iron grows anew,
Still iron grows anew.
(A.N. Moving on)
After singing, the sad group of friends stood and watched as the fire burned. Talia cried into James' arms as he holds her comfortably. Soon the small group disbanded and went their own ways. Ryon was unfortunately taken back to Highpoint with the Whitehill soldiers. In the guest chambers, James had taken off his armor and was leaving the washroom when he noticed a small bump under his blankets.
Obviously knowing who it was, James sat down next to the lump and pulled the blankets off. The tear shed face of Talia stared at James with a sad expression. Talia scooted over as James laid himself down next to her.
Talia says, "Promise you won't leave me", as she hugs him from the side
"I promise" James responds
"I can't lose you. It would hurt too much"
"You don't have to worry about me...if I'm being honest, I'm worried for you"
"Me? Why?"
"You've just lost your brother and found your father's deceased body. It's not an easy experience"
"I can handle it, and you help me to"
Talia gives James a kiss on the cheek and lays her head on his shoulder, smiling as his face adopts a paralyzed look.
A.N. And that's it. Next chapter shall be episode 3
Reviews would be appreciated
Anyways stay awesome guys and gals of the world, and I'll see you next chapter