Chapter 3- Ship of Many Faces


Author's Note: Hi there, thank you all for your patience. I have finally updated! This is where it becomes clear that we are moving into the Throne/Ice and Fire universe and leaving the Merlin universe behind.

Just to recap: Merlin and Freya decided to run away together, but she told him the truth about her Bastet curse, Gaius eventually found out and actually gave his blessing. Now they have to reach the coast and get a ship across the Sunrise/Sunset Sea (East of Albion).

Just so you know, Emerys is what the Druids call Merlin- meaning "Immortal One" as a man who is prophecised to bring magic back to Albion. The Azor Ahai is a legendary figure in the Thrones/Ice and Fire universe as a hero who fought and liberated the world from the White Walkers in the Long Night; there are those who believe that the Long Night is coming again and the Azor Ahai will be reborn.

What do you make of each of the new characters, by the way?


MERLIN

"She's a fine piece of beauty, ain't she?" the large balding captain asked.

"She is," Merlin assented, in line with his best judgement. It was just a ship- a large merchant galley, but now was not the right time to remind Albert of that.

"Her name is Winter Winds, by the way," Albert added.

"Good for her," the warlock muttered. "How much for a cabin for two and a trip across the Sunrise Sea?"

"Is that what you lot call it?" Albert scoffed. "Over in Westeros they call it the Sunset Sea."

"How much?" Merlin pressed.

Albert looked taken aback at his shortness. But then his smile returned. "To the Rills? Three golds!"

"One," Merlin bartered. "And we'll disembark at Blazewater Bay."

They were at the shore and a ship was anchored before them. Freya was cloaked from head to toe and had her hood cast over; Merlin thought it best to reduce the risk of anyone recognising her. The day was a gentle one with a cool breeze, but the sea cheered the arrival of more guests for the ride and growled in delight.

The dock was packed with families, merchants and wayfarers who were eager to get on and make their way across. Some were refugees who had been forced from their home, others were the ailing who had heard of a cure for their illness in this distant land. There were also four men dressed in complete black and black cloaks, who turned their faces away as if afraid of the gaze of a basilisk.

Albert gave him a sly smile and his eyes lingered from Merlin to Freya. "Can I talk to you a moment?"

"Sure," Merlin said uncertainly, glancing and Freya, who appeared to be holding her breath. "I won't be long," he promised quietly.

"Now, I know you're trying to impress your woman," Albert said, after they were away from the crowd.

Am I? Merlin thought silently.

"For you and the girl, I'll do one gold and three silvers, for your own cabin and all!" Albert declared. "Women like a man who can... afford to buy her things..."

"Done." Merlin smiled to himself, ending the conversation.

"That's good! What did you say your name was?"

Merlin considered his response, he would not risk exposing them yet. "My name's Balin, and that's Emily." He glanced over at Freya.

"Very well, Balin and Emily, welcome aboard the Winter Winds!" Albert laughed. "Bring your bags up!"

Merlin nodded curtly, muttering a word of gratitude. He strode back over to Freya, who was turned away from him.

"Hey, I've got-" he began, placing a hand on her.

"Don't do that, Merlin!" Freya hissed, jumping at his touch as if she had been scolded.

"Ssssshh!" the warlock hushed. "It's Balin!" he whispered.

"What are you on about?" Freya snapped. Her arms were tightly around her fragile body, even though she was covered with a cloak and the day was mild.

"Until we get off at the Blazewater Bay, I am Balin and you are Emily- sorry it's the best I could do on the spot," Merlin explained. "We've got a cabin to ourselves."

"Right... that's good... right," Freya shifted uncomfortably.

"You don't sound too pleased," Merlin commented. "What's wrong?"

Freya swallowed and leaned against Merlin and held his arm. "Don't stare, but there's this woman behind us, and she was looking at me."

Merlin almost spun around, but Freya grabbed him hard, hissing at him to not stare. Merlin cautiously glanced behind him. There was a woman in teal coloured long robes sat on a what looked like a camping bag. She had olive skin and dark hair, some of which was covered by a dirty white headdress that draped over the left side of her face. The right side was worn and weary, making her look possibly older than she was. Her left hand was covered with her sleeve, but for a few fingers with cracked skin. The woman looked up and the part of the headdress that covered her face subsided as if a servant letting a queen pass.

The hairs on the back of Merlin's neck stood to attention, as her eyes locked on to his. In that moment, it wasn't the woman's caked and dead skin that caught his eyes, it was her eyes that seemed to be shining with light, gazing deep inside him.

He found himself thinking of his mother in Ealdor, of all his friends who he had to leave behind in Camelot, of Freya, who he had sworn to protect and despite his façade, he found himself doubting his every move. He was terrified, telling himself it was only a matter of time until he had to do this, until Uther would find out about his magic and send him to the block, or the stake.

No! he bellowed silently as it dawned on him what was happening. He glared at this woman with fury, pulling up the wall of fire around his soul like a dragon jealously guarding his domain. Suddenly, the woman looked taken aback and looked away.

Freya placed a cool hand on his shoulder, making him realise how hot he was becoming, causing him to fall into a fit of coughing and heavy breathing. "Are you all right?" she asked. "What happened there?"

"Nothing," Merlin muttered, turning away and lifting their luggage. "Let's go."

They swiftly boarded the ship, quickly finding their way through the crew of people from all shapes, races and sizes, to find their cabin that they were told was located at the right side of the ship.

It was smaller than expected, it was dark and the bed was one large hammock which swung from the roof in a corner with a handle fastened to each of the two adjacent walls. Almost as an alternative, a heap of hay decorated with a white cover lay at the other end. There was a small glass window, that allowed some light and the scent of the salty sea to get in, but was nowhere near big enough to enjoy the scenery.

Merlin motioned for Freya to sit, the hammock swung ever so slightly as her weight gently descended. She let out a long sigh.

Merlin smiled. "May I?" He placed a hand on her boot. "You should get comfortable."

Freya let out a nervous laugh, nodding at him. "We're actually doing this, Merlin? We've actually crossed Camelot, Mercia and Nemeth!"

"Yeah, we have!" Merlin assented, taking off her boot with a cheeky grin. "But we still have to find somewhere safe, and that's after we dock into Westeros. And it's Balin until we dock.

"Who was that woman?"

"I don't know."

"Freya, I need you to tell me the truth!" he hissed.

"I am, I swear!" Freya protested. "I don't know, why would I lie to you?"

Merlin took a deep breath and wiped his face with his hands. "Right, OK, I'm sorry."

"Are you all right?" Freya asked, touching his warm face.

I have no idea of where we are actually going, I don't know if we're safe here or if we'll be safe when we land! Merlin took another breath. "I'm fine, we'll..."

"We'll work something out," Freya contributed.

Merlin's smile widened. "Yeah, we will."

"Tell me about this place we're heading," she requested, sitting back in her hammock.

Merlin took out a map and studied it closely, allowing Freya to take a look.

"Is that our new land?"

Merlin nodded. "Actually, it's part of the whole realm. Most of this is what they call the North, but below here, Greywater Watch, is what they call the Riverlands." He traced a finger back North, landing on the area marked Blazewater Bay. "We're getting off here. We can make our way to the Rills, maybe we can find ourselves a field with cows here." He grinned before saying: "Actually, how about a lake first, there must be one at Torrhen's Square."

A small giggle escaped Freya's lips. "That sounds really nice. But honestly, I'd rather earn that lake in years to come."

Merlin leaned over to kiss her gently on the cheek. "Yeah, you're right.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, before Freya scooted over in the hammock to make room for him. She let out a small yelp and chuckle as Merlin's weight fell on the hammock pushing it into a swinging motion. The warlock awkwardly shifted into a comfortable position and placed an arm around the Druid girl, who turned bright red and snuggled next to him.

"Get cosy, are we?" Freya teased.

Merlin took a bit of her raven coloured hair and nudged it behind her small ears, trailing his finger slowly like a voyager over a treasure map, but rather than looking into a compass, Merlin looked into her brown eyes, that were as warm and wholesome as the earth, and he smiled. "Well, the Captain thinks that I'm doing all this to woo you; he's not completely wrong."

"Then woo me," Freya said mischievously, before leaning in to initiate the slow and lingering, yet soft kiss, which even after what he had done brought a flush of red to his already pale skin.

Before either could savour this moment, a jolt shook their hammock, causing them to yelp. Merlin gripped the handle behind him and fastened his grip on Freya.

A sinking feeling followed, but the couple let out a sigh of relief as they heard splashes and were being pushed forwards. Freya let out a jovial laugh, when they heard the oars push out and the order for rowing to begin. They had set off!

"So, do you get sea sick?" Freya probed nervously, after a moment.

"I don't know, I've never been to sea," Merlin admitted, watching Freya cling on to his arm and shoulder. "Do you need to?"

"I don't know," Freya murmured, covering her mouth.

Merlin silently cursed the Captain for ruining the moment, but sat up and said: "It's OK, if you need to just go ahead." He summoned a bucket and placed it in Freya's hands.

The Druid girl took a long breath and declined. "I'm OK, I'm OK."

Merlin offered to see if they could get something to eat (if they could keep it down) and drink. He stepped outside and scouted for members of the crew, marked out by their grey jackets.

The one closest to him was a lanky brown haired young man named Josep. He advised that each passenger had to approach the kitchen individually and get their portion. Merlin judged it best that he share a portion with Freya and they stock up on their provisions that they had, rather than risk her being exposed; he had glanced at some of these folk at the dock and even on the ship- the rough looking type in leather jackets. For all he knew, they could be bounty hunters, just like Halig, but only aware of the competition for what would have been Halig's reward. News must have travelled that the older bounty hunter was dead, somehow that made Merlin more fearful, not less.

He found the queue soon enough, after venturing through the hallways, that overlooked each of the other cabins or halls, which held as many as a dozen and a half floor mats for their occupants, with very little privacy. There were men, women, children, the elderly and infirm all organised chaotically and lumped together. Some passengers actively avoided others they deemed too unclean or sick.

Merlin joined the queue outside the pantry, with the smell of hot soup and fish greeting his nostrils, he could do with a hot meal rather than the dried fruit and bread he had stockpiled. He ended up next to a dark skinned and bearded man in red robes and another older pale skinned man in yellow velvet robes with a star drawn into the breast of the robes. He also wore a beaded necklace with a small book attached to the end.

"Fenech, you take these slights way too seriously, my friend!" the dark skinned man with a goatie said.

"I darn well don't, let's see what happens to you when some wayward whoreblooded children with no respect shovel pig shit at you!" Fenech grumbled. "But I suppose heathens like you are used to this, Metros, so have no reason to complain, and want me to get used to this too!"

Rather than infuriating Metros, as Merlin had expected, this made the red robed man just snicker like a youth after sharing a rude joke.

"Oh, Fenech, I love you!

"Not that kind of love!" he quickly added to the audience in the rest of the queue, who were undoubtedly listening. "Well, Fenech, we must practise what we preach, there's no need for that language."

Fenech took a deep breath and made a strange pattern on his chest involving several dots. "Yes, you're right, I apologise for my behaviour."

"Perhaps the Lord of Light can help you find your serenity?" Metros winked.

Fenech began to seethe again, but this time made an extra effort to control himself. "I am perfectly content with my Seven, and have no need for your Fire God."

"You'll be more content after a hot meal for that belly of yours, so let's take care of that first!" Metros jested, rubbing his hands together. "Wouldn't you agree, young man?"

It took Merlin a moment to realise that Metros was addressing him. "I…. um…. Yes.." Merlin began to the bemusement of the older man. "Of course," he added with a tad more confidence. In that moment, Metros' eyes lit up as he considered Merlin, the red robed man examined the warlock from head to toe as if he watching a deer in the wilderness. That familiar but distasteful feeling of being mentally invaded came to Merlin, who raised the drawbridge to his soul tight shut.

Metros flushed a little. "Forgive my manners, I am Metros, Red Priest of R'hllor, the Lord of Light; my friend is Septon Fenech-"

"Thank you Metros," Fenech said quickly. "I am a Septon of the Faith of Seven, missionary in the Albion Isles. Have you heard much of us?"

"Can't say that I have," Merlin admitted. "Aren't you sailing away from the Albion Isles?"

"He has a sharp mind, I'll give him that," Metros said. "It can get you so far, but too sharp a mind can get you killed, you understand me?" He moved to put an arm of Merlin's shoulder, but the latter tensed up and gave him a cold glare.

"I understand many things," Merlin said as stoicly as he could, not wanting to cause a scene on the ship, but bracing himself to fight if necessary.

"That's no threat, my friend!" Metros clarified.

"I'm not sure what it was, he always speaks in riddles, this one," Septon Fenech tutted, but hinted a smile, allowing Merlin to relax a small amount.

Maybe these are two normal clergy folk, maybe they mean no harm, but what if….. Merlin began to ponder.

"I'm sorry, you have us at a disadvantage…..." Metros said.

"Balin," the warlock said, keeping his mask. "My name is Balin."

"Pleasure to meet you, Balin!" Metros said, shaking his hand. "What brings you to Westeros, if I may ask?"

"Excuse me?"

"Westeros is where this ship is heading, you do know that?" Fenech probed.

"Of course, I do!" Merlin said defensively. "And, I felt like an adventure, I have always wanted to travel, ever since I was a little boy."

"Good for you, I myself am getting homesick, so I am going back to where I came from- the Westerlands- have you been there?"

Merlin shook his head.

Metros, on the other hand gave a snort, but said nothing. "The thing is, we always have a plan for how our life is supposed to go. We plan where we will be, live, play work, settle. But then something happens that breaks our plan, no?"

Merlin resisted with all his strength to avoid nodding, but his head wasn't listening.

"I had a plan to spend the rest of my days in the Albion Isles, as did Fenech, though he won't admit it. But the Lord had other plans for us. He decreed that we find each other on this ship, amongst all other, remember that Balin."

"This is what I mean," Fenech smirked. "When he gets philosophical and speaks riddles that's when he's being utterly serious!"

"Won't you share some bread and soup with us, Balin?" Metros asked, ignoring his friend's japes.

Merlin smiled grimly. "I'm sorry, but I can't today."

"Ah, very well then," Metros said graciously. But before he could continue there was a burst of laughter from the crowd outside the pantry, it was shrill and loud, followed by hoots and uluation.

Six boys, from the ages of nine to fifteen were dashing around in circles with a blanket and a greyish piece of cloth over their heads, clearly pretending to be ghosts.

Merlin's heart violently skipped a beat, when he saw the boys dancing around the woman with dead skin, the woman whose eyes had turned white when she looked at Merlin- yet the eyes were normal and downcast now. She was kneeling on the floor, her headdress was snatched by her laughing tormentors. One of the younger boys was waving her bag around like prized trophy of a hunt.

"I wouldn't get involved if I were you," Fenech advised. "She's cursed, she is a destined to be a sign of an abomination by the gods."

"God," Metros corrected.

Fenech sighed.

"You believe in One God, with Seven Aspects," Metros explained.

"Fine! She has been destined by God to be this way, you may pity her but the moment she sees your weakness she will exploit it and curse you. It is her nature, she cannot help it," Fenech explained. "The best you can do is not take part in her torment, look away."

Merlin's heart was torn. His nature was to help, it had been that very nature that had made him challenge Crown Prince Arthur on that day in Camelot when the latter was throwing knives at a shield carrying squire; it was that very nature that had made him risk his neck, skin, comfort and everything to help a bound Druid girl, who he was trying to protect. This woman with dead skin had tried something he did not like back at the dock, he knew she could be dangerous. Yet right now, she just knelt passively, taking the abuse, the mocking, the spitting from these boys.

Is this her ploy to arouse sympathy, to gain the trust of her Good Samaritan so she can betray him? Could she prove to be a danger to Freya and myself later on?

Merlin found himself glancing to see if anyone else was stepping in, but everyone just walked past or looked the other way as if nothing was happening.

"Don't look at me, Balin," Metros said shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not your master."

Merlin's mind began to boil. I can take anything, including her, if need be. He took a deep breath and marched to the group of tormentors.

A younger boy was waving the bag around. "Let's see what's inside! Let's see what's inside!" Before he could pull the threads open, Merlin grabbed it from his hands, pulling him off balance to the ricketing wooden floor of the ship.

The other boys froze and a silence englufed the hallway and the even the pantry.

"Let her go," Merlin demanded softly, throwing the woman's bag at her feet and standing back, keeping her and the boys in view.

"Hey, mister, this is none of your business!" a blond fifteen year old said stepping forward.

"Yeah, keep your nose out of this!" a brown haired thirteen year old retorted.

"I said, let her go!" Merlin snapped, raising his voice. His hands were burning with energy ready to be expelled like a torrent of magma, but he refused to show his magic, not here not on these mere boys. His blue eyes pierced the oldest like arrows doused in poison and flame, eventually the boy backed away, being followed by the rest as they scrambled away from the warlock and the scarred woman, dropping the headdress on the floor.

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, keeping an eye on the boys as they ran, thankful that the situation had not turned uglier. To his disappointment, the woman scooped up her scarf and muttered a very quiet word of thanks before slipping away into the depths of the ship. For some reason, Merlin felt used and stupid, and felt like people were looking at him as if he was plagued- he felt his skin burning a deep red.

"OK, people, the mummer's show is over!" Metros declared, prompting everyone to resume what they were doing.

Before Merlin could join the queue again, he saw a youth of seventeen years, with blond curly hair, brown shirt, black breeches and a dagger fastened to his belt emerging from above deck, followed by the brown haired boy, almost cowering behind the former.

"So, Milton, this is the man, is it?"

Milton nodded sheepishly.

Oh no, don't, just don't! Merlin groaned to himself, scouting for the any of the crew members, or the Captain to step in and take care of this mess.

"Excuse me, did you put my boys in their place, are you the one?" the youth with the dagger asked.

"They were tormenting a woman, taking her things, calling her names- I didn't lay a finger on them, but I had to step in!" Merlin explained. He had left his falchion in his cabin, as requested by the Captain, but this youth could easily draw his dagger. Maybe Merlin could make it slip out of his hand, if he was quick.

The youth turned to Milton and smacked him across the face. "You dare embarrass me like that? I would have expected that from Tooler, Symin and Del, but not you!" He struck him again, causing the younger boy to cry.

"I don't think there's any need for that!" Merlin cried out, baffled by the turn of events. "There was no harm done, not really."

The youth looked at him studiously. "You're wrong mister!

"You six will have no lunch today, go to your cabin and stay there!" He continued towards Milton, who ran off.

"Phillip Panner," the youth introduced. "These halfwits are the boys I am in charge of."

"Right, I see," Merlin replied coldly before turning away. He was half way through, the hallway, when he realised he still needed to get food for Freya and himself. He had travelled for days without a proper rest. He had no time to fight everyone or fight for everyone. He reminded himself that he had to find some food for Freya, that was the most important thing right now.

After doubling back to the pantry, Merlin realised that he had lost his place and Phillip Panner stood in what was his space a few minutes ago. The youth caught his eye and winked.

Before Merlin could rejoin the queue, Septon Fenech was having none of it. "Move aside, boy, that is Balin's place!"

"It's mine now!" Panner retorted.

"Why don't you learn some respect, boy? He was here before you!"

"You think I should just scoot aside because he is older, do you, old man?" Panner barked.

"Yes!" Fenech said.

"Well, I ain't giving any respect to some bald turd who thinks they're better than anyone, I don't give two shits about what he thinks!" Panner snarled.

"People, we need to calm down!" Metros urged, but his pleas fell on deaf ears, as both exchanged verbal blows and insults. Panner even put a hand on his dagger.

At that moment, Merlin turned on his heel and dashed away from the commotion, wanting no part of it. His already fragile plan rested on Freya and himself avoiding too much attention, yet now the whole ship would have heard the two quarrels that had started because of him.

He wandered the labyrinth of the deck below, pacing endlessly, trying to find a solution to this potential catastrophe. What if there are other bounty hunters on here? What if they come looking for the man who caused two fights in the pantry? I can't help everyone, my first priority is making sure Freya is safe- nothing else matters for now!

He leaned back against the wall and took a deep breath. He was going to put it right, he would retire to his cabin and probably scavenge from the kitchens later, when everyone was asleep.

"Balin, wait!" a voice called, pulling him out of his reverie. Metros darted towards him, halting a few feet away, breaking into a pant and clutching a stitch in his side. "I'm not as young as I used to be!" Metros joked, regaining his breath.

Merlin wondered what was it with this man and his interest in him. Why did he have to keep running into him? "What can I do for you, Metros?" he said cordially.

"The Captain's men have calmed everything down, not that Fenech or Panner were too happy about it. We are friends with the cook, he let us have bigger portions, but you're more than welcome to share with us, Balin?"

Merlin considered him for a moment. "Thank you, Metros, but not today. You go on and enjoy your portions. Maybe they don't do the same food in Westeros." He attempted a casual smile.

Metros returned a bashful smile. "Look, you don't trust me, I understand, I do. You're probably wondering why I am trying to be so nice to you, and it's only partially out of the goodness of my heart," the Red Priest confessed. He checked to see that no one was watching and lowered his voice. "I have seen you in my flames, Balin."

"Excuse me?" Merlin said abruptly, almost laughing. "Why would you…. see me in fire?"

"You call yourself Balin, but that's only one of your names, isn't it? You also sometimes go by the name: Emrys?"

The hairs on Merlin's neck stood to attention and his veins filled with terror as his heart gave a violent jolt. No, no, no, this could not be happening! Not here, not now! How could he know about that? "I don't know what you're talking about!" Merlin snapped, before lunging at Metros to pin him to the wall. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" Do I have to do something serious, to protect Freya? Do I have it within me, because this isn't like Halig, this is a hunch!

"Whoa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you!" Metros exclaimed. "Balin, it's OK, you can trust me."

"And I know that how?" the warlock demanded, releasing his grip on the Red Priest.

"Because the Lord of Light brought me to you for a reason. Listen, do you know of the Azor Ahai?" Metros asked.

A chill tremored over Merlin's whole body. "I have no idea who that is. Who is he?"

"That's a story for another time, Balin, but listen. There will come a time, when the Long Night will come again, and the world will depend on you and the likes of you."

"What do you mean, the likes of me? What do you mean by the Long Night?"

Metros took a deep breath, his eyes dark, almost full of excitement. "I believe you are a Dragon Lord- I have seen you riding a dragon in a snow storm."

"I'm not, I'm…. I'm just Balin…! Why are you doing this?"

"Look, I know it's a lot to take in, and there's so much I don't know, or you don't understand about yourself, but in time you will realise who you are and your purpose," Metros whispered.

No, I am sick of being told that I have this great destiny before me- I am not some saviour of magic or the world from the Night! It seemed that even by sailing across the sea, Merlin was unable to avoid some things. He almost gave a btitter laugh.

"Balin, you and I will talk later about the Long Night, or any questions you might have- I believe you'll have many after today," Metros attempted a half-chuckle. "But until then, stay safe, OK?" He began backing away, leaving Merlin as if he was an echo in a ghost ship.

He eventually found his cabin; he would tell Freya that they would need to wait a little longer to eat something warm. He would find a way to get them safely to Westeros, he had to.

As he entered, Freya almost skewered him with her falchion that was pointed a mere inch from his neck. Both looked at each other, before sighing with relief.

"Freya, are you all right?"

"Emily," she corrected slyly. "My name is Emily, until we dock."

"What, oh yeah, I forgot, sorry," he huffed.

"I'm all right, just got bored and there's nothing to do here, except swing the hammock and keep watch," Freya said. She then noticed his face. "Merlin, what's the matter? Come here, you're burning up!" She touched his forehead before escorting him gently but firmly to the hay bed.

Merlin sighed. "Freya, I'm sorry, I can't get any hot food right now….. there were two fights near the pantry and I might have been the cause."

"What, are you hurt?" she asked, to his surprise. Her soft hand swept to his brow and then his cheek.

For a moment, he relaxed. He should be honest with her and trust her, like she had been with him when she told him about the Bastet. He explained about how he had stood up for the scarred woman, the second fight, how Metros seemed to know he was known as Emrys and some part of some big prophecy linked with the Long Night, whatever that was. In truth- they were not as anonymous as he would like them to be and he was scared.

"Hey, it's going to be OK, Merlin," Freya whispered. "I know it will, we've made it this far, we'll just keep our heads down and get to Blazewater Bay and take it from there."

Merlin looked into Freya's warm brown eyes and nodded, before touching his forehead against hers, making her giggle with cheeky pride.

Before the moment could develop, a rapid round of knocking was fired on their door like a cannon on a castle, startling them. Freya let out a small yelp and covered her mouth, but whoever was at the other end had no doubt heard.

Merlin thrust Freya behind him and slowly stood up, falchion in his right hand. "Who's there?" he demanded.

The answer was a deathly silence.


Author's Note: Who do you think is behind that door? :) Let me know what you thought of the chapter.

It will be a few more chapters until we meet Ned Stark and co and Winterfell, but what do you think of the characters so far?