Command and Conquer: The Wolf, the Agent, and the Demon
Before we get started: the characters of Eva and John Pendlerose are my original Game of Thrones characters.
Eva was born a Bolton, but fostered a Stark after being orphaned by war. Cold, cruel and harsh to her enemies, and warm and loving to people who she loves, she is as beautiful as she is cunning. She is utterly devoted to the Starks, and was Lyanna's best friend before her death. Driven into madness from dispair, she turned to rampant cruelty and violent rages that only Ned and her husband, Donald, can curb.
Donald, who will not be in this story, was a horse farmer raised to a Lordship during Robert's Rebellion. He was one of those killed when Ned was arrested.
John Pendlerose shares his mother's looks except for his father's crimson facial hair, and his father's calmness, mastery of weaponry, and courtly poise in the worst of situations. He was knight for defending a friend during a joust from Gregor Clegane, wearing nothing but leather breeches. His title 'Horselord' is borrowed from Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 7
After greetings were exchanged, Edmund faced the guilty pair, hands folded neatly in his lap. A steaming mug of tea was next to him, and the motley gathering of a band of characters straight out of a book of fairy tales watching the goings-on.
All except for John, who was still potted. As delighted as he was to see Edmund (licking, howling, wagging his tail, etc.), he promptly passed out on the floor a few seconds later, much to Edmund's amusement.
"So, Eddard Stark, I must confess myself at a loss for words. I have no reason to doubt your story, since everyone has vouched for it, or your feelings for my sister, which is beyond question. But what truly escapes my credulity is how you managed to win her affections."
Susan spoke up tersely, before Ned could speak. "I'm still here, Ed. I love him because he loves me for who I am, not for what I can give him."
Ned smiled briefly at Susan, and turned back to Edmund. Other than John and Susan, Edmund reminded Ned most of a Stark: dark hair, fair skin, and strong of body. Except his eyes were his father's brown, not the Stark's slate-grey. Cool, judicious, and wise far beyond his years, Edmund Pevensie's eyes were those of a politician. "My Susan speaks the truth, Just King. It is a gross simplification of what I feel for her, but it is so."
Edmund's brown eyes warmed. Stark's cloudy-grey eyes were like an open book: easy to read. He could see pained stoicism, gentleness, amd integrity. Edmund liked what he saw. and the decision was easy.
"Welcome to the family, Eddard Stark."
"This isn't good. Haramoto was a valuable ally against the Communists. How can we expect the same of Takara?" Major Pevensie muttered the next morning, as the telly blared the news of the Emperor of Japan's death of illness.
The others were gathered around, having just finished breakfast and teasing Ned and Susan. The former was getting his hair shorn by Lydia, much to the latter's amusement, because her elder daughter was drooling by the time she was finished.
Edmund's face was solemn, and slightly ashen, but his voice was firm. "She will do whatever is necessary to defend Japan."
Susan smirked. "Somebody's in love, little brother."
Edmund smirked back. "You should know, big sister."
Ned chuckled. Edmund's and Susan's relationship was somewhat reminiscent of his and Lyanna's. Surprisingly, no pain or haunting images came to his mind, only how utterly alluring Susan was.
John groaned as he lifted the pack of ice from the top of his head to add to Ed's declaration. "Granddad, you're also forgetting she was kidnapped by those bastards. I don't think she'll be up to sucking up to them. Could you please turn that thing down? I've got a headache the size of Big sodding Ben, thanks to that Scotch-ow!" I finished, as Ned, who was sitting next to me after a quick shower, gave the back of the head a slap.
"Mind your tongue, or the next blow will be from Ice." Ned warned.
"Bad dog," Edmund scolded John dryly, who growled back as Red sniggered.
There came a knock at the door, and Lydia answered it.
"Pevensie-san, we meet again."
Chief Inspector Takeshi Kido, head of the Kempeitai (see 'Man In the High Castle') bowed formally.
Tall and thin, he wore thin wire-framed glasses, with short black hair as immaculate as his suit. His swift dark eyes that were as cold and calculating as his heart. Sallow-faced, he was a neat man who demanded only order from his underlings, and he was driven by his duty to his country and his family's honor.
She had met him five years ago, when the Princess had been kidnapped, and she found him to be ruthless to the point of sadism.
"Chief Inspector, we do indeed," she said, bowing in return, as the Asian added another bow for her husband as he came to the door. "My condolences for your loss. He was a good man, and a great ally against our enemies," she said, as she ushered him into the living room.
I rose, smelling an entirely different scent, and faced the Japanese bloke, as the rest of the Pack made their way upstairs, suddenly sober as all fuck.
Ned gripped Susan's hand in a protective grip, sensing the air of deadly calm the man brought with him. A quick look to the man's eyes told him all he needed to know: this was a man who tortured and killed many without any remorse.
Only Tanya remained behind, arms folded across her chest, glaring at the man who had taken all the credit for rescuing the Princess of Japan from her all those years ago.
The man in question ignored their departure, turning his eyes to the tall youth rising from the couch. "The ippiki ookami," He bowed for the third time. His english, although accented, was quite good.
I returned the bow. "I don't know your name, Mate, although I like the suit."
Tanya folded her arms over her chest. "His name is Chief Inspector Takeshi Kido, and he's the leader of the Kempeitai, Japan's military police. So, you prick, why shouldn't I put a bullet through your fucking skull?" She asked Kido.
He bowed to her as well, distaste on his face, as Ned and Susan sent her looks of warning and disgust. "Agent Parker, it has not been long enough. I assume you have not missed me?"
Tanya drew her pistols. "Not at this range!"
Supremely unconcerned, he turned to Edmund. "Edmund Pevensie, I bring a message from the future Empress of Japan. She extends to you an invitation to join her in Japan prior and during the coronation. It shall occur in a month's time, and she is insistent that you attend this event. Your Queen has given her assent for your departure." he said, bowing, although he looked like he would rather have swallowed shit than having just delivered the invitation.
Edmund, seeing this, frowned. "It would be my pleasure to attend her coronation, although I must say that this is quite a surprise."
Ned cleared his throat, descending down the stairs. "And how many invitations of this likeness have you bestowed upon men such as he, Ser?"
Kido turned to him. This young man had a lordly bearing, and eyes that had seen too much. He reminded Kido of pictures of old Samurai by the way he carried himself. "None. Such events are not to be seen by those who are not dignitaries, and certainly not foreigners who are not dignitaries." he said, looking none to pleased.
Edmund's mouth parted in realization, his face flushed, and he had nothing to say.
He now knew what Takara wanted, and was now feeling trapped.
She wanted to court him. At any other time, he would've jumped at the chance, but in her own country?
"What the fuck is going on?" Tanya demanded, losing patience. "Can I shoot him yet?"
Lydia rose. She, like Ed, knew what the Empress wanted. But she, unlike Ed, was going to stall for time. "Chief Inspector, would you like something to eat or drink?"
He turned to her, his face sour. "Forgive me, but I must go. Her excellency requests your presence in a month's time. Good day to you all." With another bow, he showed himself out, but not before giving Tanya a smirk.
"Let me shoot him in the back. Nobody has to know," Tanya said idly, watching him walk to his car. "I knew I should have blown his fucking brains out while I had the chance."
"Enough of your prattle. Would that you learned to control your tongue, for such is the hallmark of a fully mature woman." Ned growled, at Tanya.
Tanya flared up, as I winced at my Uncle's spitting in the tigress's eye. "The hell-"
Lydia interrupted hurriedly. "That's quite enough, the both of you."
She then turned to Edmund. "Dear, if you go, you'll be walking into a lion's den."
Edmund shook his head. "But if I refuse her, it would strain relations between England and Japan. No, mother, I have no choice."
Ned bit his lip. "Your Grace, I must protest. What you are doing may be honorable, but it is extremely dangerous. There will be those who will not take kindly to your presence, and royal courts are full of liars and snakes."
Edmund patted the older man's arm gingerly, a sign of affection that Edmund rarely gave to anyone. "Thanks, Lord Stark, but I do have experience in that kind of scene."
Susan rushed down the stairs, and took Edmund by the shoulders. "Oh, Edmund, if you have to go, do be careful," she said, close to tears.
"Haven't I always, when I was in Narnia?" Edmund laughed, smiling at her reassuringly.
"When John was around," Peter said, clapping his younger brother on the shoulder.
Tanya stepped forward, before I could say anything, or Edmund could mention other instances when I wasn't around. "That time, it was only the hairy lummox. Now, you'll have a Pack watching your scrawny ass."
They all turned to her, but it was Susan who spoke. "But I thought you wanted to go back out to the Front once you were ready."
Tanya looked sheepish, especially when John looked the most surprised of the bunch. "That was before I met you guys. You're as good as my family now."
Susan's eyes filled with tears, and she hurled herself into Tanya's strong arms. "Oh, I knew John made the right choice when it came to you!" If only you would pick up a better vocabulary, Susan thought.
Just then, another knock came, followed by the door opening, and Lucy Pevensie walked in. "Goodness, it's good to be done school for good. What-" She stopped short as she spied the new people in the house. "Have I missed something here?"
With a cry of joy, I turned into a wolf, and proceeded to caper around her, licking her and yipping with joy as she giggled and snuggled into me. "There's nothing like having my protector ready to welcome me home."
Putting down her suitcases, and hugging her family, she turned to the strangers. "The one downside of having a wolf is that he makes a mess of me when it comes to greeting strangers."
Red stepped forward, and bowed. "Queen Susan, I am Red Riding Hood, and-"
Lucy gasped, and rushed forward to take her hands in hers. "Oh, goodness! Are you really? I've heard so much about you and that wretched wolf. It was so clever how you tricked and killed him. I admire you so very much. Dear me, I'm all of a flutter!"
Red smiled warmly, and I shook my head in wonder. Even the calculating Red couldn't keep her heart hard against Lucy's earnest and energetic charm! "You flatter me, your Grace. He was not the smartest of creatures."
Lucy shook her head. "Please, call me Lucy."
And then she turned to Ned. "You have a lordly bearing, good Sir. You have a Narnian look about you...well, not quite, but something tells me you are not from around here."
He smiled, and bowed. With her muscular but womanly form, dark auburn hair, and blue eyes, she reminded him of a Tully. But the energy, the fire, and the boyish air was all Arya. He knew that he was going to like this lass. "I am Eddard Stark, your Grace, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North. You are correct in assuming that I am not from these lands."
"Ah, that sounds like a story that needs telling!" Lucy smiled, and sat expectantly.
When he was done, she was still for a long moment. "You did the best you could do, Lord Stark. If you aren't pleased with that, then what can you be pleased by? A good man in a cruel world is a precious thing," she said, sounding years older than her actual age. "If only I could find a way to avenge your pain."
Ned smiled softly. "They are gone, and I am here. You have no need to worry."
Lucy eyed him, and then Susan, who was gazing at Ned in adoration. "And how long have you been here, pray tell?" She asked, a grin spreading across her face.
He reddened. "A moon, mayhaps too. Your sister and I have grown fond of each other."
Lucy chuckled. "Anyone can see that, my Lord. For once, Susan, I approve of your choice. I always knew you'd find the right man."
Susan nodded her head. "Thank you, little sister, for having ever so much faith in me," she said, and Ned smiled at the fact that his Gentle Queen was just as dry as her younger brother.
Lucy grinned back, and they all settled down, though not after Ned and Susan get into argument over his quarters, which happened to be the latter's room.
Ned, ever the gentleman, told the beauty that he would sooner sleep out in the cold than take her room, and she told him he better jolly well think again. They quickly settled on Ned sleeping next to her bed on a spare mattress.
It was later in the day, when John wasn't dealing with that hangover of his, Lucy came across Ned cleaning his absurdly-large sword Ice.
"I never thought I would find a sword larger than John's," she said, gesturing for him to sit as he rose when he caught sight her.
He did, smiling as she sat on her bed, her blue eyes fixed on his grey ones. "Neither did I, your Grace."
She sighed. "Lucy. Do you call Susan by her title?"
He nodded equably. "Lucy, then. You seem to favor your mother rather your sister in looks."
Lucy smiled. "I do indeed."
Ned smiled. "You and your sister have your own ways of beauty, much like my own daughters. I gather that this makes you uncomfortable?" He said, when she shifted slightly.
"I love my sister, but it was always hard to see men flock to her in droves, and fight for her hand," Lucy said, bowing her head. "There were times when I wished I was as beautiful as her."
Ned rose, laid his sword aside, and came to kneel in front of her, taking her hands in his. They were far more callused than Susan's, and Ned knew that Arya would have liked Lucy very much. "Susan is very beautiful, but you have your own beauty. I see the fire in your eyes, and I feel the power in your hands, neither of which Susan can claim. Never think yourself below her, for I have heard her say more than once that she envies you."
Lucy smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. "No wonder Susan loves you. Thank you, Ned."
He embraced her, and found that she even smelled like his wayward and fierce daughter. This was Arya reborn. "Anytime at all, sweetling."
In another part of the house, John and Tanya had just finished a particularly fierce tryst. It had been their first in months, and both were grinning by the time they were done.
"Good to see you haven't lost your edge, luv."
"You're not so shabby yourself."
Another moment passed before I spoke again. "Did you mean it when you called them your family?"
Tanya met his green eyes in the afternoon's light, and nodded. "Absolutely. They're a swell bunch."
He snuggled closter to her lovingly. "Thank you so much."
She rose, both embarrassed by her own admission of giving a shit, and remembering the events that brought them here. "You can thank me when you can explain what the fuck you were thinking back there with that girl," she said, as she washed herself before putting her clothes on.
He did the same, and stood in front of her a minute later. "To be honest, I didn't do all that much thinking."
She pointed a finger at him. "You were shook. You were shook bad, and you almost attacked us. That's why I knocked you the fuck out."
He shook his head. "She was a bloody pup, a fucking child, and the people she killed? Almost all of them got what they deserved, especially that cunt of a mother."
She sighed. "I agree with you about the fucking kid, all right? but that's not what I'm talking about. I was scared of you, John, for the first time since we hitched our goddamned trailers together."
That got him, she saw. He shook his head, his hands shaking, and his voice quivering. "I've never hurt you, and I never will. You are making a mountain out of a fucking molehill."
She shook her head. "Okay, maybe I wasn't scared you would punt me around, but I wasn't so sure about the others. I just...shit!" She finished, turning away, and throwing her hands into the air.
"Tanya, I didn't mean to snap. I'm starting to lose...I don't know what. Wasn't God supposed to stop that sodding bastard from shooting the girl? Why does he let all these worlds and universes go to shit? Cor and blimey!"
Tanya bit her lip, seeing naked wearyness in his eyes. It was not wearyness of the body, but of the mind, and Tanya realized that he was suffering from a bad case of Battle Fatigue. "Whatever He's doing doesn't matter, because the Pack and I are here if you need us, and so are the Pevensies," she said softly, taking his face in her hands.
He smiled, but she could see that he was tiring of all this. "And I thank you all for it."
They sank back on the bed together, just resting in each other's arms.
"Something's different about him, Pete," Edmund said, as the two brothers sat downstairs. "Something's not right."
Peter nodded sadly, noting that Susan was working at her chores slower than usual, which meant that she was eavesdropping. "I've seen it before, but not with him. Injured men coming back from the Front, and our creatures in Narnia. 'The Thousand Yard Stare,' I've heard it called by a Yankee reporter visiting Oxford."
Edmund shook his head. "He's not like anyone else, brother, you know that."
Peter nodded, and leaned forward to grasp Edmund's hand, noting that his younger brother was more emotional than usual.
Edmund and John had always been good friends since the latter had sacrificed himself for the former.
No, not friends: as close as brothers, with John being his protector and fellow jester. Pranksters to the core, they could make Susan go mad like no one else.
Now, Edmund and Peter were stuck watching their guardian slide down into a pit of despair without a clue how to bring him out. "Maybe that's part of the problem. He's been through things most men couldn't even fathom in their worst nightmares."
Lydia, who had been reading the London Times nearby, spoke up. "But it's not all been bad. He has us, his sister's...ghost, Ned, and the Pack. Our goal, my dears, is to make him remember the good."
Susan spoke then. "And I think Ned is the best of all of us to bring the real John back."
Edmund raised an eyebrow. "Steady on, Su. He's just one bloke, no matter how good of a one he is."
Susan snorted. "You've only just met him, so I wouldn't scoff at him just yet."
Edmund raised his hands, a mischievous smile coming to his face. "I say, who said anything about scoffing? I'm just pointing out that we'll need more than your boyfriend to get this sorted out."
Susan snorted. "He's not my boyfriend, Ed."
He smiled back. "Yet, Su. You're in love, and I'm very happy for it."
The Major set his paper aside, and caught his wife's eye. "Excuse us for one moment."
"So, what do we do?" Lydia asked, once they were alone in their room.
"I've got a plan of my own. We both know Ned and Susan are head over heels with each other, so why not just head them off before they start getting any ideas of running off together? Plus, it might put our grandson in a better mood. It's two birds with one stone," he said, gesturing to the portraits of their parents.
After thinking about it for a long moment, Lydia beamed. "My dear, that is just sheer brilliance! Oh, I wish we had something for John and Tanya."
He sighed. "That's not our call to make, luv. They'll sort it out."
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Tanya asked, as they lay together.
"Yeah. I don't know what's going on. I've seen people get snuffed before, but not kids. Maybe that's what's getting to me."
"I've seen it before with guys on the Front. It's Battle Fatigue, and you just need time to drag your hairy ass out of this shit."
He shifted against her, and his eyes were full of shame when his met hers. "I'm sorr-"
She cut him off. "Don't finish that sentence. I'm not walking away from this, and don't even think of pushing me away."
He kissed the back of her neck. "Never. I love you, hell-cat, and I'm not letting you bloody go."
She smiled. "That's my good puppy!"
That afternoon, Ned was making his way downstairs when he ran straight into the Major, who was walking upstairs. "I do apologize, Major."
The Major smiled. "Not at all, Ned. You're just the chap I wanted to see."
He led the dubious lord into his room, the largest in the house, but also the most sparsely decorated, with only a few...what did they call them...'photos' of the Major's children and four elderly people, two of which reminded Ned of the man beside him. "Are they your sires?"
The Major nodded somberly. "Aye, both killed in the air-raids that sent my children into the countryside that fateful day."
Ned laid a hand on the older man's shoulder. "I am sorry. I know at least some of the grief you still carry."
The Major nodded. "I know, but it doesn't get easier for either of us, yeah?"
After a moment of silence, Lydia came in, Susan behind her.
The two parents shared a smile when Ned's and Susan's faces light up when they saw each other, and they knew they were making the right decision. "We brought you both here because we have something that we've been hanging on to for a bloody long time," the Major said.
Lydia moved to the picture of her parents, and he to his, and extracted a set of four rings, two silver and two gold, from the back of the frames, pocketed the first two, and brought the other two forward.
"This, Ned," The elder man said, his eyes overly bright, showing Ned the remaining silver ring. "Was the ring my mother gave to Dad on their wedding day."
Susan gasped, and Ned hissed out a breath. "My Lord, I-"
The Major shook his head. "Don't, Ned. No more formalities, no more claptrap, not between us. I knew from the moment you and Susan first met that this was going to happen. And I can't think of a better man to be with my daughter."
Ned nodded, barely able to choke out a response. "I will not let you down."
He turned to Susan, who was silently crying with joy. He studied her bright blue eyes, sparkling gently, her long, dark eyelashes that were making her eyes even brighter, her pale skin and delicate, equally pale, hazel freckles spread across her features. He traveled with his eyes to her subtle cheekbones, to her nicely shaped nose, to her full, soft lips, and pushed away any doubts.
"Susan Pevensie, I love you in ways that I never dreamed possible. I offer you all that I have, my sword, my life, and my heart, in return for your willing hand. Will you be mine, Susan?" He asked, handing her the silver ring.
Beaming, she nodded. "Nothing in the world would make me happier to be your wife and Lady, Eddard Stark," she said, slipping the silver ring over his left ring finger, as he did the same with the golden ring.
Much celebration followed, back-slapping and hand-shaking from the Pevensie lads for Ned, a giggly hug from Lucy for both, and a more professional but warm hug from Tanya.
Red, cool as ever, gave them congratulations by a bow for Ned and a curtsey for Susan.
John, who was going for a full-moon phase, was overjoyed, yipping and yowling as he snuggled against the two lovers, and carried on to such an extent that even Susan was laughing fit to burst.
Joy and love suffused the Pevensie household, and the Pack responded by knitting together, with the twinkle in John's eyes slowly returning.
A day later, the news came they would have to call a pastor from London, who would be here within the week for the wedding, but my mind was distracted by something else that came with a harsh knock at the door.
The Major, who was closest to the door, answered it, and was pushed aside by a young Asian woman with brown eyes, a willowy body, and carrying a large sack made of what looked like the same fur her's and John's cape was made from.
Ah, so this must be San!
"Half a moment, Luv," the Major spluttered. "You just can't come barging in-"
But before he could finish, John had already come scrabbling on his four paws to the young woman, who dropped the bag and flung her arms around her pack brother.
After the meeting and greetings were done, San focused on Red, and tilted her head to one side. "For one who has claimed to have killed a wolf, you do not strike me as such. But there is no doubt you are a huntress."
Red met her eyes firmly. Their eyes were the same hue of chocolate brown, but while Red's were cold and brittle, San's were alive and brimming with fiery temper. "I killed a man who claimed to be a wolf, and I have always hunted, Lady of Wolves."
San hummed thoughtfully. "You are more wolf than you know."
The Major cleared his throat, eyeing the odd clothing that San wore so proudly with bemusement. "Er, not to seem rude, but what brings you here?"
San raised her eyebrows at him. "If that is your definition of rudeness, Human, then your manners are more impeccable than I thought. I am here to do two things: first, to deliver tools of war to those deserving it. And secondly, I'm here to make sure everything is in order."
After a short silence, Lydia cleared her throat. "Yes, well, any family of John is family of ours. What shall I do about your bag, my dear?"
San smiled at the woman. The elder female reminded her of a warmer Eboshi, and she quite liked the fire in her eyes, which reminded her of the little Valiant Queen, who had just come charging down the stairs. "Well, I suppose it is time the suspense must be relieved."
After a hug between herself and the little Queen, she moved to the sack, only to have it proffered to her by the smiling Ned.
She returned the smile. "Fine instincts, O Quiet Wolf."
He bowed in return, as she extracted the gifts Father Christmas had given the Pevensies on their first trip to Narnia, and had given them to their owners.
Turning to Edmund, she unclasped the sack itself, revealing it to a cape of the same fur that John's and San's were made from. "From my Pack to yours."
Edmund, overwhelmed with gratitude to the point of tears, took it gently, and clasped it about his neck before bowing to her. "Thank you, Princess."
Later, San came to John when he and Ned were sitting by an outside fire, tending to their respective weapons.
"I shall leave you to your affairs," Ned said, rising, but San waved him back down. "No. If you are our Pack Alpha, our affairs are yours."
I shifted and laid Gabriel's sword aside as she squatted down, palms flat on my knees, and stared up into my eyes. "You've never looked at me like that before."
"You have never given me reason to, even after all these years. I see a darkness in your eyes, a disease that have never seen before. And it scares me, John, as it does Gabriel."
I grasped her shoulders, suddenly angry. "Then why didn't he fucking stop her from dying? Why doesn't he or God stop any of this?"
She leaned her forehead against his. "You know I can't answer that. She is well taken care of, I assure you.
Her pack-brother shook his head vehementley. "That's not enough. She was just a pup."
San's heart ached at the torment in his eyes. "I know. She is under your fathers' care even as we speak."
John buried his face in his hands, or tried to, but she wouldn't let him. "Do not hide from me. You never did before."
"I wish He would talk to me. He used to do it often, but he won't now. Was it something I did?"
Ned stepped forward, and San moved aside to sit next to John. "Not in the slightest. He is the one waiting for you. All you have to do is accept."
His foster son let out a long sigh, rose, and stood tall. "If that's what it'll take, I'm all for it."
The three wolves embraced before walking back towards the house, which John entered, not realizing that San held Ned back from joining him. "Do not take my presence tonight to mean that you have, or are failing. Quite the contrary, I am indebted to you for the love you bear for my pack-brother."
Ned smiled sadly. "My heart aches for him, but his spirit is slowly returning. You didn't see him that day, little one."
She folded her muscled arms across her chest. "I can see everything, human. That's one thing the dead can do that the living cannot!"
He suppressed a grin. Oh, this girl had the Wolf Blood, more so than even he or John did! "Of course. Unlike Tanya, I was not afraid of him. I was afraid for him."
San bit her lip. "As was I. But I have no doubt that your hands are the most capable that I could leave him in."
He touched her cheek, and found that in the night's darkness, she reminded him of Lyanna. Oddly, his sister's voice begging him to protect her and Rhaegar's son didn't follow this thought, and he was glad of it. "I owe you a greater debt than I can ever pay for giving Lyanna and Brandon a place at your hearth."
She smiled, nuzzling into the hand that touched her. He reminded her a great deal of Ashitaka: dutiful, handsome, brave, and stubborn. "Of course. They are wolves, after all."
He raised her chin so that their eyes met. "And yet you allow Lady White to inhabit your Forest."
San brushed his hand away, jutting her jaw out aggressively. "She deserves some kindness in her life, and your brother insisted. He said that he would fulfill what his son could not."
He raised his hands. "I am not sitting in judgment of you, Mother of Wolves. In fact, I find that, despite your famed prowess in battle, you are gentler than you let on."
San stiffened. "Tread carefully, human."
He kissed her forehead. "I mean no offense. Good night, sweet pack-daughter."
San watched him go back into the house, and was about to return to the bonfire in the woods when Lucy stepped out into the darkness, passing by Ned with a kiss on the cheek.
"Valiant Queen," San greeted, smiling.
"San, you aren't expecting us to allow you to sleep out in the cold, are you?" Lucy asked, hands on her hips.
San raised an eyebrow. This girl could melt the hardest of men with her smile, but she proved just as willing to be as forceful as the strongest of men. "I do not belong in anywhere except a forest, Pup. And I must be here for that." There was a flash of light in said woods, and both turned to the door.
"John!"
A short time later, I was out the door, and striding into the woods. San followed at his heels, while the others stayed back.
"This house can't fit anymore blokes," I said to San, upset that I had been woken and having to deal with another supposed Pack member.
San snorted. "You might want to rethink your statement. He can more than fend for himself in the wild. And it seems you are working on another dwelling," she said, pointing to the nearly finished home, about fifty wolf-lengths to the west of them.
Once we had gotten to where the range was set up, I stopped short when I saw a kid of about eighteen standing near our target, looking at the holes in it. He had shoulder-length brown hair, was tall and lean, and had grey-blue eyes that snapped up at us at our approach.
"San. Is this him?" He asked, stepping towards us, and my hand reached for my sword as an AR-15 swung into view. He had a Yankee southern accent, and wore clothes that were more at home from my time than this era: a blue-plaid over-shirt, a white under-shirt, and blue jeans.
"Yes, and put that down. Gabriel didn't give you unlimited ammunition so you could threaten people you are supposed to be protecting," San growled warningly, pushing my hand away from my blade.
"Why don't you listen to my sister, Pup, before somebody gets hurt? You seem to know how to handle that thing, at least," I said, gesturing to the gun.
"I know more than that." The bloke lowered the gun, and shouldered it using a strap aross his shoulders. "So you're John, Gabriel's Go-To Guy."
I nodded, and held out my hand, already liking this kid. "Yeah, and what do I call you, Yank?"
The kid took the proffered hand, looked me boldly in the eye, and shook my hand with a strong grip. "Carl. Carl Grimes. And I'm fucking freezing."
After greetings were exchanged in the Pevensie household, Carl, who was happily drinking hot tea, told his story. It was a tale of horror, death, destruction, and devastation beyond anything anybody could even dream of, and what disturbed them all was his dispassionate and detached delivery of his story.
There were no words to speak, but tears to be shed, and anger to be felt.
It was Ned who spoke first. "I have heard of such tales of what you speak, but none so vile as yours, young Grimes. As sickening as your story is, I am heartened to know you are past that point. You are braver than many men I have fought alongside with."
Carl shifted in his chair. "Thanks. I'd feel better if my Dad was here. He's hell-bent on killing Negan, and if they would just talk to each other, maybe something could work out."
Ned shook his head gravely. "By the sounds of it, this Negan is not worthy of peace. As for your father, you must have faith that what you have planted in his heart will bear fruit. Dwell on it no more."
Major Pevensie cleared his throat. "Ned's right, Carl. Now, as it pertains to your lodgings-"
I cleared my throat. "San and I will sleep outside."
Carl shook his head. "I know how to build a fire, and I've slept outside more times than I can count. The house seems full enough as it is," As he spoke, he took stock of the people around him.
The two oldest ones were the parents, and he knew by the looks in their eyes that they were killers at least in their pasts. But he could also see that they had good hearts as well, at least so far.
Red returned his gaze coldly, assessing him in return. He was her age, and admittedly handsome in a modest, down-to-earth, forboding sense. This one was a killer, but an intruiging one, more interesting than the gentile Peter or Edmund. Hmm, she thought, new prey!
He looked away, knowing a stone-cold one when he he saw one, no matter how pretty she looked. Well, not pretty: hot! A body to die for, chocolate-brown waist-length hair flowing down to her waist, watchful dark eyes, and a slender body.
Susan was quite pretty, but too old for his taste, and taken, if her hand on Ned's leg was anything to go by. She had a motherly vibe, and a poise that reminded him of Michonne on her nonviolent days.
It was strange, but she seemed older than she actually seemed. Peter and Edmund seemed like good people, and like Susan, seemed older than they actually were. He could see it in their eyes, as well as Ned's and John's, come to think of it.
"You most certainly are not sleeping outside, Carl!" He focused on Lucy, and noticed the same about her eyes. Something about her vibrant eyes and quick smile lightened his sadness over leaving his Dad and the others behind.
Tanya was in her twenties, so also too old for him, even though she was hot as hell, and as fierce as anyone Carl had encountered.
She'd make a killing back home, Carl thought. So would most of these guys. Michonne would love her.
John was the most interesting character. Quick to joke and smile, his eyes spoke of both dangerous skill, and a hard past.
"With respect, Ma'am, I don't want to be an intrusion-" Carl began.
"Carl," Peter interrupted, as Lucy opened her mouth. "Take it from somebody who knows: it's best not to argue with Lucy. Besides, you could use some new clothes, a hair-cut, and-"
"-a shower, for the love of God," Tanya finished, her nose wrinkling.
"Why don't you go fu-" Carl began, as Ned shook his head at her in consternation, and laid his hand on Carl's shoulder, as the youth tensed at her words.
Red spoke up "You can share my room, Master Grimes. No, refuse not my hospitality," she said, cutting Carl's argument short. "I admire bravery and sacrifice such as yours where I come from, and I do not intend to stop now. I shall also shave those locks for you, Master Grimes, should you will it."
Ned moved forward to intercede, but Carl had already accepted her help. Besides, Susan's hand on his arm kept him from going any further.
Peter took command. "Carl, I have some spare clothes, so I'll have that ready for you once you take your shower."
Carl nodded. "Thank you, um, your majesty-"
"Peter."
"Peter."
As Peter led the youth upstairs, Red refused the electric shears Susan offered her. "No, your Grace. Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways."
Susan opened her mouth to argue, but Major Pevensie interrupted. "Well, I think that's enough excitement for one night, lads and lovies. Turn in," he commanded.
Susan, for once, was glad that John slept with San outside, for she wanted to speak to her fiancee.
"Red was not my choice to be around Carl. She's so cold and brutal." She groused, as they got ready for bed. Major Pevensie had allowed them the same bedroom, within reason. Ned was given a mattress beside her bed, and John slept at the foot of their beds when he wasn't making love to Tanya. He had been told by Peter to keep an eye on the future husband and wife.
"He is not entirely blameless either," Ned pointed out, as he began removing his day clothes. "What is really bothering you, my love?"
Susan, distracted by his drool-worthy muscular frame, had to remember to breathe before replying.
Susan sighed. He knew her too well. "John. He's breaking. If something happens to anyone he loves, he'll shatter, and I won't be there to help him. I want him to stay here, marry Tanya, and give me grandchildren to spoil."
He kissed her hair. "I know. Perhaps what you may wish will come to pass. They are in love, after all."
She leaned into his strong arms, loving the way his skin felt against her night clothes. "So am I."
He smiled. "And that makes me happier than you can ever imagine." His hands turned her gently so that she was facing him, marveling at how her flawless skin, pale as snow, contrasted with the ebony of her silky hair.
"Now, let us think on it no more," he suggested, pulling her in for a kiss.
Mewing into the kiss, she immediately slanted her mouth across his, melting into his arms as her own perused his toned chest and shoulders shyly.
"Ned, do we have to wait?" She asked between kisses. God, he was a excellent kisser, and she couldn't get enough of it. He leaned in and kissed her again, flaming a fire inside her with this kiss. She moved her hands down his back, tracing the delightfully smooth lines of his muscles, she was thrilled to feel them work in harmony under her palms, as he slightly shifted his position, drawing her even closer and she shivered again, their skin-to-skin contact was flooding her with excitement every time it happened.
He purred at her touches. "Your honor is at stake, my love, but you are not making this easy for me," he said, as she sank back onto their bed, pulling him on top of her. As they broke apart once more, Ned allowed himself to get lost in the thrill of her touch, of how her hands moved on his back and his sides, caressing him softly and yet with desirous passion and he smiled, sliding his palms down her back.
Her skin was soft and milky, a delight to touch. He smiled even wider, satisfied, as she shivered as well, clearly finding his touch as pleasant as hers was to him. He brushed his lips against the soft skin of her neck, then moved slightly lower, reaching her shoulder, smiling at her small gasp, and he traveled to her collarbone, where her skin was most tempting, so smooth and smelling of this intoxicating scent of hers.
Then it was his time to gasp, as her lips reached his own neck, tracing the most teasing kisses there, through his newly-trimmed beard. He shivered with pleasure and desire, her lips were so thrilling, making his pulse race even more, and as she reached the spot where his shoulder met his neck, he felt that he wouldn't hold on any longer, but honor demanded it. "Susan, we must stop before this goes to far."
"I don't care about my honor. I was yours the second I met you," she moaned, as his lips danced across her jaw and neck, her hands clawing at his shoulders and back. "Please, Ned. I've dreamed of this for a year now. I want you."
Ned, his soul and body searing from the heat of his love's touches, shook his head. "Nay, my gentle Dire-wolf, but that does not mean that we cannot explore other avenues of pleasure," he said, and Susan was taken to the stars and back without losing her honor by virtue of an intense snogging session.
"Did you bring Carl here?" John asked, cuddling with San by the fire, neither caring how bloody cold it was.
San was wrapped in her cape, and huddling close to her pack-brother, who had returned to his wolf shape, both of them looking over the nearly-constructed Pack Home. She shook her head. "It was Gabriel who ordered me to bring Master Grimes here. I agreed because he will be useful in the battle to come. Yes, he is barely out of childhood, but neither is that huntress. I don't see you whining about her, so spare me your complaints," she snarled, as he opened his mouth to argue.
"It's not his skills or age that bothers me. He's going to want to go back to that shite-hole where he lived, and try to make sure that the dead stay that way."
She narrowed her eyes. "And how do you know that?"
He sneezed as a burning peice of ash landed on his snout. "You saw what he was like when he was talking about his dad. And besides, it's what I would do."
She pursed her lips. "Then you will have to keep him close at hand." And then we drifted off.
When I woke up, it was a familiar scent that came to my snout via the wind: Lissette. I bounded to my feet, and raced to the front of the house.
"No, hold up, Fur-ball! I just finished taking a shower!" Lissette finished, laughing as I bowled her over, licking at her hands and snuggling against her.
"Somebody's missed me," Lissette noted.
"John, show some discipline! Remember what you are!" San snarled, walking up to them.
Embarrased, he got off of her, and after she had gathered herself back together, she reached her hand out to San. "You must be his sister, huh? I'm Lissette."
After a few seconds, San shook it. "My brother thinks highly of you. Keep it that way."
After a series of meetings and greetings (To no one's surprise, Lissette hit it off with Lucy immediately), she got down to business. "I'm sorry about that thing with the girl. I was sent to find out why you guys have gone AWOL."
"What does that mean, my Lady? I understand you not." Ned asked.
Lissette blinked. Was this guy playing this Shakespeare thing to the hilt, or did he actually not know what 'AWOL' meant?
Huh, it looked like the latter was the case, and she decided to find out more about him when she was back on base. "It means taking an absence from one's duty without permission."
Tanya spoke up harshly. "Until I find out the identity of that sniper, we aren't doing shit." She got universal agreement from the Pack.
Lissette folded her arms. "That's not going to happen, guys. I did try, but he's blacker than black. He's only known as Ghost in the Special Forces, and that's all I could find before I was ordered off the case."
Ned nodded. "As I suspected. He is a Faceless Man, a sellsword with no honor."
Lissette shrugged. "Whatever. It was the best case scenario for this operation."
Ned was apalled at, what he percieved as, her callous disregard for human life, but it was Red who spoke up. "Perhaps, or perhaps your superiors were too cowardly to do the deed themselves. I may have killed many, but never a child. She made no threatening moves, and was unarmed. It was murder, not justice."
Lissette held up her hands as nods and growls were sounded around the room, even from San. "Hold on a second-"
John rose from his chair to face her. "Ghost is a good enough start for me. He's fucking dead. She was a child, and you act like it's just another day at the office."
Lissette rose as well, face reddening, and tears in her eyes. "You people don't think that didn't cross my mind? Jesus, I took days out of my schedule to find him, and nearly got court-martialed for it. And what the fuck did you think what was going to happen? It was either a cage, or six feet under, for doing what she did."
John stepped closer to her. "And what's the plan for me after the war? I'm not stupid, Lizzy. What's their game?"
Lissette got into his face, and Ned stepped in between them. "I would never, ever, let anything like that happen to you. How dare you even suggest that I would do that, with your relationship with Tanya being the way it is? Use your fucking brain for once, you-"
Carl and James, who were closest to San, had to hold her back from charging at Lissette. "Mind your place, human. An insult to my brother is an insult to me!"
There was a clang, and everybody turned to see Peter with Rhindon in his hand. The sound had come from the flat of the blade ringing against the stove.
His voice was quiet, but hard as the steel in his hand: "That's enough, the lot of you. If any of you want to fight, take it outside. If you do not want to fight, sit down. Miss Hanley, if you don't calm down, I'll throw you out. Is that clear?"
Ned smiled at Peter. Now he saw the king Peter still was, and he was quite impressed. This man handled authority with an ease that would have made Robert jealous.
Even San, who never took orders from humans, had nothing to say, and sat down.
Lissette nodded, humbled. "Yeah, right. Sorry, guys."
She let out a long breath. "Look, I get it. I know you aren't feeling up for duty, but we still need you. I was told by Price for you to return to active duty at the end of the month. And that's all I have for you guys." With a nod to all, she was gone.
They all dispersed, and Ned found himself outside on the first-floor wooden porch, about the length of Winterfell's Hall. It stretched from the back of the house, around the left side, and to the left of the front door. There were chairs situated there, and a single glass table.
In one of those chairs, not ten feet from him, Tanya sat heavily, wiping at the tears in her eyes. "Did you enjoy the show?" She asked, as Ned came out the door to face her.
He sat next to her, and wiped two tears that were running down her face, one from each eye. "No, Tanya, I did not. What ails you?"
She pushed his hand away angrily. "What the hell do you think?"
He took her hands in his. "I think I can guess."
Her hands were both feminine and manly: small with long, thin fingers, but with calluses and small cuts. So much like Arya's and Lyanna's.
She shook her head. "She was a kid, a fucking kid. I'm trying not to give a shit, but I do, Stark."
She stiffened when he pulled her into a hug that shook her to her core. He felt like her Dad, smelled like her Dad, and kind of reminded her of him. She couldn't stop herself from leaning into the hug, and returning it, the walls around her heart crumbling away until she was that little girl again, hugging her father again.
"It will all be well, sweet one. It gladdens me that it matters so much to you. You will make a wonderful mother one day." His gentle but strong presence brought back so many memories of her father that she burst into tears, and he held her closer.
"Fuck," she sobbed. "Shit."
Ned realized that this wasn't just about Carrie anymore. It was something from her past, something she had buried away in her warrior pursuits that was only now coming back to haunt her. "It will all be well."
"Just shut the fuck up," she choked out.
"As you wish." He said, smiling comfortingly, and she smiled wetly at him. "Thanks, Stark."
"You are most welcome," he said, before leaving her there, but not before a kiss to her brow.
Tanya watched him leave, probably to see Susan, and felt a wave of affection for him.
He and John were an interesting mix.
Ned was moral and stubborn, kind and broody.
John was flexible, and fun-loving, always ready for a good time.
Ned was serious and mature to the point of being accused of being aloof and stuck-up, but he was affectionate and endearingly caring to the people who mattered to him, John sharing the latter two qualities.
Ned was a natural leader, while John preferred to fight, and be led. So, all in all, it was no wonder that John thought of Ned as a father. And so did Tanya, especially after this.
Ned found Susan sitting in front of her mirror, combing her hair so hard that he was surprised she didn't tear chunks of her hair. He took a moment to enjoy viewing her hour-glass figure (as much as he could through her night clothes) before moving to her, gently taking the utensil from her, and laying it on her desk. "What troubles you-"
Before he could finish, Susan's vaunted poise vanished. "What troubles me? Are you serious? That stupid woman has the gall to show her face in my house, and act like she's Queen Elizabeth herself?"
Ned made no move to interrupt, and just sat down in the chair next to her. "I'm supposed to smile and wave as our son goes gallavanting into harm's way, just like I left him with San? God, Ned, I can't do this anymore! I know how this is all going to end, and I hate it!" She finished, her plump lips pressed in together in a thin line.
He held her close, easing the tension in her shoulders as he kissed her fragrant, silky hair. "As do I, my love. Would that John could live in peace, but that is not to be. I do not, however, believe that John will fall. I believe John is too strong for that. He is wise and clever, much more so than Brandon could ever have hoped to have been."
She sighed, leaning back against his strong chest, reveling in the warmth of his skin. "Do you have to go with them?"
Ned nodded. "Aye, but not before we are wed. In less than a week, you will become Wardeness of the North, Lady Stark and of Winterfell. And I will show you, my beauty, what pleasure is," he said, pressing a sensual kiss to her ivory neck.
She moaned, tilting her head to offer him more skin, and he eagerly accepted her invitation. "I don't want to wait." She breathed, turning so that she could kiss him fully and deeply.
He deepened the kiss even more, moving his hands up and down her sides, delighted at her shape, the female curves of her waist.
They broke apart, gasping for air and only the threat of suffocating kept him from pressing his lips to her arched neck and taking in the taste and touch. However, when his breath was more or less restored, he carried on with his intention, showering her neck with kisses and then savoring on the sensations, his kisses becoming longer and more hungry.
He was thrilled and scared at the same time, that she was turning him into a kind of man he didn't know he could be. She was waking such strong passion in him, such hot lust and desire that he never had before.
Ned pulled away, and combed her dark silky mane with his fingers. "It is only but a few days more."
Susan turned in his arms, and wrapped hers around his narrow waist. "I guess I have to be happy with that." His scent was driving her mad. He smelled like the woods, the Old Spice that Peter was lending him, and a musky odor that was extraordinarily man-like.
Ned grinned wolfishly, and her heart skipped a beat. "I will do more than make it worth your while, Beauty!"
Some five minutes ago, Carl was in his room, Looking at a borrowed map of the United States, specifically Washington D.C., trying to find the Alexandria Safe Zone for what seemed like the millionth time. But like the other times, he didn't find it.
With a cry, he threw the crumpled up the map, and threw it aside, only for a hand to catch it out of mid air.
"Why do you torment yourself if you know what the answer will be?" Red asked, standing in the doorway, having not made a sound beforehand. In her hand was the map in question. "It is poor manners to attempt to destroy something which you have borrowed."
Carl jumped in shock. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
She sniffed. "If your senses were sharper, you would have noticed. But you have yet to answer my question."
She moved to stand in front of him, her voice gentler than usual. "Believe me, I understand the fixation on the past. I have lost all to evil, and I let that evil control everything just to destroy it. But if you let it, it will destroy all, especially yourself."
Carl, who was about to snap at her, deflated. "Why do you care so much?"
She met his eyes unflinchingly. "Because I know how it feels to lose everything, and vainly seek to right the path that was once mine to walk."
Carl nodded. "I know."
Red touched his cheek. "The life that you had, everything you once had, is gone. But I will help you build a new one."
She stiffened, then relaxed as he hugged her, reveling in his touch and scent. Her common sense and meticulous mind was screaming at her not to get close to the youth, but for once, she didn't listen.
"What is this? A bloody soap opera?" San and I turned to see Crowley standing in the bonfire, looking disgusted. "This is not what I signed up for, Stark."
I gestured. "San, don't kill the bastard just yet."
Crowley, completely unpreterbed, looking over his shoulder at the young woman who advanced on him. "I come in peace, Lassie. Don't you have some kid you need to save from a well, or something?"
San glowered at him. "Demons never come in peace, you filthy insect! What do you want?"
Crowley rolled his eyes. "The manners on you. One would almost think you were raised by a pack of wolves!"
"You scum! I'll have your tongue out!" San spat, and moved to stick him with her spear.
"What do you want, Crowley?" I cut in, moving to hold her back.
He turned to me. "What do I want?"
He asked, suddenly intense, moving to where his face was inches from mine. "I want you to stop bitching, and get back to work. I don't give a damn about how emo you are, or which bird you lay. All you are here for is to bugger the arsehole of all arseholes with that bloody sword."
I clenched my fists. "I wasn't in any shape to do anything for the past couple of months."
He snorted. "Like I said before, your humanity is a built-in handicap. And who gives a flying toss about some stupid little girl? Stop being the clingy canine form of Eeyore!"
I got him with both front paws in the chest, sending him staggering back. San stepped aside, but not before giving a whoop of encouragement.
I advanced on him, teeth bared. "You want me back in the game? I'm back in the fucking game!"
Crowley smiled smugly, massaging his chest. "I knew you'd fetch that particular bone. Exit Stage Crowley!"
"What a prick," I said, just after he had vanished.
"Sodding right," San muttered, as they returned to the fire, sleep coming shortly afterwards.
The next morning, San was gone as usual. Just after breakfast, Tanya pulled Lydia aside. "Hey, could I borrow a dress from you for the wedding?"
Lydia raised her eyebrows. "Of course. I never took you for the type."
Tanya shrugged. "I want to look good for your daughter, and I want to see the look on John's furry face."
Lydia smiled. "I know just the one, my dear."
In the early morning, I was helping prepare the backyard for the wedding when I noticed that the others around me had stopped moving, their faces frozen. Not even the grass underneath me was moving. Feeling a presence behind me, I turned to see Jesus Christ standing behind me. All my anger I had been feeling vanished when I saw the sadness in his eyes.
"My son. Please forgive me for taking so long to approach you," he said, holding his hands out to me, the holes that the crucifixion had made obvious.
I stayed put, the pain of the last few months flooding back. "Where were you? A child died, and you did shite. Come to think of it, thousands of years of fucking cruelties and atrocities, and you don't seem to give a damn!"
He shook his head, folding his hands together. "Oh, John, you are so very wrong. Every time an evil is done, I roar like a lion. I feel the emotion all creatures have experienced, and all the suffering pains me more than you can possibly imagine."
"Then why don't you stop all this? Aren't you all-powerful-" I started, but he cut me off, his voice soft but commanding, "Thou shall not tempt the Lord your God."
His voice echoed across the yard, and the ground shook as he spoke. My anger was gone, replaced by wariness. "That's a neat trick, but you still haven't-"
He cut me off again, gentle as the Lamb once more. "John, out of sorrow and horror comes nobleness and charity because evil never lasts. Good and evil do not exist because of balance, for such is the thinking of fools. Both exist because humans are their battlefield. Human's, with the exception of infants, who are protected by celestial beings until a certain time, begin as evil. But, through perserverence, belief in One God, and a loving life, they can choose to become good. In short, humanity are predestined to choose between the kingdom of heaven, or the smoky caves and swamps of hell."
I had to sit down, my back pressed against an oak tree. "So that's it. It all hinges on freedom. The Assassins weren't so off the mark after all."
Christ sat next to me. "Not entirely, but they make the mistake in believing in doing whatever they please. It is both dangerous and false. I only meant them to protect freedom of thought, but they took it to mean freedom in everything. That is why the Templars exist, to show them that freedom can only take one so far."
I shook my head. "They've done a piss-poor job of it. They don't believe in anything except power."
Christ sighed. "They started out as a group of knights that was the best Christianity had to offer: good and courageous men who fought and died in my name, no matter how much abhorrent their actions were. But yes, over a short span of time, everything changed."
I nodded. "What do I do about the Pevensies. They want to see Aslan again."
Christ smiled softly. "The good news is coming soon, dearest. In the meantime, be strong."
I shook my head, tearing up again. "I don't want this. Take it from me, and leave me here."
He turned to me, openly weeping. "Oh, my dear boy, it has caused me nothing but agony to see you in pain. But if it were not for your journey, you would never have met those you hold so very dear," he said, cupping my face in his warm, scarred hands.
Ned heard John's raised voice, and strode out into the backyard a few minutes later, finding the Lion with his nephew. The only thing more surprising was that everyone else was standing motionless, seeming frozen in time. "What is this?"
The Lion rose to his feet. "I came to right the ill feelings caused by the young girl's death. You have done your duty, and moreso. For that, you are to be rewarded. Not only shall you be impervious to any harm unless John is slain, but I have found it acceptable to gift you with someone you have dearly missed. I take my leave now, so be strong, my brave ones." With that, he was gone, and everything came to life again, leaving Ned to wonder who it was he was to see again.
Susan was finishing on the last preparations when a knock came at the door.
She frowned. The Pastor wasn't supposed to be here for another couple of hours, so who could it be?
She opened the door to see a young woman in a blue dress and black cloak standing at the door, and even taller young man standing behind her, dressed in black clothing of what smelled like horse-skin and blue boots.
The woman, looking to be Susan's age, was tall, slim and wiry, and a icy intensity in her eyes. She was breathtakingly beautiful, as was the man behind her was staggeringly handsome, but the latter too young for Susan. She had long black hair, a pale face, and white-blue eyes.
"Your Grace, or soon to be good-sister," she amended, bowing slightly.
"Oh! Um..." Susan was completely flustered, at a loss for what to say. "You're, er..."
The young woman, younger than Susan by a good few years, chuckled. "Eva Bolton Pendlerose, yes. I am most pleased to meet you, Queen Susan. I have watched you from afar, and you are perfect for my elder brother. This is my son, John," she said, gesturing to the youth, who shared his mother's looks but was well over 2 meters tall, with short black hair and a short red beard.
He bowed, smiling. "Your Grace," he said, his voice deep and sonorous.
Susan gathered herself, and smiled. "I'm just as pleased as you are, Lord and Lady Pendlerose. Ned's going to have a heart attack when he sees you, as he's missed you so much. Won't you come in?"
Lucy, who was helping her mother find Tanya a dress, came downstairs when she heard voices.
"Oh! Hello there!" She chirped, seeing the lovely young woman about her age just entering the house. And then Lucy looked at the young man beside her, and her heart skipped a beat. Beside her stood the most handsome man Lucy had ever seen, or even hoped to see.
"Queen Lucy," Lyanna smiled, introducing herself. "I am Ned's foster sister, Eva. This is my son, John. Would you kindly tell my sweet brother to get his brooding arse in here?"
"Oh, my! Of course, my Lady!" Lucy gasped, and excused herself before disappearing outside.
Lydia came downstairs, and her jaw dropped when the two newcomers told her who they were. "Oh, goodness! Would you like some tea?"
Ned looked up when Lucy came tearing from the house. "Ned, you must come with me. Oh, you'll never believe this, but you simply must follow me!"
Ned's heart stopped when he came upon the scene of his foster-sister sitting in his future good-father's chair. They had been raised together since Eva Bolton had lost her family to a sickness, and John Pendlerose was the son of her and his best friend, Donald.
"Eva?" He asked, tears filling his eyes. She looked not a day older than early twenties, wildly beautiful and beaming at him.
"Oh, sweet Ned. I have missed you so-" she never finished the sentance, as Ned's arms wrapped around her, and both wept with joy as they held each other.
"Oh, Eva, how I have missed you!" Ned said, weeping and laughing at the same time, before hugging John to him. "What happened? How came you here?"
"And I you, my Gentle Wolf." she breathed into his ear. "I will explain my coming at a better time."
What followed was introductions and greetings. Eva and her son were courteous but guarded, and the latter focused his attention on Lucy. "Your Grace, the Lion who brought us here told me of your tenacity and veracity, but nothing of your beauty,"
Lucy, whom until now had only recieved the attention of boys wanting to use her to get to Susan, blushed deep crimson. "You are too kind, my Lord," she said, waving off the protective Peter.
Rolling her eyes, Eva turned to her foster half-nephew.
"Auntie Eva, it's a right pleasure. I'm John Pevensie Stark." I said, bowing flamboyantly.
"It is more than a pleasure for me, Nephew," she said, moving to him.
At this, Tanya let out a warning growl, and Eva glanced at her icily as she continued to move to John. "If you really think I am going to harm mine own flesh and blood, Agent, then you are much more of a fool than I thought."
"Why, you little-"
Eva coldly ignored her, but Ned shot Tanya a warning glare as his sister touched her lover's face. "You really do look like Brandon, although you favor your mother's eyes. Both are so proud of you."
I choked up. "Thank you. I just want to see them again."
She smiled softly. "You will, sweet one. Now," she said, turning to the rest. "How can I help with this happy occasion?"
Lydia smiled. "The more, the merrier. Would either of you like anything to drink before offer you places to sleep?" She asked, as the others dispersed, with the Pevensies and the Starks staying behind.
Eva shook her head, as did John. "Neither will be necessary, Lady Pevensie."
Susan frowned. "But, Lady Pendlerose, surely you don't want to sleep out in the cold?"
Lord Pendlerose, who could not have been older than Lucy, who was just shy of nineteen, smiled. "I have slept in much worse quarters, your Grace. In fact, I thrive in more grievious cold than this."
Lucy took the gorgeous man's arm. "You'll do no such thing!" Her heart fluttered as he looked down at her.
Aslan, he was even taller than her John, and much more easier on the eyes.
"I have no doubt that your house is sizeable, but I highly doubt that it can fit either I or my mother, your Grace," he said, smiling down at her. She was truly beautiful: womanly in form, dark auburn hair cascading down her shoulders, and blue eyes that shone with fierceness and wit. "I assure you that this so-called winter is naught compared to my home."
Carl raised his hand. "Sir, would you like to sleep in my room?"
John blinked in surprise, but smiled after a second of thought. Carl reminded him very much like Robb, in both looks and in his serious nature. "Very well, Master Grimes. I accept your invitation gladly."
Lucy, looking as though she would kiss Carl, turned instead to Eva. "Lady Eva, would you like to stay in my room?"
Eva smiled. Bold little thing, this one, and Eva prized boldness in women.
It was obvious that she was offering her room mostly to be welcoming, but also to learn more about her lordly son. There was no guile in this girl, but there was a genuine sweetness and inner strength that touched Eva. The Lion told Eva of this little fire-brand's past, and Eva realized that Lucy was a prodigy as far as intuition was concerned. "Of course, your Grace."
Lucy beamed at the tall, statuesque woman, as she gestured for Eva to follow her. "Please call me, Lucy. Titles make me feel old." Lord and Lady Pevensie were already upstairs, finding spare mattresses and related items.
Eva smiled warmly. "Then you will call me Eva, sweetling." Turning to Ned, she spoke before following Lucy. "We will speak when all is settled."
Ned nodded, knowing by the look on her face that he would not like what he heard.
His agony multiplied many times over when Eva told him of what had happened to his family. "Gods...gods," he moaned, as a pale Susan held his trembling hands as he sobbed. They were in Susan and Ned's room, both sitting on the bed while Eva stood over them, both Johns standing on either side of the door.
"My son died at the Twins, putting his body in front of Robb," Eva continued, stone-faced and glassy-eyed. "I followed him soon after, taking several of my treacherous bannermen with me."
Ned doubled from the weight of his inner turmoil, emotionally shattered. "Oh, Cat, my children. I am sorry, so very sorry," he groaned.
Susan pulled his head into her lap. "It wasn't your fault, my love. You had no part in this evil act," she cooed, stroking his hair as his tears soaked her lap.
"Fuck." I bit my lip until blood flowed. I was more angry than sad.
How dare Walder Frey and the Boltons do that to my Pack?
Oh, they would pay.
Eva felt tears gather in her own eyes as she knelt in front of her foster-brother. "Susan is right, Ned. None of it was your doing, and our enemies will pay for their deceit, but they are beyond our reach. We must concentrate on this world, and-"
Susan cut her off. "Lady Eva, would you mind terribly giving Ned and I some time alone?"
Eva raised an eyebrow at the girl's boldness in interrupting her. There was more to this chit than met the eye.
She had thought the younger woman was just a pretty face, but now, she realized there was more, and Eva found herself admiring her.
"Of course, your Grace," she said, rising and moving for the door. "I love you, Ned, and I shall always be guarding your interests."
When she and the two young men were gone, Susan held her fiancee close. "Oh, Ned. I'm so sorry."
Ned quaked from his sobs. "Gone. They are gone."
She nodded, pulling him so that they lay back on the bed together. "I know. I wish I could kill all our enemies for doing such horrible things to you, but I can't. But I can love you."
"Stay. Just stay. Don't leave me. I love you more than I dared love Cat, and I need you. If it is wrong to love another other than her, I am guilty, for I cannot live without you." he said, his voice husky from tears and desperate because of his monumental grief.
Susan was crying freely now. "And you have me, Ned. I feel the same, now and forever. I'll never leave you, and I would give anything to make you happy again."
He smiled lovingly, and held her close. "I know, my love."
They simply lay in each other's arms, Susan desperate to make Ned happy again.
I never want to see him like this again. Ever.
Eva and John left their cousin lying at the foot of his mother's door, although it took them a long moment to peel their eyes from his Dire-wolf shape as he shifted. After stopping in front of Carl's door, Eva took her son's elbow. "You've done well, all the days of your life. Remember that."
He gave her a stiff nod, but kissed her on the cheek. Eva sighed, and walked to Lucy's door, and found the young girl waiting for her. She was pale as snow.
Eva sighed again. "Sweetling, you should refrain from listening to conversations that you are not invited to-" she was cut off when the young woman rushed to her, and wrapped her arms around her.
Lucy had listened to Eva through her sister's door in utmost horror and revulsion, but was amazed at how brave and strong Eva had been. "I'm so sorry."
Eva felt her heart melt. She had never met a woman who could use genuine warmth and kindness as both armor and a weapon. The girl's strength reminded her so much of her Lyanna that she felt a lump rise to her throat as she returned the embrace. "You are a bold little thing. Lucy the Valiant. It suits you well."
Lucy pulled back, tears in her eyes. "You've been so brave. Your trials are nothing short of inspirational."
Eva shook her head, as they entered the room. "That is merely because you do not know what I had done."
Lucy nodded. "I've seen the look in your eyes before, in Narnia. You have had to survive," she finished softly, taking her dirk from the bedside table to inspect it.
Eva smiled, and changed the subject. "So, what do you want to know about my son?"
"Eeep!" Lucy squeaked, dropping the dagger at the mention of him. "What about him?"
Eva sat on the mattress bestowed upon her by the Pevensies, and found it more comfortable than her bed at the Dreadfort. "I like you, Dear, but you are an open book. That, and you and my son are already falling for each other."
Lucy blushed, but objected. "I am doing nothing of the sort. Just because he's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen doesn't mean I'm over the moon for him."
Eva shrugged languidly. "Sweeting, my marriage to John's father was to secure land. We grew to love each other over time. What you and my son have is something more precious than you can possibly imagine. My son was born during a winter storm in his father's stables. He was taught to ride before he could walk, and fight with any weapon his father put in his hands. Donald was a horse-farmer before Ned made him a lord, and he and my son were unmatched in being warriors, which you'll see tomorrow. I taught him how to rule, how to act, and how to think. You won't find a calmer man in the most dire of circumstances."
Lucy nodded, sitting at the edge of her own bed. "Does he have a woman? I saw that he wasn't looking at Susan like most do."
Eva shook her head. "He wanted Ned's daughter, Sansa. but when she betrayed us, he nearly swore off the company of women. I tried to find another, but he would never look at another woman as he beheld Sansa. That is, until he saw you."
Lucy blushed again. "Please don't give me false hope. He'll probably want Susan."
She snorted. "It is not Susan that he concentrated on. Why would you think he has any interest in her?"
Lucy rose, eyes blazing, not bothering to whisper anymore. "Because they all do! In Narnia and in this world, I always paled in comparison to my sister. It was Susan who they wanted: beautiful, clever, mature, motherly Susan. Wars were started over her, while I didn't have a single man to even bloody look in my bloody direction!" She ranted, brown eyes blazing. "If ever they payed attention to me, it was to get to Susan. She has no idea how painful and infuriating it has been for me, to not be as beautiful as her. And she refused every single one, while I could only dream to have one of them. And she never noticed how it felt to always be in her shadow!"
Eva said nothing, seeing that this young thing had been holding this back for many years.
Susan started out of her sleep as her sister's voice echoed through the wall next to her room. Her little sister may not have been shouting, but the passion and pent-up frustration was obvious.
As she listened to Lucy's angry words, she found them to hurt more than John's rage a year ago. 'Oh, Lucy,' she thought, pained to the core.
"Go to her," Ned was already awake, cradling her to his massive chest.
"I can't. She won't want to see me. I should have seen what she was going through," Susan whimpered, burying her face into his shoulder.
Ned touched her cheek. "This was years in the making, and only you can make it right. You must go."
And Susan did, opening Lucy's door as quietly as she could, and closing it behind her in the same manner.
Lucy was on her bed, face in her hands, still talking. "And did she care? No! All she cared about was parties and pretty boys who hung on her every word! And to top it all off, when we returned from Narnia, she acted like a right beast. I wanted to scream at her, to shake her, to make her realize just how much I looked up to, and loved her. Oh, she may have gotten better since John returned, but she still has no idea what it feels like to be treated like I was second best. Sometimes, Eva, sometimes I hate her for always having what I couldn't. You understand, don't you?"
When Eva remained silent, Lucy lifted her face from her hands, and saw her sister standing there.
Her hands curled into fists, a hiss curling from her lips like poison gas. "Bollocks."
Susan didn't have the heart to reprove her for her language. She was in too much emotional anguish. "Lucy," she whimpered. "Oh, Lucy, why didn't you say anything? There were so many times I could have made this right."
Lucy rose, a derisive snarl on her lips as Eva slipped from the room, unnoticed by the sisters. "A likely story. You wouldn't have cared anyway."
Susan clutched at herself. This wasn't the Lucy she knew and loved, but she had never noticed how much she had ignored Lucy's pain.
Susan shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. How had she not noticed this? It was there all along: the bitterness, the jealousy, and the anger. It poured off Lucy's words like poison, and it hurt Susan's very soul. "You are right. I was too blinded to what you were going through, but it's not true at all that I don't care now. I do care, more than you could ever know. I should have told you a long time ago that I hated the fact that I've inadvertently caused trouble, but you know what I hate most? it's that my little sister even considers that she is second best to everyone. That has never been true, Lu, not ever. Not to me, not to our family, not even to those stupid men who dared think they could win my hand. They were nothing to me."
Lucy's bottom lip trembled. "I was nothing to them, or to anyone I've ever wanted. All they saw was you."
Susan moved to cradle Lucy's tense but unresisting face in her hands. "Maybe, but what you don't know is that you have a beauty I could never have. Your spirit, your energy, and your passion is what has always made you shine. And goodness, my darling, you are far from ugly. You weren't, aren't, never will be my lesser, Lucy. You remained faithful while I lost hope, you give love and compassion while I stayed stupidly aloof, and you were the first to forgive me. I don't deserve such a wonderful sister."
Lucy cracked, and the tears gushed from her eyes. "Susan, do you really mean that?"
Susan nodded. "Every bloody word!"
The two sisters flung themselves at each other, and a life-time rift melted away in a sea of tears as they clutched at each other as if their lives depended on it, breathing words of love into each other's ear.
"Never hide anything from me again," Susan said, kissing Lucy on both cheeks.
"I won't."
After Susan left Lucy's room, she smiled at Eva, who was waiting outside the door. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened."
Eva nodded. "My pleasure, your-"
"Susan. If I'm going to be your sister, titles won't be necessary," Susan interrupted. "Good night, Eva."
"Good night, Susan."
Here, at long last, was a woman Eva Bolton Pendlerose could follow.
The next morning, following breakfast, Eva and Ned watched with a great deal of amusement as Eva's son received a crash course in how to fire Tanya's guns, with the rest of the Pack gathered around to watch. Eva and John jumped like frightened deer and winced every time the guns went off, but the latter was enjoying himself immensely.
Eva had aquiesed to wearing one of Lydia's black dresses which both fit and suited her perfectly, and she was still marveling at the texture and astounding stitchwork when Ned spoke. "I am to be married in a weeks time."
Eva looked up, and smiled. "And you chose well. Underneath the beauty and grace, there is steel and fierce pride. She even looks like a Northerner."
Ned nodded. "I never expected to fall for her, and so quickly. I have some guilt over it."
Eva shook her head. "Then banish it from your mind, right now. Catelyn was never meant for you. You chose her because you were foolish enough to think that you had to, and now she's gone. If you keep your mind on Catelyn, you and Susan will never prosper."
Ned nodded, but couldn't resist speaking again. "You never liked her."
Eva shrugged. "If you wish for the truth, I shall give it to you: I regret not killing her myself. I could have been a second mother to your children if she hadn't banished me from Winterfell. I could have fostered Arya if she had allowed it. She was not fit to be my servant, let alone your wife. She released the Kingslayer from our custody because of sentiment, and Robb ruined us by marrying that timid little chambermaid Jeyne Westerling, and-"
"Enough. It is in the past, and I have no need to hear of it!" Ned cut her off harshly. He could stand her anger at Catelyn, as the two women had never seen eye to eye. But he could not bear her speaking ill of Robb.
Eva nodded, touching his arm. "Forgive me. I will not speak in such a way of Robb again, He was another son to me. As I said, she suits you well. Her beauty is quite astounding, and she behaves like a queen. I am joyful that you are happy, Ned, truly."
He smiled, his anger lessening as he kissed her curly waist-length black hair. "Thank you, my sweet sister. What do you think of our benefactors?" He asked, prepared for a long recitation.
One of Eva's many talents was to read and know people at a glance, a talent that served her well. Eva had been the cleverest of the family, and used to run circles around their family, especially Brandon, to his great amusement and pride. She was the ambitious and ruthless operator behind Ned's rule, and many was the time he had to rein her in for her rampant cruelties and rages.
She spoke well of the Pevensie's sires before starting with the eldest. "Peter may look like a Lannister, but he has the heart of a Stark: honorable and firm. Why he has not wed a girl, I know not, but I shall find a suitable bride for him. Edmund is the opposite: appears as a Stark, but is clever and smooth as a Lannister, without the latter's bloodthirsty qualities."
Ned smiled. "My thoughts are yours, little sister. We have spoken of Susan, and the two lads. What of Lucy?"
Eva's eyes softened. "She is as fierce and strong as the Red-Hooded One, but with none of her coldness. She is as warm as she is energetic, and I have never met one to use a loving nature as a shield and a weapon. Lyanna would have loved her as much as Arya."
Ned grinned, seeing that Lucy was speaking animatedly with the composed John, who answered back in kind. "I concur. What is your assessment of the Pack?"
Eva turned to look over her brother's son's group. "Let us consider the first recruit, and the woman our nephew cannot seem to live without. Lady Tanya Adams is more than an able fighter, but she lacks all the social graces and tact that an infant could muster. Be that as it may, she is as capable a leader as she is a fighter, and our nephew loves her, so let that be the end of it," she said, moving her gaze away from Tanya, and fixing itself on Red, who just so happened to be staring back.
After a long stare, Red turned back to Lord Pendlerose, who was firing the weapon.
Eva grimaced at the vaguely whip-crack-like sound of the weapon. "Red, which, of course, is not her name, is a woman of pure steel. Cold, ruthless, and a warrioress that I would kill to have as a Bannerwoman."
Ned nodded, stroking his foster-sister's midnight curls, as he always did. "She reminds me of you when you were her age."
Eva raised an eyebrow. "You flatter me. I was not as skilled a fighter. Being an expert at the bow does not count, because I have never had the honor of fighting in battles."
Ned nodded again, and gestured to San, who was preoccupied with training an excited Lucy how to fight with the latter's dagger. Eva's eyes sharpened, and she had to take a few breaths to answer. "She's Lyanna. She may not look like her, but the spirit is hers. It suits the Yi Ti girl well to have the title 'Mother of the Wolf Tribe,'" she said, referring to the people in Westeros who had the same skin tone and slanted eyes as San.
Ned smiled. "I thought much the same as I got to know her. A fierce little thing, but motherly as well."
Eva and him descended into a comfortable silence before Eva spoke again. "I loved Lyanna, Ned. Loved her as a man should love a woman. I tell you this because I now have no fear of what should happen."
He sighed. "I know. It seems that I was the only one besides Donald who knew it. You never could stand Robert's love for her, and was always by her side," he said, remembering how Eva idolized Lyanna, their deep friendship, how Eva had screamed and wept when Ned told her of Lyanna's death, and her subsiquent rages and madness.
"She was my other half, Ned. I would have destroyed the entire country for her, and I very nearly helped it come to pass," Eva said, voice quivering from emotion. "I loved all our brothers, but it was Lyanna I loved. I loved her, but she never knew."
Ned nodded bleakly, never hearing her admit this before. Now it was time to reveal his own secret that had haunted him since the Tower of Joy. "You have my thanks for your honesty. Eva, it is time for you to know the whole truth of what happened at that tower in Dorne."
Eva drew back, eyes burning into his. "What are you saying? You told me you found her in a bed, bleeding from a wound given to her by that dragon-fucking prince that everyone was so fond of."
Ned swallowed both his emotion, and a rush of fear. He could see her temper flaring already, and many had perished painfully when she flew into one of her rages. "Eva, I did nothing to bring you purposeful pain. Please know that before I continue. Lyanna made me swear-"
Eva's face went white, feeling the icy grip of shock as she heard his next words. "There was no abduction. The prince and Lyanna were wed shortly before they vanished, and she died in child-birth."
She leaned against the wooden bannister of the patio as she fought for both breath and her next words, shock freezing everything, body and mind. "Where is the child? Does he live?" Her voice was cool and calm, the shock rendering her voice a whisper.
Ned, weeping now, nodded. "Aye. You knew him well. I brought him to Winterfell as my bastard, Jon Snow. His true name is Aegon. She made me swear to keep him safe, and that I would keep the truth a secret until I knew he was safe."
Eva felt the shock give way to rage. "Safe? You thrice-damned, foolish, deceitful, arrogant bastard!" She snarled, shoving him back a step. "You call living in shame, and being sneered at by your bitch whore of a wife 'safe?' How fucking dare you decieve me?!"
Ned made to speak, wilting under her growing fury, but she spoke over him. "I have not given you leave to speak, you scum! How dare you...how dare you both lie to me, you fucking self-righteous arse!" She screamed into his face.
She was the center of attention now, but she cared not a whit. "I would have loved him, unlike that smug cow you called a wife. Did you really think I would have cared if I knew who the father was? After all those years of companionship, this is what I receive from her: mistrust and negligence. And you? Lies and betrayal!" She shoved him one last time, and waited for him to speak.
He shook his head, tears pouring like small rivers from his eyes. "You are wrong. Her last words were of love to you, and how she would always watch over you. It was you she loved the most."
"Liar!" Eva's face crumpled, and she fled the patio.
"Forgive me, Eva." Ned sighed, and smiled reassuringly at the worried onlookers. That could've been worse, he thought.
Peter, hearing and seeing this, sprinted back into the house. Lucy was about to join him, but he waved her off.
"Son, maybe now is not the time...bloody hell," her father finished, as he paced in the living room after hearing Eva shrieking, as she rushed by him. Lydia was at the local market, gathering supplies.
She would tell him to mind his own business, and he agreed.
"Milady?" Peter spoke, opening her door to find Eva huddled on her mattress. The woman wasn't crying, but her body language screamed 'broken.' He closed the door, and his back leaned against it. "They lied to me, the two people I trusted the most. No doubt you heard my dulcet tones?"
"It was hard to miss. What is really going on, Eva?"
Eva turned to him. "I do not blame Lyanna for keeping this from me, but Ned is an altogether different story."
Peter moved to Lucy's bed, and sat on its edge, and waited.
"Ned was always the honest one, honorable to a fault, and it was his honor that killed him, and broke what little heart I had left. His honor? What complete, utter horseshit! To even think of the self-rightous whoreson as having a single decieving bone in his body before this day was laughable."
Peter nodded, trying not to laugh at her choice in words. "I agree. He does not seem capable of it. But he is a man, like I am."
"Why are you here?"
Peter sighed. "Because I know what betrayal feels like."
Eva turned to him, and felt unsettled.
The man was comely to the point of getting under her armor of ice, and he was an arrogant but honorable man who fiercely protected his family.
He had none of Donald's calm and poise, and preferred men who had the same qualities.
"You have my thanks," she said, and he nodded before he left her there.
Later on, Susan was mending one of Ned's shirts when Lord Pendlerose walked by her door.
The others were downstairs, listening to news of the World War that was currently in armistice. As calm as the gigantic, bow-legged but admittedly handsome (but too young, and not handsome enough for Susan) the young man was, he was a restless man who preferred the outdoors. "Lord of Horses, I would like a word with you."
He paused, and entered the room, arms clasped neatly behind his back. "As you wish."
Susan continued to knit. "I would like to know what your intentions are with my sister."
He colored ever so slightly. "Presently, I have only the wish to come to know your sister better."
"And not presently?" Susan asked, and then continued when he did not answer. "I cannot count how many men have broken her heart to gain an audience with me. If you do hurt her in any way-"
He shook his head cooly. "You need not concern yourself with her dishonor, for I will defend such a thing until my last drop of blood."
Ah, Susan thought, a true knight. Such was rare, in more worlds than one. "If that is true, I will leave you with a warning to keep your intentions clean. I also wished to discuss with you my concerns about your mother."
He sighed. "What has she wrought now?" He asked tiredly.
Susan shook her head. "Nothing overtly yet. It's more the way she acts. Are you familiar with the story of the White Witch?"
The Horse-Lord nodded. "Your siblings have but recently disclosed of this wicked harridan. Would that I had a hand in her demise. My mother is not at all like her by the simple fact that she loves, and she is only cruel to her enemies. My mother has done horrible things, but only in defense of those she holds dear. She has always been protective of Lord Stark, and would do anything to advance his interests."
Susan shook her head. "She's not the most pleasant of people."
The young man shrugged. "That is, unfortunately, the truth. She was born into a family of monsters. When her Bolton sires died of a plague when she was a girl, the Starks took her in. She is a Stark in all but blood, and if you have any misgivings on how she will treat you, the fact that she has not driven you away like she tried with Lady Stark is proof that she cares for your safety as well. My Mother, thusly, has some regard for you."
Susan looked into his calm ice-blue eyes. "I suppose I'll have to take your word for it. But she scares me."
He grimaced, and nodded. "Then you have a sound mind. She is formidable, and many a fool have died underestimating her."
Susan nodded, and changed the subject. "How are you doing, my Lord?"
She was instantly sorry, for the young man's eyes took on the haunted expression no man his age should ever have. He seemed to wilt, his self-control wavering as he spoke softly. "As well as can be expected."
Susan laid a hand on his arm. "Would you like to talk about it?"
He swallowed audibly. "When I was knighted for defending a friend from a monster of a false knight, I thought all would be well. But I was so dreadfully wrong. My father died defending Lord Stark, who died shortly thereafter. My king, Robb Stark, who was as a brother to me, was killed in the most cruel of ways before my eyes. I was glad when they killed me, for I had naught to live for."
His agonized voice, but also his deadpan expression, cut Susan to the core. "But here I am, and those whom I thought was dead are alive, and I have the opportunity to live alongside a delightful family," he said, smiling wanly.
She nodded, smiling. "And you can stay as long as you like."
He smiled slightly, and nodded. "And I thank you, and your kin for your hospitality. Would that you had a stable nearby. I yearn to mount a steed once more. My father tought me to ride afore I could take my first steps, so being astride a good horse brings comfort to me."
She sighed, glancing down at his legs, which were bow-legged from years of riding horses. "I wish I could help. My father would know of something along those lines."
He bowed at the waist, endearingly polite. "Go not to too much trouble on my account. Good day, future Aunt," he said, before departing her room.
Just as he left with a smile and a bow, she caught sight, out of her window, a certain figure dressed carrying a large sword sitting in the woods, cleaning the blade with a wet cloth. Smiling, she decided to join him.
Old habits never die, Ned thought, cleaning Ice with a spare rag that Lady Pevensie had been kind enough to offer him.
In these woods, it felt like he was near the Godswood again, near his children...no, he couldn't go down that dark path. They were strong, and could survive without him.
He no longer felt pain when he thought about Cat, only a sense of closure. "I am no longer yours, Cat. I never was, even though I loved you. But Susan has completed me in ways that you never could. Forgive me, but I lay my marriage to you aside. I divorce thee, Catelyn Tully. Be at peace," he breathed to the snowing sky above him.
"You know, talking to yourself is the first sign of madness."
He turned to see Susan walking towards him, wearing her blue coat and dress that suited her eyes. "I am unfamiliar with such a saying," he said, as she primly sat on a log next to him, the fire he had built dancing in her eyes.
"Obviously," she said playfully, and then turned serious. "This place reminds you of them, doesn't it?"
He nodded. "Aye."
She turned his face to hers. "They are still alive in you, Ned, and in the way you live your life. Besides, I intend to give you more children," she said, her face drifting into a coquettish smile.
He pulled her into his lap. "I have no doubt. I assure you that you will have little time for sleep when we finally have our first night on the morrow," he said, before crushing his lips to hers, which she eagerly returned.
Her perfume, along with her scent of spring flowers, drifted into his nose, getting straight into his head and bloodstream, his body attacked with a fever of need that clouded his mind, thinking becoming impossible.
He craved her, he craved the taste of her skin and the feeling of being one with her.
He kissed her neck, her throat, heading for her collarbone, her small moans of pleasure driving him insane with even more want.
But he had to wait.
"The asteroid should be here within a week," The BBC radio finished the broadcast. "The Allied Forces assure all within their power that the asteroid will strike in the Iraqi desert, and will have the site contained when the time comes."
John looked at Tanya, and winked. "From a winter wedding to a bleeding desert. Quite the turnaround, yeah?"
Tanya grinned back. "Nothing like a change of venue!"
"Check? Bleeding buggery old...how the bloody hell did you do that? I just taught you how to play!" Peter said from the table, ignoring the hiss from Susan, and the chuckle from Ed and Carl.
"We have something similar in Westeros. I am surprised you did not see that move coming," John said, without even the slightest hint of smugness.
"It's not that hard to fool Peter, John," Edmund couldn't resist.
"Shut up, Edmund."
Just then, there was the ring of the doorbell.
Eva, the closest to the door, and grimacing at the shrill sound the doorbell made. She opened the door, and her breath was driven from her chest. A tall man, almost a foot taller than her, stood in the doorway, carrying a bottle wrapped in a bow. He was of slim build, muscular and wholesome. He had short dark hair, and his blue-grey eyes were cold and ruthless. He seemed to be in his early twenties, and his body, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, was that of a warrior's. "Who are you?"
Kelly was equally spellbound. The woman was unbelievably sexy. She was in her mid-twenties, and the body under her tight-fitting black dress was feminine, curvaceous, and muscular. She had grey-white hard eyes that pierced him through the heart, long silky black hair that reached down to her waist, and icy-fair skin. Her face was sharp and angular, but seemed carved by the very best of artists.
God damn! He had to shake himself to answer. "My name's Kelly, Ma'am. I'm a friend of the family, and I'm part of John's Pack. What's your name?"
To her horror, she found herself blushing. "I am Eva Pendlerose, Lord Kelly. But what-"
"-Do we owe your fortuitous arrival?" John finished for him, posting himself between the warrior and his mother, well over a foot taller than Kelly. He did not like the way the conversation was heading.
"Kelly!" Lydia, hearing the voices, pushed the gigantic man who had eyes for her youngest out of the way, arriving just before the Gentle Wolf did. "Do come in."
Ned was happy to see the young soldier again. He was a good man, if quiet and secretive. And he felt a thrill of amusement as Kelly sat down, avoiding looking at Eva, who did not return the gesture.
"Cheers, mate! What brings you here?" John asked, sniffing curiously at the bottle Kelly held in his hand.
"As a matter of fact, you do. And that's for the wedding," The American said, slapping the muzzle of the draft horse-sized wolf out of reach of the champagne. "By order of the Supreme Allied Commander, and the President of the United States of America, I have been officially assigned to your wellbeing. It's good to be back with you all."
I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, you are already part of the Pack."
Kelly turned to the other John, who stood next to his mother. "And who are you, Sir?" He said, noting that he was probably seven feet tall.
"John Pendlerose, and this is my mother," John said, gesturing to his mother.
Great, Kelly thought, just great!
He turned to Carl, who came forward to shake his hand. "Good to meet you, Sir. Finally, an American comes to back me up against the Brits."
Kelly grinned back. "Nice to meet you too, Son. Is that a Southern accent I hear?"
Carl nodded. "Yup, I'm from Kentucky. Is that a Yankee accent I hear?"
Kelly nodded. "Indianapolis."
Needless to say, they got on splendidly after that.
Later that day, the Pevensies left to go on their weekly shopping, leaving Ned in charge of the Pack. All was ready for the wedding, which was two days from now.
The Horse-lord delved into the latest book on horses, silently marveling at the details such societies used in their pictures, yet most of his thoughts were focused on the youngest of the Pevensies.
Red was training Carl in hand-to-hand combat, with Kelly offering handy tips as he sipped at his coffee.
Tanya sharpened her knives, missing her lover, as he had joined the Pevensies on their outing.
What she didn't know was that said lover was about to change her life forever.
With the advice from my foster Grandparents, I went to a certain store, and picked out a golden ring with a ruby and a sapphire at its top. I was practically walking on air leaving the store, knowing I made the right choice for the woman I never wanted to live without.
Ned, having little to do, decided to visit his sister. He found her standing in borrowed black coat and boots on the second-story porch, watching the three train, one in particular.
"Is it true? Did Lyanna truly mention me?" Eva asked, turning to him, her face set.
"Why would I lie to you about that? Nay, sweet sister, my days of deception are over," Ned said, shaking his head as he strode up next to her.
"On the contrary, deception is a useful tool, especially with men such as you. It is best to keep your enemies uncertain of what you will do next."
Ned sighed. "Eva, how many times have we had this conversation before? I cannot-"
Eva rolled her eyes. "Oh, grow up, Ned! Being honorable does not mean you need to be gullible. If you had just let me follow you to King's Landing, we would not be in this position. Instead, you let that bitch banish me from Winterfell when I dared to stand up to her."
"It would have never occured if you hadn't screamed at Cat at dinner in front of the whole House!"
Ned gritted his teeth, and changed the subject. "You must be careful around Kelly. He is a good man, but he is trained as a Faceless Man, and they have secrets."
Eva shrugged. "It is not a matter of trust, but of necessity. It is not the first time I have used my body as a weapon to achieve our goals. He will be of use to us."
Ned snorted. "And you speak of gullibility."
She smiled, hugging him. "Perhaps. We shall see."
And then, at long last, the day of the wedding came.
Newly shaved and shorn, Eddard Stark dressed in his old clothes: his dark grey jerkin, his silk doublet, and his leather black over-shirt.
Everybody else was dressed in suits, except for those who served in the Armed Forces, who wore their uniforms.
Eva and John wore the clothes they had come in: a black dress and blue cloak for Eva, and a black horse-hair shirt, leather leggings, and blue boots for the Horselord.
"Looking good, Uncle," I said, as he came down the steps.
"As do you," he said, as they walked towards the outside porch, to where the others were waiting, finding it fitting that John was in his Dire-wolf form, representing the Starks.
"I'm not one for suits, so I decided to go without one. Call it thinking outside the box, which...which..." I trailed off, and my jaw dropped. I had turned as I was talking, hearing footsteps on the stairs.
It was Tanya, and any doubts of loving her vanished. She was dressed in strapless black gown that hugged her curves in all the right places, and complemented her brown chocolate eyes perfectly.
Her hair cascaded in a tawny wave to her shoulders, free and uninhibited, and she wore black high-heeled shoes.
She was the most beautiful thing in the world, in the universe.
But what attracted my eyes the most was the shy smile she gave me, and the vulnerable and hopeful look in her eyes.
She was the most beautiful woman that existed, or ever would exist.
"Tanya, to call you beautiful is not enough. You are utterly, spectacularly gorgeous," I said, coming to the bottom of the stairs, and reverting to my human form. I had taken care to clean and polish my Assassin robes, as well as shave and crop my hair.
Tanya's heart melted at his words. There was lust in his eyes, but only a little. She saw tenderness, awe, respect, and pure adoration in his eyes.
His voice was soft, and his hands were trembling as he reached out for her hands.
She took them, and nearly burst into tears from the joy and relief she felt. "You aren't looking so bad yourself."
A major understatement, but it was all she could think of. She knew then that she would spend the rest of her life with this man. She loved him, truly and deeply, and decided to not wait for the war to be over before making sure they would stick together.
A few minutes later, they were all assembled in the yard, sitting in chairs on either side of a red carpet, at the top of which stood the Professor Broom, who had been on call when he heard about the marriage, and was given permission by several embassies and church organizations to preform the sacrament.
Ned found him to be a kind man with a nervous disposition, but a warm smile.
Ned stood next to him, shaking from excitement, as Lucy emerged from the doorway, wearing a shimmering and well-fitted dress the color of the sun (how appropriate, Ned thought, considering her personality), and sprinkling rose petals from a basket behind her as she walked.
And then came Susan, arm-in-arm with her father.
Ned's heart skipped a beat. She wore a sparkling white dress that fit her perfectly, and her hair flowed like silk over her bare shoulders, her dress only held at the back in criss-crossing knots.
In her hands was a bouquet of white roses, fresh and fragrant.
She looked every bit the Queen of Winter, and Ned felt joy and awe as she and her father approached him and the Reverend Doctor.
It was the doctor who now spoke to the assembled men and women. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company of witnesses to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God. They have come before God and men to declare their love for each other, and to be joined together in body and soul. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."
When no one spoke, he gestured to Susan's sniffling father, who released his daughter with a loving kiss to seat himself next to his equally tearfull wife.
Susan, overcome by her handsome husband, and the wonderous event she was in, was shaking with nerves.
But Ned, with his gentle eyes and his loving smile, gave her the strength to move forward, and take his hands in hers.
Lucy was beaming, surprisingly without any tears, happy beyond words. Peter and Edmund were the ones who were wiping away tears of joy.
Red, who sat next to Carl (dressed in a borrowed suit and tie), was smiling, and her smile widened when his hand took hers.
The Horselord, sitting next to his mother, who was misty-eyed herself was grinning happily, trying to concentrate on what was being said, but was distracted by Lucy's beauty. She stood behind her sister, looking resplendent in her sun-dress. He caught her eyes, and she colored and smiled gaily before turning back to Susan.
John stood at the very back with Tanya. In his safe, and thankfully dry, (he had asked Gabriel to keep his mouth dry during the service) jaws was a box containing Ned's marriage ring, while a smiling Tanya carried Susan's.
She was touched beyond words that Susan, at the suggestion of Lucy, had given her this task. It signaled trust and affection, and Tanya returned it be agreeing to be the Ring-keeper.
Broom looked at Ned. "Lord Eddard Stark, will you have this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
Ned nodded solemly. "Now and forever, in this life and the next, I do."
Broom beamed, and turned to Susan, who was crying silently as she beamed up at the love of her life. "Susan Pevensie, will you have this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live?"
Susan, shakily and joyfully, repeated the words Ned had just spoken. "Now and forever, in this life and the next, I do."
The tears were flowing freely now among the onlookers, overtaken by the explosive and transcendant joy that only weddings could bring, as Broom gestured to John and Tanya.
John and Tanya did their duty of handing the rings to their new owners.
Tanya, suddenly shy, was greeted with a smile and a hug from Susan (which got Tanya misty-eyed), while John got a pat on the head from Ned, and a loving smile.
When this was done, Broom spoke, himself wiping his glases before doing so. "The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love."
Turning to Ned, as John and Tanya took their seats (well, John standing next to Tanya, who buried her face into his fur to hide her tears). "Lord Stark, look at your wife, and repeat after me: I, Lord Eddard Stark, take thee, Susan Pevensie, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer and for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, and thereto I give thee my pledge."
Ned, who was new to weddings being this joyful and powerful, repeated dutifully.
Susan didn't need Broom's help, her voice clear despite her flowing tears. "I, Susan Pevensie, take thee, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God s Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give thee my pledge."
Broom blew his nose, and the two Pevensie boys hid their sniggers as Kelly grinned from his seat as Eva chuckled, both in gentle amusement.
Susan bit her lip to stop laughing, and Ned fought back his own mirth as Broom spoke the last sentences. "Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Lord Eddard Stark and Susan Pevensie have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company of witnesses, and there to have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me by the Allied Command, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," he said to Ned before diving for another tissue.
John let out a howl of joy as his foster mother and father kissed each other, and the celebrations began, these being held in the newly-finished House of the Pack!
After signing the marriage contract, Eddard and Susan joined them.
Gifts flowed from their friends.
Eva and John Pendlerose swore themselves to Susan, despite her protest, due to their loyalty to the Starks. Eva gave them a fist-sized carving she had made from an oak-tree that resembled a rose, while John gave them a carving of the same size, from the same tree, of the head of a wolf. "I was unsure as to what represented 'Gentle,'" Eva explained to Susan, who assured her with a hug, and whispered words of love into the woman's ear as John recieved a hug from Ned.
Red and Carl gave the two the food for the banquet, having nothing else to give, and smiled at the assurances from the married couple that it was more than enough.
John, who had planned for this, told Gabriel to send in San, who presented gifts of wolf-fur capes and clothing before shyly accepting a hug from Susan, and a kiss to the brow from Ned.
The Pevensie family gave Ned and Susan useful household items, but also flags of Stark (grey with a black Dire-wolf) and Pevensie (gold and red, the same as Narnia's, ironically) colors.
John surprised the two of them with a two necklaces made of pure gold that looked like half-circles at the end, but when they were brought together, they would form a single whole. He had enough money from his and Tanya's adventures.
Tanya gave Susan a radio small enough to fit into a pocket. "Just in case you need me," she said, before accepting a hug and a kiss from Susan.
To Ned, she gave a K-Bar knife, with the hilt made of pure silver, and the pommel in the shape of a wolf's head. "That sword can get heavy," she pointed out, as Ned kissed her on both cheeks.
Kelly gave Ned a silver Rolex, and Susan a necklace chain of gold.
As the party split into dancing partners, Lucy sighed, wondering how marriages could be so miraculously magical, and if she would ever find a man- "Queen Lucy, might I be so bold as to have this dance with you?"
John Pendlerose stood behind her, looking splendid as he smiled down at her from his great height.
"I'm not sure I could reach you," Lucy said shyly.
He chuckled. "I shall endeavor to suit myself to your needs." He was so courteous, so kind, and devastatingly handsome. She couldn't accept his offer quickly enough!
"I wonder who will marry first after us," Susan said, as she and Ned waltzed to the Beatles 'Blackbird,' finding it suited both of them very well.
"It is hard to say," Ned mused. His eyes moved to the dancing couples: John and Tanya, then Carl and Red, Lucy and his foster nephew, and then to Kelly and Eva. "Most likely John and Tanya, but I would not count our sister and foster nephew out of the bargain."
That question was answered when the song came to an end, and John looked meaningfully at his foster Grandparents, who made sure that the music paused before smiling back. "Sorry for hijacking this occasion, but since the band's all together, I thought this time was good enough," he said, sending an apologetic look at Susan and Ned.
Susan caught on first, and she beamed. She had to clue Ned in, but he grinned when she whispered it into his ear. Then they nodded to John, and nodded happily.
John turned to Tanya, who was mouthing 'what the fuck.' "Tanya, I've waited way too long for this, mostly because I knew you wanted to wait 'til the war was over, but I just can't make it that far. I've had a lot of women, you know that, but not a one of them meant more than an occasional visit. But you're different," I said, smiling down at her. "Unlike the rest, you're the best friend I've ever had, and I love and admire you in more ways than I can ever say. You, without a doubt, are the love of my life. I can't go on without you beside me, and I don't want to live a single day without you."
Tanya's hands flew to her mouth, shocked and overcome, as he knelt on one knee, producing a small box from his pocket. There were gasps of shock around the room.
"Tanya Parker Adams, will you make my life whole by becoming my wife, by marrying me?"
Tanya heard the words, and her life flashed before her eyes. Her brain screamed at her to wait until they were safe from the Soviets, that it was too dangerous to marry at such a time.
But her heart won out.
The ties of friendship, loyalty, and love were too strong to hold her back, and her fears vanished as she looked into his eyes.
Everything she had ever done had led her to him, so there was only one answer she could give. "Yes, with all my heart, Yes!"
She was laughing and crying at the pure joy in her heart as she held out a shaking hand, and let him slide the ring onto her left ring finger. "Fuck, John, you couldn't have picked a better time!"
"I'm a genius, I know."
I felt happy tears trickle down my face as the cheers of the onlookers accompanied the sliding of the ring onto her finger, and our resulting embrace. We hugged, cried, and kissed before Lucy, squealing with delight, joined in our embrace.
She was followed by Susan and Ned, and then the rest of the crowd, with many hugs and hand-shakes.
And then, as night descended, Susan and Ned ascended the staircase of their new home, the exact replica of the first, to start their new life together. Once they had closed the door to their room, Ned noticed that Susan was shaking. "If you do not want to-"
She scoffed. "I'm not afraid, you wonderful man. I'm just excited and nervous. I've never done...this before."
She was shivering slightly, a bit with fear of powerful unknown that was to come, a bit with anticipation crawling her skin, but most of all with desire. She was scared, oh, yes, she was, but this was the most delightful fear she had ever felt, full of awaiting pleasure, making her heart beat even faster.
He smiled gently. "Oh, my love, I shall be as gentle as possible."
Susan shook her head. "No, I don't want to be gentle anymore. I'm just Susan Pevensie Stark, Lady of Winterfell, and Wardeness of the North who jolly well doesn't want to sleep tonight!" She said, before coming to him.
"So be it," Ned said, and met her halfway, pulling her into a passionate kiss that made the fire inside their bodies burn even more.
She returned the kiss with just as much passion and he let his hands wander around her body.
He felt her hands move up his back and he shivered. She was finally to be his… and he couldn't wait to give himself to her as well.
He slowly started undoing her dress, his lips never leaving hers and he felt her hands at the hem of his shirt. Her dress slid down, brushing smoothly against her body and leaving her standing before him only in her underwear.
He pulled away for a moment, admiring her pale skin, shining softly in the darkness that was spreading in spite of the candlelight. "You are a goddess, the Maiden herself." He traced the line of her side with his finger, from her shoulder to her hip, feeling the smoothness of her skin and making her shiver with pleasure.
She undid the buttons on the top of his shirt and he pulled it off over the head, eager to feel her bare skin against his own.
He embraced her, pressing her against himself, feeling a rush of delight as her smooth skin brushed against his own. Susan gasped slightly at their first skin-to-skin contact.
His body was so hot, his scent enveloping her. "I love you," his hot whisper blew into her ear, making her shiver.
"I love you too," she answered, finding his mouth and drowning in another kiss.
They broke apart, Ned kicking his boots and undid her underwear, while she helped him with his pants. They fell on the bed and Ned rolled on top of her.
She felt his body's weight pressed against her own and it was the most delightful weight that has ever been placed upon her.
Feeling the arrival of vertigo in her head, she slid her hands down his sides, from his arms, resting her hands on his hips.
Oh, yes, he was perfect, as if sculpted specially to fit her body.
He kissed her passionately, making her shiver beneath him and caressed her side, delighted with her skin's smoothness.
She wrapped one arm around his waist, bringing the other one to his neck and to his hair.
He trailed his kisses to her jaw, moved to her neck and she gasped, as he found her sensitive spot near her shoulder. He then moved to her collarbone, his kisses light like butterfly's wings brushing, and yet so burning, making her crave more.
"Ned!" Her voice was both a squeak and a whine, as his lips trailed lower.
His freshly-shaved face felt heavenly on her skin, and she arched against him.
That night, two became one, the greatest night of their lives.
Next up: Aslan reveals the truth, John takes on the asteroid, Edmund leaves for Japan, and the Horselord gets a gift.
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