It had felt good going back to his people. He had missed being one with the snowy land. He missed sleeping in his hut with the winds whipping at the walls. He missed eating over an open fire every night. The smells of the open world were so much different than they were in Winterfell.
As much as Tormund missed those things, he missed his wife more. The trek to and from took a long time. Next time, he wouldn't turn down the horse like an idiot. He stepped through the broken wall, past men still clearing the destruction after all these months. He wondered what they would do now. As far as they knew, there was no longer a threat in the wilderness, but then again this was Westeros, Anything could turn into a threat at the drop of a hat.
As he continued to walk back to his new home, he was left in his thoughts. He hoped he would make it back before sundown. he was ready to see Brienne. He hoped she understood why he had to go back every so often. Yes. the Free Folk were free people, they didn't have Kings and Queens, but they did have respect for each other and their 'leader'. If Tormund didn't check in and take care of the silly squabbles, they would choose someone else to do his job. So much more difficult than these Southern kings and queens, he thought.
The winds shifted making his trek a little bit easier now. He picked up his speed. Every night he dreamt of Brienne and her muscular body. They had to figure out how to run this marriage. Being in Winterfell meant he was too far from his people. Being out in the lands meant Brienne was too far from her job. Maybe he could build her a huge hut right in the middle of the Journey. Brienne deserved more than a hut. She was a Lady after all.
He sighed heavily as he could see Winterfell's walls off in the distance. Right about now he could use the warmth of his wife's massive body against him. He closed his eyes for a moment trying to think of her smell. She always smelled like Earth. He loved that smell. No fancy perfumes for her. She was a real woman. Tormund quickened his step. He needed his fair lady. As Winterfell got closer, he got more and more excited.
And here he was, at winterfell, home away from home. The guards opened the gates for him thankfully without fuss. The guards at Winterfell weren't always the brightest. He stood in the courtyard looking around. People should be cheering that he was back he was Tormund, the greatest person in Westeros. He smiled when his eyes rested on his tall maiden.
She stood at attention behind Sansa, listening carefully to the conversation between Sansa and Jon. Not too close to not make Sansa uncomfortable, but close enough if some sort of danger were to come, she could protect the Stark woman. Brienne turned and locked eyes with Tormund. She grinned fro ear to ear. She leaned over to Sansa and the two ladies began to talk. Sansa looked at him with a smile. Brienne nodded and ran over to him.
"It's been so long." Tormund said with open arms. Brienne stopped in front of him.
"Too..." She trailed off for a moment. Tormund arched his eyebrow. Before he even too another breath, Brienne's breakfast spewed out of her mouth, all over his furs.
"Not the welcome home I was expecting...but Ive seen worse." Tormund looked down at his clothes.
"I am so so sorry." brienne was mortified. She looked around her expecting to see everyone laughing, but no one noticed. "I think I'm tired of oatmeal."
"Well, I am now too." He said. "Let's get back to the room so I can take these off and you can lay down." Brienne nodded. She couldnt believe she just got sick on her husband, but frankly Tormund thought it was hilarious and he would be lying if he didn't want to bed her even more now.
Tormund laid next to his wife, just smiling at her. She had no idea how gorgeous she was. The glow from the fire danced off her naked body made it look even more attractive. He placed his hand on her stomach.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Okay. I feel better laying down." She said to him putting her hand on top of his.
"Do you think..." He trailed off, "Your blood come?" Brienne frowned.
"I'm not withchild. Im just tired of the food here." She turned her back to him. He chuckled, pressing his body against hers. "And when my blood comes is none of your business."
"Well, it kind of is." Tormund said putting his hand back on her stomach. "You forget I've had children before. I know how woman's bodies look and act."
"Tormund Giantsbane. Seer of all woman's woes." She said. He nipped at her shoulder blade with a chuckle, "It's been awhile honestly, but mine dosent always come when it's supposed to. It's been that way from the beginning."
"Well, I think we're going to have a giant baby with your eyes and my hair." He said.
"DOn't get your hopes up. I'm not ready for that role." Brienne informed him. She had too much going on that have a child.
"Well, I am." He said giving her a gentle squeeze. "Promise you speak with the Maester." brienne laid there for a moment nodded.
"I will." She sighed. This was not what she wanted. She didn't want her dreams to come true. She wasn't ready to weaken even more from love.
Brienne was angry at him for making her go see Maester Frast. But he honestly didn't care. He loved this moment. This moment also reminded him he needed his other children to be with him more. Munda was growing into a beautiful woman last time he saw her on his last visit. His boys wanted nothing to do with him. He didn't blame them honestly. They were off doing their own thing somewhere beyond the broken wall. He saw Torwynd in passing his last visit, but his boy didn't even look his way.
"Tormund, you can come in now." Maester Frast led him into the room where brienne was getting redressed. She looked mad.
"Well?" He asked. Maester Frast gave a soft chuckle.
"Maybe you can talk some sense into your wife. I told her she needs to take it easy now. No more sword fighting." he said with a shrug as Brienne gave him a look, "But do as you wish." Tormund grinned.
"Are you carrying my seed!?" He asked.
"Don't look so happy." She said.
"We'll make great babies!" He wanted to cheer. It took every ounce of strength for Brienne not to burst into tears in front of the Maester. She wasn't ready. She wasn't ready/ She wasn't ready. "Youre a great woman, brienne. This is nothing."
"This is how my mother died." Brienne told him with tears in her eyes. Tormund sighed.
"But it won't happen to you. Youre Brienne of fucking Tarth. Warrior wife of Tormund Giantsbane. You are the strongest person I've ever met." He said, "My seed makes strong babies. I have yet to lose one." Brienne couldn't help but to chuckle. The winter was cold and long. She prayed to the Seven that it would end before her child came. She feared the worse and expected the worse.