One month of cries. One month of sleepless nights. One month of sore nipples. one month of diapering cloth strung up around the house because it was too cold outside to dry. One month of kisses. One month of snuggles. One month of love.
"He's going to give us many Grandchildren." Tormund said pinning the side of Viggo's diaper. Brienne rolled her eyes as She nursed Emilia.
"Youre ridiculous. He's going to be King some day. I don't know how but he will." She said running her hand over Emilia's soft red hair, "I was thinking about going in and taking my training back up."
"A babe at each breast and a sword in one hand. That is attractive." Tormund said snuggling with his boy.
"I dont think I could fight with both of them on me. Maybe one..." Brienne thought about how that would work out. "I mean, I might as well learn how to fight with at least one of them on me. Chances are if we ever came under attack, one would be on me."
"Very true." Tormund took in a deep breath as he kissed Viggo's head. The baby shivered underneath his father's beard. "I'll come with you. I'll wear one on me too and see how I do."
The walk was a little bit longer with the kids strapped to them. But it was still a nice walk into the square. The snow storms were a lot less frequent now. The skies were clear today. Sun was shining. The babies enjoyed to cool breeze on their heads. When they past the castles walls, their walk in took even longer because everyone wanted to see the Fire kissed twins. Brienne and tormund was happy to oblige the request. Their children were mighty adorable. Little Gifts from the Heavens.
"You ready for me to beat you?" Tormund took out his sword, shifting Viggo into a better position, just in case his sword slipped. He didn't want to cut his son's head off.
"Dream on." Brienne took out her sword. There was no shifting babies on her side. She was already prepared. A real Warrior was always prepared. "Eat it." Brienne went after her husband, sword raised, but he was too quick for her. She did need to train more, but she could protect herself if the time arose.
"Happily." Tormund chuckled swinging his sword at his wife. Their relationship was one for the books. He liked it a lot. he liked how strong his wife was. Seeing her attack him with a a baby attached to her was almost enough to throw her to the ground and have sex with her. As they practice, people around them began to scurry. Men began to shout. it was enough commotion to make them stop and look around. Brienne flagged Podrick down.
"What is going?" She asked. He looked at her with wide eyes.
"There's been an attack." He said, looking at Tormund, "The Ellis Farm. Everyone was slaughtered. It's bad." Brienne looked at tormund. The Ellis farm. Two Adults and Four children. Everyone slaughtered.
"Tormund, Come with me." Jon rushed down the stairs. "I need you to come to the farm with me." Tormund nodded as he unhooked Viggo from him. Brienne took the baby and stared at Jon.
"It's bad?" She asked. Jon nodded. The two men walked silently for awhile as they headed towards the Ellis farm.
"Why did you want me to come with?" Tormund asked, "I'm not usually your go to guy." Jon sighed running his hand through his messy hair.
"There's rumors as to who did this." He said walking up to the farm. A man was outside throwing up from what he saw inside. Tormund swallowed as he stepped inside. The scent was over powering. A mixture of Metallic blood and human waste. He walked into the Kitchen to see Mrs Ellis impaled with a spear, so roughly her abdomen was in two pieces.
"This spear..." Tormund looked at it. He recognized the work. He looked at Jon, "What are the rumors, Jon?"
"Wildlings." He said. Tormund shook his head.
"No. My people wouldn't do this. We have a truce with you guys. They wouldn't." He insisted, "It has to be another clan."
"It's possible." Jon said stopping in the sitting room. His face was white. Tormund walked in and he wanted to throw up. Those four children, all dismembered, all thrown about. Their father sat in a chair, insides on the outside. Tormund looked around and saw writing on the wall. Writing in blood.
"What does that say?" He asked Jon. The word was way past his reading capabilities. Jon licked it lips.
"Traitor." He said. Tormund grew red with anger. He had to get out of this house. Tormund pushed past a few men and rushed outside. the bile rose up in his throat.
"It's not my people." He turned to Jon, "I know them."
"Do you know ALL of them?" Jon asked, "Are they all okay with how things have turned out?" Tormund threw his hands up.
"They wouldn't, Jon." He said.
"Torch the house." Jon commanded as he watch Tormund. He could see the gears turn in his head. "This better not become a regular thing."
"It won't." He said. He knew what kind of reputation Free Folk had and he knew his people were the biggest clan in the North. They were people of their word though. Right? This couldn't be his people.
tormund sat on the hill watching the farm burn to the ground. His mind when to every possible scenario. He knew deep down it couldnt have been his people. THey have seemed happy with their agreement these past two years. His little birds often told him they were in such a good place. But what if they had been lying?
"I feel bad." Tormund said, "If i could hang whoever did this by their inerds I would." Jon nodded as he sat next to him.
"I know." Jon patted him on his back. "Why the Ellis's? They were good people."
"Maybe they werent" Tormund said, "We dont watch everyone all the time. I mean, all the Southern farms are virtually unprotected."
"We need to change that so they dosent happen again." Jon said, "And the Wall, we need to finish that." Tormund chuckled.
"THe wall wouldnt stop a Free Folk." He gave him a wink.
"I was called a traitor once for following my gut." Jon told him. Tormund nodded thinking back to that time.
"I would have rather been murdered than those four children." He said. He couldnt imagine Viggo and Emilia being taken away from him like that. It was amazing what love and fatherhood did to a man. "I'll send a raven to Munda. Shes been watching over the clan since my last visit. She will tell me the truth."
"It's not her right?" Jon asked. Tormund narrowed his eyes.
"You think my daughter would do this? We do not have the best relationship, but she wouldnt kill children to get back at me." He said. Jon put his hands up defensivly.
"Im just exploring all possibilities. It's my job." Jon said. Tormund stood up with a nod.
"I need to get back to the babies. Please tell me how I can help when we find out who did this." As Tormund walked back towards Winterfell, he was lost in his thoughts. this had to be a set up...a distraction. His people were loyal especially after the White walker war. He thought about his older children and how different it was raising them versus his little ones. He didn't raise his older ones, the clan did. This time it was different. he was more protective over the twins because it was just he and Brienne. He hoped someday he could bring everyone together but for now he just had to focus on his littles. He was going to move heaven and earth to protect these little warriors.