Chapter 21 – Tormund – Castle
There are 19 castles that roam the Wall, from Eastwatch by the Sea until Shadow Tower. This was the fourth castle they had reached.
Luckily for Tormund he wasn't the only survivor after the Army of the Dead had destroyed Eastwatch – he had found Beric at the first castle and had given them both almost a heart-attack when they had realised there had been someone else lurking in the shadows.
They marched together to Castle Black now, and Tormund wasn't sure if they had already reached the middle of their journey. Beric didn't know either, but they both were aware that probably the world's survival rested on their shoulders now. Therefore, they tried to travel as quickly as possible throughout the day and slept only a few hours in the night.
In the first castle that they had encountered along the Wall, they had found some provisions, like torchlights, new clothes, or even some furs that they used in the nights they had to sleep outside. And although Tormund hated to admit it, he was wearing black. He definitely hated the colour, always had, and it made absolutely no sense to wear black when you were trying to hide in the snow, but he grudgingly had to admit also that the coats of the Crows were wonderfully warm. So, yes, he wore a black Crow coat over his own Free Folk clothes. He was just glad that no one of the others could see him…
Unfortunately, there was no food left in the castles, not even those with a long storability like wheat or honey or salt – some animals probably had been faster. But Tormund and Beric were experienced hunters and so they were able to roast a rabbit, bird, or squirrel every evening.
"Now, look at that," Tormund told Beric when they searched the fourth castle for practical tools. He had found a bear fur and a beautiful one it was.
"I have found something even better," Beric replied and held up a polished axe with rubies and gold ornaments.
Tormund shook his hand. "The Crows are so fucking stupid." Why would anyone leave something worthy like this behind? In the North, the real North, there was no use for gold or jewels but he knew that Southerners would do anything to get money.
Later that evening after they had roasted today's dinner over one of the Crows' hearths, they sat next to the fire, on soft furs, and were both stuck in their gloomy thoughts.
Tormund's gaze fell on the bear fur he had found, and it gave him an idea of how to lighten up the mood. "Did you know I once fucked a bear?" he asked right away.
Beric frowned at him sceptically. "You're kidding, right?"
"No, it's true," Tormund grinned and told his most famous story. "I found her in the woods one time and she was so friendly she invited me back to her cave and then we did it. Her name was Shella."
Beric still didn't look convinced and finally laughed.
"You don't believe me?" Tormund asked hurt.
"The Lord of Light grants even stranger things," Beric told him smiling, "so why not this."
The wildling had the feeling that the other still didn't believe him – and to be honest he had made up the story a long while ago. How could anyone ever fuck a bear? That was insane! But it made one hell of a party story and many ladies had loved him because of his braveness and strength.
He looked again at the beautiful bear fur and had another thought: "I want to bring this fur to the big woman. Do you think she'll like it?"
Beric shrugged. "If you don't tell her the bear story, why not?"
"Why shouldn't I?" The women in the North had always enjoyed his story – except for Ygritte but she had set her eyes already on Jon Snow.
His companion sighed. "You know, the women in the South, especially the ladies, like your Brienne is, want to be captured by someone who is true and appropriate and charming."
"But my Brienne is no real lady, she's a warrior." The biggest woman he had ever seen. "I guess she wants someone who's brave and fearless and strong, just like me."
"Maybe," Beric shrugged once more. "I don't know her."
"Do you have a family somewhere?"
The man with the eye-patch sighed heavily. "I once had a girl back in King's Landing, who bore me a son, a bastard, of course. I'm not sure if they're still alive, it's been so many years since I left…"
Tormund nodded in understanding. "I have two daughters. My wife died when they were young, so I raised them together with my sister. When I went with most of my Folk to join Mance Rayder, I left them with her. I'm not sure either if they're still alive. The White Walkers could have passed our village on their way south…"
The two men stared into the flames for a while, both again stuck with sad thoughts.
"I want to have babies with her," Tormund continued after a while and he sounded determined. "I want Brienne to be my new wife and start a family with her. And when the war is won and she is by my side, I will return to our village, and if my daughters and sister are still well, we will be a happy and strong family all together."
Beric smiled at this idea. "I wish you the guidance of all the Gods there are, so this dream becomes reality."