Daenerys
They sailed far down south, and had no encounters of Euron's fleet since the White Walker attack. Rhaegal seemed tired. He rested his head next to her on the deck, and she sat down on the ship's railing petting him, and calming him.
"My poor child..." She said quietly.
The Unsullied captain that commanded her forces earlier came up to her and said "My Queen, the last ship to have escaped just reported in."
"How much of our army did we lose?" She asked.
"No more than we saved. Had we managed to save them all, we would be an extra three thousand strong, and thirty more ships." The captain replied.
She paused for a moment, and continued petting Rhaegal.
"And how is Yara Greyjoy?" She asked concerned.
"She seems a little distraught, your grace. I recommend you go talk to her soon." The Unsullied replied.
"And how about Euron Greyjoy?" She asked in a tone almost not wanting to know the answer.
"He did manage to escape with a few of our ships, and there were likely hostages still on them." The Unsullied answered.
"Do we have any ravens we can send to Jon Snow? We'll need to inform him of how close the White Walkers are getting." She asked.
"I'm afraid not, your grace - ravens aren't trained to fly from ships to castles. Would you like to send someone to deliver a message by hand?" He asked.
"Please." She asked kindly.
"I will at once, your grace." The Unsullied replied.
The Unsullied turned to leave, but she stopped him - saying "Wait... what is your name?"
"Dirt Leech." The Unsullied replied.
She knew most of the Unsullied kept their former slave names, but the name still shocked her regardless. She couldn't believe how cruel their masters used to be.
"Dirt Leech... do you think I made the right decision?" She asked.
"It is not my place to judge you, your grace." He replied.
"I have no use for soldiers who blindly follow my authority. I want you to answer me honestly." She told him.
Dirt Leech paused for a moment, then said "Truthfully your grace, I don't think anyone would have expected you to make any other choice."
She looked up at him and asked "How so?"
"Your grace," he replied "I was one of the Unsullied in Astapor when you came to us. At first, we had no idea what you would have us do. But then you told us to kill our masters, so we did as you asked. We would have followed you blindly forever if that was what you wanted. We were bought, and we were sold. But then you told us we were free men. And asked us to follow you as such. And we did, there were no doubts. And each of us saw you care for the people you freed. When there were slaves being abused, you saved them. When we were attacked in Meereen, you did not abandon the people there - you stayed to stop them from going back into slavery. So when you learned of your ships full of people you promised to help, We all knew what choice you would make."
She smiled seeing his belief in her.
"Take off your helmet for me." She asked him.
He took it off immediately, without question. She hoped not to sounded as if to order him.
"Would you like to sit next to me?" She asked.
"If you wish for me to, your grace." He replied.
"I won't force you. If you would feel uncomfortable in doing so, then you shall not have to." She said calmly.
Dirt leech slowly sat down next to her.
"You can pet him with me, if you're not too afraid that is."
"Is that a good idea, your grace?" Dirt Leech asked slightly worried.
"He would not mind." She said comforting.
Dirt Leech slowly moved his hand until soon enough, he was petting him. Rhaegal closed his eyes in response, resting. He seemed to slowly be recovering his energy, but that horn really drained him.
"It is easy to put people whom you've never met in danger. Before these battles are all a part of history, I would like to speak to some of you. I'd speak to all if I only had the time. I'm going to take the time to get to know the people in my army, the ones that swore to die for me if need be." She stated.
"I think many Unsullied would be happy to hear that." Dirt Leech replied.
She continued to pet Rhaegal, looking into his eye.
Jon
Everything was dark, and quiet. He had no idea where he was until he saw a grave with the word "traitor" on it. He looked toward it, and then felt his gut in pain. He looked down and saw blood pouring out of him. He panicked and tried to stop it, but then more holes kept appearing - he kept trying to stop the bleeding until he woke up with sweat dripping down his forehead.
He looked down at his chest just to make sure, and he only saw the scars from when the Night's Watch had done that to him. His sleep had been constantly plagued with nightmares ever since he had died that first time.
"Hey... you alright?" He heard a voice say.
He turned his head and saw Ygritte's naked body pressed up against him. He smiled seeing her next to him.
"I'm fine... just a bad dream." He said before planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Ugh, I fuckin' 'ate those. What was it about?" She asked, sounding slightly groggy.
He sighed and said "When I first joined the Night's Watch, I was prepared to die if I had to. You remember when Mance attacked the Wall? Just before Stannis arrived."
"Yeah?" She replied.
"While maester Aemon was looking over you, I went out there to go see him. I had nothing but a dagger strapped to my side, hidden by my cloak. I was going to kill him, and let the rest of the Free folk kill me. I was okay with dying... if it was going to serve a better purpose." He said faintly.
She sat up a little more and looked him in the eyes.
"But now... I've seen death, and it scared me more than anything. But the worst thing about it, was knowing I'd failed. I thought I'd failed everyone. And that was just when the Free folk depended on me. Now the whole North is depending on me..." He said with worry in his tone.
"No one would've chosen you t' be their leader if they thought you couldn't do it. An' you're not alone in this. Every one of us will stand behind you, no matter what it takes. We know what's up there, and we'll stop it. But the White Walkers aren't here yet - so let's enjoy the time while we still have it." She said moving closer to him.
He wanted nothing more than to never leave the bed, however the lords of the North were arriving today. It was nearly time to tell them they had to leave.
"Thank you, Ygritte. That means a lot. And as much as I'd love to stay here for the rest of the day, we'll have to go to the meeting soon. We'd better get dressed." He informed.
"Are you suuure?" She said wrapping her leg around him, holding him closer.
"Gods be damned!" He thought to himself.
He quickly got loose from her grip and said "No-no-no, if I stay here any longer - I won't be leaving this bed for the next three winters."
He climbed out of bed and She laughed at his reaction.
"Only three? I can do better than that." She teased.
"I'm sure you... wait- stop it!" He said snapping back.
She laughed again and said "As you wish, 'my lord'"
He went over to his wardrobe and put on a wool tunic underneath some leather strappings, similar to what he wore in the Night's Watch. He then put on double layered cotton pants - and went to grab his cloak, but stopped in his tracks looking at it. He noticed the Stark symbol on it, the one Sansa had made for him. He felt reminded of how he let Littlefinger get the better of him. He silently prayed that wherever she was, for the gods to watch over her.
Jil Snow
They had been traveling so long, the sun was beginning to set. It felt like the only thing that had changed recently, as she grew more and more annoyed by some bickering going on with Jaime.
"Much longer, and you'll owe me half of Westeros." One of Jaime's knights said mockingly.
"In case you didn't notice, there's about to be another war - how was I to see this coming? Besides, when this is all over - you'll get your castle." Jaime said defensively.
"And the wife, and the gold, and Jaime Lannister kissing my fuckin' boots. Have you actually got a castle you can give me anymore?" The knight said.
"There's Feastfires, a Castle just north west of Casterly Rock - it has no lord to keep it in shape, so-"
"Oh, so you mean I get a castle that's fallin' apart?" The knight said mockingly.
"Would the two of you please shut up already?" Jil said to both of them. "Look - there it is, how about you two find a room and keep bickering like siblings in there."
She knew better than anyone how that could be. Finally, they arrived at Riverrun. Jaime rode up to the front gate, in front of most everyone. He looked a little unsure, but seemed composed for the most part.
"Hey!" Jaime shouted to the castle.
A soldier in Lannister armor came up to the wall, and shouted back down "It's Ser Jaime! ... Well open the gate you lazy cunt!"
The drawbridge slowly lowered and Jaime looked back with a smile. She rolled her eyes at him and they all rode in. Most of the army had to tie their horses to fences, as Riverrun didn't have enough stables for them all. She got off her horse and scanned the surroundings around them. It worried her being inside a castle with an army primarily made up of Lannisters. She looked at Sansa come out of their carriage with Baelish. They all began to group together.
"The walls can be easily manned, and there's plenty of rooms for our people to sleep. We could do a lot worse than Riverrun." Jaime stated.
"Indeed. So, Jil - I believe? We've likely gotten past most of Cersei's forces by this point, how far are you intending on accompanying us?" Sansa questioned her.
"Not yet, think of something!" She thought to herself.
"I know someone in Winterfell. I've intended to go meet them for a while now, if you'd allow me to accompany you there - that is." She said.
"Very well. May I ask who?" Sansa asked.
"No one you'd know." She replied
"Well, you're tightly guarded aren't you?" Jaime stated.
"I haven't betrayed you yet, have I?" She said defending herself.
"No, which is why I'm that much more worried. We haven't even payed you anything, and you offered to help us find a route through Cersei's forces. And you somehow know Sansa." Jaime said accusingly.
Littlefinger simply watched their feud with a hint of a smile.
"Everyone in the North knows the Starks." She said deflecting the question.
"Not by face, not unless you've met. Tell me Sansa, do you recognize this woman?" Jaime asked.
Sansa studied her face when he said that and stated "No..."
"You'll have to forgive me madame, but a woman showing up from nowhere claiming to know Sansa Stark and not explaining how would make you more than a little bit suspicious. And if I'm putting my neck on the line traveling North to make an alliance on shaky ground, I'm going to need you all to be completely honest with me." Jaime said with irritation in his tone.
"Then don't take me, I can get to Winterfell on my own." She said defensively.
"So why don't you?" Jaime said.
"Ser Jaime, she lead us here without any form of payment. We owe her at least to get her to where she needs to go in return." Sansa said.
She had no idea why she had decided to defend her, but it made things a lot easier.
"Fine... I'm going to go settle what few horses we have in the stables before it gets dark." Jaime said.
"I'll go pitch up a tent somewhere nearby." She added.
"There's plenty of rooms in the castle, you could have one if you wanted." Sansa offered.
"Thanks... but I'll be fine." She told her.
She then walked out of the castle. The army Jaime and Sansa brought was certainly sufficient, they could lay siege to a small city if they wanted. But probably not King's Landing. Inside the army's encampment, she picked up a traveling pack equipped with a tent, and then made her way across a river to set up the tent right where the Whispering Wood forest started. After spending an hour of time on it, she finally got it set up. It was dark by then, and she couldn't wait to get inside. Before stepping in, she took one last look around the surrounding area of her campsite. She was all alone here, except for Riverrun being in plain sight. Afterward she went inside the tent. It was small, not like the larger tents the Lannister army used - but she didn't need one of their big ones, and it would've taken much too long to set up.
She laid down on the bedroll inside, and pulled her face off. She had been Jil for far too long. Being Jil Snow however was still much smarter than letting Baelish believe Arya Stark was still alive. She hated how he had Sansa under his thumb. Sansa would never admit she was being played, but she knew better. She shut her eyes to rest for the long journey ahead.
Sansa
Being surrounded by the amount of Lannister soldiers made her uneasy. She felt at any moment they could betray her, that Cersei could've ordered them to play along. A shiver went down her back, and she walked through the corridors of the castle with Petyr.
"It has been some time since I was last here. I was maybe... fourteen? A lot of memories I shared here with your mother and Lysa." He said.
"I came here once as a little girl visiting grandfather Hoster. Feels like a lifetime ago." She mourned.
"Aye... and this castle will outlive us all." Petyr stated.
She stopped at the door leading to the Lord's hall.
Jaime came running up to them from behind and shouted "Hang on a moment!"
She jumped at his voice and turned back to face him.
"Gods... what is it?" She said anxiously.
"Nothing, it's just... well... when I took this castle, I gave it to someone- someone you know, and... w- it may come as a bit of a shock to you. I imagine he'll probably be inside... I think." Jaime said with a slight sound of nervous laughter.
"Who is inside?" She asked him worried.
"Well you see, I'm not sure he's actually here so I don't want to get your hopes up... but someone has to be running this castle." Jaime said, seemingly afraid of something.
Petyr seemed to pick up on it and said "You seem nervous, Kingslayer - is there something you're hiding?"
"In case you don't recall, Walder Frey was murdered by someone - and this castle belonged to Walder Frey after I left it here, and whoever killed him probably still wants to kill everyone who had any involvement in the Red Wedding - and my army is half Frey. So the killer may have come to this castle looking to kill even more Freys." Jaime confessed.
"I see. Well, there's no point in waiting any longer so why don't we head inside and see who's here?" Petyr said.
She didn't share his concern since the unknown person killed Walder Frey, but she did want to see who she knew could've been inside. Petyr opened the doors and the three of them walked inside, and Edmure was inside with some servants around him. Edmure turned his head upon seeing them, and jumped back a little in his seat.
"Uncle? Uncle Edmure?" She said in some disbelief.
"Sansa? Is that really you?" Edmure said.
"Where have you been? Why didn't you send a raven telling me you were alive!" She said while walking up to the Lord's table.
"I was imprisoned, I only got out recently." He explained.
Edmure got up from his seat and she hugged him. She noticed Jaime smiling a little while watching them in her peripheral.
After she let go, Jaime said "I'm a little surprised you're here. How did you get out? Last time I was with Walder Frey, he said he had you locked up again."
"No thanks to you, I might add. You promised you'd let me live happily with my wife and child!" Edmure said angrily.
"Sorry about that." Jaime said with a hint of sarcasm.
"'Sorry!?'" Edmure said hysterically.
"I think that's enough. Jaime has not come to do anything worse to you. We simply need to stay here for a while." Petyr said, trying to calm down the situation.
"What happened at your wedding? I thought you would've been killed." She said sadly.
"No such luck... Walder kept me prisoner, thought I'd be useful - spat horse shit about how 'killing me, would give the family a bad name.' He kept me in there for... gods, I lost count of the days of how long I'd been in there." Edmure said.
"That still begs the question, how did you get out?" Jaime asked.
"I... don't know all the details. One night I woke up in my cell, and there was a key chain inside with me. I unlocked my cell, and found Walder dead. After that, I rushed back here and tried to stay hidden. I lied to your soldiers that I was to live here now - that you kept your promise." He said bitterly.
"So it wasn't you that killed him?" Jaime asked curious.
"No.. but whoever did - good riddance." Edmure answered.
"Then that means I can't let my guard down yet." Jaime narrated to himself.
"Sansa, why are you here with Jaime? Are you still captive to the Lannisters?" Edmure asked.
"Uncle, who do you think rules the Seven Kingdoms?" She asked.
"King Joffrey, right?" Edmure said unsure.
She felt sorry for him. He really knew nothing of the world outside his cells.
"We'll have a lot to catch you up on. But right now, Cersei is ruler - I'm going to try and save her from herself." Jaime said.
Edmure looked a little shocked, and she said "Uncle, we need to stay here for a day or two. Can you please let us? I promise Jaime won't do anything to harm you... right?"
She stared down Jaime and he replied with "Of course."
Edmure swallowed deeply before saying "Fine... you can stay. If you'd like Sansa, you can stay here as long as you wish. But I expect Jaime to be here no longer than two days."
"That's do-able." Jaime agreed.
"Uncle Edmure, my brother Jon reclaimed Winterfell from the Boltons after they took it, and Great Uncle, Brynden is there too. Why don't you come with us?" She offered.
"No!- I-I mean... Sansa, I love you and all your family, but I can't." Edmure said sounding afraid.
"Why not? There's nothing stopping you!" She exclaimed.
"Because I'm afraid!" Edmure admitted. "I fought for Robb, it landed me imprisoned for longer than I can remember... I don't want to fight anymore- and what I did to Brynden... he'd never forgive me."
"Forgive you for what?" She questioned.
"You don't know...?" He asked quietly.
"I had to use Edmure to make the Blackfish's army surrender peacefully. If not for him, hundreds or thousands could've died. I wouldn't stay mad at him for long." Jaime explained.
She suddenly remembered she was in the company of a Lannister. She clenched her teeth a little from Jaime's admission.
"Edmure, you're my family. You're Brynden's family too. He would forgive you if you came with us." She pleaded.
"I'm... sorry, Sansa... I'm a coward. I know I am. But I'm done fighting... no more."
It felt like she had just been stabbed. How could he abandon her? After everything Robb did for them, he'd let it all go to waste and give up.
"I'll be in my chambers." Edmure stated with haste as he quickly walked out of the Lord's hall.
She went to follow him, but Petyr extended his arm out in front of her, saying "Let him go. Either he'll come to his senses, or stay in there. But he won't listen to you - not now at least. You've given him something to think about."
She sighed and said "Fine... I'll leave him be."
"I'm sorry, Sansa." Jaime started. "I know that's not what you want to hear, but-"
"No. It's not. And if it weren't for you and your family, I'd still have Robb, and mother, and him." She said coldly.
Jaime reached out to her with his good hand, however she pushed past him and went to go find a room to stay in. She didn't want to hear his apologies. They mean nothing when your actions always go against them.
Tyrion
Inside the Great hall, all the lords were gathered. Bran had a seat next to Jon on his left and Davos left of Bran, and he was sat on Jon's right. Every last house in the North had a seat there. Strangely however, the only great house to attend was Manderly. However the smaller ones were still plentiful, like House Ryswell, and Forrester. There was talk going all sorts of ways. He hoped they would be able to accept what he had to tell them.
"May I have your attention, please." Jon said.
The lords started quieting down.
Jon stood up and said "My lords and ladies, The Wall has been overrun. Winter is here, and the dead are coming. The Wall was our best bet for defeating the White Walkers, but we cannot quit now. I'm afraid House Umber, and Karstark may already be lost. I sent letters to all the houses of the North. I'm afraid, we can't defend it any longer."
Everyone went silent.
"We need to stop them from coming further South, but we can't do it unless we organize better. We need to formulate a new wall." Jon told them.
"But how will we form another wall with the undead coming? We can't just make another that quickly!" Lord Manderly said.
"I'm afraid we'll never have another Wall as good as the one we had. But we can't throw our swords down and quit now. The Neck is where we'll have to make a new one."
The Lords began booing in response. He was surprised they were so quick to turn on Jon.
"You expect me to just leave my house? My family has lived here for generations!" Lord Cerwyn said.
Lord Hornwood shouted "Aye, we should stay here and beat those bastards back! We don't leave our home!"
Howland Reed stood up and said "I think you're a good king Jon Snow, but you're asking everyone to leave their homes so the dead can take them."
Tormund got up and said "We lost our homes long ago to the undead. If you all think you can beat them without losing anything, you're all fools."
The rest of the Free Folk made sounds of approval with Tormund.
After everyone was done saying their piece, he took a deep breath and looked at all the lords in front of him. He stood up from his table and walked down to the middle of the room.
"We need to fight back. We need to, but we can't do it until we can defend our own borders. This affects me too. I don't want to leave, but this isn't about what we want. This is about survival. The Starks have lived here for a thousand years, and they never gave up this home. But back then we had a wall, and now we don't so there's nothing stopping them from coming and killing us one by one." Jon told them.
"So what about the Targaryen? Tell her to come back and use her dragons against the undead!" Lyanna Mormont said.
"I saw the Night King. Dragons won't stop them. Fire extinguishes around them, and his army is too large for only three dragons to kill them all. It would be slaughter." Bran told them.
"Besides... she's in her own war now. Cersei Lannister rules the seven kingdoms, and she has no intention of letting Daenerys take it from her. Which is where we'll have to come in." Jon said.
"And what about Sansa?" Brienne added.
"What about her?" Jon asked.
"She's your sister! You act like she's gone for good, but she's out there somewhere. And if everyone's going south anyway, we should find her." Brienne argued
Jon paused for a moment and asked "Where would we look? Now that Lord Baelish has her, she could be anywhere."
"The Eyrie is a good start, and that's quite close to The Neck." Brienne said.
He knew if she was at the Eyrie that it would be hard to siege, it had its reputation for being impenetrable.
"If we're going to look for Sansa, we're going to have to look in more places than that." Jon stated.
Beric Dondarrion stood up and said "The brotherhood without banners is used to travelling in small group - And we know the Riverlands well. We can search there, and try to find her."
"Do you even know what she looks like?" Jon asked.
"The Lord of Light will show us, you don't have to worry about that." Beric said.
"Alright. My lords, have we reached an agreement?" Jon asked, looking around him.
All the lords were silent, indicating they still didn't want to leave. He looked down at the floor beneath him.
"Dammit, he's losing them." He thought to himself.
He hopped off his chair and walked in front of the Lord's table.
"Here goes everything." He thought.
"When I was a young man, I had never been this far north. All I used to think was 'How do they tolerate such weather?' And 'Why do all their drinks taste like goat piss?' I never knew the northerners, and I didn't care. They can enjoy winter all they like, I'll just keep sipping my wine down here where it's warm." He said looking at the lords around him.
He walked further down toward Jon continuing "But then, King Robert was coming to visit Ned Stark with my sister. So I thought 'Oh what the hell, let's go see how they live.' And so I came right here, to Winterfell, and saw a family who was quiet, and didn't like outsiders. I took it as anti-socialism. But what I mistook it for, was actually a deep care toward their family."
He then stood next to Jon and said "They weren't callous because they were bitter northerners, they were only protective of their family. I remember seeing the way Catelyn Stark was around her children. She loved them with all her heart, she would've done anything - died for them if need be, to ensure their safety. And that's what you are. Many of you here have children, and I don't think I'd be mistaken to presume you'd do the same for them."
He then paced back and forth saying "When I was first born, if you'd have met my father - you would've thought my birth signaled the end of the world. He hated me, treated me as an outsider, and I tried desperately to gain his affection - but to no avail. When he saw that I was a dwarf, that was when his love for me was over. But That's not how Ned Stark was. He had a bastard born child, yet he never stopped loving him. He could've left him where he was born, have him raised without a father, never show him what it's like to be loved. But that wasn't his way. When I heard of the things he did for his children, I thought to myself 'Why couldn't I have a Northern father? A father whom would love me, despite my size?' No such luck it seemed.
Jon watched him, seemingly shocked at the things he was saying. He continued "And in the last few years, I've been all over the world and back again. I went to The Wall and pissed of the edge, I went to the Vale and nearly got thrown out the moon door, I lived in Casterly Rock during most of my childhood - and met the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms in King's Landing. I visited the rich city of Pentos, walked the crowded streets of Volantis, sailed through the smoking sea of Valyria - and ruled over Meereen. And out of all of the places I've been to, and the people I've met, I've never seen anyone treat family as important as the Northerners do."
He stepped back up to the Lord's table and said "And strangely enough, I feel I've had more of a family with the Starks than I ever have had with my own. I protected Sansa whenever I could from Joffrey's cruelty, and Jon Snow has shown me kindness I never would've expected. I felt joy when I made that saddle for Bran to ride when I watched his eyes light up at the mention, and mourned upon Robb Stark's death at the hands of Roose Bolton. It is this love for family that I admire about you all. But if we stay here, in the North, then all the families will die. Jon Snow is right when he says the dead are coming, and if we don't get south - we all will die. And the children left behind when we die, will likely suffer the same fate."
He walked up to Jon and looked him in the eyes as he spoke saying "Jon shows that same care for all of you here, now. And I know he wouldn't ask this of you if there was any other way. So if not for your own lives, do it for your children's - and for your unborn children's. And if we're to stop the undead from taking our families, than we must work together. And my queen Daenerys stands beside him, and so do I. And any true northerners will stand by him now."
Jon's mouth hung open looking toward him, just like when they had named him King in the North. He walked back to the Lord's table and sat back down. He studied all the lords in the hall, watching their reactions.
Lyanna Mormont stood up and said "We know no king, but the King in the North who's name is Stark. You're my king, from this day until my last. I said those words in this very hall only a few days after we took back Winterfell, and I meant them. You'll always be my King in the North, even if we go south. I'll be by your side, now and always."
Jon continued to have that look of disbelief, and he nodded.
Lord Manderly stood up and said "Jon Snow avenged the Red Wedding, he killed Ramsay Bolton, and has proven himself to be the king we need. I stand behind you Jon Snow, winter is here - and we'll need to stick together if we want to survive it."
Howland Reed rose to his feet, and said "I remember fighting beside Ned Stark. He was the most honorable man I had met in my lifetime. I never knew any man like him... now I know two. I will fight for my daughter's safety, even if that means we leave our home to do so. House Reed is with you, as we always have been."
Lord Cerwyn got up and said "I never properly thanked you for taking Winterfell back. You avenged my father, whom was flayed alive by Ramsay Bolton. Allow me to make it up to you now, as together we will fight the undead. Only promise me, that we will take the North back.. no matter how long it takes."
"I promise." Jon told him.
"Then we stand together, for you are my King in the North!" Lord Cerwyn shouted.
All of the lords in the room began standing up one by one and drew their swords, then began shouting "The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North!"
Jon looked at him, and he simply gave him a smirk and a tilt of the head.
Theon
After running for this long, he had no feeling in his feet anymore. He feared that they may have already caught frostbite, and there was no maesters for miles. The sky had been dark as night for longer than he could remember. He was sure daylight should have come by now, but there was none.
"I should've followed the sea, maybe the ships would've seen me and picked me up by now..." He thought.
He thought the journey back to Winterfell would be the hardest task he would face, but the fear of not making it was much worse.
"Rest... tired... sore..." The thoughts kept plaguing his mind like a disease, but if he stopped now - the strange creatures might catch up to him.
However, there was finally a change of scenery. Emerging from the trees, he saw Last River - or he at least thought that's what it was. He knew the river from maps of the North, and the river stretched at least a mile wide, and was still flowing water. He would never be able to make it across without freezing to death, and going around would take too long, the strange creatures would find him. But going back wasn't an option either. If he went back they would find him and turn him into one of them, just like they had the man he threw of the ship. Looking upon the river, he dropped to his knees and fell back into the snow - helpless to do anything. He began sobbing realizing the danger he was truly in. At least he got to save Yara, he knew that much. The warm tears streaming down his face were freezing quickly on to him.
In the distance, he heard a rumbling sound. He sat himself up quickly and looked around him. From the way he came, there was large dark clouds that would have a lightning bolt flicker ever so often, illuminating the surrounding area. It had to have been those same creatures that had attacked the ships just earlier.
"Why would they chase me this far!? Why me!?" He thought in horror.
"No... probably not me... just going to Winterfell too probably... going to kill the Starks." He assumed Karhold would probably be gone now if they made it this far.
He laid back down into the snow and awaited his fate. He knew there was no way of escaping this. He closed his eyes and thought back to his family. Thinking of the old times brought him small comfort. He remembered little Bran climbing up trees, and Sansa sewing clothing with Jeyne. And Yara sharing a drink with him. Soon enough, he heard footsteps coming.
"This is the end." He thought to himself.
The steps however were not average, they seemed to be moving too quickly. He didn't want to open his eyes to see what horrors awaited him, but he also wanted to know what it was going to be that would take his life. Now the steps were really close. Against his wishes, he jumped up to his feet and opened his eyes, and saw a man dressed in all black - riding a horse that looked almost undead itself.
"Who are you!?" He shouted fearfully.
He was stood up by the edge of the river, there was nowhere to run now.
"A friend." The strange person replied.
The man got off of his horse and walked up next to him. He was half afraid the man was still going to kill him, but instead he bent down to the water.
"W-what are you doing?" He asked almost not wanting to know the answer.
The man removed his glove, and his fingers looked purple - as if he had frostbite himself. The man then dipped his hand into the water and froze a part of it. He took a few steps away from the man out of fear.
"What are you!? I watched those- t- things! Freeze water just like you!" He shouted.
The man then climbed back on his horse and looked down at him saying "You've changed a lot, Theon. You used to be proud, and stubborn... what happened to you?"
"What the fuck?" He thought.
He pondered if this was some sort of hallucination, some vision after death. Or if he was a god.
"How do you know my name? Am I dead? Are you some kind of god?" He asked frantic for answers.
He couldn't tell under the man's hood, but it seemed like he might've been smiling.
"You're not dead. But if we stay here too long, you may yet die. Come, take my hand, we'll go back to Winterfell." The man said, reaching his arm down.
He just saw him freeze water, it had to have been one of those things trying to kill him.
"You're one of them, aren't you? Those things that attacked me? I can't trust you!" He shouted worryingly.
The man then pulled his hand back up to his face and removed his hood. His skin looked freezing, but not like the strange creatures he had seen earlier. And the skin from his face seemed like it was dying, and had the face of a dead man.
"Who are you?" He asked again.
"Benjen Stark." The man answered.
Suddenly, his face was becoming familiar again. But how? It couldn't have been Benjen, he was dead.
"Y-you're supposed to be dead!" He said cowardly.
"You'd be right. Now get on, or the others will come and take us both." Benjen told him.
"That's it. I've finally gone mad." He thought to himself.
He grabbed Benjen's hand, and got pulled up on to the back of his horse. He looked behind them, and saw the strange creatures slowly marching toward them - bringing the storm as well.
"How are we going to get out of here!?" He questioned frantically.
"Like this!" Benjen shouted back.
Benjen then gave the horse a swift kick, and they began running on to the water. He shouted - thinking they would fall in, but somehow there was ice just beneath the horse's footsteps, and water surrounding them. He held on to Benjen with all of his strength as they crossed the river. He took another quick look back, and saw the undead creatures unable to cross on their own. They simply stopped and watched them at the edge of the river.
"Why aren't they following us?" He questioned concerned.
"The Wights cannot cross the water without their masters." Benjen explained.
"So how are you doing it?" He questioned.
"If I told you, you wouldn't understand. But this horse, he's not one of the living." Benjen answered.
"So where are you taking me?" He asked almost not wanting to know the answer.
"Back to Winterfell." Benjen answered.
Arya
She rolled over uncomfortably. Why was it so hard to just fall asleep? The gods were cruel to have made sleep necessary, but made it so damn hard to do so. Her train of thought was broken however, when there was the sounds of footsteps outside her tent. She looked over to where she had placed 'Jil's' face, but it wasn't there anymore. Had someone come into her tent and taken her face? She then reached under her bedroll and grabbed Needle. She pulled the blanket up to her face and pretended she was asleep, but was ready to attack if anyone entered the tent. So she waited. The footsteps got closer. Then closer. Now further. Further some more. Her time in the House of Black and White had improved her tracking abilities greatly through sound.
Why would someone be lurking past her camp? She had to know why, but if someone who recognized her face saw her - then baelish could try to plot against her. She decided she was going to look, but she needed to be cautious. She quietly crept up from her bedroll and peeked outside the curtain of her tent. She spotted Littlefinger walking deeper into the Whispering Wood. She quietly exited her tent and began following him. She kept her distance, as there was plenty of leaves littering the ground, which made her footsteps noisy. She continued following him through the darkness.
"Silent like a cat." She heard Syrio Forel's voice calling back to her.
She watched Littlefinger suddenly stop, and she hid behind a tree in case he would turn around. She listened carefully, hearing where he was. She then heard footsteps again. His? No. Not his. Someone else was coming. She dropped down to her knees and peeked around the corner of the tree. It was dark, but she saw someone approach Littlefinger with a torch - illuminating the area around them. It was a Lannister soldier. She was too far away to hear what they were saying, but the soldier handed Baelish something. Baelish seemed to frown at whatever it was, and then said something to the Lannister. She listened as best she could to make out what he was saying.
"Tell the queen 'she'll have her way.' Have her come to Riverrun." She heard.
"The queen? He must mean Cersei. Shit. Why did Sansa ever trust him? You idiot Sansa!" She thought.
She was about to run back to the castle, but Littlefinger turned and began walking toward her. She quickly moved back behind the tree and pressed her back as far up against it as she could. She heard him coming toward her. She held held her breath, and kept her hand on Needle. Littlefinger then began walking past her. He could've been only ten feet away. She watched him walking, but then he stopped again.
"Did you think you had me fooled so easily, Arya?" He said without turning to look at her.
He must've seen her. She drew needle from her side and ran toward him, but two Lannister soldiers grabbed her - and yanked Needle from her grasp.
"Fuck you!" She shouted in anger.
"Scream all you like. No one will hear you from out here." He said turning to face her.
She struggled to break free, but one of the soldiers punched her in her gut - knocking the air out of her.
"That's enough. I don't want her hurt too much." He said.
"The fuck do you care!? You're going to betray Sansa!" She shouted with spit in his face.
He then used his sleeve to wipe his face as he said "You know, for a moment you might've had me fooled. But in Riverrun when you refused to answer those questions, I knew something was off about you. And that tiny sword you keep hidden under your cloak, that was no common bought sword. I'm afraid you're not very good at keeping secrets. That's why I waited until you were asleep to go into your tent and find out for myself."
"Do you get off to narrating your schemes? Or is there a point to all of this?" She said harshly.
"I am educating you, Arya. You will be part of the great game soon enough, and if you want to survive - you must play along." He said as he pulled a bottle from his cloak.
"What are you doing!?" She asked fiercely.
"Nightshade. If I were you, I wouldn't struggle - you wouldn't want me to accidentally put one too many drops in you. Know that I only do this out of love for your sister." Littlefinger said creepily.
The Lannister soldiers grabbed her mouth and forced her to stay open.
"Shit! I can't pass out now, I need to warn Sansa!" She thought to herself.
She freed her elbow and rammed it into the guard on to her right, but he was wearing armor - and it had barely any effect. The guards then brought her to the ground and Littlefinger then poured two drops into her mouth. She began feeling weaker and weaker as she tried to fight back, until all her energy was exhausted.
Jaime
He saw Cersei looking as beautiful as ever, wearing a silk red dress almost see through. She started walking towards him and he reached out with both his hands to hold her. She moved into his grasp and began kissing him.
"Cersei... we shouldn't." He said quietly.
"I don't care what anybody else thinks. Let them laugh, let them make their jokes but there is no one else I love more in this world than you. I don't want that fat man's children. He doesn't deserve them." She told him coldly.
"I want yours. I want you to make love to me, and to tell me you want me." She said kissing him.
"If anyone found out, they would be bastards." He warned.
"Then they shan't find out. I may be married to him but I won't give him my cunt like it is his prize for winning a damn war." She said in between kissing.
"I don't want him, I want my brother, and I don't care how wrong it is so long as you tell me the same." She said.
"I.. I love you, Cersei." He admitted.
"Show me how much you love me." She said seductively, as she disrobed herself.
He held her tightly as tears began streaming down his face. He then woke up realizing the grim reality he found himself in. He looked to his hand, and it was still golden. He sat up on his bed and looked out the window. It was still dark outside. He took a deep breath and composed himself. His expression changed however, when he saw a Lannister army much larger than his approaching the castle. He then heard the castle drawbridge opening. He ran over to his armor and strapped it on as quickly as he could. He also made sure to grab his sword just before he went out. He drew his sword from his scabbard and went into Bronn's room. Bronn was still asleep.
He went over to him and punched him in his arm.
Bronn reacted to it and woke up saying "Awgh... the fuck was that for?"
"Get up, I think we're under attack!" He warned.
"Aw shit..." Bronn said groggy as he got up from his bed and grabbed his sword.
He went to the doorway and peeked down the hallway. He heard shouting echoing throughout the castle.
"Move your ass, Bronn!" He shouted.
"Thank you so very much for your words of encouragement." Bronn snapped back.
After they were both well equipped they went down the hallway together. They stopped at the corner and he peeked around the end to see what was happening. He saw Sansa getting dragged out of the castle by Lannister soldiers.
"Shit..." He said quietly.
"Other side, come on!" He told Bronn.
Together they began running to the other hallway exit, but Lannister soldiers then entered. They were trapped by both exits. Lannister's in the Lord's hall, and Lannisters in this hallway.
"Well fuck me in the ass..." Bronn said.
It seemed they both knew the odds of getting out of there in one piece by fighting. One by one they threw down their swords. The Lannister guards came up to them and grabbed them by their arms. They were then forced through the lord's hall. The doors opened for them and they saw in the courtyard, new flags were placed. It was the Iron Throne, with two lions next to it. As he looked around, he saw his former Lannister soldiers had turned against him - and his Frey army was completely slaughtered. The guards escorting him and Bronn walked them across the drawbridge to the open grassland. They were then both kicked down to their knees. He looked to his left and saw Sansa was lined up with him, along with Edmure. They then bound Bronn, Sansa and Edmure. They didn't bother to tie him up since he only had one hand anyway.
"Gods be damned..." He quietly said.
He looked around him, scanning the Lannister soldiers.
"What made them turn on me?" He pondered.
It was probably that woman who somehow found them, and knew Sansa. Jil, he recalled. Probably told Cersei where they were, and she sent her army to come collect. That was the worst he had hoped. But he looked up and suddenly saw Cersei herself walking toward them. His eyes widened upon seeing her again. The Mountain was walking next to her as she approached them. Nobody said anything, there was only silence.
After a while of staring, Cersei finally said "Why...?"
"Cersei... please..." He said.
Cersei had a frown, but showed no emotion. She spoke saying "You took my army. You plotted to kill me-"
"I never intended to kill you!" He interjected.
"No? But you still wanted to see me off the Iron Throne. Because why?" She asked.
He didn't have the courage to answer.
"Go on. Tell me why you betrayed me." Cersei said coldly.
"Cersei... you blew up the sept." He said sadly.
"And what would you have done?" She said defensively.
"What would I have done? You killed hundreds of people in that explosion! Using wildfire, the same wildfire that The Mad Kind placed under there!" He snapped.
"And we used wildfire to stop Stannis Baratheon from laying siege to King's Landing - I didn't hear you complaining then." She said coldly.
"That's not fair Cersei... we all agreed that was the right thing to do. Tommen killed himself over this!" He argued.
"You think I don't know that? For all my dying days I will love Tommen for who he was. I miss him so, but nothing will bring him back now." She said with emotion behind her voice.
He thought she might begin to cry, but she never shed a tear.
"Cersei... please stop this. There's no need for a war. Let's go back to Casterly Rock and live what time we have there - we don't need the Iron Throne." He pleaded.
She got a cold look in her eyes. The kind of look she used to give Tyrion.
"My flesh and blood died to stay on that throne. So many people died, so that we could have a chance to rule the Seven Kingdoms. And I'm not giving it up now." She said with a shaky voice full of anger.
Cersei walked over to Sansa.
"Did you do it?" Cersei asked.
"Kill Joffrey? No..." Sansa answered.
He believed her, but he wasn't so sure Cersei would be as easily convinced. Cersei then immediately slapped her with the back of her hand.
"Cersei stop! She didn't do it!" He begged.
"And why should I? This whore simply marries one man, to the next, and to the next killing every one of them. Of course she decided to spare Tyrion - solely to spite me. She's a black widow." She said.
"I loved Joffrey too, but we both know what he was. She was a victim in all of this, and all she wants is to go home." He swore.
"We'll see. Only after someone is truly broken do you find the truth." Cersei said harshly.
"Oh fuck it." He thought.
"It was me! I killed Joffrey!" He shouted.
"You may be many things Jaime, but parricide? No. And yet, you lie to protect her. Do you love her?" Cersei accused.
"Cer-"
"Answer the damned question, Jaime. Is that why you left me? Because you love her?" Cersei asked jealously.
She was certainly the most stubborn woman he had ever met. Was 'yes' the only answer she would accept? She was always jealous of him leaving her for another woman - except now she might kill him for it.
"I didn't leave you because of that." He assured her.
"Hm. It doesn't matter now. None of it will matter soon enough." Cersei said suggestively.
Whatever she had planned, wasn't good.
"What do you plan to do? Kill us? We're more use to you alive!" He informed.
He needed her to believe they could be useful if they would get out of this.
"Perhaps..." She said pacing over to Edmure.
"Who are you?" She said to him.
Edmure cowered and said "Lord Edmure Tully... your grace."
"Ah... the wolf bitch's uncle." Cersei said creepily.
"Please, Edmure wasn't a part of any of this - let him go!" Sansa pleaded.
Cersei seemed to ignore her, and walked over to Bronn now.
"And now you followed him too, Ser Bronn. Why?" Cersei asked.
Bronn shrugged with his shoulders saying "He was paying me - simple as that. I could care less about the politics of Westeros."
"Yes, what was his promise exactly? I believe he spoke of a castle and a lordship." Cersei mentioned.
It wouldn't surprise him if Bronn betrayed him for a bag of gold - he's done far worse for such.
"Bronn, don't-"
"If you speak one more time, Jaime I may have your tongue cut out." Cersei threatened.
"What are you offering?" Bronn asked.
"Kill Lord Edmure and Ser Jaime. And I will give you all he promised and more." Cersei promised.
"No! He's done nothing wrong!" Sansa shouted.
"I know that." Cersei said harshly.
He knew her ways, she wouldn't keep her promise. He only hoped Bronn could see through it. He looked to him and Bronn seemed to consider it. He opened his mouth, but knew that despite Cersei's ability to keep promises - her threats were much different.
"Alright. Untie me and let's get it over with." Bronn said.
"That two faced cunt." He thought.
Edmure tried to get up and run, but a Lannister guard grabbed him and forced him to the ground. Edmure shouted and kept trying to escape, but they had him within their grasp. Over to his right, a guard stood Bronn up and cut loose his bindings - then proceeded to give him a dagger. He watched as Bronn walked over to Edmure and Sansa sobbed. Sansa turned her head away from the scene, but he continued watching. Bronn bent down and rolled Edmure over. The lord had no way of stopping him with his hands tied, and just like that - Bronn slit coward's throat. It was gruesome watching the life fade out of poor Edmure. He certainly deserved better. He expected more cries from Sansa, but there were no more to be heard. Perhaps from all the death, she had become numb to it all.
Afterward, Bronn then came over to him. Bronn then took a deep sigh.
"I'll take no pleasure in this you know." Bronn said.
"If you think that means I won't try to haunt you from the afterlife simply because you feel bad, you're mistaken." He told him sourly.
Bronn looked at him and said "Stand up, at least die with some dignity."
He clenched his teeth, but stood up nonetheless. He looked over Bronn's shoulder toward Cersei, and she looked at the ground.
"What? Now she can't even watch her own work?" He thought.
He then noticed a few tears drip down from her cheeks. He was about to say something, but Bronn said "I think I'll want your armor. Looks expensive, it'd probably fetch a good price."
"Oh, so you want me to die with dignity - but then want me to strip down?" He said hysterically.
Bronn shrugged and said "I can think of worse ways to die."
He reluctantly undid the straps to his chestplate, and let it drop to the ground. He then took off the greaves and gauntlets, then Cersei said "Just get on with it already."
He had nothing but a thin tunic and long underwear covering him. And his 'hand' of course.
Bronn rested his hand on his shoulder and moved closer to him - then whispered in his ear "You'll thank me later"
Before he had time to even think of what he meant, Bronn shoved the dagger under his jaw just barely above his throat and sliced across him so hard he swore it cut to bone. The blood sprayed out on Bronn, and out of instinct he grabbed his wound to try and stop his bleeding frantically - and Bronn then pushed him, which knocked him off balance. He fell backwards as blood seeped out and he rolled down into the river as blood began coloring the water red around him. He then slipped unconscious from the sudden shock of events.
Cersei
She couldn't bare to watch him die. When she heard the slice, she knew that would be the end of him. The man she loved was gone now. She felt horrible at the moment, but knew later she would feel better. He betrayed her, he deserved what came to him.
"Take Sansa, have her under guard at all times. We ride for King's Landing by daylight. Give Ser Bronn a tent, and inform that I am not to be disturbed." She commanded.
The guards brought her to her feet and she turned to walk back to her new tent, and Ser Gregor followed her. Walking through the camp, there was little devastation. It only took the death of a few guards, and four tents burned to the ground to prove Jaime's soldiers were outnumbered. Inside Jaime's old command tent, Lord Baelish was waiting.
"Your grace, I figured you would come here." Baelish said cheerfully.
Her eyes were still red from the tears that had just been shed. She tried to hide it by not looking directly at him, it would be weak for him to see her like that.
However it did not seem to stop him from noticing when he asked "Are you troubled your grace? I thought you would be happy at this victory."
"Don't ask. Just simply tell me why you're here." She said emotionless.
Lord Baelish nodded and said "Very well, your grace. I simply thought now would be appropriate to discuss what else must be done. After all, we did just defeat two of your most dangerous enemies. With Sansa as a hostage, the North may support you against Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons."
She gave a weak laugh and said "'We.' Right. That brings up a question. Back before the High Sparrow and all his little sparrows betrayed me, you said you were always loyal to the crown, and even told me where Sansa was."
He nodded and said "You are right, your grace. I try to st-"
"Stop calling me 'your grace' after every sentence or I will have show you just how graceful I can be." She said harshly.
"As you wish." He said apologetic.
"Why did you not bring Sansa directly to me when you had the chance? Instead you brought her to Jaime, and went back up the River road." She told him.
Petyr gave a hint of a smile and said "I knew you wanted Sansa Stark in a cell, so that first that was my intention. But then I had heard that your brother had betrayed you. She was locked away in the Eyrie, and before I had time to bring her to you - I came up with a far better plan. I convinced her I was on her side, told her that we would side with your brother - and defeat you and your army. After we went to him, I said that we would side with the dragon queen to beat you. So once we arrived at Riverrun, that was when I was going to send you the letter to come and capture them for yourselves - however you can imagine my surprise when I learned you were already on your way. So I decided to meet with one of your soldiers and deliver the message that I would open the drawbridge so you could enter without a siege. And now you have them both."
She then sat down in a chair opposite from where he was standing, and Ser Gregor blocked the door.
"You also swore allegiance to House Stark for everyone to hear. Word traveled as far as Dorne." She said accusatory.
He looked her in the eyes and said "I said what was necessary to gain their trust, and they left me alone with Sansa. It worked, and here we are now. Words are wind, but my actions will prove my loyalty."
She leaned back and said "Hm. But that still begs the question of what you asked. You wanted me to name you warden of the North, and in return you had promised to kill the victor of either Stannis or Ramsay when they would take Winterfell. Instead I found out you established Ned Stark's bastard to rule over it instead. Even helped him win the battle."
Petyr tilted his head and said "Your g- apologies - my queen, but have you noticed how many allies you can still call allies? I'm afraid Euron Greyjoy and myself are your only ones, and Euron hasn't fared well against the Dragon Queen so far. And while she still aims to take the throne from you, you're still outnumbered as she must have ninety thousand Dothraki at her side, and you're sitting at a comfortable twenty thousand including Euron. So long as she has the numbers and her dragons, you're still on a losing battle. But Jon Snow has a pact with her currently, and you need someone on the inside. Use Sansa as a hostage, tell him to betray her and kill her and you will set Sansa free."
"And how could you have known that he would form this pact with the Dragon Cunt before she even arrived to Westeros?" She asked, trying to corner him.
He smiled and proudly said "Varys isn't the only master of whispers, my queen. I have kept tabs on her ever since Robert Baratheon wanted her poisoned. When I heard of her plans to return to Westeros, I told Jon Snow to formulate this alliance with her - and that he could win the Iron Throne with her help, and fight these undead creatures he worries about from the north. And now that he's earned her trust, all he will need is your threat of harming Sansa - and he will turn on her."
She couldn't help but admire him. He was smart, he played them from the beginning. He thought of everything. It was no wonder he was good at the great game.
"Thank you for all of your help, Lord Baelish. And I suppose I can count on your support with the Knights of the Vale against the Targaryen?" She asked.
"You can. However there is one more thing, I would like to add - and that is reward." He said.
She didn't want to reward his scheming, but she didn't want to lose his support even more.
"And what do you ask for?" She said.
"Gold of course, but primarily food - and lots of it. My army will not be able to fight if they starve to death." He requested.
"Now that Casterly Rock has been secured I may be able to find a fair amount to reward you with. As for food, I'm afraid I don't have enough to feed both the Knight's of the Vale and my own Lannister army." She said.
"Winter is here, my queen - and we will need food if we are to fight a war and survive without starving." Baelish warned.
She smiled and said "Do not worry. I have already planned for that."
Note: This is my longest chapter yet with 11,000+ words to help make up for the lack of uploads - so be kind; Leave comment. Or don't, just happy if you like the way it's been going so far.