A Song of Fairies
Part 1: A Game of Thrones
Gray; Erza
Gray's head snapped up when he heard the sound of the door to the castle dungeon's clicking open the clanking shut. He had been napping. The lack of an actual mattress didn't really help make it very comfortable, but he needed to sleep. When he wasn't eating, or physically training himself in this little ten by ten foot space he was napping. There was nothing else to do and boredom came very easily in this gloomy cell.
That boredom disappeared though whenever that door opened. His curiosity would be piqued at the idea of another criminal being jailed in here with him. What did he do? Poaching? Thieving? Murder? Did he just manage to get on Lord Stark's bad side like he somehow did? Gray still did not quite understand how that happened. A new prisoner would take some of the dull monotony away from his day.
But new prisoners in Winterfell were rare. It appears that the North held some genuinely good people. That, or Lord Stark was an iron fisted ruler. Gray tended to think the latter. After all, the man nearly took his head off for just helping a random stranger. That stranger did turn out to be a criminal, but how was he supposed to know that?
It's bullshit. That's what it is. Gray thought to himself before sighing.
The sound of boots clicking against the stone floor made his heart leap in his chest. A smile crossed his lips as he saw Erza approaching his cell.
"It's been a while." He smirked.
"It's been two days." She snorted back before taking a seat outside of his cell.
Gray shifted. The iron clasps on his wrists were incredibly uncomfortable. He had gotten used to them in the months he had been held in here. But every now and then, he would feel some pain in his wrists. It forced him to shift his body to a new position, comfortable or not, in order to relieve the pressure.
"Two days is a while in here." Gray replied, "All I've got to do is workout, eat, sleep, or stare at the wall. Hours tend to drag when that's all you can do."
Erza nodded, "I know." Her eyes glazed over for a moment.
Gray knew that look. He wanted to kick his own ass for being so forgetful. Of course Erza understood what it was like being locked up like this. She had been a slave when she was a child. He gulped. He wondered how she really felt right now. He had no doubt that her seeing him in irons probably made the woman furious. And a furious Erza is a terrifying Erza.
If she was angry, she hid it surprisingly well. The lack of magic in this world tempered her… well… temper. Both Gray and Erza knew that they were not powerful here in Westeros. They were normal people now. One just so happened to be incredibly skilled with a sword. The other somehow managed to strip while being chained to a wall.
We both have our own amazing skills. Gray laughed to himself before he motioned to Erza, "Anything interesting happen?" He asked, "I noticed a lot of activity lately."
"Well," Erza leaned back onto her hands, "The King is here in Winterfell."
Gray's eyes widened, "The King? Here?"
Erza nodded.
"Do you think you could manage to get him to pardon me?" Gray said jokingly.
Erza laughed. But it wasn't a hearty laugh like the one's Gray was used to hearing. It was hollow. Void of true joy. The events of the past half year were weighing heavily on Erza. There were bags under her eyes now. Everytime Gray saw her, they only seemed to grow larger. Then there was her sullen demeanor. Gray never knew Erza to be this… gloomy. It actually concerned him a great deal. Something was on her mind that was causing her a tremendous amount of stress.
"If only it were that easy." Erza replied.
Gray chuckled, "It never is. Even back home, it wasn't that easy." Gray felt his smile waver at the thought of home. The longer he was in this cell, the more he wondered.
Would he ever get home? From what Erza had told him a few days ago, her search had stagnated. There was no word on any of their friends. There seemed to be no information regarding magic or how they all ended up in this world. There was nothing. Nothing but the cold grey walls, cloudy skies, and frozen tundra of Winterfell.
Gray caught Erza picking at one of her fingernails. That was a new habit for her. Whenever she was in another place. Thinking about something that gave her some anxiety, she would start picking her nail. Gray was not even sure if she knew she was doing it. It was almost like his bad habit of stripping at random. He never knew he did it until someone pointed it out.
"Erza," The redhead's eyes returned to Gray, "What's wrong?"
Erza sighed, "A lot. Obviously." She took a breath, "The search is… fruitless. I can't find anyone."
Gray's eyes widened in surprise, "You aren't giving up are you?" He asked, "Cause the Erza I know-"
"Idiot." Erza spat back, "Of course I'm not giving up. If I give up then…" She took a breath, "Never mind that. What I should say is that I'm going to get no further here in Winterfell."
"Well, I could've told you that." Gray shrugged, "This place is apparently way out there compared to the rest of this world. There's no way any current news or information is reaching this place on time."
Erza nodded, "That's what I was thinking. So, I was considering striking out on my own." A look of worry came over Gray's face, "Combing Westeros for clues."
Gray narrowed his eyes, "Thinking?"
"Yes, thinking. Then," Erza pursed her lips, "Lord Stark came to me. He told me that King Robert wants him to be the new Hand to the King."
Gray arched his brow, "Hand to the King? What exactly is that?"
"Basically, from what I've seen of King Robert, the Hand is the crown-less king." Erza explained simply.
"Ah." Gray replied, "The Hand makes sure the country doesn't fall apart while the King looks pretty on the throne." He frowned, "That seems counterproductive to me. If the King is shit, then he shouldn't be king."
"Yeah, right." Erza snorted, "Good luck telling these people that. You'll really get your head chopped off then."
Gray laughed, "Look who's making the head chopping jokes now."
Erza glared at him. His laughter died in his throat.
"I apologize." Gray muttered.
Erza nodded then took a deep breath, "Anyways, I have a feeling Lord Stark is going to accept the King's request. The two are close friends. And with this arrangement, Lord Stark's daughter has the opportunity to marry the crown prince and become queen."
"An arranged marriage?" Gray cocked an eyebrow, "That's weird."
"Very." Erza agreed, "So, with Lord Stark becoming Hand to the King, he had to leave with the King and go south to the capital."
"That being?"
"A city called King's Landing." Erza answered.
Gray groaned, "Good grief. That's a bit egotistical don't you think?"
Erza shook her head, "Originally no. Apparently it is built on the spot where a man named Aegon the Conqueror landed for the first time in Westeros. Hence the name King's Landing. As I was saying, with Lord Stark becoming the new hand and having to go south with the King along with his daughter, Lord Stark has asked me to come with. He wants me to act as Sansa's bodyguard."
Gray frowned, "Isn't Sansa the one that hates your guts?"
Erza nodded.
"So why are you even considering this?"
"Because King's Landing may have the information I need to find our friends." Erza replied. Gray gave her a quizzical look, "Look Gray." Erza shifted in her seat, "King's Landing is the capital of Westeros. That means that it has travelers, traders, information brokers from all over the land. Add on to of that, when Lord Stark becomes hand he be able to give me access to more resources for my search."
Gray nodded, "Still, other than guarding a snotty little brat, there has to be some sort of catch to all of this."
Erza nodded, "King's Landing is… well, the only way to describe it is to say it's King's Landing. It is apparently a corrupt city." Gray's frown deepened, "Crime is high. Political corruption is rampant. Rival families continuously plot the demise of each others households." She smirked at Gray, "Fun stuff."
"Dangerous stuff." Gray corrected, "Lord Stark becoming Hand is going to put not only a massive target on his back, but yours too."
Erza quirked her brow, "What makes you think that?"
"Think about it," Gray leaned forward, "A female knight in a world where women are basically second class citizens. And not some random knight either, but a bodyguard to the next queen of the realm. Member of the Hand's household." Gray leaned back, "I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. But I'm sharp enough to know that people are going to be asking questions about you. And they will not ask for answers. They will demand answers."
"I know it's risky." Erza replied, "But I'm more than capable of looking out for myself, Gray."
"I'm not saying you aren't. I'm just…" Gray exhaled, "Just be careful. Ok? Whether you go out on your own or go to King's Landing, please be careful. I've got a really bad feeling about this world. I don't want that bad feeling to be right."
Erza nodded. Then she smirked at Gray, "Is it a bad feeling? Or is that feeling just the cold kissing your ass?"
Gray gave Erza a confused look. The red head pointed at the wall across from him.
"Your clothes, Gray."
The ice make mage blinked. He then looked across the room and saw his pants laying in a heap against the far wall.
"HOW!?"
….
Two more days had passed. Gray had not received another visit from Erza. Just like before, the days were dull. He enjoyed what little sunlight came into his cell. He did some push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Ate his meager meals. Slept. Then sat alone with his thoughts.
She's probably busy. He thought to himself. He could feel his eyes beginning to slowly close. It is easy to fall asleep when you are bored. He had already stared at every crack, nook, and cranny in this cell. Hell, he even named the biggest crack. That name of course being Natsu.
Cause no one is a bigger ass crack than that idiot, pyromaniac, flame brain, ash mouth, little-
The door the the dungeon's opened with a dull thunk. Gray jerked upright, his eyes opened wide. The door closed with a loud clunk. Firm footsteps echoed through the hall. The clink of chainmail followed it. Gray gulped and turned to the bars of his cell.
Standing on the other side were two Winterfell guards. Between them was a man clad in all black leathers and a black cloak. He was the skinnier version of Lord Stark. The First Ranger of the Night's Watch, Benjen Stark.
The sour man nodded. One of the guards jerked Gray's cell door open. The tall Night's Watchmen stooped down beneath the door frame and entered Gray's cell. He looked down at him with disdain.
"Get those irons off him." Benjen ordered the guards.
One of the guards hesitated, "Um, milord?"
"Do I need to say it twice?" Benjen growled. The guard bowed then scurried over to Gray. He fumbled with some keys before finding the one that unlocked Gray's chains, "As of today, this boy is property of the Night's Watch. And unless he does something particularly egregious, I will not see him in irons."
Was that sympathy from a Stark I just heard? Gray wondered to himself.
"What are you waiting for boy?" Benjen Stark asked Gray, "Up with you already. We are leaving." He turned towards the cell door.
Gray's eyes widened, "Leaving?"
Benjen turned back around, "Yes. Unless you prefer this cozy little cell. I can arrange to have a criminal like you stay here for a while longer. But you would lose your head in the end."
Gray gulped and rose to his feet. That was all the response Benjen Stark needed. The talk, weathered man turned on his heel and strode out. He fully expected Gray to follow him. It was not like the boy had much of a choice.
Gray took several cautious steps out of the cell. He could see the guard's eyes burrowing holes into him. Even after all these months, even after how well behaved he was (mostly due to Erza ordering him to behave himself), they still regarded him with disgust. Were all people in this world this close minded? Gray shook his head. If that was the case, then he was going to have a difficult time at the Wall.
The sunlight outside of the dungeon stunned Gray. It had been so long since he had been exposed to the sun directly that it nearly blinded him. Once he blinked the spots from his vision, he saw two horses waiting. Beside the horses were other prisoners. Some still had binds on. Others just shuffled their feet in the mud. Waiting patiently for Benjen Stark to order them north.
Gray sighed and followed Benjen to the horses. Just as he approached the second horse, Benjen yanked on his shoulder.
"That is not for you." He said gruffly, "You not a man of the watch yet. You have not earned the right to a horse." He pointed at the dozen other prisoners that chose the Watch instead of a punishment from Lord Stark, "You will walk, like the others."
Gray scowled. If he remembered correctly, the walk to the Wall took several weeks. Maybe longer? He was not sure. He didn't exactly follow the roads when he was fleeing the Wall with Will. The walk was not too bad then. But then again, he was actually in good physical condition back then. Sure he kept his body as strong as he could. But the lack of a balanced meal everyday really took a toll on his body. He looked down at his arms. They were much thinner than before. And so was his chest. He could make out some ribs starting to poke through the skin on his torso. But just barely. And-
"Boy!" Benjen barked.
Gray scowled, "What?"
"Where are your clothes?"
Gray blinked then bowed his head, "God Dammit."
….
Erza played with the knot of her coat. It sat just along her collarbone, which allowed the coat to give her plenty of protection from the cold winds of the North. She would be traveling along the Kingsroad for weeks, maybe even a month or two. This coat needed to be used properly if she was going to stay warm. It was soft, so it was comfortable. The fur was certainly warm. Erza was not sure if it was fur from a bear or something else. But regardless, it did the job. Lord Stark gave it to her when she agreed to accompany Sansa and him to King's Landing. A gift for her service.
It was not just those two riding South with the King though. Erza looked out over the courtyard and saw Jory Cassel preparing a fifty of Lord Stark's household guard for the journey.
Of course. Erza thought, With how much he distrusts the Lannisters, it would make sense for Lord Stark to bring some of his own men.
She took a breath and watched as the men sharpened their steel, polished their chain mail, and saddled their horses. Once Lord Stark had finished his goodbyes with his family, they would be departing. Erza had witnessed Sansa's teary goodbye with her Mother. Although Lady Catelyn was far more concerned about the still bedridden and unconscious Bran than Sansa or the rest of her children.
Erza had been the one watching Rickon most of the morning. The poor boy would not stop crying. He kept wailing about bad things happening if Lord Stark left Winterfell. Erza wanted to shake it off as nothing more than a child saying or doing whatever he could to prevent their father from leaving. But there was a sinking feeling in her gut.
She was not ignorant of this land's history anymore. She knew what happened to Starks when they went south.
They never came back.
Lord Stark's Father, his brother, his sister Lyanna Stark; all three went south some decades ago. All three died in the south. All three returned as bones in coffins.
Erza shivered as more cold wind brushed against her. Maybe there was some truth to baby Rickon's screams. This land was so full of superstition. And if what she read was true, that superstition was not unfounded.
Erza sighed. No, that's all it was. Superstition. The three Starks that went south died during a war. That was enough of an explanation there. Lord Eddard would be going south during peacetime with his friend, the King. Other than some Lannister mischief, Erza was not too worried about trouble.
Small footsteps rushed up beside her.
"I'm ready to go!" Arya Stark declared as she shouldered a small pack on her back.
Erza glanced down, "And who said you were coming along?"
Arya beamed, "Father."
Erza blinked, "Oh! Really?"
Arya nodded, "Yup! Although he said it was to make me a proper lady. Mother hopes that King's Landing will make me more like Sansa. You know, since I will have to be nice and polite around all those lords and ladies and the like."
Erza laughed, "Sounds like you are excited."
"For that no!" Arya protested, "But for the adventure, yes!" She looked up at Erza, "I mean, I get to be around the greatest Knight in Winterfell all day now." She jumped giddly, "Maybe along the road, you can teach me how to use a sword?"
Erza frowned, "I'm not sure your father would approve of that. Besides Arya you do-"
Arya reached into her pack and pulled out a small thin blade wrapped tightly in thick cloth.
"Tada!" She grinned.
Erza drew back, "Where on earth did you get that?"
"This is Needle!" Arya replied. She glanced around before carefully stashing it back in her bag, "Jon gave it to me. As a going away gift."
"Ah." Erza replied.
Of course Jon gave Arya something like that. Those two may not be related by name, but they were almost definitely related by blood. Both went against the grain when it came to what was expected of them in society. Jon was allowed to grow up with the Stark family unlike a normal bastard. And Arya wanted to be a knight instead of a princess.
"Well, Arya." Erza continued, "If you get permission from your father, I'd be more than happy to teach you a little bit."
"Really!?" Arya's eyes widened.
The red haired knight nodded, "Yes. Now go finish packing. I'm sure your father is almost ready to leave."
Arya nodded, "Aye sir!" She turned and rushed back into the caste, her pack jingling and jangling from whatever she had managed to stuff in there. Erza could not help but smile at the little girl sprinting away. She lived for adventure.
The more I stay here, the more I see my friends in these people. Erza thought to herself.
The castle door opened once again. This time it was Jon stepping out. Erza turned and gave him a smile. Her grin faded though when she saw the frown on his face.
"What's the matter now?" She asked.
Jon huffed, "Nothing. Nothing." He shook his head, "It's hard saying goodbye, that's all."
Erza arched an eyebrow. There was more to this. But if Jon didn't want to talk about it, then she would not pry.
"So…" Erza popped her lips, "Lovely weather we're having."
Jon glanced at her, "We've resorted to discussing the weather have we?"
"Well," Erza pinched the bridge of her nose, "Sorry. I just- I'm not exactly sure what to talk about. I mean, I don't know if you want to talk about the Wall. I mean you are going there and-"
"And not alone apparently." Jon interrupted.
"Well obviously." Erza agreed, "Your uncle, Gray, some prisoners, they're all going."
"You forgot one."
"Who?"
Jon frowned, "Tyrion Lannister."
Erza drew back, "That little man is joining the Night's Watch?"
Jon shook his head, "Of course not. No, he just wants to see the wall. That, and if I heard him talking to his brother Jaime correctly, he wants to piss off the edge of the world."
Erza snorted, "Of course he does. He seems to be a rather disgusting creature." Reminds me a great deal about another little troll back home. Only somehow, Tyrion Lannister has a better sense of personal space.
The thought of Ichiya Kotobuki made a shiver run up Erza's spine. An entire world away and Erza still was terrified of that pig of a man.
"Are you alright?" Jon asked, noticing her shiver.
"Hm? Yes!" Erza recovered quickly, "Totally fine! Not thinking about something from my world or anything like that! Nope! Not at all!"
Jon narrowed his eyes at her, "You're lying."
Erza sighed, "Maybe a little." She folded her arms, "The Imp reminds me of a… comrade back home." She shuddered, "I don't exactly have good things to say about him."
"Ah. So there is someone you fear back home?" Jon teased.
"Hardly!" Erza spat back, "He's just… someone who is very good at getting on my bad side."
"Mmm… sure." Jon nodded before adjusting his coat. The pair saw Lord Stark emerge from the castle and move towards his Horse. Sansa had already gone ahead to sit with Queen Cersei in the queen's wheelhouse. Arya was running along her father's side. Ready to ride with him away from home. Jon took a breath.
"It looks like we're leaving."
Erza nodded, "Aye." She nudged his shoulder, "Ride together one more time?"
Jon gave her surprised look, "After how furious you were with me for going to the Night's Watch, you want to ride alongside me still."
Erza shrugged nonchalantly, "We're friends. Of course I'd want to ride alongside you." Erza moved towards the stables, "Hurry up! I don't want to be in the back of the pack."
Jon's eyes followed her as she walked away. He shook his head. How in the world did he end up making a friend like her? He felt a ball of fur nudge his knee. Jon glanced down and saw the red eyes of his direwolf, Ghost, staring up at him.
"You want me to hurry up and follow her too?"
Ghost nudged his knee again.
Jon shook his head and walked towards the stable. Ghost padded alongside him.
"Clearly you have better instincts about this sort of thing than I do."
….
Gray glanced over at the column far ahead of his own. The King's party. The one's heading back south. He envied them in a way. They were going somewhere much warmer, and safer, than the Wall. He was not worried too much about the cold. He'd be damned if he let the cold get to him and still call himself an Ice Make wizard. Not that anyone else knew that little tidbit about himself in his group of prisoners.
They were a motley group of men compared to the King's party. Instead of Knights in white armor or men at arms bearing the Direwolf, Gray and the other future men of the Night's Watch were clad in rags. Thin rags that barely kept out the cold of the North. Then there was Benjen Stark at the front. He rode his horse tall, his black cloak and leather armor neatly polished. They were riding near the King, so as a representative of the Night's Watch, he had to look his best.
Then there was the strangest addition to their group. A dwarf. He wore rich velvet clothes and a thick fur coat over his small shoulders. His horse was actually a simple pony with a strange saddles strapped over it. The saddle was no doubt made specially for the man. Which gave him an even larger aura of both importance and pomp. The other prisoners scowled at the dwarf, but Gray merely looked at him with curiosity. A curiosity that the little man quickly picked up on.
"If you are wondering, no." The dwarf said to Gray, catching the Raven haired boy off guard, "I'm not joining the Night's Watch."
Gray arched an eyebrow, "How did you know I was going to ask that?"
The dwarf smirked, "It was written all over your face. The rest of this rabble want to gut me for being a rich Lannister. But you, no. You are more interested in who I am individually as well as how I would be an asset to the Watch." The small man nodded his enormous head, "I'd say out of this entire group traveling with us, you will be the one to survive in the end."
"What makes you say that?" Gray asked as he walked alongside the slowly trotting pony.
The dwarf leaned to the side, "Because, I have a talent for reading people, Mr. Gray Fullbuster." Gray gave the dwarf a surprised look, causing the man to smile, "And I also have a talent for doing my research. All these other prisoners are fairly common." He glanced back at them, "Thieves, rapers, poachers, I think I saw a murderer in the dossier as well, but then I saw you. Convicted for assisting a deserter. Rather strange crime I say."
Gray snorted, "You're telling me."
"So you think it's rather unjust as well?"
Gray felt Benjen Stark look back at him. The First Ranger's eyes then returned to the road.
"I'm not sure." Gray answered carefully.
The dwarf grinned, "Ah yes. I'm going to like you." He held out his hand, "Tyrion Lannister."
Gray gripped the dwarf's hand, "Gray Full- wait a minute you already know my name!"
"Ah but this is a much more proper introduction, don't you agree." Tyrion replied, "So Gray Fullbuster, are you from the North?"
Gray hesitantly nodded, "Aye. From the town just outside of Castle Black." He lied.
"Mole's Town?" Tyrion replied with surprise, "Not a lot of children come out of Mole's Town. Certainly not many as intelligent as you obviously are. That place is mostly whore's, harlots, and drunkards." The imp tilted his head to the side, "Maybe a fair amount of children do come from that cesspool now that I think about it. Anyways, I do plan on visiting that town. Perhaps you could point me to the best brothel there?"
Gray's cheeks reddened.
"Or perhaps not." Tyrion shrugged, "You've never had a woman before have you?"
Gray frowned, "No."
"Not even Miss Scarlet?"
Gray frowned turned into a snarl, "You watch your mouth."
Tyrion narrowed his eyes, "I'm not sure if that is a yes or a no."
"It is a firm no!" Gray snapped.
"But a definite wish?"
Gray opened then closed his mouth. He wasn't going to argue with Tyrion on that one. The man seemed to be able to read him like a children's book. No matter how Gray replied, the dwarf was one step ahead of him in the conversation.
"Don't be embarrassed about it, my friend." Tyrion laughed, "We all have first loves. Some attain them. Others well," Tyrion shrugged, "They watch that first love slip away with another."
Both he and Gray looked up the rode to see the King's party coming to a stop at a fork in the road. Gray could see a knight with long red hair near the rear of the King's Party. Beside her was the man Gray assumed was Jon Snow. He had never met the guy, but from how Erza described him, he seemed to fit the bill. A lean young man with black hair, and a dark beard. Although his beard seemed more like stubble to Gray. Perhaps he shaved it recently? Gray frowned as Erza shook her head and smiled at something Jon said.
"I would not get to jealous." Tyrion advised before tapping Gray's shoulder. Gray glanced over to see the dwarf holding small bottle out to him. Tyrion tapped his shoulder again, urging him to take a drink. Gray obliged. He cringed as the burning alcohol ran down his throat.
"Why not?" Gray asked.
"Because Jon Snow is just as fucked as you are my friend." Tyrion replied.
Gray looked up. Jon Snow had turned his horse and was about to ride towards the group when he stopped beside Lord Stark. The pair rode away from the rest of the King's Party for a moment. Both engrossed in a private conversation that even Erza was not allowed to hear.
"Last words between father and son." Tyrion said.
Gray arched an eyebrow. There was a sarcastic wit in Tyrion's words, but for some reason there was also a small amount of… Gray smirked.
"I wouldn't get too jealous." Gray said before tossing the bottle back up to Tyrion.
The dwarf jerked in his saddle, "Well… that has to be the first time someone got the better of me like that." Tyrion then chuckled and chugged his drink, "Ser Benjen!"
"I'm not a Ser, Lord Tyrion." Benjen Stark replied.
"Quite." Tyrion nodded, "I do hope that the men of the Night's Watch have good drink." Tyrion swirled his bottle and frowned, "I seem to be burning through my supply."
"There's ale." Benjen replied. "And that is about it."
Tyrion cringed, "I supposed I shall have to get used to an acquired taste." Tyrion pocketed his bottle then smirked, "And here comes the last member of our party."
Gray looked back up ahead. Jon Snow was spurring his horse towards Benjen Stark. Sprinting alongside Jon Snow, was what looked like a big white dog. Or was it a wolf? Gray wasn't sure but whatever it was, it was big and had some large teeth.
When Jon got to his Uncle, the Bastard of Winterfell shook Benjen's hand.
"Ride alongside the Imp." Gray heard Benjen order his nephew, "I'd prefer to keep the horses in the front. Away from the rest of the rabble."
Jon nodded, "Yes Uncle."
"That's yes sir." Benjen corrected, "I'm not your uncle at the wall. I'm your superior now. Remember that."
Jon gave the man a hesitant nod. Gray rolled his eyes. Were all Stark's so rigid and morbid? He sighed. This was going to be a rough time at the wall if he was supposed to stay close to Jon and Benjen. Then again, if he didn't, Erza would kick his ass for not listening to her.
Yeah… as dull as these Stark's are, I'd prefer life over Erza's form of punishment. Gray shuddered before sighing.
Jon Snow rode up alongside the Tyrion. The pair exchanged nods before the Imp offered Jon his bottle. A gesture the dark haired man declined.
"Very well." Tyrion remarked before looking down at Gray, "He's just as droll as his father isn't he?"
Gray chuckled while Jon gave both him and Tyrion and furious look.
"Oh relax, Jon Snow." Tyrion smirked, "I jest. Someone has to among this band of ne'er do wells and nobodies. I swear, you all act like you are riding to face the headsman's axe." He sipped his bottle, "I can assure you, it's much worse than that. So with that knowledge, laugh a little. Before the cold freezes your lungs at the Wall. That or…" Tyrion glanced back at the criminals still in irons behind him, "before one of your brothers, decides to take that lovely fur coat you have Jon. Is it wolf skin?"
Jon ignored the Imp as their group started forward again. Instead of turning South with the King's party, Benjen directed the group North towards the cold grey skies that lumbered over where the Wall surely sat.
Just as the pair had started up the Kingsroad, Gray, Jon, and Tyrion heard a woman's voice cry out behind them.
"JON SNOW!"
The entire party cast a brief glance back before continuing. But Jon, Tyrion, and Gray paused. Behind them, Erza had stopped riding south. She sat on her horse, facing the trio. She pointed directly at Jon before smiling and raising the index finger on her right hand to the sky.
Gray's eyes widened. That gesture. He knew it anywhere.
Even if I can't see you; no matter how far away you may be; I will always be watching you.
Gray could feel his jaw falling. That was a gesture made between mages of the Fairy Tail guild. A sign between them all that they had each other's backs. That they were never alone.
Did Jon Snow really mean that much to Erza? He looked over at his future brother in black. He seemed confused. Obviously Erza had never told him the significance of such a gesture. He looked over at Tyrion, who seemed just as puzzled yet greatly intrigued by the red haired woman in the distance.
Oh this idiot! Gray thought before he elbowed Jon's leg.
"Hey!"
If he means this much to you Erza, then I'll do my part.
"You better return it." Gray advised Jon.
Jon gave Gray a confused look before he looked back to Erza. Hesitantly, he mimicked her gesture. The smile on Erza's face widened. She lowered her hand, snapped the reigns on her horse, then raced after the King's Party.
Jon lowered his hand as Erza faded into the distance.
"I'm not sure what just happened." He muttered.
"And I'm thoroughly perplexed." Tyrion concurred.
Gray shook his head before turning on his heel, "C'mon, we're falling behind the others."
Jon nodded, turned his horse, and rode north.
I'm back…. Again! I'm so sorry for the wait on a new chapter you guys. Life had been well, life. Nothing like getting smacked around by unforeseen circumstances and such. It's been a hellish past few months. I have not forgotten about this story at all. I've just been soooo busy with a whole lot of shit that I haven't really had the time to just sit down and put this chapter to paper.
I also did take a small break from working on this story just to recharge and regroup. The last thing I want happening is getting burnt out and loosing where I was going with this story. So I bounced over to the original novel I've been working on for what seems like forever. But in the past month, I've actually gotten three chapters of my rough draft written. So yeah, that's where I've been spending my non work, non errand, free time.
Anyways, enough about me. This chapter… I love this chapter. This was so much fun to write. It had me smiling and laughing as I wrote it. Ah….
You all are going to hate me come the end of Season 1….