A/N- so there was a bit of an issue when i out this up the first time, very sorry for that im not sure why it happened, i hope this time its worked better :)


-DAVOS-

Seeing the port city's white walls after the weeks and months Davos had spent at sea and on Skagos was almost enough to reduce him to tears. White Harbor was much quieter than it had been when they had left, and a thick layer of snow covering the city and all that surrounded it made the place seem to glow even brighter.

They were greeted by a secret party of Lord Wyman's at the harbor and taken down a hidden alley towards an inn. They had had to leave the wolf on the boat for obvious reasons but would return for it as soon as they could.

When they finally reached the inn they were taken to an upstairs room and told to wait quietly until the Manderly's arrived. Rickon, of course, found this task somewhat harder than everyone else.

"When can we bring Shaggy out?" He asked for the fifth time. "He doesn't like being locked up."

"I know m'lord, but we can't bring a giant direwolf through the streets of white harbor in broad daylight. It'd raise too many questions, and besides, by the sounds of it your wolf would probably end up heating half the people he saw." Davos explained once more.

"He would not!" Rickon replied, indignantly. "He only eats people who threaten me!"

"Shh, can you two keep it down?" Rennock hissed from where he sat slouched against the wall. "The rooms here don't have much to separate them and I don't think you want these folk hearing you's."

"No, you're right we don't."

Davos felt a great deal of guilt for what had befallen his guide and companion. The bite he had taken to the arm had not been properly cleaned or taken care of and it was making the man slower in body and mind. I will take him to the maester soon as Lord Manderly arrives.

That was when they heard the door open, but it was not Lord Wyman that entered by his daughter, the one with the green hair. She had the boy with her, Wex, the one who had told them all of Bran and Rickon's survival.

"Who are you?" Rickon demanded the second they stepped through the door.

"I am Wylla Manderly," Lady Wylla turned to Wex "is that him?"

The boy stepped forwards to get a closer look at Rickon. Davos considered telling them that this child was unmistakably Rickon Stark and the wolf on the boat was more than enough proof of that. They won't listen, these high Lords and Lady's won't believe a word that comes out of another souls mouth, not unless they own that mouth.

Wex turned back to Wylla and nodded. "I know you!" Rickon piped up again. "You were with Theon! You were his squire, how did you escape?"

"He hid," Wylla answered for the mute "in the heart tree at Winterfell, that is how he saw you and your brother Bran had survived."

"My lady," Davos interrupted before Rickon could say any more "my guide and companion, Rennock, suffered serious injury during our time in Skagos. He will need to see a maester."

Lady Wylla looked to the man on the floor and scowled. "What happened to you Ser?" She asked.

"The lads wolf took a chunk out o' ma shoulder." The Crowl growled.

"I should like to meet this wolf," lady Wylla smirked "but in the meantime I'm sure Ser Davos will not object to taking you to see are maester." She turned now to Davos "I believe you know the way."

It was a clear dismissal, but Davos was not sure how he felt about leaving. The girl seemed loyal enough to the Starks, but she owed no allegiance to either Stannis or Davos. "I'd tear her stay with the boy, if that's all well with you my lady."

She scowled again "I'll do no harm to him, my grandfather wants him protected at all costs. You needn't be suspicious of us Lord Davos, whatever ill we think of Stannis, we think far worse of the Bolton. But if it will ease your mind, we can all travel to the Wolf's Den together." Wylla saw the look of confusion on Davos face. "My sister and I thought it wise not to meet in New Caste where all could see. Besides, where else would we hide a wolf but in the Wolf's Den?"

Davos smiled at that, reassured slightly by the girls words. "Thank you my lady."

Once they had collected Shaggydog from the boat and arrived in the wolf's den and sent Rennock to the maester, the real business began.

"My father has received word from his father, Lord Wyman," Wylla began "grandfather has been sent by Roose Bolton to confront the Lord Stannis along with the Freys. Grandfather shan't next doing that. He will turn on the Freys as soon as they reach Stannis and explain to the King what good work you, Lord Davos, have been doing for us."

"And the lad," Davos asked, the wolf growled slightly from his seat at the back of the cell "where will he go now?"

"We're sending the both of you to the Nightfort. That is where Queen Selyse and the Princess Shireen will be, am I correct?"

"That you are, my lady."

"Well then," Wylla stood to leave "you ride at dawn. I do not trust Eastwatch so you must ride all the way. I will have provisions readied for you. Until then, make as little noise as possible." Then she bowed. "Welcome home, your grace. The North Remembers."


-ASHA III-

I'll have to leave the girl. There's no other way. Asha had been thinking of every possible option since the former Lord Commander had left the Wall. Some members of the Watch and the Queensmen suggested Queen Selyse should send men to find him, but they were swiftly overruled by the wildling Val and Selyse agreed to leave the boy alone.

Asha knew now that part of the reason they let the boy go so easily was that Selyse felt vulnerable at Castle Black now that her Red Woman was gone, and was loath to part with any of her knights. She had never said as much, but Asha could tell from how she her daughter close by her at all times, and was never seen less that ten guards at her side. She kept Jeyne close to her as well, and far away from Asha. The Greyjoy knew that it had been Jon Snow who had kept them at the Wall, the rest of the Watch were likely to sell them out to the Bolton's the first chance they got, and Asha had heard all about this "pink letter" the Bastard of Bolton had sent.

The increased security around Jeyne, along with the constant prying eyes of the the black brothers, Queensmen, and wildlings, was making any chance of Asha taking Jeyne away impossible. Escaping on her own would be child's play in comparison, all she need do was wait for Theon, steal some horses and ride as hard and as fast as they could for as long as they could. Once they reached the Stony Shore they would find a boat and sail straight back to the Iron Islands.

Asha had been planning this for weeks. She had stolen food and supplies every chance she got, this included occasionally taking dirks and daggers from unassuming guardsmen. If her and Theon were to get away without anyone knowing they could be beyond Stannis' grasp in no time and Selyse would be powerless to stop them.

She was still pacing her room, thinking of all the things they would have to do once they got back home, when a nick came at the door.

"Come in." She called.

"M'lady," a short man dressed all in black stood at the door, he was one of the men in charge of keeping her in her room "Queen Selyse has requested a meeting with you."

"Well let's not keep her waiting." Asha stood and exited the room.

She was surprised when she arrived in the Queens rooms, to find no trace of either the Princess Shireen or Jeyne.

"Your grace," Asha gave a small, slightly ironic, bow "you asked to see me?"

"I did," Selyse replied, curt as usual "I have some questions for you."

Asha felt her heartbeat quicken. "By all means, ask away."

"When you arrived you told me that Stannis was alive, that he was camped at a Crofters village waiting before he could make his move on the Bolton's, that is correct?" Selyse asked.

"Aye, but I haven't a clue what happened next."

Selyse pulled a letter from her pocket, a pink letter. "This was sent to us, from Ramsey Snow. It was sent to the Lord commander, his response to it was what got him killed. It states that the Bolton's army has already defeated Stannis, can you explain to me why I have two different reports of my husbands current whereabouts."

"I'm afraid I can't."

"If I believe you, then god letter is a lie likely intended to bring me and my daughter to Winterfell so that Roose Bolton can draw Stannis out into the open. If I believe the letter, then you could well have been sent here by the Bolton's to deliver myself and my daughter to Winterfell to be executed."

"Why would I do that?" Asha snapped. "I don't owe the Bolton's anything, Ramsey snow tortured my little brother for months. I am the last person in Westeros who would ever give them help with anything. And surely the men escorting us to you were proof enough that Stannis sent us."

"Even if I believed you about your brother, how do I know you aren't here for some deal with the Bolton's to release him. And I do not recognise your men, they aren't my husbands knights, they could be anyone dressed in Baratheon armour."

"But the aren't," Asha sighed "they're Stannis' men, he sent me and Arya here, he is still alive and he will attack the Bolton's when the snows clear."

"Why is it that Arya Stark seems to be a mute?" Selyse asked finally, giving her usual cold stare, Asha had known she would have to answer that question soon enough, Jeyne's ability to cope with others had not improved since they arrived at the Wall. "I would assume the daughter of a Lord would know how to correctly converse with others, but this girl seems incapable of speaking freely with anyone other than my daughter Shireen."

"You know who she was married too, Bolton's Bastard did unspeakable things to that girl." It was the most believable response. "She suffered more than anyone her age should have, its understandable that she's not the most talkative."

"That is understandable I suppose." Selyse allowed. "But why then, has Jon Snow left his beloved little sister at the Wall while he rides off to Lord only knows where."

"I can't speak for the lads actions, you'd best ask Princess Val if you want to know his reasons." Asha had developed a modicum of respect for the wildling woman during her time at the Wall. Selyse had wanted the Greyjoy as far away from Arya and Shireen as physically possible, so she had rooms prepared for Asha in Hardins Tower. This meant the three people she saw the most were Val and her nephew, Val had been sure to kept the babe close to her since the former Lord Commander left. The other person she saw was the wildling girl Ereine, the warg as Selyse would refer to her.

"But you understand I find it suspicious for a man to leave his half sister with a group of strangers after the hell she has been through?" Selyse was fiddling with the sleeve of her dress, pulling at a long thread as she spoke.

"Aye, I would," Asha replied "had I not just left my own little brother with a man who is a stranger to him, after the hell that Ramsey Snow put him through. This is war, I have very little choice in what happens to me or Theon. Perhaps the Stark bastard felt the same, he was murdered here, I think anyone would understand why he would feel as if he cannot stay. And you wish to keep Arya close to you, as your husband wishes to keep Theon close to him. Neither Jon nor myself could take our siblings with us when we left. That is the way of war."

Asha knew she had won the argument. Selyse had nothing more to say and dismissed her. Little does the old crone know my brother shan't be her husbands prisoner for much longer, he's likely already on his way here. She can keep her "Stark girl" though, apparently only Jon Snow and my brother could tell her true identity, and the bastard hardly seems to care what happens with Jeyne. So let Stannis make her Lady of Winterfell, and mayhaps she'll find some happiness once all this is done.

When she approached Hardins Tower, she noticed two other sets of footprints in the snow leading up to the door. Asha checked her knife was still where she had hidden, it up her sleeve, a little trick she had learned from Ereine. She edged her way into the tower, stepping lightly so as not to let the stairs freak beneath her.

The door to her room was ajar. Inside she could not see anyone, but there was snow on the floor from a pair of boots, it could not have been there long else it would have melted. Asha braces herself and opened the door.

Inside stood Val, and Theon.


-VAL III-

Since Jon had left, Val had been granted more freedom around Castle Black. Not so surprising really, it's anyone's guess that Jon offered to take me with him when he left, they know I chose to stay, they know I won't leave now.

Val used her freedom now. After giving the little monster over to the wetnurse, she wrapped herself in her cloak and braved herself as she opened the door and stepped out into the cold. She had no particular destination in mind, she simply wanted to walk on her own for a while.

After half an hour of wondering aimlessly around the Castle, thinking what was coming and wondering if the living could ever truly be ready for them, Val heard a familiar voice and followed it.

"Don't look at me like that," the girl muttered "it's not my fault, you know i'd move you somewhere else if I could."

Val rounded the corner of the stables and came face to face with Ereine.

"Who are you talking to?" Val asked, folding her arms and leaning against the wall.

"Them of course." The girl gestured into the stable, Val peered over to see the two shadowcats, Wraith and Shade, pacing around their lot. "They don't like it in there. It's too close to the boar."

Boroq's boar snorted from the lot next to the cats. "Ghost didn't like the boar either, are there no other lots free?"

"No." Ereine grumbled, kicking at the snow. "They're all needed. But I don't see why I can't just keep 'em with me. They wouldn't cause no trouble, I can control 'em well enough. Your Queen said they only had to stay here cos the wolf didn't like 'em, the wolf's gone now, why can't I just let 'em out? Your Lord Commander even gave me a Key!" She said, slightly mockingly as she held up the key.

"Because the southerners are scared of anything they don't understand, and warning is hard to understand even for the free folk. So I'd hide that key for when it's needed." Val paused as the girl stayed silent. "I don't claim to be an expert, but you must be a pretty strong warg; you've got two animals."

Ereine hesitated a moment before speaking, keeping her eyes fixed on the cats, never looking Val in the eye. "They aren't both mine."

"What?"

"Wraith is mine," she explained "Shade is my brother's."

"I didn't know you had a brother." The girl had never even mentioned her family before now, so Val had assumed they were dead.

"Aye, I had lots. Then Mance went to war." The girl finally turned to face Val, holding her gaze and never once flinching. "I had sisters too. They went to attack the Wall, and they were cut down by your Southern King and his men. I would have been there with them, but they told me and Marick to stay back, to watch the bairns. We did that, and when the fighters came running and told us what had happened we fled to Hardhome."

"How many of you survived." Val asked quietly.

Ereine turned back to the cats. "Me."

Val needed no further explanation, she left the girl to talk to her cats and made her way back towards Hardins. The Greyjoy woman was speaking to the Queen, she knew, so she would have the place to herself. I wouldn't mind the woman's company, but I've heard all about her kind from Jon, and I'm not like to trust her any time soon.

Suddenly, Val saw something that made her stop in her tracks. A man, limping out of the woods and quickly making his way towards Castle Black. When he reached the Castle he stayed close to the buildings, being careful to stay in the shadows. He was moving slowly towards Hardins Tower, but even at his speed he would still arrive there before Val, the boy, she thought desperately as she moved after the man, practically running.

She watched as he opened the door and entered, and though she was across the threshold mere moments later, the limping man was already on the stairs, she could hear. She ran after him and cornered him as they reached a bend, pinning him against a wall.

He was an old man, it seemed to Val, with hollow eyes, gaunt cheeks and very few teeth left. His hair was white and wispy.

"Who are you?" Val hissed.

"I-I.. no-n-n, no one." He stuttered through his broken teeth. "I'm l-looking for l-l-lady Greyjoy."

Something in Val's mind finally tweaked and she realised. "You're Asha's brother, Theon."

The man gulped and looked conflicted, she wasn't sure if he would even answer, but he did. "Yes, I am Theon Greyjoy. Where is Asha?"

"With the Queen." Val let go of him, he did not seem to be armed and he was hardly a threat to her. "Come, I'll take you to her room."

Val kicked her boots on the side of the door to shake off the snow as she entered Asha's room. The woman was clearly still with the Queen, but Val had her own questions for Theon.

"Why are you here, I heard Stannis had you prisoner?" Val demanded, folding her arms.

"I'll tell you that when you tell me who you are." Theon replied. Val snorted, he was in no position to be making demands, mayhaps it's only fair tho, I know his after all.

Val sighed impatiently. "I'm Val, my sister Dalla was Mance Raiders wife. Now tell me why you're here."

"I escaped from Stannis. He was going to execute me." Theon replied.

He opened his mouth to say more, but Val silenced him. She heard the door opening below them. Listening intently she could only just make out the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. Val was sure it was only Asha returning, though the Greyjoy woman was never normally so quiet.

The door opened, and Asha walked in. Val and Theon stood staring at her, suddenly speechless and frozen to the spot, but Asha did not hesitate. She ran at Val and pulled a knife from her sleeve, Val dodged to the side and pulled her own knife, which she had stolen from a guard a few days ago. The two woman stood staring at each other, Asha standing directly between Val and Theon.

"If you even think about telling anyone what you've seen I'll cut your throat." Asha hissed, taking a step forward.

"Oh please, do try, life at the Wall has been so boring." Val smirked.

"Val, you're a fair woman and I know you bear no love for Stannis," Asha coaxed "put your knife down and help us out. They've given you freedom to roam the Castle now haven't they? No one would stop you, all you need do is distract a Crow or two while we get the horses."

Val snorted, but slowly she lowered her knife and, to her relief, Asha did the same. "I shan't help you Greyjoy." She shot Theon a look. After all she had heard of the man, she felt slightly disappointed. She had expected someone far more impressive, both physically and mentally, for this man looked as if he might crumble apart in a strong enough wind. To her own great surprise, Val found herself feeling pity for the man. "But I won't stand in your way either. By the looks of it, he's been punished enough for his crimes."

It had not been said in a cruel way, but the words sent Asha into a rage. "And what crimes would those be? Loyalty to his house? Rescuing a friend from the Bolton's?" Her knife was back in hand, so was Val's.

"He may not have killed Jon's brothers but he still betrayed his king." Val retorted. "A man he swore himself to and a man who considered him a brother. Even beyond the Wall we value family, and loyalty to those who are loyal to us."

Asha opened her mouth and began to lunge at Val, but Theon grabbed his sister by the arm and spun her around to face him. "She's right, Asha."

Asha looked stunned. "No, Theon…"

"I did deserve it, maybe not all of it, but most of it." He turned and locked eyes with Val. "But I've pain for my crimes, and the Old Gods themselves agree."

"If you won't help us, but you won't stop us, then I trust also that you won't help Selyse come after us." Asha asked, calming down slightly.

"No, I won't." Val shook her head.

"Good. This is farewell, Princess Val." Asha gave a mocking bow.

"And you, Lady Greyjoy." Val returned the bow and saw a small smirk spread across the other woman's cheeks. "One thing you should know, before you go."

"What's that?" Asha asked, stopping by the door.

"The stables are locked, but all the lots use the same key." Now it was Val's turn to smirk. "The girl, Ereine, she has a key. She'll give you it, for a price. So be ready to give her something when you get there."

"We will." The Greyjoy's nodded, and then, silent as Theon had arrived, they were both gone.