On a roll, huh? Hope you all enjoy!
Val's pov is a bit risque, so feel free to skip ahead if you like. Also, theres mentions of forced intercourse, so warning for that as well.
Other than that, please enjoy Chapter 44 of Hour of the Wolf
Chapter 44: Sounding of the Bells
Winterfell
Arthur gathered all his family and counsel gathered in the study.
As the King, he supposed there should be a form of Small Council that can handle things when he is unable to. A sigh escaped the Dread Wolf as he relaxed into a chair he still hasn't grown into, even when it's been months.
Honestly, there were too many amongst the North to choose from and yet he was sure he made the right choices.
Greatjon's last uncle, Hother Whoresbane seemed the perfect choice as the new Master at Arms. Greatjon was his first pick but the man showed a desire to return to Last Hearth with his last son.
He made Jon the Castellan, Sansa was given the Stewardship, Dacey asked and was given the position as the Captain of Winterfell's guards with Lady Maege and her two other daughters returning to Bear Island soon and Maester Wolkan is his reluctant advisor.
Mance and Val fill the spots as emissaries between the North and Free Folk.
Arya asked him what she was, he took her, Ashara and Edric, and the new arrival in Allyria as advisors on his council.
Temporary is all, when Arya becomes of age, he has plans of making her the commander at Moat Cailin and perhaps the beginning of the fourth branch of House Stark. Hopefully, it doesn't end up like the Greystarks, the thought was harmless but true nonetheless.
House Greystark of Wolf's Den began five centuries ago, after the reign of Jon Stark and its last Lord presumed to join the Dreadfort in rebellion, it was crushed and the House was slaughtered.
Supposedly, there were small branches in Barrowton and White Harbor but they've since vanished with time.
House Stark of Moat Cailin will be a shield for the North, Arya doesn't intend to marry so the title of Lord of the Moat will go to another.
"Alright, this is our first meeting since the reunification of the North. What matters should be spoken of, first?" He asked around and Wolkan spoke up first.
"A white raven arrived from the Citadel, King Arthur. The seasons are changing in the South as it already has in the North." Winter is here, another reason to not march to war and gather their strength and recuperate from their losses.
"We've done what we could, the most we can hope is that the food lasts five years but no more." And what Jon and Mance speak about, that could be troubling for them all.
The South is a threat, that much is clear but this Night King and the undead beyond the Wall is the problem that needs to be solved now, before getting the rest of the Lannisters in King's Landing.
"Brother, you said that you have a solution to the Night King. Tell us." He and Jon nervously stood from his seat, looking at everyone around before speaking.
"At Hardhome, we were caught off guard by the White Walkers and Wights. I encountered and fought one, in that slaughter I found out Valyrian steel is as effective at Dragonglass but fire is also a weapon to use." Everyone paid attention to what Jon was saying, seeing his kin unfold a map of Westeros.
"There are few places to find this material, Dragonstone comes to mind but there is another, closer option... Skagos." That's right, Arthur straightened up in his seat. "We mine this, make arrowheads and spear tips." Mance thought it was a good idea, he nodded and will send men after today.
"Can we get a hundred unicorns for mounts?" Arya's request made this serious session humorous, it made him think about riding one of those creatures into battle.
A cavalry of unicorns sounds awfully terrifying, to be honest.
Jon wasn't finished, he watched his cousin place a stone on Dragonstone. "Fire is also what we need, and I figured out the best way to get the most fire for the wars ahead." Hother was puzzled by the statement, demanding Jon to be clearer. "Daenerys Targaryen lies across the Narrow Sea, she has three dragons and an army of thousands. She just needs the ships to bring them here." With that, Jon lost him and along with many others.
"Her father murdered our grandfather and uncle, her brother raped and murdered our aunt and you would have us bring her back to the North?" Sansa questioned Jon's suggestion, Arya looked at him along with Ashara to get his input.
Thinking about what he knows now, it seems appropriate if done in the right way, his way.
Jon is the heir to the Iron Throne, the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. If anything, he has a stronger claim to the crown than his aunt. Arthur thought when he rose from his seat.
"We shall deliberate on supporting the return of House Targaryen another day, but we shall act swiftly in making weapons from Skagos. I shall call Howland Reed to go and speak with Lord Magnar, Crowl, and Stane." With that, everyone was dismissed and he took Jon's arm to hold him back from leaving.
He made sure they were alone, then spoke truthfully as an idea emerged into his mind.
"You are right, we need the men and dragons won't just come in handy against the dead but against the Cersei Lannister." He began and Jon eyed him a little suspiciously, "My wedding, tonight, I would have you at my side... That means you need to cut that hair, Jon." The White Wolf, as the Free Folk started calling Jon when he was resurrected.
"My hair is fine, thanks." That's what he thinks, Arthur ruffled his hand through Jon's shaggy dark hair and his cousin whipped his hand away and playfully shoved him slightly. "I know your heart is still clung to your wife, but this is the right decision, brother." He knows that, it's all for peace and so far he's become fond of Val.
Mya will always have a piece of his heart, yet he cannot let it hinder his goal of protecting his people and defend his Realm.
"Let the dead rest, Jon, we have celebrating to do. Huh?" He and his cousin laughed while leaving the room, taking a stroll out toward the hall.
Sansa's smile and determination on making this day the greatest was surprising, especially when just a few years ago she wouldn't have even thought about doing anything for him or Jon.
It was further proof that time changes people, he's glad his sister has had a positive change.
The smallfolk of Winter Town and Winterfell were setting up the castle for a feast, Mance had a group of handpicked men and women from the Gift coming with Wun Wun and a mammoth to slaughter for meat as to not drain their own food stores.
He was grateful, they would all be family under this roof by the end of midnight.
Ashara
Ashara stifled a laugh, she and her sister watched Sansa trying to fix Arya's hair to which the She-Wolf was resisting the entire way through this.
Allyria was thin, very thin from her voyage from Starfall.
When she and her little sister reunited, she was ashamed to say that it wasn't what she'd imagined them seeing one another again. Allyria was angry, at first, she even slapped her across the face for leaving and making them think she was dead.
Then the fact she stole Dawn came into the conversation, she had fired back that she was holding it for the one who was worthy of it or else someone like Gerold would have seized it for himself.
Allyria still held a betrayed face, it went away when she saw Edric and finally met her nephew, no, nephews as Jon still wasn't informed about where his blood originates.
"Sister?" She called and her little sister ignored her, "How long should I apologize for leaving, it's what I needed after Arthur... "
"Don't bring our brother into this, Ashara, it's an excuse and you know it." Arya and Sansa turned to them at the sound of their conversation, Allyria smiled and rose from her seat and bowed. "I am sorry, Princesses. I am still weary from the long journey." Sansa excused her sister and she hesitated to speak as her sister left, eventually letting it go for now.
Sansa was having some trouble, she offered her assistance and finished Arya's hair then looking at her through the mirror.
"You look stunning, Princess. Though, I suspect you'll be dressing as a warrior for the night but I implore you to at least wear something a little comfortable." She said and Sansa backed her up, Arya said she'd wear a skirt but a tunic with it.
It was all she wanted to hear from the girl who ran to practice, Sansa tried to stop her but eventually give up half-way.
Now it was Sansa's turn, she began a conversation while she was grooming the girl for the night. "There will be several men here, tonight. A great many are Lords and Lordlings, you might fancy one of them." Sansa pondered what she said in suggestion.
"I don't think I want to marry anyone, not after Joffrey... Or how Lord Baelish treated me." Gods, this child has gone through so much pain and suffering these past many years, before the wars began.
This girl should have not to fear anything, especially not a good prospect for marriage and to start a family.
"If that's what you want, then stay next to me during the night and you'll be safe." Safe, a word to warn her as the Wildlings who had arrived for the wedding, there will be too many of them out there.
It's not that she doesn't trust them, she very much agrees to have them be an extra force to defend the North. Tormund, Mance, Val, and the three women who watch over Mance's son, she has gotten to know them and somewhat believes that they mean well.
The rest? She is doubtful they would have agreed to bend to Arthur's will if Mance had perished during the Battle of the Wall.
Mya
The Eyrie hasn't been this lively since she's arrived, she was seated with Robert Arryn at the high table and overlooking the rest of the room which was full of Lords and Ladies that support her intended, well, more or less supports Lyonel.
"Are we going to sleep together?" She was a little caught off-guard by Robert's question, she sipped from her wine nervously.
It was a question she wondered herself, the child is nine, ten at best so it would be wrong to use him in such a manner. Lyonel said they would share the same bed but nothing more after that, not until the young Lord of the Vale has grown.
Setting down her cup, she reached over and caressed the sickly boy's cheek... As a mother would her own child.
A child, she feared even giving herself the opportunity to conceive another infant, another son.
"We are, it will be as if you were sleeping beside your mother for comfort, that is all little Robin." Robin, she can't stomach to call the child by his given name.
He isn't a Robert, her father made that name great, and as cold as it sounds, she would have Robert earn that privilege to be called what he was named.
Her selfish imaginings thought of Robert Arryn fighting Jaime Lannister and winning, of the Valemen and their Knights crushing the Westerlands and usurpers forces.
Those ideas seem lost, it will never happen no matter if Robert grew to manhood or not, that illness he has will always hold him back. A commander needs to lead the Vale if a war against House Lannister is to succeed. She thought and looked at the little boy.
The child seemed to be happy, at least. "My mother would hold me in times I would have a headache, can you sing to me?" She was asked and she smiled, nodding to his request which brightened the child's small smile.
Lord Robin would have asked another of her, then a gentleman walked up to the table and bowed. "My congratulations, Lord Arryn, and his first bride, Mya Stone."
The man was handsome, not a dark handsome that Arthur is but someone compared to Loras Tyrell. He has sandy hair, deep blue eyes, and dimples when he smiled at her, straight as a lance, clean-limbed, and hard with muscle despite the blue and white doublet he was wearing.
"I am sorry, Ser, I do not know your name." She tried to be kind, still surprised by his appearance.
Lyonel stood from his seat not far from her or Robert to make introductions, standing beside the man. "Mya, allow me to introduce to you Lord Harrold, Head of House Hardying... He is also a claimant to the Vale, depending on who you ask." Harrold Hardying, he laughed as if Lyonel told the most humorous jest in the Seven Kingdoms.
"I never tire of your petty insults, Lyonel... Pray you never make them your legacy." She noticed how Lord Corbray scoffed and put his arse back in his seat, she wondered why and it quickly dawned on her.
Harrold Hardying, if his blood does contest against Roberts makes him more of a threat than that of House Waynwood.
"Might I ask of the new Lady Arryn a dance, my Lord?" Robert didn't know what to tell the man, she honestly saw fear in the child's eyes before she was given leave to dance with the Lord Hardying.
Harrold stretched out his hand and escorted her to the floor where a great many were dancing, she didn't feel at all uncomfortable but kept a watchful eye on the handsome Lordling while they tapped to the rhythm the bards were playing.
The minstrels were magnificent in their tunes, the one named Marillion is managing all of them well. Harrold lowered his hand a little past her waist which ripped away her attention from the music.
"My kin is very ill, as you now know." Yes, she does understand that. "He's most likely not making it past the year, or winter for that matter." He's stated while whispering in her ear.
"I don't see where you might be taking this, my Lord?" She questioned and he grinned and leaned in closer, breathing on her nape just slightly.
"This night isn't just you and cousin Robin's wedding, it's also the night you will conceive a child... From me." She shocked by such words coming from him, Mya went to tear away but Harrold held on to her hand and waist. "This is for the bloodline, to anyone else this child is Roberts. No question about that, I am just aiding in the Kingdoms stability and then I shall go home to Gulltown." To him, it's just an obligation- A duty to sire a bastard on his lieges first wife.
Mya was now uncertain about this, she had no intention of bedding anyone and would have let Robert die of illness before taking control but now this Harrold and the true intentions of this wedding? She is a bit confused as to what to do.
"I understand this is a little frightening, I am not Arthur and I don't intend to make love to you as he had. I shall hump you and fill you with seed, I'll be quick and surely within time you will show signs of being with child." How can he speak in such a vulgar and cheerful way, she felt a little sick about how she thought he was handsome when he approached.
More proof that the Vale has changed since Lord Jon Arryn ruled, even after he married Lysa Tully.
The 'new' Lady Arryn is already beginning to hate it here, hoping tonight will end soon and a better tomorrow will begin.
The minstrel ended his song, the cups were raised and she and her 'husband' were taken to their chambers. She was taken in first, then snuck through a secret passage to the next room where Harrold was waiting for her and undressed other than his trousers.
A long and ponderous moment swam through her mind, she wished it was Arthur here and she wished this wasn't happening at all.
Slinking out of her sleeping gown, her bodice being visible to Harrold's lustful blue eyes. She nervously strode over, sitting down on the bed and lying on her back while closing her eyes to imagine another man loosening his pants and cried slightly when she felt Harrold's manhood entering her body.
Lord Hardying kept his word, at least. Not but a few minutes passed, then he was done and out the door soon after.
It really mattered not, she still sobbed, a cry to lull herself to sleep while holding on to the prospect that tomorrow will be better than it was just moments ago.
Her last image was that of the Dread Wolf, her now-former husband.
Val
The Godswood was quiet, Val noticed as she and Mance made their way down the path toward the weirwood tree.
Tonight was peculiar, her people's never had such strict traditions when it came to marriage between a man and a woman. Mance actually dressed in his best clothes, shaved, and groomed his hair as she had done too.
Perhaps from a time before the Wall, before the Crows, and before the White Walkers that the First Men held such things.
But not anymore and she is still surprised by all of this, and when she saw Arthur with his brother standing at his side. She'll admit he looks better with a shaved face than a beard, or what he'd call a beard.
She paid little attention to Jon Snow, the Free Folk Queen still held some doubt and mistrust since King Crow was brought back from the Gods grasp by that Red Witch.
Howland Reed stood in as a priest, none were available besides that of Andal blood. "Who comes before the Old Gods this night?" Howland asked her and Mance, her King brother stepped forward with a proud look.
"Val, of the Free Folk. Fiery in spirit, and loyal and fervent in her word has come to be wed." She stepped forward, eyeing Arthur. "Who comes to claim her?" Mance asked and her soon to be stepped forward as well.
"Arthur Stark of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and King of the North and Trident." Some of the Northmen echoed the title, causing some amongst her people to be confused. "Who gives her?" Arthur asked Mance who answered swiftly.
"Mance Rayder, King Beyond the Wall and Leader of the Free Folk." Howland then asked her if she was willing to take this man as her husband, she nodded and the ceremony ended shortly thereafter which everyone returned to the great hall for a feast.
It was a spectacle if that is the word some of these Southern girls say, Arthur shared only three cups with Mance, then Tormund, and even met Wun Wun for the first time. She was sure the Dread Wolf was slightly afraid, yet she wouldn't call him out about it.
Suddenly while she was talking with Maege Mormont, Jon called and asked if it was time for the bedding ceremony. She nearly yelped, when Arthur came up from behind and hoisted her on his shoulder. She playfully kicked and screamed, all the while that the men in the hall began singing some song about a bear and a maiden, she didn't understand it.
A Stark guard opened the chamber door that led to their room for the night, it was there that Arthur plopped her on the bed.
The Free Folk woman had a mind to throw a cup at him, he jested and laughed at her. "I thought it better this way, Val the Princess. Your culture tells that if a man wants his woman, he takes her and that's what I did." She supposed that was correct.
There were a few moments of silence, the two of them stood and shared a cup of ale to calm the nerves as he said.
She had no nerves, this was common, and she was prepared for this moment. "King Wolf." She uttered with a husky voice, setting their cups down and pushing Arthur step by step backward until he fell back on the bed.
Val loosened her dress, he helped a little while feeling her waist and thighs.
He was excited, she noticed from the bump between his legs. "You might want to undress, I won't be your servant." She told and he quickly did away with his shirt, trousers, and boots.
They were soon both naked as the day they were born, the only exception was that Arthur had already seen her once.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't waiting for this, since that night at the river." She climbed on top of him while he talked, straddling him and feeling all of the cuts across his chest and on his arms and one on his neck. "You are beautiful, Val, a proud and commanding woman." She did enjoy the praise, if she was being honest.
"You're a talker, aren't you?" She asked and kissed his nape, he moaned and placed his hands on her thighs as she allowed him to enter her.
It wasn't her first time, she was once young and stupid with her body that she gave herself to one of her sister's friends. This man went on and on about how she was his, she'd deny him every time and once even Mance threatened the fool.
When she lost her, 'maidenhead' as that red-haired Princess mentioned. It was an emotionless night, nothing like right now, and was very rough that she only felt sore but no pleasure.
Arthur let her take control, she allowed him to feel her as she did to him. It was right, it FELT right to be here and with him.
In a surprise move, the Dread Wolf took her and put her on her back and began thrusting with speed. She locked her legs to keep him closer, and when it came time for them both to finish, she pulled him and placed her lips to his. She felt his seed enter her belly, it sent her over the edge and the two fell into a relaxed rest.
She was made a wife, a Queen of the North... Hmm, the title fits her well.
A Month Later
Castle Black
"What do you mean there is someone out there?"
The new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Edd Tollett followed First Ranger Alliser Thorne through a reopened tunnel that led to the other side of the Wall.
From above, the horns for returning Rangers were sounded and they needed to see if it really was a returning brother or a trick by the Night King.
Thirty men with new weapons fashioned from dragonscale, a gift from the King in the North, and his new Queen.
"Be ready men, we don't know what's out there." He told the men, nodding for the Free Folk warrior and a Brother to raise the gate that protected the Realm for thousands of years.
What awaited them had shocked the Night's Watch, shocked Edd who looked before him to see not Ranger, nor a Wildling or even a Wight or White Walker.
It was a woman, dragging a crippled boy and beside them was a wolf the size of a horse. Looking past them, he caught sight of a cloaked warrior on a horse who retreated back into the Haunted Forest.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked and the girl stepped forth, exhausted and tired.
"I am Meera Reed, this is Brandon Stark of Winterfell." It was hard to believe, even with what Jon and his brother described of their siblings.
"How do I know that's true?" He had to ask, it's a part of his duties as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
The boy looked at him with melancholy, "You were at the Fist of the First Men. You were at Hardhome. You've seen the Night King with Jon, the Army of the Dead. They are coming for us, for all of us." That was enough for him to hear, he turned to Alliser and the others.
"Come on, let's get them inside and then reseal the tunnel. There's nothing out there for us to range for, not anymore."
He wrote and sent the raven himself, watching it fly South for Winterfell, and in that meantime, he would find out how Bran Stark knows about the Night King and his army.
AN: Tadah! Bran makes his arrival, I did the timeskip as I feel there wouldn't have been much to progress other than relationships between everyone. I still hope you all have enjoyed this chapter. Good news, we have passed The Falcon Flies High's word count and soon will be beyond it in chapters.
Guest 3, It seems you took my words out of context, I was trying to sound tired and the comment has nothing to do with the story.
Guest 2, Jaime did say that and in a way it's true, that's why the scene that transpired had happened in this chapter.
Silver Crow, Arthur will have words and more to say when he sees them again. Probably not the Seven K's as that was what Lyonel believes, there will be some discussion in future chapters. ArthurXDany is a stretch, they'll at best be friends/fellow monarchs and oh yes, he's definitely not gonna choke like Jon as he has a wife and honor being honor and all.
Until next time, this has been Hail King Cerion and I will catch you all in Chapter 45. Where we see a lot of tense things going down along with fluffy things between Arthur and Val plus many reunions and heartbreaks.
