Author's Note: Just a boring aftermath chapter.

8: Wolf at the Door

Eddard did not leave the window of his solar after his son had been dragged off. At his side was an angry Robb, pacing back and forth, asking for any sign of their return every five or ten minutes after he had arrived.

Part of his anger stemmed from his own mother after the queen had led her out. He had overheard her, apparently, talking about the torturous means to deliver his half-brother to the Silver Hand. And Catelyn had not cared if 'the bastard' was dragged across the ground, or drawn and quartered by that point. She wanted her son back, and wanted him now, but could not fathom why her husband would not make the sacrifice of Jon.

That was when Robb had made his presence known to her. He had not raised his voice, nor had he been rude in front of the queen, but Robb knew that the words he had spoken had an effect on her.

"Your words shame the North."

After that, he had gone to join his father to avoid her. "Anything, yet?"

His father shook his head, "Still nothing," he sighed, sounding just as anxious as Robb felt. His fist struck the wall, "I never should have let him go!"

"What choice did you have?" Robb asked, "I'd've done the same thing!"

Eddard sighed, "As would I," he sighed, "Your mother's going to be furious with me for a while, I'm afraid."

Robb frowned at the mention of his mother, "I don't care," he shook his head, "She's going to have to face the fact that we all love Jon. She basically just wished death on him while I was in earshot."

His father looked at him sharply. "Did she?"

"She condoned his torture," Robb said, "Isn't that enough?"

Eddard frowned, "More than enough." He sighed, "You know that Robert has asked that I be his new Hand, don't you?"

"It was an obvious choice knowing how close you two were as boys." Robb nodded, "Do you not want the position?"

"Truthfully, no," Eddard said, "But...I think I will need some time away from your mother..."

Robb nodded in understanding. "Who will you leave as the Warden of the North?"

Eddard smiled, "I'm going to ask the king to release my brother, Benjen, from his oaths at the Wall." Robb beamed at him when he said that, having fond memories of his uncle, "And I'm going to ask him to watch over you as you take my place as Warden."

"And keep Mother in line?" Robb smirked.

His father chuckled, "Yes, that, too." He sighed, "Robert also near demanded that Sansa and Joffery wed."

"Hell no!" Robb shouted, surprising his father, "Have you seen the way that little shit acts?!" He demanded, "He's cruel to his younger siblings, and has his head shoved so far up his mother's arse that - "

"Robb!" Eddard snapped, "Calm yourself. Someone might hear you." He warned him as his son took a breath to calm himself, "And I agree with you, I don't approve of the match. But your sister is all for it. Her head's been filled with Southern stories of charming princes and chivalrous knights in gleaming armor." He shook his head, "Your mother's completely filled her head to believe that knights and the royal family are infallible."

Robb nodded, knowing his mother wanted Southern matches for all of them, even though his father had recently started turning her attempts down. "Please tell me that you were able to talk him out of it?"

"I told him that with this business with this...invasion, I didn't want to chance her being harmed away from Winterfell," Eddard frowned, "Sansa will likely kick up a fuss, of course, but she will get over it. Joffrey is a horrible match for someone so gentle."

Robb nodded, "Too many Lannister traits," he commented, "If he were a little more like Robert, then I don't think I would mind as much, but I would still disapprove personally."

"Why?" Eddard chuckled, "Afraid he'd have a fondness for hooch?"

"No, because wolves don't belong in the South." Robb smiled. "And she'd be alone. And lone wolves seldom last long."

Eddard nodded, "Right you are, Son." He smiled approvingly, "Which is why I intend to bring Jon with me when I travel to King's Landing. Arya and Bran as well."

"You're going to leave me with Mother and Sansa?" Robb feigned fear, "How will I survive?"

His father chuckled and cuffed him lightly, "You'll have Rickon to keep you busy." He reminded him as Grey Wind pushed his way into the solar, and came to his master's side, "And let's not forget the direwolves."

"Never," Robb smiled as he reached down and scratched his friend behind his ears.

Eddard chuckled as he returned his gaze to the window, "Riders coming."

Robb straightened, "Is it them?"

"Four horses," he said. "Let's go meet them, shall we?"

ESV

Four horses had indeed entered the hold. Two were the battle mounts that Theon and Jaime had taken while Lydia rode a unsaddled pony with Bran and Tommen holding onto her. Lastly came a tiny beast compared to the rest of them. Eddard had seen them before, and knew it to be a Fell pony, a mountainous breed the hill folk used, but the man riding it was just as small compared to the rest.

"Tommen!" In a rare show of emotion from the king, he rushed to his son ahead of his wife as she picked her way through the muddied ground. Tommen didn't seem to care as he all but launched himself into his father's arms, refusing to let go. "Oh, my boy! Never again will you leave my sight!" He blubbered as Cersei reached them.

"Are you hurt, my darling? Did they do anything to you?" She asked frantically.

Robert growled, "They had better not have!" He placed the boy in his mother's arms, and checked him for any sign of injury, "Why...there's not a mark on him!"

Tommen smiled at his parents as Eddard made his way over to Bran, "They made us drink a nasty potion, and shoved us in cages," he told them.

At the mention of the potion, he looked at Cersei, "Better take him to Master Luwin, and make sure that stuff didn't effect him." Cersei did as she was told for once, and went without another word. "Ned, how's your boy?"

Eddard smiled as he placed his son in Catelyn's arms, "As Lydia once said, not a mark on him that won't wash off, thank the gods." He said, "Take Bran to Luwin, too, Cat. Whatever that potion was, I want to know that it won't hurt them."

"As you say, Husband," she said somewhat coldly before turning away as Theon and Jaime dismounted. She gave a not to both as she retreated into the castle.

Summer and Ghost bounded into the keep then, both of their furs covered in blood from the mouth and neck down. The pups, it seemed, were no longer pups but true wolves to be feared and respected.

Then the Lord of Winterfell surprised all of them and stepped over to Theon, and brought the boy into a near bone-breaking embrace, "My gratitude knows no bounds, Greyjoy." He said to the surprised young man, "I was fortunate to have you as another son."

"Th-thank you, Sir." Theon stuttered.

Eddard smiled and turned to the Lannister, "And thank you, Sir Lannister," gripped the man's shoulder, "If ever you need something from my house, you have but to ask."

Jaime shook his head and held up the sword he had received from Mikken, "This, and little Tommen's life are enough, Lord Stark," he sighed, and shook his head, "It was a hell of a fight, though, and that...boy of yours...I've never seen anything like it!"

"Where is Jon, anyway," Robert demanded, searching for the boy, "He survived, didn't he?"

Jaime nodded, but it was the new guest that answered as he swung off of his pony, "Lad was a bit embarrassed to be seen," the short man, barely four feet tall, said, "This lot here didn't think to bring the lad any clothes when they dragged the poor pup into that death camp."

"And he stayed a wolf to get back here," Lydia said for herself, her armor gone, replaced with burlap rags.

Robert frowned at her, "Ye Gods, girl, what happened to your armor?" He demanded.

Lydia frowned unhappily, "Ruined." She growled, "Dragonscale leather is fine armor, but leather is still leather," she huffed, "The idiots all but cut it off of me before they shoved these on me."

Eddard frowned, still looking for his son, "Why won't he show himself?" He asked the girl.

Lydia shook her head, "He doesn't want to frighten anyone."

"He won't frighten me," Arya said as she came up to her father with Robb, and Sansa behind her.

Eddard chuckled, and pulled her to his side, and looked out passed the gate, "Do you hear that, Jon," he called out, "Your favorite sibling say's she's not afraid! Come and show us what you've become!"

The short man snorted next to Robert, "He may regret that."

"Why?" Robert asked, "And who the bloody hell are you?"

The man tipped his helmet, "Adrik Ironfist, of mountains that you call the Moon." He said, "Happened upon that bandit camp a few hours ago, and decided to stick my nose in, if you get my meaning?"

Robert chuckled, "Aye, that I do, and I thank you...for it..." He was brought up short at the sound of heavy foot steps coming around the gate, and he realized just why Jon hadn't wanted to be seen. "By the Gods Old and New!"

"Told you so." Adrik chortled.

Jon as a werewolf was something to behold. Both Eddard and Robert were stunned to see the creature while Sansa took hold of her father's arm. Robb stood rooted to the spot while brave little Arya just smiled.

The werewolf was every bit of eight feet tall, as big as any troll the men of the North had faced since they had been forced to fight them. His arms were long, and ended in inch long claws that looked sharper than any sword Eddard had ever seen. His face was wolf-like save for his muzzle which was blunt and rounded like a bear's where two long canine teeth protruded from the top of his mouth.

His pelt was a smokey black color like Grey Wind, but there were no patterns anywhere. His gentle silver eyes had changed to that deadly red color Eddard had seen on the few occasions he had seen his son angered.

"You're hurt," Arya said, breaking her father and siblings out of their shock. Eddard looked at the massive wolf-creature and saw that he had several slowly healing wounds across his skin.

He took his cloak from his shoulders, and, for a moment, was at a loss. "Well, bend down a bit, I'm not that tall, Son."

Robert laughed, "Aye, lad," he said as Jon turned his lupine head toward him, "You might not even fit through the doors like that."

Lydia smiled at him and came over to place a hand on his large arm, "It would be easier to treat your wounds."

Jon nodded, and, slowly, began to shrink, and change back to his human form. Soon, Eddard was wrapping his cloak around his son's waist while Roderick came forward with his own to drape across his shoulders. Robb clapped his brother on the back while Arya rushed in and hugged him, and was soon joined by Sansa.

"I heard everything from Roderick," Sansa said, "I'm so sorry that you had to go through what you did."

Jon just chuckled, "If any of my family were in danger, then I'd gladly go through worse to aid them."

Eddard smiled and ruffled his son's hair, "We will speak later, Son," he said, and gestured Lydia forward, "For now, all of you should rest," he said with nod to both Theon and Jaime, "It's been a trying evening."

"And your rewards can wait until after you've all had a full meal, and a good night's rest." Robert put in.

Theon smiled, "Food does sound good," he said with nod toward Adrik, "But I think I'd ask Jon to part with some of that spiced wine of his. I owe Adrik a few rounds."

ESV

"If I hadn't seen it for myself, I never would have believed it possible," Jaime relented that evening at dinner, where, unfortunately, Jon and Lydia were not present. Lydia had told them that Jon's injuries were inflicted with silver-steel weapons poisoned with wolf's bane. While none of the wounds were fatal, the poison in his system would take time to a leave his body, and allow him to heal properly.

Bran and Tommen were fine, as explained by Luwin, the potions that they were made to ingest were simply meant to cleanse the body of diseases. Lydia explained that most Silver Hand hunters believed that Lycanthropy was caused by a disease, which, in some parts of Tamriel, it was, but Jon's type was only transmitted through blood.

Theon was in agreement with the Lannister, "Scared the life out of me when it happened." He said, an empty bottle of spiced wine between himself and the Dwarf, Adrik.

If Eddard had to describe the Dwarf, he was nothing like the Imp. His arms and legs were well proportionate to his body's size, nor was his head overly large. He had a full, long beard that was well groomed and decorated with silver beads, and tied together in braids at the end. His nose also seemed to be about the size of a persimmon and just as round.

"My first time seeing a werewolf," Adrik said, "My people have stories that scare the children about such creatures, but I never thought I'd live to see one myself," he glanced down the table at Eddard, "But those stories were about flesh-eating monsters. Your boy fought with the mind of a man beneath that beast's skin."

Eddard smiled in appreciation, "I'm glad to hear that," he said, "Seeing him in such a state was more of a shock than I care to admit, though."

Robert chuckled, "Ned, my old friend, who wouldn't be shocked by something like that?" He asked with a slight grin on his face, which lacked the usual drunken blush, "But tell me, what do you intend as a reward for him?" He asked, "He's saved both my son, and yours, granted the two of them are half-brothers, it is still something that garners something special."

Eddard chuckled, "Hoping that I won't outdo you?"

"I intend to offer him legitimacy," Robert said which made Eddard's brow rise. "Not only that, but wanted to offer him knighthood, if you would approve?"

To his left, where Catelyn usually sat, Robb smiled, "Mother won't like that one bit, so I'm all for it."

"Robb," Eddard scolded while Robert laughed, "She's just set in her ways, there's no getting around it." He said before turning back to Robert, "There is something that I would like to ask of you, Robert."

"Hmph." Cersei sniffed, "Is it not enough that your baseborn son will be rewarded with a knighthood, and legitimacy?"

Robert gave her a look, "Now, now, wife, there's not need to be so prickly," he said, earning a glare himself, "But she is right, in a way, Ned, what more could you ask for?"

"You misunderstand," Eddard chuckled, "It's not something I want for myself or my son, it's something I want for the North." He said and took a small sip of wine, "As you know, after the war, my surviving brother took the Black."

"Aye, an honorable thing to do," Robert said, "Though with the way the Wall's guardians are these days, it's a wonder we haven't heard of him getting a knife in the ribs."

"For once we agree on something," Cersei nodded, "The Wall has become nothing but a den for those wishing to avoid having their heads removed."

Eddard nodded sadly, "Aye, and it's a shame," he said, "There are very few that remember what honor means anymore, and my brother is one of them," he sighed and looked straight at the king, "Which is why I would like you to release him from his oath."

Theon choked on his drink while Jaime actually spat his out as Robert gawked at his friend, "D-Did I hear you right, Ned?" He asked, "I'm not so old that my hearing's going, yet, am I?" He asked of his wife who shook her head while Adrik laughed at the two younger men.

"You heard him right," she said, just as flummoxed.

"I thought I did," he said, looking back at his friend, "You know that that doesn't happen often, don't you?"

Eddard nodded, "For good reason, my friend," he said, "As you have both said, the Wall is protected by honorless cutthroats." He told them, "But my brother is not one of them, and since I will be leaving with you for King's Landing, leaving Robb as the lord, I wanted to have Benjen here to help him if the need arose."

Jaime coughed whilst wiping his lips. "He makes a good argument, Sire."

Robert nodded, "Benjen does have a good head on his shoulders, I'll admit," he said, "And he's certainly wasted at the Wall with the way it is, now. And I'm certain the young Robb will need help. No offense, lad." He said looking at the boy apologetically.

"None taken, Sir, I'm actually happy he mentioned it." Robb said truthfully. "Uncle Benjen won't try to coddle us like Mother does."

Robert and Eddard shared a laugh, "He certainly won't." The boy's father said.

"He's the only one I know of aside from Jaime that can put Roderick on his arse." Robert chuckled with a nod, "Alright, then I'll have the release written and sent out by morning explaining everything." He said, looking down at the Dwarf, "And what about you, Dwarf? What would you like?"

"Another round of this wine would be good," Adrik raised his cup, drawing a laugh from the man, "Ah, pay me not mind, Majesty. I'm a simple Dwarf with simple wants." He said, and drained what was left in his cup and allowed Jaime to refill it, "My people are a secretive folk, and I'm considered odd because I sought to see what the world was like outside of our mountains."

Eddard looked at the Dwarf in interest, "Are there many like you?"

"As many as there are stones upon the ground," Adrik nodded, "As I said, Dwarves are a secretive folk, and my kind tend to steer clear of humans, and other races in favor of our mountain holds." He chuckled, "Our halls are carved from the very rock that hides us from the world, polished marble pillars flecked with gold and silver so that it glitters like starlight. Jade halls as grand as a castle."

Theon laughed, "For someone that wants to see the world, you sound awful homesick."

Adrik chuckled, "Aye, I am a bit," he admitted, "We Dwarves live most of our lives underground, but those like me long for the sun, even though we feel most at home deep beneath the mountains."

"You're more than welcome to a bit of land here in the North," Eddard offered.

"Or South," Robert added, "We both owe you that much at least for our sons."

Adrik nodded, "That sounds like a very fine reward, that it does," his beard lifting with his smile, "But I wonder if you be willing to let me ride along with your party when you leave for this King's Landing I've been hearing about?" He asked, "I'm not greedy by any standards, even among my kin, but I still wish to see what the surface has to offer my eyes to remember when I return to my home."

"Robert?" Eddard asked of his friend.

Robert just chuckled, "I have no problem with it," he said with large grin, "The more the merrier."

Adrik nodded his thanks, and raised his cup, "Then here's to a fine journey."

The action was mirrored by Robert, Eddard, Robb and Jaime while Theon simply nodded his head just as a frantic Septa Mordane came shrieking into the hall, "My Lords!"

Robert slammed his cup down, "Will this day never end!"

"What is wrong, Mordane?" Eddard demanded right as Lydia burst into the hall, her face marred with fury, and sword in hand, "Ack! Guards, restrain her quick!"

"Oh, bloody hell," Theon muttered.

"Bugger." Echoed Adrik.

"What the devil is the meaning of this?!" Eddard thundered, "Lydia, explain yourself!"

Lydia looked at the man angrily, "Oh, I'll explain alright!" She snapped, nearly causing the guards that had rushed to keep her from killing the Septa to backpedal, "This harpy has spent the last hour outside of Jon's room muttering obscenities, and curses of death!" She growled at the woman, "I don't know what penalty you'll sentence me to, Lord Stak, but I don't care! That woman will not curse my friend and live after what he's been through!"

"He is possessed by a demon, you fool of a girl!" The Septa snapped, "It would be a blessing on his soul if he were to take the monster into the veil with him!"

Robb had the pleasure of seeing his father's face turn purple with rage, his knuckles tightening around his cup until the metal bent inward. "Septa Mordane," Eddard said in a deceptively calm manner, "I hope you have enjoyed your time here at Winterfell, because I want you gone by morning's light."

Septa Mordane looked at him in shock, "But, My Lord, surely you can't - !?"

"I can and I will, as I am the ruler of this caster and its people." Eddard said, "By morning's light, Septa, or I wouldn't want to be you if Lydia happens to find you before I do."

One of the guards made to help the woman up, but she wretched her arm out of his grip, and bustled out, muttering about 'Northern barbarians.'

Robert sighed, "I hate to say it, Ned, but that will definitely come back to bite your arse."

Eddard snorted, "Only if she manages to make it back to the Church of the Seven alive," he statement drew looks of concern, "Oh, I'd never harm a member of any church, but mind you I don't have to help them, either. After all, trolls, skeevers, and other monstrosities now call the North home."

"You are a beast," Robert chuckled, "I pity the poor sods that get on your bad side once we make King's Landing."

Eddard chuckled, "Well, I shall be a wolf among sheep, after all."

ESV

After Lydia was escorted back to her room to make certain that she didn't try for the Septa again before she had a chance to flee, the evening progressed rather quietly with Tommen and Bran joining the meal a short while later with the Direwolves. Ghost and Summer each got a whole ham to themselves as a treat for their part in the battle as the rest of the small pack feasted on an elk haunch.

Jon, unfortunately, did not join them and ate in his room, supposedly keeping his friend company after her attempt on Mordane while Catelyn was equally out of sight, most likely listening to the Septa about what had happened earlier with her attempts to exorcise the demon wolf possessing Jon. Sansa was present, however she seemed rather upset with her father, which Robb deduced was due to the fact that his father had taken his advice and squashed her idea of marrying the crown prince, and becoming the next queen.

Arya had chattered excitedly when she learned that Jon would be accompanying them to King's Landing, as well of his impending legitimization and knighthood. Theon joked that he wouldn't need sword or shield for battle, only his bare claws.

"I wouldn't joke about that," Jaime said to the young man, "Those claws could rip a man in two with a single swipe."

No one contested his statement a bit.

Jon, meanwhile, received a visitor of his own.

If the man were any shorter, he would have thought he was a true Dwemer, but he knew this man to be Tyrion Lannister, the Imp of Castle Rock. "So," Tyrion said as he stood next to Jon, "You are the Baster of Winterfell?"

Jon chuckled as Lydia bristled, "If that is what people are calling me, then that must be who I am." He said, the moniker no longer bothering him as it did in olden days before his departure.

"And that was very well said," the Imp smiled at the boy, "If there is anything that I have learned from life is that if life brands you, you make that brand a sword as sharp as Valyrian steel, and a shield as strong Iron Wood. And you wield it well if any of the rumors I've heard about you are true."

Lydia looked at him sharply, "Rumors?"

"Oh, the usual rumors surrounding bastards," Tyrion said, "That he is a conniving young man set on taking over his father's holdings, and wishes nothing but ill on his trueborn siblings," he said offhandedly, making Lydia go purple in the face.

Jon, however, chuckled, "And the rest of them?"

Tyrion smiled, "That you are exactly as your father wanted you to be as a man," he said, "That you value the lives of others above your own, and deeply love your family even though weren't born true."

"That's more like it," the girl muttered.

"And that you can change yourself into a giant two-legged wolf large enough to rip an ice bear in half." Tyrion added as Jon threw his head back and laughed, "Oh, was that last one a stretch?"

Jon waved it off, "Just a bit. Ice bears are much larger than my wolf form, so ripping one in half is a bit of a stretch even when I've changed."

Tyrion's smile didn't even falter at the admission, "So I see that that particular rumor wasn't just made up by the local fanatics." He said, "However, be you bastard or beast, you have my thanks, and my favor." He smiled, "Tommen is quite possibly my favorite nephew out of the two of them and his sister is also very dear to my heart, so I feel as though I owe you for saving the boy's life at the cost of yourself. And, as you must known, Lannisters always pay their debts."

Jon just smiled and shook his head, "You owe me nothing, Lord Tyrion," he said, "I have gold and jewels, I have no want of women - " Lydia snorted behind him, "And I want no land that I have not earned."

"A strange lad you are," Tyrion chuckled before holding out one of his stubby hands, "Would you accept a friendship, then? Should you ever need my services, then they are yours."

Jon nodded, and accepted his hand, "I can always use more friends."

ESV

Author's Note: Jon's sacrifice has won him a great deal in the eyes of the king, and the Lannisters.

Next chapter brings us back to Skyrim for a bit before we see the King's party off. Wanna see what happens, then ya know what to do!

Adios Amigos!