ZIPPORAH

Her and the Sea/I Hold You by CLANN & Beyond the Horizon by Olivier Deriviere

'That is the burden. The price.' She repeated in her head as she thought about the offering. Her entire being seemed discontented with the explanation of the small being. It didn't sound right either.

Zipporah was not originally from this world, and therefore, she could not truly be the heir to protect the winter wasteland beyond the Wall. If anything, this felt like trickery from the Dark Side. Promises of saving loved ones but in reality, she'd lose them all.

'No.' She angrily thought. This would not be her fate. The force had meant for her to live with the Starks, protect them, not some random beings. She refused, and in turn, searched herself for the answer to this problem.

"Cut it out. The dark stone that is lodged. I can see it. Ben, do it." Robb's strong voice commanded as Zipporah gave her brother confirmation to do it. The small being's large eyes narrowed and snapped, "He wasn't supposed to find it."

More searing pain whipped through her body. Zipporah drew what force she could and beckoned for guidance. "...remember, always put purpose ahead of your feelings."* A voice echoed somewhere in the distance. A whisper of wisdom from someone. It reaffirmed her previous thought. Her purpose was to keep the Starks safe. Becoming that shadow being would not achieve that purpose. It would take from that experience. An ever present distraction. The constant shifting between worlds assuredly would lead to great catastrophe.

"Don't touch the glass. But look, her skin is returning to normal." Ben's voice informed.

Zipporah fixed her gaze on the small woman and informed in the most confident voice possible, "I do not accept your terms. I choose to live one life with my family."

Not waiting for a reply and drawing in as much light side of the force as possible, she flushed her entire being—mind, soul, and body.

"Whoa. Hold on. She's doing a force signature reboot. Stand back."

"No, you are not allowed to decline." The being snarled back with hints of disdain, bitterness, and nervousness. To Zipporah, it was a tell that she was on the right track in rejecting the original said price, and instead, she'd be making her own contract.

Ignoring the woman's reply, Zipporah took in the sensation of the light pushing out the darkness, especially where the Night King had impaled her ,and Ben had dissected the dying flesh. Death. Renewal.

Glaring at the being, Zipporah reaffirmed her position, "I, Zipporah Stark, Goddess and Queen of the North, the Mother of Wolves, Slayer of the Night King and his Horde, reject the offering of the children and refuse to be anything but what I have stated as my titles. You will vanish from my sight, and in return, I will decree that the wasteland is off-limits to man. Should they choose not to listen, death can greet them." Force flowed out from her body and pushed the small, angry being away. It screamed in anger and before it could lunge, Zipporah commanded, "Go. My mind remains unchanged. Try your lies on another."

Giving Zipporah an intrigued look as though a new idea had come to her, the odd being left her mental landscape.

A small victory. Now, she had to somehow heal herself enough to awaken. The force reboot and cleanse helped, but it wasn't enough to make the leap to consciousness.

"I sense your change. Rest. Robb and I will be here." Ben comforted and then snarked, "And lower your guard, let me heal you. You're as stubborn as a falumpaset."

Zipporah bristled at being compared to the easily domesticated yet stubborn, grumpy animal. However, she tried to lower her guard and let her brother help her. Her energy, while renewed, was fleeting and admittedly, she was worn out from her mental conflict.

My love, relax. Robb's voice greeted her headspace. Hope permeated her being, and she relished the warmth that his adulation provided.

I'm trying Robb. You guys cut out most of my abdomen. She replied back with as much of her regular personality as possible. The pain was immense. Lightsaber wounds were difficult to overcome, especially with no bacta tanks around.

"She mentally replied." Robb's excited voice flowed to her ears. He sounded so young, and while she was young, the sheer amount of horror she had witnessed had mentally aged her. Zipporah could readily foresee that she'd have to be patient with him and his siblings. To love him despite not having to see the undead as she did, and she vowed to never willingly share memories of that time, instead, to let the sands of time pile over it, to make new memories–to push back the trauma.

Staying in character, she inwardly replied, I did. So keep talking to me while Ben tries to fix me.

Confusion flowed through him before he replied, Talking? About what? How much I've missed you these past weeks?

Yes. Tell me about everything I've missed. Explain the newest developments. She had a feeling that she'd missed plenty. During her absence, House Stark had carried on without her as did the realm.

I have missed you. Nothing was the same or right. The Little Rose of Highgarden arrived to potentially be Jon's wife. The Tyrells' desire to be sure that Margaery is happy with him before committing. She knows not of your arrival or what is currently happening...

Zipporah decided she didn't like the tone he used about Margaery. Without him realizing it, he'd used a tone that communicated that he found her attractive or worthy of something. Without being able to stop herself, she bitterly asked, Would you rather be with the Little Rose? Because I'll just take Aiden and go with Ben elsewhere.

The sound of things crashing startled her, and what Ben warned made her pause, "Robb. Calm down. Destroying things is not going to help her awaken. What happened?"

"She accused me of wanting Margaery, that if I was so taken with her, that my lady wife would leave with Aiden and you." The anger at her question was clear. Not only was their relationship being challenged, she knew his honor was also. The Starks took great care to cultivate honor and loyalty. Robb would not easily concede to destroying it.

Ben snorted and quipped, "And do you desire this Margaery?"

"No. I've been pining for my wife. At no point have I wavered." Zipporah sighed and felt resignation take over. She was too tired to have it out with him about tone and projecting. She had to remind herself that he was young, and his inexperience was showing in spades. He could plan an invasion and perfectly execute it, but when it came to social interaction with women, he was like a child in the shallow end of the lake.

"But she's pretty, right? Zi's a strong, confident woman." He paused. "However, she's a woman. All women see other women as a challenger to their current status quo." Ben advised as gently squeezed her hand to communicate understanding.

"How do you know? Did Zipporah tell you?" Robb asked, clearly mystified about her older brother's share.

"No, my mother was a politician. Her words of wisdom."

*Anakin Skywalker, Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 3

JON

The Arts and the Hours by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Vikingur Olafsson

Roaming Winterfell kept his worries from overtaking him. He'd been given zero updates about Zipporah. He still didn't feel her presence in the back of his head where she'd normally tug to engage in conversation, if anything, it felt like a part of him had simply gone missing. As he walked, he cared little for who was about him, until his shoulder collided with a much more feminine one, shaking him from his worried state to assess who he'd collided with. A fair, beautiful woman with thick, curling brunette hair and matching eyes stood before him. Her slender yet womanly figure, draped in a beautiful slate blue gown, displayed her embarrassment from their interaction. Finding his voice, he excused, "My apologies, my lady. My mind was elsewhere, and I carelessly bumped into you. Are you alright?"

Giving him a shy smile, she conceded, "I am fine. Are you alright? You appear to be quite troubled?" She was fishing for information–name and circumstance. He'd give her his name, but not the circumstance. His gut told him that he could not instantly trust the attractive woman.

"Jon. Jon Stark. The trouble is mine to bear, but I greatly appreciate your kindness in offering to take it on."

Her brown eyes sparkled at him and replied, "Jon Stark, you're just the man I was seeking. I am Margaery Tyrell of Highgarden."

Jon's mind snapped together the events and deduced that his cousin's suggestion some time ago had taken on a life of its own. Now, he was facing far more than just exploring his heritage which he still had to research and act upon.

Slightly bowing, he murmured, "Milady. You were searching for me?"

Nodding, she offered, "I am to spend time with you. My family has given me the option to choose. You or the Lannister King."

Jon's mouth went dry, and he fought every instinct to spit on the ground at Joffrey Lannister's name.

"I can see by the rage in your eyes that King Joffrey is not held in high regard here." She paused and gave him a kind smile, "Which makes sense based on the letters and rumors floating about the realm. I'd very much like to listen to your perspective of events."

Jon knew he had to entertain her, but he certainly didn't desire to. However, it was expected. Somewhere his Aunt Catelyn was giving him the stink eye for even thinking about not meeting his obligation toward his potentially betrothed.

Glancing about the hallways, he noticed that no one was about, and he silently wondered about the strange absence of people, but shook it off in favor of offering, "How about we discuss that over tea?"

He didn't even like tea, but he knew most of the high ranking women did.

"That would be lovely."

HAN

He held his grandson and mulled over his daughter's current state. He'd seen plenty of injuries, and she was probably the most extensive. While his children were both well practiced in the mumbo jumbo, he knew that it had limits. Had she reached hers?

Aiden squirmed, signaling that he wanted freedom from his hold. Heading for a general place to sit with him. He decided to be near his in-laws in the Great Hall. As he walked, he spied Gwen, Zipporah's attendant and requested, "Gwen, can you bring us some food for Aiden to snack on? We'll be in the Great Hall with Lord Stark."

"Yes, ser." She confirmed with a tense smile. The whole building was on edge. While most did not know about his daughter's circumstances, upon her arrival, the atmosphere had naturally shifted.

His daughter was incredibly gifted, and a part of him worried that if she did pass, the overall flow of the structure would be shaken and vulnerable. She'd always protected Winterfell, but now, she was unable to do so.

As he entered the Hall, he was stoically greeted by Lord Stark and his wife, Catelyn, "Lord Han, any word?"

Sighing about how much to share, Han sighed, "It didn't look good. Worst I've ever seen. Robb had me take Aiden out of the room."

He could see the anxiety in Eddard's eyes. Zipporah meant a great deal to the House. Her loss would be devastating.

Han wanted nothing more than her to snark something at him. He'd take yelling and screaming.

"I see, and Robb?" The Warden asked, clearly trying to assess his son who was also the ruler of the entire North. If his son was about to be in mourning, then the Warden needed to prepare to step up and take charge until he could resume his duties.

"Kriff, I don't know. Worried? He asked Ben to try something out. So we'll see." He replied as he set Aiden down to crawl and explore.

Catelyn murmured as she approached her grandson with a small, sad smile, "The gods have not disappointed us yet."