Of Wolves and Northern Dragons

Chapter 2

Catelyn Stark

Catelyn awoke again, with a start as the cart she was on came to a stop. Looking up she could see Kings Landing in the distance. She had cried until she thought her body had no tears left to shed on the journey here.

Thinking back to the events that had led her here, she recalled again the bastards rescue of Robb. Jon she chastised herself. His name was Jon and he had saved her son from certain death. He had saved her too.

She remembered the sight of him drawing an arrow and aiming it at her. Do it. She thought to herself as he let the arrow fly. Surely he would say that she died by someone else's arrow. No one would question him given the chaos in the room. Yet she felt the arrow fly past her head, and find purchase in the throat of Black Walder.

"Lady Catelyn we must leave now." Jon had shouted as he again hoisted Robb up and pulled him out of the hall.

He had saved her. He was trying to get her out along with her son. Even after how horribly she had treated him, he had protected her and was trying to get her out. As she finally registered this and moved to follow them she heard Walder Frey yell to get her.

"A pretty penny the lions will pay if we deliver her to them." He laughed and coughed showing not an ounce of concern for the state of his own hall. "Send out the riders. I want them brought back here alive." he had said before everything went black for her.

"Welcome to Kings Landing Lady Stark." Catelyn looked up to see Tywin Lannister staring down from his horse, a smug look on his face. Besides him the Kingslayer sat on his own horse with his usual cocky grin. "His Grace King Joffrey is awaiting your presence." Tywin said turning to one of his soldiers. "Cut her bindings and put her on a horse. We will not keep his Grace waiting." Tywin ordered before turning and urging his horse towards the city.

"You truly have no honor do you?" She said to the Kingslayer, glaring at him as she was helped onto a horse and made to follow them into the city.

"I know not of what you speak Lady Stark." Jamie said looking at her haggard appearance.

"I released you with a vow that my daughters would be returned to me. And yet, here I find you safe and sound and I've still not seen either of my girls safe." She said angrily refusing to look at the man.

"Ah but you see I was not so safe and sound as you thought." He replied holding up his sword arm. A new gold plated hand tied on to the stump where his hand had once been. "But don't worry you will see your daughters again soon enough." He said turning his own horse and making to follow his father.

Catelyn felt more tears beginning to fall. Her son was surely dead, and now she was to be held prisoner with her daughters. As they passed through the main gate of the city she finally composed herself. Many people began shouting at her, some even going so far as to throw things at her. At one point a rock came from somewhere in the crowd and struck her in the head, causing her to fall from her horse. Immediately the Lannister guards around her were off their horses, and lifting her back to her feet. She could feel the blood running down from above her eye where the rock had hit her. Dazedly she heard Tywin yelling something before the guards hoisted her back onto her horse and formed up more tightly around her.

Finally they arrived at the Red Keep, Tywin and Jamie dismounted and approached her. One of the guards helped her down from her horse before she jerked her arm out of his grasp. Still slightly dizzy on her feet, she continued to glare at the lot of them.

"Fetch me a maid to show Lady Stark to her room so she can clean herself up. Then bring her to the throne room." Tywin said as he made his way into the keep.

"My lady, if you'd follow me?" A young serving girl said motioning into the keep.

SANSA STARK

Sansa had cried when she heard the news. Her brother was surely dead because of the actions of the Frey's. She was at least relieved to learn that her mother had survived, and would be coming to Kings Landing soon. Arya was still gone however, and the Ironborn had killed both Bran and Rickon. Sansa felt so helpless as she lay on her bed. A knock at the door stirred her from her grief, as she rose quickly and straightened her dress before calling to ask who was there.

"Her Grace demands your presence in the throne room." Came the gruff voice of one of the many Lannister guards assigned to keep track of her.

"I'm coming." Was Sansa's only reply as she made her way to the door. She stopped once more to look at herself in the mirror before opening it and following the guards towards the throne room. She walked quietly listening as people murmured behind her back. As she walked past Petyr Baelish his crooked smirk sent a shiver down her spine. Once she finally arrived at the doors of the throne room, she waited while she was announced before they opened for her.

"Come forth little dove." The Queen said beckoning Sansa forward. She looked between Cersei and Joffrey before tentatively making her way towards them. Coming to stop in the middle of the throne room she curtsied to them both.

"Your Graces I came as soon as I received your summons." She said her voice trembling. Surely she was going to be beaten again, even though her brother had been defeated.

"You know that we defeated your traitor brother don't you?" Joffrey said with a cruel smirk on his face.

"Yes your grace." Sansa said keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Well for some reason my grandfather has brought you something." Joffrey told her waving his hand. Once he did a door on the side of the throne room opened, and she looked up to see her mother. As soon as their eyes met both of them ran to each other. She fell into her mother's arms as they both sobbed and held each other, afraid to let go.

"My sweet girl." Catelyn said moving her head back to look down at her daughter. "My brave sweet girl." Catelyn began peppering her head with kisses. The sweet moment was cut short as Cersei cleared her throat, making both of the Stark women look at her.

"Well isn't this a touching scene?" Cersei said sneering at the two of them. Catelyn tightened her grip as they both looked at the Queen. "It is time for you to learn your fates." Cersei said motioning to her father as he stepped forward clearing his throat.

"In the name of King Joffrey of houses Lannister and Baratheon it is hereby decreed that Ser Jamie Lannister, due to injuries he sustained while in captivity of the northern savages be released from his Kingsguard vows." Several whispers went up throughout the room, but Tywin continued. "He will reclaim his title as heir to Casterly Rock, and the future Warden of the West." Tywin looked at Sansa as he took another breath to continue. " The lady Catelyn Stark will live as a prisoner at Casterly Rock for the rest of her days. Her daughter Sansa Stark will be relieved of her betrothal to my grandson his Grace, in favor of a more loyal and suitable match." Sansa couldn't help the smile that spread across her face hearing this. Not even the scowl on Joffrey's face could lessen her mood. " She shall instead be wed to Ser Jamie Lannister, and live at Casterly Rock as well to ensure the continued good behavior of the North."

"What?" Cersei shrieked, rising from her seat next to Joffrey. "This is not what we agreed upon." She said looking at her father. Tywin merely leveled her with a stern glare that even she could not help but shrink back from.

"This is exactly what his grace and myself agreed upon." He said turning back to the crowd and continuing. "His Grace hereby orders the remainder of the Northern Rebels to come to King's Landing and face his Grace's judgement. The false king Robb Stark will take the black, along with all of his generals. A new Warden of the North will be named who will immediately be called to King's Landing to swear fealty to his Grace." As Tywin finished that part he turned his attention to Catelyn, his smirk grew even more. "House Tully will also be relieved of their position as Lords Paramount of the Riverlands, and a new family shall be selected who will immediately swear fealty to his grace. Lord Edmure Tully will take the black, and his son will be raised in Casterly Rock to ensure the behavior of the Riverlands."

Sansa felt her mother sob as the man finished reading. She too had fresh tears falling as she looked up at Jamie Lannister. She had escaped one Lannister, only to be forced onto another one. Soon guards came and lifted both her and her mother to their feet. They were led to her room, where as soon as the door closed they both collapsed into sobs once again.

"At least we will be together mother." Sansa said trying to lift her mother's mood. It did not seem to work as her mother wailed instead.

"They didn't even mention your sister." Her mother finally said, causing Sansa to shudder. It was true there was no mention of Arya. She must be dead, and they knew it. Her sister was dead also, it truly was just her and her mother. It was well into the night when the two of them finished crying and rose to force themselves to go to bed. She could only imagine the horrors that tomorrow would bring.

Arya Stark

She was no one. That was the mantra she kept repeating to herself. She was no one, and no one lived. She only brought the gift of death.

"The girl is thinking again." The voice of her mentor said as he looked down at her. "A man would think after so much time, a girl would learn her lesson." He stepped towards her, but she would not flinch. No she would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her scared. "Come girl, tell a man what you are thinking of?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

"The girl thinks of nothing. She merely wished to serve the many faced God." She lied trying to sound convincing. She was rewarded with a slap to the face for her efforts.

"If that were true then the girl would not care to learn that Arya Stark's mother has been captured by the lions." He said listening to the sharp intake of breath that betrayed her feelings. He slapped her again causing her to fall to her back with a cry of pain. "The girl has not learned enough to be let free, but she also learned too much to be left alive." He said drawing a dagger. She watched as he stood and walked towards her, kneeling down and pressing the blade to her throat. She winced as she felt the sting of the blade cutting her flesh. She did not squirm though, merely accepting her fate. He stopped, pulling the blade back slightly. "The girl is not afraid to die?" He asked looking at her.

"A girl is already dead." She said back before raising her chin and closing her eyes. The pain never came however, instead she felt the man grabbed her arm and pull her to her feet.

"There may be hope for the girl yet." The man said before he pulled a small piece of parchment from his robe and handed it to her. "If the girl can complete the task she will be free to go." He told her as he turned and walked away. She looked at the name on the paper before putting it over the flame of a candle, and leaving the room. Arya would be free after this.

Jon Snow

Jon walked around the grounds of Greywater Watch. It was their third day in the home of Howland Reed, and Jon was more than a little put off by the crannogman. Jon had caught the diminutive lord staring at him more times than he cared to count. Several times he had excused himself from conversations that the man became involved in. Maege Mormont had finally recovered enough to begin walking around on their second night there. Now that her mother was finally up, Dacey had joined them in the great hall for breakfast. She had refused to leave her mother's side while Maege had been hurt.

"Lord Snow, how are you this morning?" Howland asked, catching Jon by surprise.

"I am fine my lord." He replied trying to be polite. Once again he noticed how Howland's eyes roamed over his form, as if he was taking measure of him.

"That is good my boy, walk with an old man if you wouldn't mind." Howland said before turning to walk further into the castle. Jon hurried to follow behind the man. He was curious about what the small lord would want to talk to him about. "You really are like both of your parents you know?" Howland asked once Jon had caught up to him.

"My lord I'm afraid I don't follow. I was never told about my mother." Jon said looking down at the ground.

"Ah but you see lad you are only half right there. I never expected Eddard to tell you." He said looking at Jon, and chuckling at the look of confusion on his face. "You were never told about your mother tis true. But my boy, you were never told about your father either." Jon stopped walking when he heard that.

"You insult me my lord. Eddard Stark was my father." Jon almost yelled at the smaller man.

"As I said, I don't think Ned ever intended to tell you the truth. Honestly I didn't intend to either unless you want to hear it." Howland said as he opened a door leading into his solar. Jon followed inside intent on giving the man a piece of his mind, only to stop when he saw him open a hidden part of the wall and retrieve a large box. "Inside you will find the truth of it Lord Snow, but I will not force you to accept it." Howland said before bowing to him and leaving the room.

Jon looked at the box stepping closer to inspect it. On the front was the familiar sigil of house Stark, the direwolf snarling angrily. However next to it was the sigil of house Targaryen, the three headed dragon looking ominous. He stood looking at the box for several minutes before he picked it up and walked out of the room. He carried it to the room he had been given, setting it down on the bed and continuing to look at it.

After some time he heard a scratching at the door. Rising he went to open it expecting Ghost to enter which he did. Jon quickly noticed that he was not alone though. As ghost ran to curl up by the fire Greywind followed him in, with Robb close behind.

"What's in the box Jon?" Robb asked looking between the box and Jon noting the concerned look on his face.

"Apparently it has information on who my parents are." Jon replied taking a seat on one of the chairs across from the bed that the box lay on.

"Parents?" Robb asked clearly confused. "We already know that you are fathers son right?" He finished as more of a question. Looking more closely at the box Robb noticed the two sigils on it. "Have you opened it yet Jon?" Robb asked walking and sitting in the seat next to his brother.

"I haven't yet Robb. I'm afraid." He answered looking at his brother. Was he truly his brother though? "Lord Howland said he doubted if Lord Stark would ever tell me about either of my parents. He also said he saw much of both of them in me."

"Jon look at me." Robb said in a commanding tone. One Jon had not heard since before the disastrous wedding. He couldn't help but turn to face him. "No matter what is inside that box, you are my brother. Now and always." Robb declared standing and extending his arm.

"Now and always." Jon replied standing and grasping Robbs hand. "Come it is almost time for supper. Let us leave these mysteries for later." He said earning a nod from Robb before the two left the room, their direwolves quick to follow behind them.

Theon Greyjoy

Now and always, Theon thought to himself. That's what he had said to Robb. Those words still haunted him as he sat in what had once been Ned Stark's solar. He looked over to see Maester Luwin looking back at him.

"What do you want now Maester?" He asked looking at the old man, before downing his glass of wine.

"You know you cannot win this fight young Theon." the Maester said looking out the window to see the encampment outside the walls.

"And what would you have me do Maester?" He yelled, standing up and throwing his glass to the ground. "Would you have me yield the castle? No I've come too far to go out with a whimper like that." He looked at where the glass had shattered on the ground, before looking out the window as another blast of a war horn sounded.

"Surely Lord Stark raised you better than this Theon. He treated you better than this." Luwin said walking forward and placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Aye he raised me like a son." He said shrugging away from the older man's touch. "That's the problem though. A son in the home of my enemy, and a mockery in the home of my family." He walked back and grabbed another glass filling it. "I have to do this to show my father that I am still worthy of being his son." Downing his glass again as another horn blew. "And I am personally going to kill whoever keeps blowing that damn horn!" He yelled out the window. Sitting back down at the desk, he waived the Maester away.

"Good evening Lord Theon." Luwin said before walking out the door. The horn blew again in the distance causing him to shudder again. It took longer than he would have liked before he fell into a fitful sleep.

Alright there's the end of the second chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it. So Jon hasn't opened the box yet. That will probably have to wait a chapter or two. Not entirely sure if Sansa and Jamie will be the actual pairing, but she will be marrying a Lannister one way or another. I've gotten a lot of people talking about how Jon was only not allowed in feasts because of Catelyn. My defense for Jon not being inside for that is exactly that. It was Catelyn's brother's wedding. I assume that she would not want Jon present, and could have easily convinced Edmure to say the same. Plus Jon being as self aware of his situation as a bastard, he probably wouldn't contest the decision in order to keep the peace. Also in regards to Howland, we'll see later on that he did not agree with Ned's plan for raising Jon. In terms of Daenerys dream Jon was the smaller wolf simply because of his own view of himself having been raised as a bastard. Anywho next chapter the northern survivors will decide their next course of action, and we'll return to Daenerys in Mereen for sure. Like I said in the last chapter I plan on posting every Friday. I may pull further ahead with chapters as I write them, so if I ever get more than 4 chapters ahead of my update I will post an extra chapter sometime during the week. For the moment though I will see you all next Friday.