Of Wolves and Northern Dragons

Chapter 4

Jaime Lannister

Jaime awoke with a start, as someone pounded on his door. Rising quickly he pulled on a shirt before opening it to find several Lannister guards standing there.

"Ser Jaime the Queen and your father demand your presence in the throne room." One of the guards said causing Jamie to scowl.

"Give me a moment to make myself presentable." He said before shutting the door and walking back into his room to change. It didn't take him long to change into fresh clothing and wash his face. After putting his golden hand back on, he walked to the door. Joining the guards he made his way to the throne room wondering what could be so important that he couldn't break his fast first.

"Your Grace, Lord Hand we have brought him as you requested." The guard from before said as they entered the throne room.

"Thank you captain you and your men may go now." Tywin said walking down the steps of the throne.

"Father, your Grace." Jamie said bowing to them both before turning to his father. "What is the matter?" He asked noticing Cersei's disheveled appearance.

"Someone tried to kill my son!" Cersei shouted standing up from her seat beside the throne. "Someone assaulted him in his rooms, and I think it was the Stark girl." She said earning a sigh from her father. A sigh jamie guessed that was not the first as far as this matter was concerned.

"It was not the Stark girl. She and her mother were moved back into the tower of the hand, and have been under guard day and night since Lady Stark arrived." Tywin explained to Cersei. "It is true however that some unknown assailant attacked his Grace, and as of yet remains at large." Tywin said turning to Jaime.

"Is his Grace alright?" He asked although he wasn't too concerned with Joffrey's well being. The boy was too far gone in his opinion. Ignored by Robert, and doted on by Cersei to the point where he had become a monster.

"He is shaken but ultimately he will be fine." Tywin said earning a nod from him and an exasperated huff from Cersei.

"So then are we just going to ignore that my son, Your King could have died?!" Cersei stomped her foot as she yelled.

"We have already doubled his guard. His Grace will be fine." Tywin said with a tone of finality. "I do think it is time for you to return to The Rock Jaime. Given this incident I fear we must move forward now." His father explained handing him a letter. He read with interest that Robb Stark had not only survived, but that he and the remainder of his company had made it past the Neck and back into the North.

"Are we afraid of another attack?" He asked his father as he handed back the paper.

"The boy was beaten, his army is scattered, his sister and his mother are our prisoners." His father declared, earning yet another huff from his sister. "Let the boy return to the North and rot. Perhaps with our hostages now we can force him to stand down." His father said causing Cersei to scoff.

"They rose in open rebellion against us. They captured both of your sons at one point or another, and now you would let them slink back to the North with no repercussions?" Cersei shrieked at their father. Tywin Lannister however was not a man who would be cowed by a woman. Much less his own daughter acting like the spoiled child she was.

"Our own forces are quite diminished incase you don't remember. The boy was skilled on the battlefield I'll give him that." Tywin began to explain before Cersei tried to interrupt him. "Plus even with his strength decreased, going after him would be suicidal. I doubt we'd be able to make it past the Neck." He turned to face her fully before he continued. "So yes we will let him return to the North, and we will let him know that should he ever raise up arms against us again his mother and sisters heads will be sent to him as punishment." Jaime flinched when his father said that. While it was true he had no love for the Stark girl, and definitely not her mother. The girl was to be his wife, and he could only wonder what the reaction would be if they did in fact have to take her head in the future.

"When are we to leave then father?" He asked, looking between the two.

"We will leave in three days time." Tywin answered crisply.

"Well then by your leave your Grace, Father I will go prepare for our journey." Jaime said bowing his head to them before turning to leave.

"Jaime." Tywin said causing him to turn. "It will be your responsibility to tell the Stark girl." His father commanded, causing him to scowl. He quickly left the throne room after that. As the door closed he heard Cersei begin to rant about something else. The journey from the throne room to the tower of the hand was an uneventful one. He did have to stop and ask a passing servant where the two prisoners were held. Once he had been pointed in the right direction, he made his way to the rooms. He stood outside the door for several minutes, trying to decide what to say about the situation. Finally he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"My lord." Sansa said as she opened the door to look at him.

"Lady Sansa I was wondering if your mother was with you?" He asked her trying to look into the room.

"I'm sorry my lord, but she has taken ill." Sansa replied looking back into the room where Jaime finally noticed the figure laying in the bed. "I have been trying to tend to her since her Grace refuses to allow a maester to come." She explained coming near to tears now. Jaime seethed at his sister once again. Perhaps this could be a chance to establish a more positive relationship with the girl.

"I apologize for your mother's condition my lady. If you'd be willing to accompany me we can take this issue up with my father." He said looking at the brief flicker of relief on her face. As fast as it was there it disappeared again, buried under a mask of niceties.

"I must refuse my lord. I'm sure his Grace would be most unhappy if he were to learn of it." She said tears again forming in her eyes. "I have had quite enough of being called to court good Ser." She said looking back to her mother again. They both winced at the hoarse coughs coming from the woman.

"My lady I will take this matter up with my father personally. We are to leave for Casterly Rock in three days time, and we must make sure that your mother is in a decent enough state to travel." He explained before turning on his heel. He only made a couple of steps before he turned back to look at her again. "My lady you will soon be under my protection, I promise my nephew will no longer be able to harm you." He turned and began walking again, hesitating slightly when he heard her faint cry before the door closed.

Olenna Tyrell

She was not in a good mood. Today was supposed to be the day her sweet Margaery wooed the vicious brat, and yet here they sat in her solar again.

"I do hope his Grace is alright." Her granddaughter said looking out the window.

"Oh yes, Gods forbid anything happen to the boy." She stated reaching for her glass of wine.

"They say someone tried to kill him grandmother. Her Grace says it's a wonder he is alive." Margaery stated looking to her with a questioning gaze.

"Oh please the fool probably slipped because of his cups." She chided back taking another drink. This earned a small giggle from Margaery, though she covered it quickly. A knock on the door distracted them from any further conversation. "Be a dear and get that sweetling." She said watching as Margaery daintily rose and walked to the door. Not a moment later she had to suppress a sigh as Baelish entered.

"Lady Olenna I hope you are finding the Red Keep favorable." Baelish said with a small flourished bow.

"Oh yes quite exciting. Saving the city, then receiving nor formal recognition as of yet. Plus having every meeting with either the Hand or the King pushed off for some reason of another." She shot back reaching to refill her glass.

"I'm sure your service to his Grace and the realm will be properly rewarded in time my lady." Baelish replied looking to one of the empty chairs.

"Oh sit down Baelish, since it seems you won't say your peace until you do." She beckoned him to the seat across from Margaery.

"It is most unfortunate what happened to his Grace last night." Baelish said earning a scoff from her.

"Yes our brave king must be in a right state." She said wishing she could wipe the smirk off of Baelish's smug face. "Why else would he refuse all audiences today, my granddaughter included." She looked at her sweet Margaery before continuing. "I expected this whole process to go much more quickly Lord Baelish." To his credit he did not waver in front of her, where most men would.

"I can assure you my lady, that once his Grace is feeling better he will meet with your young rose." He explained looking back at both of them. "I've no doubt that his Grace will be enamoured with Lady Margaery once he has had a chance to meet her." He rose from his seat bowing again. "I will keep you informed as to when a new meeting can be arranged my ladies." Turning he walked out the door, leaving them alone again.

"My sweet I need you to do something for me." She said causing Margaery to look up at her. "We have already heard that his Grace may have a less than desirable personality. I need you to keep me informed of anything that happens between yourself and him or his mother." She explained earning a nod. "If at any time you feel threatened you bring it to my attention at once. Is that understood?"

"Of course grandmother." Margaery said smiling at her.

"Very good then. Now go enjoy the gardens, I have work I must see to." She said turning her cheek so Margaery could kiss it before she left.

Theon Greyjoy

Opening his eyes groggily, he wondered where he was. He remembered giving a speech in the courtyard of Winterfell. His men had cheered, they were ready to fight and die. Then everything went black. Now his head was throbbing, and he searched the room around him realizing he was in shackles.

"Oh good you're awake." A dour faced young man said approaching him. "Here I was worried they might have killed you." The man smirked as he looked him up and down. "How lucky for you plans have changed, you're now more use to me alive and unmaimed." He said pacing in front of where he was chained.

"What? Who are you?" He asked his captor, noticing how the man just smiled. "I demand that you release me." He shouted earning a laugh from the other man.

"Oh my dear little squid." His captor shook his head. "You are in no position to demand anything. No you will wait until our king returns." He turned to walk out of the room, only stopping to grab a small knife. "Now if you don't mind my Lord I must go see to your friends." The strange man said with a twisted grin on his face.

"Come back here right now, I command you." He yelled, only for the other man to keep walking out of the room. And so Theon was left by himself again. He continued to look around the room, looking for anything that might help him. His head jerked towards the door his captor had just left. Loud screams of pain coming from the other side. He pulled on his chains, but there was no give. His eyes continuing to dart around the room. After what felt lie several hours, he finally fell asleep to a chorus of pained screams.

"Wake up my Lord." The unknown man said as he slapped his face repeatedly.

"Where are my men?" He asked receiving another chuckle from the man.

"How about we play a game my lord?" The man asked as he reached for another knife off of the table. "Lord Stark is making his way back. Like I said because of that you are more valuable to me alive."

"Robb is coming home? What news of the war then?" He asked watching the man approach. "Tell me you fool!" He yelled fighting against his restraints.

"Oh no my Lord. You see it's as I said earlier, you are in no position to demand anything." The man said as he plunged the knife into Theon's arm. He smiled wide as Theon cried out in pain. "As long as your injuries look like they occurred in the battle, I can have a bit of fun." He said removing the knife.

"I wasn't in any battle." Theon said looking shakily around the room.

"Oh I know that, and you know that. But I'm afraid our King will not. It's a pity for you really." The man said as he drove his knife into Theon's leg. He let out another cry of pain, causing the man to smile even broader.

"Please stop." Theon begged fighting once more against his bindings.

"You know something?" The man asked as he pulled the knife from Theon's leg. "For all you squids talk about 'the iron price, and being the most feared men on land or sea' I was very disappointed with your men. None of them lasted through the night when I played with them." He said as he walked away. Opening the door to leave he called for someone to wrap his wounds. "I do hope you will last until our King arrives. I won't be playing nearly as rough as I did with your men." And with that he was out the door. So there Theon found himself waiting for someone to come and tend to him. After a girl came in, and roughly applied ointments to him he once again fell into the darkness of sleep. He could only hope that Robb would make it here soon, and end his suffering.

Robb Stark

"Your Grace we're ready to depart." He heard Dacey Mormont say behind him. He walked towards Jon who was preparing his own horse. Thinking back to the conversation they had with Lord Reed the night before, he shuddered. Together they had decided not to bring up Jon's parentage for the time being. Jon secured the lock box which held his secret inside.

"Brother, how fare you this morning?" He asked causing Jon to look to him.

"I still don't know what to think, if I am being honest." Jon said looking at the box before turning back to look at Robb.

"Well that's not surprising." Robb replied turning to look at his own horse. "You aren't wearing one of them?" He asked Jon noticing his old castle forged sword on his hip.

"Probably not the smartest idea to wear a legendary Targaryen sword if I'm trying to keep it a secret." Jon chided earning a chuckle from Robb.

"Aye that's a fair point." Robb said as he mounted his horse. He looked to his group now only 70 strong. "We ride for Winterfell now. After it is secured we will look to the rest of the North." He declared before kicking his horse to set off. The force with him cheered as they followed behind him.

Later that evening as they were setting up camp, Robb walked taking in the state of his host. As the sun was setting a horn sounded from the east side of the camp. Soon after calls to arms were found Jon standing at the front of their small line his sword drawn.

"Knock!" Jon yelled, as Robb continued to stare into the distance. The glow of torches became visible, although they were still far off. "Draw!" Jon commanded again once they could start to make out individual people in the approaching force.

"Your Grace look." Dacey said coming to stand beside him.

"Tell the men to hold Jon, and get your horse. Dacey you and the Small Jon are with me as well." He said as he tated to make out familiar banners. Once they were brought Robb, and the others mounted their horses and rode forward. It didn't take them long to close the distance.

"Your Grace." One of the men said falling to his knee. The rest of his company followed suit shortly after.

"Rise ser." Robb said dismounting, so that he could approach the man. "What is your name?" He asked as the man rose to his feet.

"Eben is m'name your Grace." The man no known as Eben said. "We had heard rumors that you survived your Grace. We rode immediately to meet you." Eben informed them as he gestured to his men. "We've a thousand men mo left to hold Moat Cailin, now at your service."

"Tell them to join us and make camp for the night Eben. We continue our ride to Winterfell in the morning." Robb said looking at the host. He was relieved to now have an actual fighting force to liberate his home.

"Well that's a stroke of luck." Jon said beside him.

"Indeed. But after everything that's happened I welcome a bit of luck." Robb replied turning to mount his horse again. They watched the men march towards the camp together, discussing changes to their plans.

"Well this is certainly a boon." Dacey said as they continued to watch the men pass. "Now we can truly show those damnable squids who owns the North." She declared turning to face them.

"My lady a force of ten true northern men could have shown the squids a thing or two." Robb jested earning a laugh from her.

"Perhaps your Grace." Was all she said in response, before she turned and rode her horse back towards their camp. Robb watched her ride away until Jon cleared his throat.

"She seems nice." Jon joked, earning a glare from Robb.

"Shut up." Robb glowered back causing Jon to laugh aloud. With one final glare at his brother Robb also began to ride back towards the camp. In a weeks time they would be back at Winterfell. There he would finally be able to see Theon again. Anger swelled in him as he thought of his former friend. More than that though he was angry at himself. His mother and Jon had both been against the idea of sending Theon to treat with his father. If only he had listened to them. However he couldn't dwell on that now. He had another battle to plan for. Then he would look Theon in the eyes as he asked him why.

So there we go Robb has a new force. It's not much but it will help. Everyone's favorite psychopath is back. Next chapter will have more interactions with Ramsay, as well as Sansa ad Catelyn's journey to the Rock. Cersei is unhappy, so what will she do about it? Plus we'll see Arya again next chapter. Hopefully you all enjoy this chapter. Comments always welcome, but for now I'll see y'all next Friday

Guest: No Robb does not get Dark Sister. Howland was merely stating that it was indeed that sword.

jean d'arc: Yes for now Robb and Jon are the only ones who know for now. Joffrey is still alive, and we'll learn more about that next chapter. In regards to Catelyn, I simply meant because of her treatment of Jon I have very little sympathy for her.

ATP: Yup Ramsay is still Ramsay. We'll see what happens to him. As for the Wildlings they won't be appearing for a while.

Guest: I still don't know about permanent pairings but Jaime and Sansa will be wed.

kmhappybunny240: Yup Jon knows something now. We'll have to wait and see what he does with it though.

.9: :)