Hello to everyone, we've hit a mile mark and I must say I am so excited that so many of yo have followed, favorited, and reviewed thus far.
Enjoy!
Chapter 40: The Prince that Was Promised
Ygritte and many others stood outside of the room where Jon's body was laying, it's been only nine days since his death and the Spearwife thought it was time to put her lover to rest with fire and wood.
Now, if only his wolf would let them take the body.
Until now, Ghost had been distant and far from Castle Black. The beast would go about howling loudly, sometimes with the other hounds, and keeping everyone awake when they would be trying to sleep.
"I say let's kill it, then," Tormund stated coldly, gripping his ax that he loves so much.
"That animal is the size of a horse and vicious, it'd take several of us down before we could slay it," Edd said to Giantsbane and frankly, it was the truth. "Besides, the King of the North wants the body for his crypt." Ygritte found herself lamenting the discussion of putting Jon in some stone coffin and rotting away.
The strangest thing, the Lord Commander's body hasn't even begun to turn or give an odor. One of the Crows told that after Jon and Sam swore their vows, they found some of their fallen they too didn't rot or smell.
Val thought it wasn't right, it might mean he'd become a Wight and attack them.
It urged her to burn him more than ever, she didn't want Jon to become like that and be lifeless and murderous.
"Lord Commander!" One of the Night's Watch came over to Edd and must have had urgent news, she remembered that the remaining Night's Watch at Castle Black broke their rules and quickly made Edd the 999th Lord Commander of their tiny order, "There is someone at the East Gate, a woman." The nine of them investigated and she remembered her.
The woman who was with that burning King, Stannis.
Why was she here? She wondered, the red woman lowered her hood and looked pointedly at Edd. "I must see him." Was all she stated before pushing forward.
South of the Wall, Arthur, and his army stopped at Last Hearth, Greatjon Umber feasted him and his family for the night and gave wine to the men that were camped outside.
"A toast to the King of the North! The Dread Wolf!" Arthur laughed and got up, raising his cup to make a toast himself.
"To our host, the Greatjon for being first through the gate at the Dreadfort!" The men and women cheered and a bard started to sing, the Bear and the Maiden Fair to some other Northern ballads.
Arya ran around with Jon Umber's daughters, they seemed alike with a tomboyish behavior. Jon's second son, Rendon Umber danced with his mother as everyone cheered and made a merry night.
Meanwhile, in Arthur's mind, a worry was scratching at him.
Stannis's defeat is sure to reach the Lannisters at King's Landing, the Last Stag was a greater threat to the Ill-Born children of Cersei and Jaime than he or his brother.
He wonders if they'll be aiming to attack the North, or at least the Riverlands with their army as Sansa's heard nothing coming from the Vale on Robert Arryn's invasion on the Crownlands.
Perhaps Robert and his advisers saw through their letter and withheld the promise of attacking the lions? Or maybe they did and were defeated by them, Arthur shook his head and downed another cup of ale to rid himself of troubled thoughts.
The night was nearing its peak, he was given Smalljon's quarters by a teary Greatjon and was resting easy until he woke but he didn't feel right.
It was as if he was smaller, could see clearly despite it being completely dark out. And most of all, he was in the Godswood of Last Hearth and would have walked back to his chambers until he caught the scent of something that called to him.
He immediately gave chase to whatever it was, not taking notice of how he was going faster than he ever was.
Grey Wind was at his side during this and he questioned where Dusk was, the copper wolf should be here with them as they hunted the prey they smelled.
Catching the bleeding rabbit, he paid no mind and tore into the animal and tasted the blood in his mouth and licked his chops before indulging into the meal he had caught.
The sun soon rose and he opened his eyes, finding himself in the bed offered by Greatjon and saw Dusk and Grey Wind at his side, they both had red on their mouths and noses.
Trying to forget what he was dreaming about, he dressed and told everyone to prepare and keep marching toward the Wall with haste. Some might have been disgruntled as a great many
Two miles up the road, his sister joined him on her horse. "You lost that smile, brother." Has he? Arthur looked abashed especially from how drunk he was last night.
"I had the strangest of dreams, last night." He told her and the She-Wolf looked confused, "I dreamt I was in the woods, running faster than I've ever dreamt, hunting with Grey Wind. It felt so real but Dusk wasn't with me... " His tone was sorrowful and concerned.
Arya surprised him with an answer, "I have them too, only I'm by myself and catching game in the castle." Now that he thinks about it, three cats and one goat were killed during the first several days of being back in Winterfell.
"Do you remember the stories Nan told us about the First Men? About men who can use beasts for discreet pairs of eyes, Wargs." Not that he's assuming but his dream and Arya's clearly point to it, his sister had that excited expression on her face and he sighed in dismay. "Now don't be going around screaming that we can crawl into our wolves, they'll be doubting our sanity." With that said, he and Arya laughed.
The force kept marching until it started to snow, they camped near the New Gift he'd given to the Wildlings. Lord Karstark's son came by to say his scouts saw some of Mance's people watching them, mostly warriors so he sent an emissary to let the Chieftains know he wasn't there for them but to go to the Wall.
His man did the trick, the remaining hours of the night were relatively peaceful although he still positioned watchers at the edges of every side of the camp.
Resting in his tent, he dream walked into his Dusk and was running with Grey Wind and now Nymeria and the three of them caught a deer at the forest and devoured it whole.
He was then awakened by Arya who ran in and had a large smile on her face, "We're Wargs, Arthur. You had a dream of hunting, right?" He nodded and Arya continued, "What if all of us are Wargs, even Sansa, or Bran when we find him." His frown was apparent when Arya mentioned their youngest brother.
It's been months and he asked the Night's Watch to keep a lookout for a cripple, a giant, and a direwolf out in their patrols.
No news had come in, not one word or raven. Truthfully, he's started to lose hope on finding Brandon and would often dream that he was with Robb, his mother, Rickon, and their father in the next life.
It's much better than wondering what has become of him.
"Arya, yes, we might be Wargs but please don't go about telling people." His words caused the girl to frown, it made his off at how during a battle she can be a mature as Lady Catelyn but then act like the child she was before leaving Winterfell for the South.
"Fine, but I'm telling Sansa when we bring Jon home." Arya went off a moment later, leaving Arthur to lie back down and rest a bit more.
At Castle Black, Melisandre was watching an feeling the coldness from Jon Snow's skin.
She swore that she wasn't supposed to be here, her visions clearly put Stannis as the savior of man against the dark but before the battle against Arthur Snow could commence she watched the flames and saw the Baratheon flag being thrown from the walls and blood being sowed into the muddy ground.
The Priestess urgently prayed for a sign that this was a mistake but she was only shown Castle Black, she checked several times before deciding to follow R'hllors will and left Stannis to find answers for her path being led astray.
"I saw him, why has God sent me here only to see this?" She asked herself and heard the door open and Jon's mistress walked in, concern and sadness on her face.
"Is there no magic you can do for him? Bring him back, I will do anything." She knows a way but is darkening and dangerous, Melisandre at first didn't wish to speak but she must know why her God would bring her here, the Priestess turned from Jon's corpse and eyeing Ygritte.
"This is no easy task, life cannot be revived without sacrifice." She started and approached the other woman, "Only life can pay for life, it is law. Are you willing to pay for that, girl? Can you risk such evil?" She looked into the girl's eyes to find any and all doubt, seeing naught but a motivation to save her lover.
Ygritte sighed heavily, "... Yes, anything."
Let the Lord of Light bless her with the power to complete his work, she was brought here for this very reason. "I will require you to remain, no one must enter this room for tonight the Lord of Light will send his aid." With that being said, the door was locked and no light but the hearth lit the room.
Outside, Tormund and Edd were told that the Red Woman and Ygritte had locked themselves in the room with Jon, even Ghost was driven from the small chambers.
"What the hell is that woman doing?" Tormund demanded, and Val, who had come with news from the South grimaced with anger.
"The Witch is performing some spell, she should have been slain when she arrived." The Wildling Princess spit with venom to Melisandre's presence.
Most men wanted to burst into the room and stop it, even the 999th Lord Commander but he stopped, remembering the strange stories told by men who came from the South about Stannis and his Witch.
Edd Tollett was very worried, but he was more interested in what Val had to say. "What news do you bring, woman." He inquired and Val turned to the Lord Commander.
"Our scouts saw a host of Stark forces marching here, it seems that the conflict with Stannis is done." A great many who were present were relieved by this, they can't afford to keep fighting one another when the Walkers finally make their move on the Wall.
"Have some men warned at the North Gate, and get those two away from the King of the North's brother."
Back inside of Jon's chamber, Ygritte placed everything heavy in front of the door as to stop Tormund and the others from breaking through when they tried to push it open.
Melisandre started to speak in her native language, that necklace of hers started to glow brightly.
"Come here, Ygritte." She ignored the pounding at the door, the people calling for them to exit the room. Melisandre put a hand on her cheek, "The Lord of Light will take you in his arms, be at peace." With that, the Priestess took a knife and slit the woman's throat.
With care, she put a good portion of the warm blood into a bowl. She prayed further in her tongue, while dipping her hand inside and feeling it then placed her hands on Jon's chest, especially the spot where the crossbow bolt was pulled out.
The hearths fire lit the room as if the sun was hiding in it, her ruby was like a hot and burning coal.
The lifeless form of Ygritte laid still, eyes hollow and blood still spilling from her throat and covering the floor. "Lord of Light, grant me your power to revive this man, bring back his soul, and take the one who has sacrificed herself for your will to be accomplished." She called out and closed her eyes to feel the presence of her Lord.
The day ended and it soon led into the dark of night, clouds shadowing the moon and Ghost's howls echoing with the blizzarding winds.
At the North Gate, the 500 man cavalry of Arthur Stark arrived as he grew impatient to see his cousin to his resting place.
The Watchers opened it and allowed them through, Arthur, his sister, and his mother rode inside and followed the path towards the yard where several Watchmen and Wildlings were waiting for them.
"Who is the Commander here, now?" He asked and Edd Tollett stood forward, "Where is my brother?" Was all he would ask and the man pointed to the steps that led to the Lord Commanders chambers.
He and Arya dismounted and started to ascend, but before they could get near the door, it opened and both looked on in utter shock and surprise to see Jon walk out, holding in his arms the woman he had fallen in love with.
Arthur also saw Melisandre follow behind his brother, his mind winding back to the promise he swore to Stannis before he died.
It can wait, however, Arya ran up and cried in Jon's arms after he put Ygritte down. Tormund and other Wildlings checked on the corpse and he walked over to his cousin, putting a hand on his shoulder and feeling nothing but cold yet he saw much life in his eyes.
The King of the North cared not how it came about, he embraced the shaking man with a tight grip and feared he'd disappear if he let go.
AN: This closes Season Six, Chapters 41-49 will be like a build-up to Season Seven where Daenerys finally arrives with her own army. Mya's plot will also develop further between chapters 42-49.
You might've noticed I introduced Val, she'll have a part to play for Jon as we continue in Chapter 43-49. Jaime's dissension with Cersei will also start to take root, we will also be seeing more Dorne in Chapter 50. I'll also keep a scene or two for Shireen and Devan who escaped the destruction of House Baratheon.
Until next time, I bid you all a great day on Earth, live free, and be alive!