Hello everyone, I'll like to say that I am currently having some problems with my computer. Maybe, the Hard Disk (hopefully.) So, I'll have to change it. It won't take long (I hope), but it would cause the next update to come a bit later. Nevertheless, I'll try to upload the next chapter as fast as I can! Never fear!
There is going to be another update of White Wolf of Winterfell, so stay tuned!
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(paulydppal (at sign) hotmail . com)
Chapter 8
Albedo just stood there, looking lost and highly dazzled about what happened. She felt like something was ripped from her moment and the next. She was standing there in a lost land filled with white sand and lifeless whispers of nothingness. It felt like she had no body or soul anymore, but she knew this wasn't true. Albedo was still herself; she was not dead. She couldn't be dead. She was a Guardian of Nazarick, created by the Supreme Ones, perfect in everything and powerful enough to destroy whoever dared to insult her creators. Death was a state of being where one would cease to exist; there was no such thing that would encapsulate Albedo.
She looked around at the empty desert. A dry wind brushed her face, and the sun was hot and so intense that one could say that it could burn the skin out of your body. Yet, Albedo felt not such a thing.
"So this is hell." Albedo said out loud without thinking; then she realized what she had done and covered her mouth in horror. "No! No, I'm not dead. This isn't my end! My love needs me! My lady!"
Albedo cried, holding her crying face, anxious and completely lost.
It wasn't normal for Albedo to lose her mind in such a fashion. But, it was true. Albedo recalled the last memory of Nazarick. The view of her lady, crying as she disappeared. It broke Albedo's heart and brought to her such pain and fear. She did not leave us too! I refuse to believe she left us! Albedo thought in dismay.
Still, Albedo then punched herself in the face. Hard and loud was the sound, but it made her concentrate. It made her stop that nonsense.
"Relax, think, Albedo, think," she muttered slowly, taking deep breaths. Albedo needed to think first. Where was she? And how did she end up there? Those were the first things Albedo thought. The Succubus looked around and noticed nothing but endless dunes of sands. Thinking about what was happening was challenging and maddening, but she needed to remain calm and collected.
Albedo tried to look at her inventory and realized that she could access it without problems. She also noticed that on her hands, one of Nazarick's most precious items was with her. [Gunnungagap] was a World Item capable of devastating large areas. An item Albedo knew she had to keep with her at all times.
"First, I need to find where I am and if there's any danger."
Albedo whispered, noticing a few birds, eagles, or vaulters flying above her, believing she was an innocent human. Albedo scoffed but stared at what was in front of her.
Albedo walked forward, following the faint traces of a road that stretched before her in the distance. The path itself disappeared into the endless stretch of sand, but her feet followed its course. She took deep breaths through her nose and kept walking. The Succubus had no idea how long it would take for her to find her way back home, but she didn't let that worry her. All she had to do was to focus on surviving.
That was more than enough to give her a sense of purpose.
The Succubus walked for hours, moving at a quick paste, yet she refused to slow down. Finally, she came across a small rock formation, a hill in the middle of nowhere that seemed to have been sculpted by the wind. Albedo stopped, looked at the strange object, and felt something odd coming from the stones.
"What is this?" Albedo asked herself, curious and afraid of what could be behind the rocks. Albedo approached them and looked through them.
A village, the Succubus thought and smiled. A human village?
Albedo saw what was inside and felt her heart leap in joy. There were people, lowly insects. A few dozen souls huddled together near a big tent, protected from the scorching sun. They were all naked and covered in white ash, which gave the impression they were ghosts or spirits. Some of them were women, some men, all very thin and weak. Many of the villagers were sick and looked like they might die soon.
Albedo was so happy to see life, no matter how lowly and insignificant they were. Albedo needed some information and if those poor souls could give it to her. Albedo may allow them to live. She first made sure that it wasn't a trap of sorts.
"[Detect Life] [Wand of Enemy Detection] [Hostile Creature Eye]"
Albedo's spells allowed her to see any sort of potential threat to her. She also made sure to use some abilities to protect her from attack. Albedo needed to be careful. Yet, she senses nothing at all. Not even a tiny hint of danger.
"Mmhm, strange," Albedo muttered. "But I shouldn't have expected less from humans."
"[Fly]"
Albedo flew over the tent and watched for a few minutes. Down below, some of those poor souls looked up and saw Albedo slowly approaching them.
Many villagers cried in terror, seeing what appeared to be a monster approaching them. Albedo ignored their reactions, focusing only on her task. The Succubus wanted to understand what they were doing there and how they could help her. But, her presence had already brought great relief to those poor victims. That was something Albedo didn't expect at all.
Albedo landed beside the village and watched as the villagers gathered around her, crying out in fear, begging for mercy, and praying to gods Albedo had never heard. Albedo sighed deeply, feeling disgusted. Her plan backfired. Those pesky humans seemed so delirious that they thought she came there to help them. And not only that. They were speaking in a language she couldn't understand. Thankfully, she had something that could help her.
"[Tongues]"
Suddenly, Albedo was able to understand their cries for help. Yet, it didn't deter her disgust towards them.
"I will not harm you!" Albedo shouted loudly enough for the whole village to hear. "Unless you prove to be useless." She warned them annoyingly.
The Succubus continued to stare at the white emptiness around her. Those lowly humans stared at her with shiny eyes and hope in their hearts. It disgusted Albedo, but she needed to get things over with and ask for information.
"Who are you?" Albedo asked in the tongue of the humans, hoping to get answers.
She got none, though. Instead, many pointed at themselves and said, "We're here! We're alive!"
And then, one of them stood up, looking at her with hopeful eyes, and said, "You can save us!"
The Succubus didn't know what he meant. Albedo looked at him suspiciously, wondering why someone would believe Albedo would do anything to save them from their pathetic fate. Still, she decided to play along. If they believed she could help them, she should try to make them think she did.
"How?" Albedo asked, pretending she hadn't understood what they had just told her. "Why should I save you? You are filthy and weak creatures."
They all looked at each other nervously before one of the men stepped forward and spoke, his voice shaking slightly yet filled with determination.
"Because we need your help! Because you're strong and beautiful!" He answered while pointing at himself.
That caught Albedo by surprise. This man was clearly insane. He believed that she would bother helping them. What an absurd thing to say.
Albedo decided to ignore his insanity and focus on his words instead. Perhaps, they would give her helpful information.
"What kind of help do you want from me? And what can you give me in return?" Albedo taunted him. "Why should I just kill all of you?"
He smiled and bowed, still holding his arms open wide, like a child asking forgiveness after breaking a toy or a vase. His face was almost endearing, but Albedo found it disgusting. She felt repulsed by his eagerness to please her.
"Please, don't hurt us!" The man pleaded, his voice trembling. "We could...! Anything you want! We can help you with anything you want! Just please help us!"
Albedo frowned and looked down upon him. He was such a pathetic creature. But needed to know more.
"I need to know where I am. Do you have a map, or could you point me to the nearest city?" Albedo asked.
One of the women standing nearby pulled out a piece of parchment, which she offered to Albedo.
She took it carefully and read it aloud: "Grey Wastes, East of Nefer."
Albedo's brows rose, impressed by its clarity. "So, that's where I'm at. Still, I need to know more."
She handed it back to the woman.
"Can you show me the way to this Nefer?"
The woman nodded. "Yes. Follow the Cannibal Sands north. Near the death forest of Mossovy. It would lead you to the dark bridge of Nefer. But my lady. I'll advise you not to go there."
"Why?"
"It's full of dangerous nightmares. It's a city filled with horrors, with necromancers and torturers."
Albedo hummed deeply, ignoring the face of horror from the woman.
"Is it far?" Albedo asked, intrigued despite her distrust towards these humans.
"Not far," the woman replied, unsure. "Only two days' journey away if you walk through the night."
"Very well," Albedo said, sighing deeply. "It seems like a good place to start." She muttered.
"But... my lady!" The woman exclaimed fearfully. "It's dangerous! We have been running from the slavers of Nefer!"
Albedo just scoffed at the woman. "You seem to think I am in danger. It's the other way around," she hissed at the group of humans. Flapping her black wings and sneered at them as if they were nothing but peasants. But something that woman made her wonder.
"Are there more of you here?" Albedo asked.
"Y-yes!" One of them said, pointing to a near dune hill.
She flew over the hill and landed on top. Looking at the scene below, Albedo was amazed by how pathetic these creatures really were. One of the men was sitting in the shade, eating his own feces and drinking urine. But more tents were visible. A least a hundred more lowly humans were in this desertic place. They look like runaway slaves. Believe a slow death in the desert was a far better outcome than living in torment in the Secret City of Nefer.
Albedo laughed at their pitiful state. These creatures would soon die, just like all the others that came before them. Only some of them survived long enough to get to the Cannibal Sands. Because from what Albedo could see, the lowly humans still carried their deaths. The number of vultures following them was just proof.
She looked down upon the man, still eating feces and spitting out the remaining shit.
"Death would be mercy," Albedo stated. "Such a miserable existence."
Albedo decided to stop wasting time and looked down on the woman with fearful eyes.
"You," Albedo pointed at her. "You'll take me to this city."
"I-I?" The woman stuttered fearfully.
"Yes, or would you like to stay here and die like the rest?" Albedo threatened.
"You promise to save us!" One yelled, but Albedo simply laughed.
"I never promised such a thing."
Albedo rolled her eyes. How could those poor creatures think she would help them? They were nothing but bugs like she had said.
"If I take you there if I show you the way!" The woman exclaimed. "Would you help us?! Please, my children, I haven't eaten in days! I'll do anything!"
Albedo frowned, her lips curling into a snarl. She wasn't interested in saving them. But she had to be patient. Albedo realized that she was in quite the situation. There could be danger ahead of her. She couldn't simply show more power. At least not now. So, Albedo decided to just play along with those humans. Maybe, they'll prove helpful.
"Yes, I will," Albedo answered with a fake smile. "I'll help all of you."
Albedo hides her disgust behind a beautiful smile. Deciding to prove a gesture of goodwill, Albedo pulled out a large basin. [Create Water] and fill the magic basin with enough water for everyone there.
The humans stared at her with their mouths open and shocked.
"There," Albedo said. "It should be enough for a few days."
"[Floating Board]" Albedo used a scroll to bring the pathetic woman with her. Everything was happening fast, and everyone could only see Albedo as if she were a goddess.
"This will be faster," Albedo muttered, annoyed as the woman hugged her leg, trying to not fall down.
"Don't touch me!" Albedo hissed. "No one has the right to touch me! Only one person can touch my skin!"
"S-sorry!"
They travel fast and quickly. Usually, it would take two days from where those poor slaves were to reach Nefer. But Albedo only took an hour. The poor woman just couldn't believe she was flying. Then, she realized that Albedo was a goddess sent to save them. Much to Albedo's annoyance.
"It's that the city?" Albedo asked, and the woman nodded fearfully. "It doesn't look like a city."
"The city is underground," The woman stated. "Deep down, is where those things live."
Albedo scoffed; still, she made sure to prepare for the worst.
Albedo flew over the city, looking and watching if there was any danger. But again, her skills didn't detect anything worth considering dangerous. The people down below seemed to not know she was there. Albedo hissed and left the woman on that flying board. She reached the ground and looked around. It seems her presence now brought the attention of those people there.
All of them were wearing hoods and chains. Mazes and daggers. A mist was floating around, keeping things hidden. Yet, Albedo saw people in chains with lashes on their backs. Some look far worse than those back in the desert. Still, Albedo was bothered none by those humans.
"Who is the ruler of this city?" Albedo asked loudly.
The humans there, those whose face was visible, stared at Albedo as if she was a brand new toy. Those living in the city of Nefer were more than just slavers. They were cultists that believed in the power of black magic. They were all mad and filled with delirious grandeur. They believed in the darkness approaching and that they could control it to rule the world. Each one of them was a deeply disturbed individual. They didn't use slaves for mundane things like cleaning or servitude. No, they used them to torture, sacrifice, and expand their knowledge of magic. So, when Albedo landed in front of the square, they all believed she was a messenger from whatever god they believed. However, Albedo wasn't in the mood to waste more time. In fact, Albedo's patience was at an all-time low.
"Beautiful, glorious, a gift for me," one of the hooded cultists whispered, approaching Albedo. "All for me, to control and use!"
Before the man could even approach her more, Albedo snapped, in a simple move, swift and clean. The man's head disappeared as if something simple had evaporated his head.
"I have enough of dealing with you mortals," Albedo's eyebrows twitched. "I'll say it one more time. Who is the ruler of this city? Who can provide me with information?"
Suddenly, the people there stared just before, and an old man appeared from within the city's darkness. He had a long beard and dark circles around his eyes, looking as if he had never seen the light of the day. He had many people in chains but more importantly. This man had a twisted smile.
"You finally came!" The man exclaimed, confusing Albedo.
"My demon! My loyal demon!"
Albedo had no clue what that human was speaking, but she glared at him, getting angrier by the minute.
"Look at her! The beauty, the sinful goddess of lust! I summoned her! Me, the great Nefer necromancer!"
The old man glared at everyone around him. He approached Albedo, who seemed to be seconds before exploding.
"Even though I lost those slaves, my sacrifices seem to have worked. Those fools of Asshai would soon pay for the insults," he whispered, licking his lips at the state of that beauty before him. "With you at my side. I'll show this world the true darkness! From the Shadow Lands, throughout Yi Ti reaching the Free Cities and Westeros!"
The self-titled necromancer then smiled at Albedo and looked at her lustful body. "I'll claim you soon, and once I do. My seed will run deep inside you and flourish in the next Bloodstone Emperor!"
Then the necromancer quickly turned to Albedo and touched her face.
"Such a beautiful face and all for me."
Albedo's reaction not only dared to speak such nonsense but to touch her, touch her, was enough for Albedo to lose it. But she didn't simply go mad in anger. Albedo, the Overseer of the Nazarick guardians, simply went blind with rage.
"I try to keep calm...! I try not to lose my temper... but I had enough!"
Albedo grabbed the head of the necromancer, and slowly, her grip grew stronger. Her finger started to penetrate the man's skull.
"Ugh! Stop! STOP! I ORDER YOU TO STOP!"
Albedo sneered at him, and with no problem, her hand crushed his head. Then, Albedo glared at everyone around her and hissed.
"I'll kill you all! All of you!"
Albedo went on a rampage that would start in Nefer and go on to any small town. A bloody rampage, leaving no one alive.
"So, that's what happened?" Galadriel Stark asked Albedo, who could only stare with joy and tears in her eyes.
When Pandora's Actor told her he had made contact with the Overseer of the Guardians, Galadriel had to end her fight with the Drowned God quickly. Galadriel had to ensure what happened, where Albedo was, if Nazarick was with her, and more. But more importantly, Galadriel needed to know that Albedo was safe.
Once Pandora's Actor brought her in, thanks to [Gate]. Since they only needed to know Albedo's location, and when Galadriel heard the name of the city was enough for her to realize that Albedo was on the other side of the world. The Succubus practically jumped towards Galadriel, embracing her and crying with all her heart.
It took an hour before Albedo was able to calm down. Galadriel was distraught to see her in such a state. She knew that the possibility of the NPCs of Nazarick acting just as Pandora's Actor was tremendous. But to actually see it was still highly bizarre. However, Galadriel didn't know why Albedo was so flirtatious and infatuated with Galadriel until the white-haired demon recalled the settings she changed during the final hour of Yggdrasil.
She is in love with Galadriel.
Galadriel cringed profoundly but had to admit it was better than the previous settings left behind by Tabula. She would apologize to him in another life, but for now. Galadriel had other business at hand.
"Yes, much to my shame. I allowed my feelings to get the best of me," Albedo replied shamefully.
"Don't apologize, my dear Albedo," Galadriel didn't want Albedo to feel ashamed of her actions. The poor Succubus was pulled from the only place she knew, her home in Nazarick, and was promptly brought to an empty desert. Where the scorching sun would have killed anyone, and alone. If Galadriel had been in her position, how would she have reacted? Maybe the same ways, or worse. Nevertheless, Galadriel as the guild master of Ainz Ooal Gown had to make sure to let Albedo and the rest.
"You were put in a difficult situation, and you had little but no information," Galadriel told Albedo while gently approaching her. The white-haired beauty took Albedo's hand, loving the sensation of the succubus skin on her hands. Galadriel finally took her time to look upon Albedo's beauty and felt a sense of desire, of lust.
Godness, Jesus Christ, Tabula. You outdid yourself with her.
Galadriel thought deeply, as she wanted to keep her mind out of those naughties' thoughts. Albedo simply smiled at her beloved lady, feeling a sensation of peace, of finally being with the only person she ever cared for in her life.
"But now, you're here with me, safe," Galadriel stated. "The place where you belong."
Pandora's Actor raised an eyebrow at those words, wondering if his lady had fallen for the Overseer. Not that it mattered to him. Pandora's Actor wanted his lady to be happy, and to enjoy herself, so with that in mind. He would just move away and let ask nothing of his creator's sexual life.
"Oh, my lady!" Albedo cried again.
Galadriel whined, and so did Pandora's Actor.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you," Pandora's Actor said. "But, I believe we should focus on what's at hand and our next moves."
"That's true, my dear," Galadriel said, trying to calm Albedo again. "We'll talk later, shall we?"
"Of course," Albedo said, returning to a more serious tone.
"There's a lot I need to tell you. Many things have happened, and I don't know precisely how we ended up in this new world. We can't allow people to know the truth since they are enemies waiting for weakness to be shown."
Albedo nodded fervently. "I understand."
"Good, now, I think I should tell you what has happened in the last few years and our current plans. Please sit, Albedo. There is a lot to catch up."
Ned Stark, the second oldest male in the Stark family, growled internally as he stared at his beautiful sister, Galadriel Stark. They were walking through the streets of Winter town. The town was now a city, filled with life and many new buildings, a proper capital city for a large country like the North. Still, as Galadriel was just enjoying a day with her twin, it seemed Ned's mind was elsewhere.
"Eddard," Galadriel called, huffing cutely at him. "I've been talking by myself all this time?"
"Ah, I apologize, sister," Ned replied, apologetic. "I was thinking."
"Oh, thinking? About what?"
"Uh, nothing."
Galadriel stared at him, raising her famous eyebrow questioning her twin's sanity. I sometimes can't understand men. How can they just simply think of nothing? I would like to just turn my brain off like them.
Ned saw her twin making those funny gestures with her face as if she was talking to herself in her mind and chuckled quietly.
"What are you laughing at now?" Galadriel asked, now annoyed.
"Nothing, you're cute when you made those faces."
"I don't make faces," Galadriel replied, baffled.
"Yes, you do make faces. You wouldn't notice because you can't see them," Ned pointed out. "But we can, all of us."
"And you never thought of telling me?!" Galadriel asked, perplexed. "For how long?"
"Since I know you," Ned replied nonchalantly, just shrugging Galadriel's concern.
"What... and no one told me, my own family."
"It's cute."
"It's embarrassing; that's what it is!"
Ned now laughed widely at Galadriel's face of shame. The white-haired girl wondered if Pandora's Actor also knew about those gestures she made. If that was the case, could it be that her creation didn't tell her about them? Did he also laugh behind her back? Galadriel would ask him later on.
"It's endearing, Galadriel," Ned stated gently, kissing Galadriel's cheeks softly. "It's part of you. No one is laughing behind your back. We just think it's a cute quirk of you."
Galadriel muttered, annoyed. "I guess, but now you're going to buy me something to eat."
"Alright, take it as a truce then," Ned said amusingly.
Galadriel hugged Ned's arm and rested her head on her shoulder as they continued to walk on the streets, just the two of them. Being so close to someone was so fulfilling, especially with a man. The reason being was that Galadriel, in her past. She never honestly shared such a connection with someone of the opposite sex. Peroroncino was her best friend back in Yggdrasil. But they never met in real life because it would ruin their friendship, that's what they thought. Galadriel's romantic feelings for Touch-Me were just feeling that hurt her in the end.
The boss of her in her old company sexually assaulted her every day. Galadriel's father mentally and physically abused her. When she was in high school, boys bullied her as well. Every single interaction with men outside of Yggdrasil was always negative. Galadriel knew not all men were like that. She was just utterly unlucky with the men she met personally. But now, in this world, Galadriel's father was everything but abusive. He was serious, yes, and a bit cold. But that was the way Lord Rickard was. Yet, Lord Rickard Stark would always listen to her. He would wear a proud smile on his face as she explained all of her plans for the North.
He would listen to her, be there for her. Rickard would show his love for her in his own way.
Brandon was rowdy, loud, and very hot-blooded. But, the oldest Stark child would always be there for Galadriel. He was the embodiment of the overprotective brother cliche. Brandon's honesty and raw love for his family were sometimes too intense for Galadriel, who grew up alone and hiding everything inside her. Brandon would annoy her until she told him what was bothering her. And he would try to fix it, no matter what. Brandon's attitude would sometimes clash with Galadriel, especially since Brandon was too free to be tied down. Yet, he would never raise his voice at her. Brandon never insulted Galadriel, shrugged her words off, ignored her, or even dared to raise his hand to her. Brando would cut his own hand if that ever happened. Yet, the oldest Stark child loved her sister a great deal. Brandon would seek advice from her. He trusted her and was the only person with who Brandon would spill his fears and insecurities.
Sweet Benjen was just like a small deer following Galadriel around. A gentle boy who wanted to make her sister proud. Her small knight, as Galadriel would call him. Galadriel took her role as an older sister seriously and would try to make Benjen a great man. Firm and intelligent, capable of handling the world by himself.
But Ned was a bit different. Maybe it was because Ned was her twin; that made Galadriel closer to him. She adored Ned. Loved him dearly. Ned was her shadow, and Galadriel felt safe and at peace with him. Ned was the first man that Galadriel felt comfortable hugging and showing affection to. The first man that she felt so close to. A brotherly love that Galadriel held close to her heart. She wanted him to be happy. Galadriel wanted to give Ned everything because he deserved it. Perhaps, it was her Demon side that felt so intense towards her brother. But Galadriel wanted Ned to find a woman capable of making him happy. If not one, two, or three, Galadriel didn't care. She wanted him content and satisfied. That's all she cared for.
That's perhaps a bit too much. But, I love you, Ned. My dear brother.
Galadriel smiled softly, as Ned just hummed softly.
"Gali," Ned asked softly. "Would you accept the hand of Robert of Prince Rhaegar?"
"Uh?" Galadriel looked at Ned. "You too? It seems all my family is dead worry about that." She muttered.
"Sorry," Ned chuckled. "But, I am just curious. Would you?"
"Well, hard to say. If the King's ordered me to marry his son, I don't think I would be able to say no."
"Granted, that's true. But if you were given a choice?"
Galadriel pondered about his brother's worries. She couldn't just lie to him. Not in such a fashion. Galadriel already hides so much from him; deceiving him more would hurt her and make her sad.
But Galadriel needed to make sure her plans for the future were not disrupted.
"I couldn't say," Galadriel stated. "But if it was to you to decide for me. You would like me to marry Robert or Rhaegar?" Galadriel asked, trying to see what her twin would say.
Ned hummed deeply, thinking about that question for a few minutes. Suppose he had the power to choose. Ned would like to keep his sister safe. He didn't honestly care who Galadriel married. He wanted her to be happy. That's all. But, he knew that sometimes that was only wishful thinking.
"Both are bad."
Galadriel stared at him, a bit amused by his answer.
"Both are bad, eh?" Galadriel chuckled. "Mother and father said the same."
Ned sighed. "I don't mind you marrying someone. The only thing I ever wanted for you is happiness, with whoever that person may be. A man or a woman. I don't care, just someone who would cherish you and try you the way you deserve to be treated."
It surprised Galadriel the way Ned replied to her. The fact that her twin cared little for sex and was more focused on her happiness than anything else made her smile significantly.
"Robert is my friend. Yet, I am not blind to his faults. He's like Brandon, but far worse."
"Don't let Brandon hear you," Galadriel said, giggling. Ned smiled, shocking his head.
"Robert didn't have you as a sister," Ned stated. "You're there for Brandon. Teaching, educating, and ensuring he understood actions had consequences, limiting his stupidity."
Galadriel understood that reasoning. Brandon would have been a different man altogether if it weren't for her.
"But Robert didn't have anyone like that in his life. He saw his mother and father die before him. He abandoned his siblings and used wine and women to simply escape that reality. No one has ever told him no. Robert does not know limits and when to stop."
Ned took a deep breath, realizing how it may sound. "Robert can be a loyal friend. He's not an evil person. He keeps people he cares about close to him. Robert would go to the Seven hells and back for them. However, Robert may mean well but could also simply solve his problems by drinking. It's the only way he can cope with things sometimes. I have seen him dwell on his problems with whores and wine."
Galadriel sighed, hearing that. Robert seemed like a person with flaws, like many. But Robert's coping mechanism has opened a door that was eating the excellent man he could be from the inside out.
Robert sound just like my father. Galadriel thought grimly, thinking of her father in her old world. That man was a veteran of World World three. Galadriel's father saw the worst in humanity during those years, and when it all ended, he was nothing but a broken man. Galadriel remembered when as a child, her father would cry and scream in his sleep. He would yell, "bomb!" or "I need to evac!" all night. A person consumed by demons no one could see or hear. Of course, it didn't excuse his behavior toward his wife and daughter. But it made Galadriel understand better the reasoning behind his behavior.
Could Robert change his ways? Perhaps. Could Robert truly change and become better? Maybe.
Yet, Galadriel wouldn't be the woman set to rescue Robert from his problems. She had neither the patience nor the time.
"I see. What about prince Rhaegar?" Galadriel asked then.
"I can't say. I don't know the prince. The only certainty is that King's Landing is filled with rats and daggers. And the King is not better."
Galadriel hummed deeply.
"It would make everyone sad if you left," Ned added softly.
"The South is far away, that's true," Galadriel added, but decided to think about what would her next move be careful. She has no pressure to do anything yet. However, Galadriel realized that a decision would need to be made.
I'll speak with Pandora's Actor and Albedo. Maybe, we can think of something. There's a lot to think about.
"Let's go, Ned," Galadriel said. "Let's forget about marriage or anything else. Just enjoy our time together. I am hungry, after all."
Ned chuckled, nodding at her. "My fault then, my dear sister. I hope, however, that you don't leave your brother without gold."
"Shut up."
Galadriel and Ned laughed as they went on to enjoy their free day.
