Warg Maiden
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones.
A/N: I'm back! I'm sorry. The last update for this story was on February 27, 2022. I've been busy finishing Sister's Keeper and dealing with personal things. For the last three months, I have edited the story and made some adjustments. Not a lot, just a tiny tweak. Chapter 28 had a huge adjustment since I added a scene between Maester Aemon and Imogen. So please re-read Chapter 28 before going forward.
Now, let's get back to business.
Language:
Common Tongue
Old Tongue
Chapter 29: Eastwatch-By-The-Sea
Imogen's POV
There was tension in the air as we headed east for Eastwatch-By-The-Sea. No doubt the Crows and the Free Folk hold animosity between them. But can you blame them after thousands of years of the Andals dividing us? Jon was the one passing orders and talking to between us. Yet not all Free Folk comply with Jon unless Tormund and I repeated it.
One crow tried to talk to us but held a grudge. The one who is called Edd. Probably because we crossed paths, that led to conflict. As his group of rangers found a gathering that I was in. There were Free Folks who were traveling for trade when five rangers attacked us. We were in a dangerous location, and an avalanche came falling down on us. Many of the Free Folk managed to avoid it as the rushing wave of snow took hold of the Crows.
Yet one managed to survive. The Gods spared this man despite his brothers trying to attack my people. So, I pulled him out of the snow and dragged him into a cave. Members of my company went ahead while I tended to this Crow. I don't go hunting for Crows for sport. Only in defense and protecting others. Hoping there was one Crow with common sense.
Anyway, it would be the fifth day with little rest. We reached Eastwatch-By-The-Sea. It was not as massive as Castle Black, the Nightfort, or the Shadow Tower. Less than a few hundred men were here. These Sea Crows are made up of fishermen, sailors, and Ironborn. A dock, followed by the Wall, was more stone, as the ice appeared as frozen droplets while a massive staircase zigzagged along it. There were some Free Folk that traded with Eastwatch-By-The-Sea. Even though the Sea Crows don't let them pass, it is better than Castle Black, who slaughters, and Shadow Tower, who prevents crossing.
A storm was approaching as dark heavy clouds out in the water with patches of dark gray and lightning. The seas were rough as the waves crashed along the Wall, and a portion of the fortress, nearly submerging the docks.
We made it through the gate, and I could see many ships on the water. Some were part of the Night's Watch due to the black sails, while others held white or gray sails. Though there were a few with Stannis's crest. Jon explained that Eastwatch focuses more on smugglers and pirates.
Everyone got off their horses while I remained on Skadi. Tormund came over, as did many members of the Free Folk. The Sea Crows wore black, but unlike those who wear black leather armor and black cloaks, or the Shadow Crows in their bronze armor, the Sea Crows wore chainmail while their cloaks, though black, were trimmed in seal fur.
A middle-aged man came forward. He was small, close-set eyes having a broken nose along with pox ravaged his pace. He has a widow's peak and a sparse, rough beard. Let alone lean, hard, and wiry. As he wore the Sea Crow attire, the cloak was all furs. Another man came over middle-aged, though his features were covered up yet chain exposed.
"Commander Cotter," Jon greeted. "Maester Harmune."
"Lord Commander," Commander Cotter replied, his voice roughed. His dark eyes stared at us. "So, it's true. You let the Wildlings cross."
Jon nodded, "We have permission from King Stannis to use his ships to sail to Hardhome."
"Hardhome?" Commander Cotter asked. "Bringing more Wildlings south?" he turned his attention to Maester Harmune. "The younger they are, the more stupid they become."
"You are addressing your new Lord Commander," Edd reminded.
Commander Cotter nodded, "Fine. The waters are a bit rough. Better sail tomorrow."
Jon nodded in appreciation, "Thank you."
"Lord Snow, if you muck this up, I'm going to rip your liver out and eat it raw with onions." Commander Cotter threatened.
Jon paled slightly, and their eyes widened. Tormund couldn't help but laugh as he turned to me. "I like him."
I chuckled softly as I got off Skadi.
"Let's get in before we get drenched and turn to fucking ice," Commander Cotter grumbled, leading the way.
A few Sea Crows came over to collect the horses though they were hesitant when approaching Skadi. Skadi was too big to be inside the fortress, so I went with them to help get her comfortable in a stall. She laid down in the hay and closed her eyes, exhausted from the long run. I petted her a few times, giving the Sea Crows a warning, before being escorted into the mass hall. Many gathered at the stable's rows where stew was being served.
Many eyes were on me as I sat down next to Tormund. Tormund and my fellow comrades glared at the Sea Crows. A silent warning, intimidating them to look away. The Sea Crows lower their heads, avoiding eye contact. No doubt these men haven't been with a woman so freely. Then again, Crows had made a vowed to be celibate.
Bowls of Fish stew were being passed around. I grabbed a spoon and began to eat. Savoring a hot meal after five days of dried meat, bread, and hard cheese. There was no time for hunting. Jon was determined to get to Eastwatch. Many agreed as we ate the stew and bread. Ale was passed, though Tormund muttered it was not strong enough.
I rolled my eyes and ate quietly.
Jon and Edd made their way over, sitting across from us. As a Sea Crow brought their bowls over. Jon thanked them and began to eat.
"So…have you figured out what kind of mark you want?" Tormund asked.
Jon sighed, "You say it will prevent me from returning from the dead."
"Worked many times," Tormund assured, with a dark memory in his eyes.
"What mark?" Edd asked.
"The mark I left on you," I said. "You think I mutilated you for sport. I'm not a Thenn."
Edd was surprised and then glared at me, "Why?"
"Why do you think I spare more Crows than him?" I replied, gesturing to Tormund.
Edd and Jon remained silent.
"I spare those who did no wrong, mark them, so they don't become a wight, and send them a message," I explained. "A message that your brothers failed."
Edd grasped those words.
"The last person I did it with was a scouting party of three. They encounter a camp that was slaughtered by the White Walkers. Two were killed by them, but I managed to save one. Telling him to go back and report what happened. Seeing where we are now…he never did."
"What did these two men have?" Edd asked.
I paused, trying to remember since I had cremated their bodies.
"One Crow had this shield patch. It was brown with many circles with runes on the edges. I assumed it was his family's crest," I answered. "He was cut in half from the belly. The other one was decapitated. He was older."
"I guess we know what happened to Waymar and Gared," Edd muttered, taking a sip from his cup.
"There was a third one who got away. What happened to him?" I asked.
Edd and Jon frowned at this.
"He didn't make it…." I assumed.
"No," Edd grumbled. "He made it."
"But he was executed for desertion," Jon added. "My father beheaded him. He mumbled about the Others…but we didn't take him seriously."
I sighed, shaking my head.
"There are more cowards in their nest," Tormund murmured in the Old Tongue.
"And I nearly lost an arm for it," I replied.
Tormund shook his head, turning his attention to Jon. "So, how do you want your mark? The blade or the needle?"
Jon sighed, making his decision.
.o0o.
In the Lord Commander's chamber that Jon was assigned. Tormund and Edd joined as we got ready for it. Though, we stopped at Maester Harumes to gather supplies. As I went over, a fire was already made, taking out twigs from the weirwood tree and leaves. I set them on fire and placed them in a metal bowl to burn to become ash and soot. Then added some sap and water to create a paste.
Jon had stripped his layers, leaving him in his pants, before lying on the bed. Tormund sat on the stool, pouring a cup of a more potent drink. Before handing it to Jon.
Jon was confused.
"To numb the pain," Tormund said.
"Are you sure about this?" Edd asked.
Jon nodded.
I came over, taking a seat to Jon, "Last chance."
"Just do it," Jon muttered.
I nodded and started the tattooing process on the left side of his chest near his heart. I may not have been so gentle as I jabbed the needle into his skin, so the pigment could stay. It was tedious to ensure the ink and paste as I worked on the rune of protection. If he were to die in the True North, he would remain dead and not be resurrected to become a wight.
Jon clenched his fists and jaw as I continued.
It would be a few hours later when I was finished. I pulled back, taking a rag to wipe away the excess. Tormund leaned over to get a better look.
"Skilled with your hand. But I think the blade would work much faster," he suggested.
"Enough, Tormund," I said, setting the rag down and massaging my dominant hand, for it was cramped.
Jon sat up and examined the rune. He was about to touch it, but I smacked his hand away.
"Don't touch and don't apply water to it for a few days," I instructed.
Jon nodded, "Thanks."
I merely nodded.
Edd rubbed the back of his neck, "We better get some rest. Hope you all have your sea legs."
.o0o.
The following day the storm had calmed. All of Stannis's ships were at the ready as one was docked. We got on the ramp, though it took some coaxing to get Skadi aboard. She has never been on a ship. Then again, the Free Folk in our group has never been on a southerner galley. We had boats, but not as refined as this.
It took some time until Skadi got on.
Jon made his way over to me.
"You'll have the cabin on deck," Jon reported.
I stared at him, confused, "What?"
"The cabin on deck," Jon repeated. "I bet you want to be close to Skadi."
I nodded, not sure what to say.
Afterward, he went to talk with the captain of the ship.
Jon Snow was difficult to understand.
Anyway, the ships sailed, heading for Hardhome. When the ship passed by the Wall, the temperature dropped and there was a heavy presence. Many of my comrades sense this and frown. I moved over to the bow, with Skadi behind, staring up ahead.
I've barely been on the east side of the True North. The coast was different, as many didn't want to bear near the sea with harsh winds. Yet I have been to Hardhome to talk to the clan that lived there. Many thoughts linger about what has transpired over the last few months.
I took the pouch that held the other half of Orell's ashes.
Orell was from the eastern clans.
Pouring the ashes in my hand and leaned over the rail saying the prayer. Allowing the ashes to scatter away to the ocean. A lone tear fell until it became ice. I've lost my best friend, who was like a sister. I've lost a man who could have been something. Even with our spiritual connection, Orell would have lost to the animal instincts and be.
"Farewell," I whispered.
Singing could be heard from the deck, as I see a few of the Free Folk singing a song in the Old Tongue. I sat there, listening to the lyrics. Many of the Southerners were baffled by the tone. The Old Tongue can be aggressive, especially when one sings passionately. Yet the men singing an old song was one that's been passed down through the generations.
Skadi and I made our way over. We found a spot, sat down, and listened to the lyrics.
Jon came over, "What are they saying?"
"An old song," I answered.
"Seems like they are singing the same verse," Jon noted.
"They are. It's the passion." I explained. "It's a song from the First Men. There were those who crossed the Arm of Dorne and those who sailed along it."
Jon nodded, "So what are they saying?"
I took a deep breath and translated.
My mother told me
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores
My mother told me
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores
Stand up on the prow
Noble barque I steer
Steady course to the haven
Hew many foe-men
Hew many foe-men
Jon was entranced by the lyrics. It was simple and repetitive. But it was one of the few songs we had from our ancestors. We remained there, watching the sky as the stars and moon tried to break through.
I know, a very short chapter.
I hope you are all still interested in Warg Maiden.
The song is from Assassin's Creed: Valhalla "My Mother Told Me."
Thanks for reading, and please leave a review.
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