DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN GAMES OF THRONES THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
A/n: Holy smokes! Not even two chapters and I am nearly at a hundred follows and favs! Thank you guys so much! You don't know what this means to me. Man all those positive reviews helps too to keep me going. So anyways I am just saying that after the ideas and the foundation for this story has run out I am going to put it on a rotation with my other stories so I can update those to satisfy my other fans. So I still have a long ways to go and that helps me a lot. Also if I run into writers block all I have to do is watch the series again since I have all the seasons up to season 6 and when season 7 comes out on DVD I will get that too. So anyhow thank you all you are the best.
So without further a do I present to you with….
THE WARRIORS OF WINTERFELL
Chapter 3: A Tearful Departure
A week had passed since Lord Stark had told Dany and Jon of what is going on with the king. And so far the departure from Winterfell was a hard one. Even so it was even harder to say goodbye to some friends for sometime.
"I am going to miss you Sansa!" Arya said to her elder sister as the older Stark girl was dressed in riding gear.
"I will be fine sis don't worry. After all not long after you will be taking your journey as well," Sansa said to her younger sister.
"I hope you find lots of bandits to fight," she said.
"Oh you can count on that! And rogue Wildings too," she said.
"Tell Uncle Benjen I said hi!" she said.
"I will do," Sansa said to her.
Right beside her Dany and Jon was also saying goodbye to their friends and family as well as everyone else who was going with them. In their group there was of course Dany and Jon whom everyone calls the Targaryen couple. Theon and Asha Greyjoy who is going back to the Pyke that is why they is going with them. Ramsey Snow who was also of age and Tyrion Lannister who is on his way to visit the wall for copies of the reports from the Lord Commander.
The Septa of Ice was also saying her fare well to them all as she held the girls close to wish them well.
"I have something for you when you return," she said. The girls looked on in delight at the sight of what is to come.
For the final part of their coming of age every girl in Winterfell had to go through a rite of passage. Meaning that after they finished their journey throughout the North they had to choose a weapon that will be their companion. That weapon will then be forged by their own hand and it would be part of them for life. Every girl learns to do the forge at least once or twice a week for this day. So it is this day that they will be able to choose whom they will become.
"Alright ladies are you ready to depart?" said Jon on top his horse.
The girls then hurled themselves onto the horses before they took off towards the East Gate at the Eastern side of the castle. Winter Town was full of cheer as everyone bid them farewell as they made their way out the gates. It was then that they started to set off towards the south and towards their tour to come.
High on the wall watching them leave was Lord Eddard Stark with his wife Catelyn and the remaining Stark children. Robb having taken his tour the year before watched them leave for the first time. And for the first time he would be without his two best friends in the year or two of their tour. Sighing for himself he turned back to his father to prepare for the day out on the fields again.
Lord Stark turned to look at his eldest son and sighed. Robb probably wanted to wait till they were ready to go with them. But a trueborn must make his journey alone so that way all the lords would know who they will eventually be bowing to. All Trueborn children of the Northern Lords make their journey a year before their coming of age unlike bastards and wards who do so later. They usually are accompanied by their sisters if they have any of the same age. But Robb was by himself since Sansa was a year younger then him and Theon was a ward so he had to wait till he was of age. So Robb was left alone with his younger siblings while his father goes off to tend to Lordly matters.
As Robb started to head towards the stairs… "Robb?" this time his eyes turned towards his father.
"Yes Father?" Robb asked.
"Why don't you run the courtly meetings today. That way you can get an idea of what I have to do today," Lord Stark said.
"Yes, father," Robb said with a sigh he was brought up to do his duty and by the Old Gods was he going to do it.
So Robb walked down towards the main room where the people would be waiting to have an audience with their lord about such matters. Lord Stark would be right behind him to help him through it.
MEANWHILE
Arya, Bran and Rickon watched as the group left through the gate. Rickon was crying because he was only six years old and did not know why they were leaving. Bran turned to his sister, "When are they coming back?" he asked.
"They are returning within a year or so according to father. Sometimes two years if they are lucky." she said
"Are we going to do the same thing they are?" Rickon asked.
"When we are older and Father deems us ready we will," Arya replied.
"Well we better get back to our chores before father or the Septa catches us," said Bran.
All three of the younger Starks ran back to where they were supposed to do their chores. Unknown to them that they were being watched by amused gray eyes.
Lord Stark watched his younger children run off before turning towards his son Robb. "Today you shall participate with me to know what needs to be done to rule the North. For I will not always be here and when that day comes you will be ready," he said.
Robb nodded as they headed down towards the main hall where Lord Stark receives his court.
MEANWHILE
"So where are we going first?" asked Jon.
"According to this, Castle Cerwyn which is only a half a days ride from here," said Danny.
"I heard they make some really good mead," said Theon.
Ramsey gave him an elbow to the gut, "Is that all you can think about is Mead and whores?" he said in jest which earned him an elbow in return much to the girls amusement.
They traveled down the road for sometime till the wooden structure was seen in the distance. The makeshift castle looked more like a fort then a castle with its keep made out of Ironwood. But still the seat of the Cerwyns was not something to joke about. They are there because of their deeds in the past, and only recently had been able to get a proper fort out for them to eventually mold into a castle.
"Well I hadn't had a good fuck in a while," Theon replied.
"You had one last night before we left. Don't tell me you had a whore that did not empty your balls out," Asha said to the amusement of everyone else.
"You know sister that they refill fast," Theon joked.
"Really what if I cut them off would that stop you?" Asha said with amusement in her eyes.
"Then I will just get the ones from a cow they are much bigger or maybe cut off Ghost's balls and sew them on," Theon joked.
"One, don't touch my direwolf and two if that were the case then your children would be half wolf not all human," Jon replied back.
The others laughed with him as they continued their slow trot towards the ever growing keep. The girls mostly kept to themselves talking with Lady Asha about the ocean and the Iron Islands. While the men were busy discussing something when someone came running towards them.
It was a man dressed in furs.
They knew that some of the Free Folk families had settled here with the Cerywn's to have a place of their own. So to see one screaming for help was an understatement. Just as they heard it everyone quickly grabbed a weapon from a bow to a staff as the wolves both Lady and Ghost growled low in their throats. The man continued to approach as if he was clutching something and when it was apparent that the man was in fact clutching something. Then out of the blue the raiders came.
At once the free folk man ran past them with his clutch while the bandits came closer. When they saw the riders they stopped in their tracks.
"You there get out of the way!" the first man shouted.
"On what count do we have to move from you?" asked Jon.
"This man is a Wildling he should be beyond the wall like the rest of the dogs before him!" yelled the man.
"This man may be of the Free folk but he is also a man who chose to become a subject of the North. Do you deny this man's claim?" Ramsey said to him his bow drawn.
"This man hunted on our lands and stolen our food and you think that would stop?" asked the man.
"What is your name?" Sansa this time spoke up.
"I am Hector I serve as city watch for the Cerwyns," he said finally.
The group looked at each other, "City Watch? Seems more like a tyrant then a watchman," said Asha beside Sansa.
"Who are you to say that to me you bitch!" the man said.
"I am Asha Greyjoy of the Iron Islands. This is Lady Sansa Stark of Winterfell, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen of Winterfell, Ramsey Snow of the Dreadfort and Theon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands do you have anything to say about that?" she said to him.
The man looked stunned before he quickly bowed low to the group, "My apologies my lady I did not mean for you to see this?" he said.
"See this?" said Sansa now looking annoyed, "Seeing you violate a treaty with the Free Folk that had stood for thousands of years. As I see it this man was hunting to provide for his family. Judging by the way he is protecting that bundle and the way it moves I would say that he was also protecting his baby. So tell me why are you insisting on treating him like any rogues hmmm?" Sansa demanded quietly.
"Like I said my lady he had stolen from House Cerwyn and he also stolen from the stores we had for winter. That alone can't be tolerated," the man Hector said.
"Have you brought this up with Lord Cerwyn or did you just decided to take justice in your own hands to hunt him down?" Sansa asked.
"Lord Cerwyn doesn't know," the guardsman said.
"Then we shall take him under our protection until otherwise, and you and your men shall escort us to castle Cerwyn. You will also be present in front of your captain and the lord himself when I present this case to him," Sansa said and the man instantly went white knowing the consequences of such actions. The other men however only started forward to protest only to be met by the growling and snarling faces of Ghost and Lady. They immediately backed away from them and so the man managed to get the guards to let them through.
WINTERFELL
Lady Stark stood there looking out into the distance hoping to see her daughter once more.
"It is hard I know," said a voice and she turned to see the Septa standing beside her.
"I am sure you had the same reaction when your children left the nest," she said sadly.
"My children died when our home was invaded. My son was the same age as Robb when he was killed and my daughters were raped and murdered. My husband...he never stood a chance," the Septa said and Catelyn could hear the sadness from the woman. They must have been very painful memories to carry for centuries.
"I have a question if you don't mind me asking," Catelyn asked.
"Alright," the Septa replied.
"How old were your children whey they died?" she said.
"My oldest boy was the same age as Lord Robb Stark. My husband was getting on with years and I still looked as young as when we first arrived. It disheartened me to see my family fading so." she said.
Catelyn saw the single tear fall from her eyes.
"Then they were gone in an instant," the Septa said.
"How did you gain your immortality?" Catelyn asked.
"I was cursed by a falling star," said the Septa.
Catelyn said no more knowing the memories were painful as it was. For someone as old as the Septa remembering such memories with clarity was something that Catelyn was glad she does not have. Just remembering such actions were enough to tear a man apart.
"She will be fine Catelyn. Unlike my daughters Sansa and Dany are capable warriors. They will be fine and Lady Asha has started to blossom into a true leader." the Septa replied to her.
Catelyn sighed knowing that she was right, "Asha Greyjoy has been growing here considering she spends more time here then back at the Pyke. Her own men respect her more now then they do her father. I saw it on their faces when she brought her men here to see Theon. I heard one mentioned that if Theon did come back to the Iron Islands they can stop being pirates and be as they always were. Islanders," she said.
The Septa smiled, "That is good it was what Winterfell hoped for."
"What do you mean?" Catelyn asked.
"Well the truth is, is that Balon Greyjoy never listened to his father when it came to politics. He prefers to pillage and take from others rather then grow it himself. Paying the Iron Price as they say. His own people resent him for it and as they are now the most fear pirates in the seven seas. They want nothing more then to be who they once were again. They fear the Storm God has taken Balon's body leaving him mad. His brother Euron is no better for he is just as mad as the mad king believing himself to be the Drowned God reborn. Well the Drowned God does not like his company any better then the Storm God.
That earned a laugh from Catelyn, "You and I have something in common," she said.
"What about Jon Snow?" the Septa said.
"What about the Targaryen Heir," she asked.
"I heard you wanted to kill him when your husband first brought the two babies home," The Septa replied.
Catelyn sighed, "I did because I thought Ned was unfaithful," she said, "Looking at Jon and Dany I thought for sure that he was unfaithful and that burning rage in me from that result just….it wasn't right but I could not help it," she said.
"You were raised to hate bastards unlike here in the North or in Dorne. You resented them for their symbolism and the fact they can be treacherous. But here we know that bastards are people too. So we use them for our own means just like Dorne does and treat them as they should be treated like family. Why did you think I took someone like Ramsey away from the Dreadfort. Who knows what Roose Bolton would have done to his bastard son should he do it. Thankfully we found him in time," The Septa said.
Catelyn gave a shutter, "I really can't stand someone like Roose Bolton. He is such a cruel man and to flay the dead as he does! I can only imagine what Ramsey would have turned into had his mother not given him to us,"
"He would have been a monster," the Septa replied.
"Yes he would be," Catelyn recovered enough from that memory.
"You still have not answered me," the Septa said.
"What more do you want me to say? That I hated him until Ned told me of his true origins? That for the first time I had felt such jealousy to have my husband sleep with another woman?" Catelyn felt such bitterness and regret but the Septa had another look on her face.
"You've seen it before?" she said to her, "Haven't you?" Catelyn said.
"Do you think that I had remained celebate for all these centuries? I am a woman after all and I do have needs just like you do. And yes I was married a few times after my true marriage. I loved all my husbands but I disappoint them by baring no heirs." she said.
"You've become barren?" she said.
"Yes, after I was cursed I could have no more children. I was nothing more then a barren wife. But luckily the men I married were not heirs. They were third or forth sons." she said.
"I'm sorry," said Catelyn.
"I know but I do recall one time I did have children after the fact. The man I fell in love with was nothing more then a stone mason and yet he was the greatest man I had ever seen. My first husband will always be in my heart as well as my children. But him? He was the only other man who had filled my womb and allowed this immortal to gain children.
"You told me you hadn't any children?" Catelyn said.
"I hadn't my child never left the womb," she said.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I was killed," the Septa replied.
"Oh," understanding seemed to dawn on Catelyn.
The Septa then turned towards the road, "I have lived here for generations seeing the world turn as the years past. The long nights that came and went and yet this was the first time my death devastated me so." she said and tears started to run but she quickly wiped them gaining composure yet again.
"How many times did you die?" Catelyn asked afraid of the answer.
"Too many times to count and many different horrific ways," the Septa replied before walking off.
CASTLE CERWYN
"Order!" a loud voice boomed across the great hall of castle Cerwyn. Already everyone in the Cerwyn's court was there when Sansa and her party entered and told the Lord of House Cerwyn. Lord Cley was the first to greet them and after some explanation had ordered everyone to the great hall with the captain of the city watch and the men accused.
"I said ORDER DAMN IT!" Lord Cerwyn slammed his fist into the table silencing the room.
"I called this meeting because there has been a violation of the Free Folk act of the North. For centuries we allowed the Free Folk to come into our borders to start a new life south of the Wall. Most of them adhered to the new laws and started a new life. Then there are those who violate that law and are punished accordingly. This man here stands before us accused of violating such an act. How do you plead?" he said.
"My lord I beg you I only wanted to feed my son," he said and as he said it a baby's cry was heard and Sansa was busy shushing the baby. Dany was nearby also helping.
"You hunted in the forests just outside of our hold and stole from our stores to feed your baby why?" Lord Cerwyn demanded.
"I tried to work to gain enough money for a wet nurse since my wife passed in childbirth. But these men refused to allow me to get what I needed to take care of my son," said the man. He was on the floor begging for his life and the life of his child.
"You tell me that the city watch accused you of violating the Free Folk treaty just to feed your baby," Lord Cerwyn said.
"My Lord seriously you would believe this Wildling over your own city watch!" the same man Hector said to Lord Cerwyn.
"Please my lord if it pleases you save my son, do whatever you want with me but please save my son," he said begging and crying.
"Lady Sansa you said that this man was running from these men who were harassing him is that true?" he said to Sansa who stood with the baby in her arms.
"He was my Lord, we saw him ourselves as we were approaching Castle Cerwyn. He was being chased down by these men all while trying to protect his son," Sansa replied.
"Lady Sansa is a lia….!"
"Say that about your Liege Lady again and I will personally cut your tongue out and feed it to the direwolves!" Lord Cerwyn replied to him. The man instantly silenced backed away to join his men.
"Captain Logheart you had known Hector for sometime. Tell me has there been many complaints about Hector's activities involving the Free Folk?" Lord Cerwyn said.
"There had been complaints my Lord," the captain said his voice shaking.
"And why hasn't it been dealt with?" Lord Cerwyn replied.
"It was dealt with my lord. Officer Hector along with several others was released from the city watch three moons ago for harassment of not only Free Folk but some of our own too." said the captain.
"He Lies!" Hector argued.
"Really? Then what is this I hold here," Lord Cerwyn said holding out papers for everyone to read.
The look on Hector's face was enough to get everyone talking in the great hall. It was only by Lord Cerwyn's insistent tapping of his goblet that silenced the room.
"This is evidence of your treachery throughout my hold. How do you plead?" the Lord said to his man.
"Not guilty!" the man declared.
"Alright then what is this I hear from your superior of you raping and then killing an innocent woman for not paying her dues?" the Lord said.
"I did not do the crimes my lord," Hector pleaded.
"No but your friend did and seeing as your friend is with you I would say that you are partially responsible so how do you plead," Lord Cerwyn replied.
"Not guilty," he said though his face grows more red as sweat began to build.
"Your face tells me otherwise admit your guilt," he said.
Then as if a fuse has been lit the man charged, "NEVER!" and rose to strike the Lord's throat.
But Lord Cerwyn was not deterred and used his leg to push him away from the flying man's fist. Then reaching up he grabbed the wrist and flung the man across the way into the wall behind him. Striking his head against the wall the man was instantly on the ground. The other men went to attack the lord but he was quick on his feet. With blinding speed he had unleashed his sword from its scabbard and proceeded to annihilate all the men who attacked him in the room. Blocking the first blow and using the momentum to slice the second man's head and left shoulder off. He then proceeded towards the third man who tried to attack him. Lifting his leg up high he deflected the blow meant for his throat. Then he sent lightning quick hits to vital pressure points on the man causing intense pain. The man in turn fell towards the ground screaming as blood came oozing out of his mouth.
It was over in a matter of moments and the accused lay dead before him.
Turning towards the captain of the guard Lord Cerwyn smirked, "I can see why you ousted him," he said, "But next time you do send a copy of that report to me so that way this wont happen again," he said.
"As you wish my Lord," he said and left the main hall.
"Do you need help cleaning up the mess?" Sansa said to him having been disturbed by the commotion.
"Not at all," he said and he beckoned Sansa to give him the baby.
She gently passed the baby to Lord Cerwyn who then walked over to the Free Folk man was was on his knees. Lord Cerwyn lowered himself to the man's level.
"What is your name?" he said
"Ha, Hammond sir," the Free Folk man said.
"Do you have a name for your son?" he asked.
"His name is Orin sir, Orin Swiftrunner," the man replied.
"Hammond Swiftrunner? Well that is something new? Tell me did you arrive here recently or have been living here for sometime?" Lord Cerwyn asked.
"I have been living here for about two years sir. Been working in the fields with the other farmers and helping with the hunters. But my wife was pregnant with my son when she grew ill. I had to hunt to give her the liver she needs for the baby. She recently passed from this world," he said.
Lord Cerwyn signed, "Well Hammond we here in the North do not tolerate such actions that you saw today. In fact such an act is punished as you see here. You risked a lot to keep your child alive I will give you that. What skills other then farming and hunting that you know?" Lord Cerwyn asked.
"I know how to tan hides sir to make leather out of them," Hammond replied.
"Well I could use a new tanner the one we have is being overwhelmed by demands and a new one will help ease the burden. What say you?" he asked.
Hammond's eyes lit up immediately, "OH I would like that sir and it would give me more time to be with my son!"
"I will have Captain Gosler provide you with a wet nurse for your son seeing as he would need his mother's milk to survive," the Lord said much to the man's happiness.
"Oh thank you sir!" with that he gathered the baby and proceed out the door.
"Harper!" he yelled across the room.
A younger version of Lord Cerwyn appeared this one seemed to be in his 30's while Lord Cerwyn himself is approaching 60.
"Find a wet nurse for our friend and let Yuri know that he would be having a new helper in his shop," Lord Cerwyn said.
The young man bowed low before departing leaving Sansa and her group with the lord.
WINTERFELL
It was the late afternoon in Winterfell and around this time Lord Stark was busy dealing with the matters of the Northern Courts. Robb who stood beside him along with Robb's direwolf Greywind watched as his father tried to deal with the many problems in the North. After about two hours of court dealings Robb begins to understand why his father is the way he is. Juggling his schedule to meet both the lowborn's needs and those of the lords.
Mornings are almost always dedicated to helping the farmers. They in turn help them with repairs to plows and planting seeds. Even making sure the peat that grows around the crops is growing right. You can't grow proper crops in the North without the fire moss that warms the ground to allow the crops to grow in this climate. Twice a week is dedicated to the fisherman to help with the catch in the rivers that feed Winterfell. Special ponds are created thanks to the beaver dams to help with catching fish. They always make sure to put the ones with the eggs and seed back in the river to keep the fish coming.
Then they would spend sometime with the hunters after lunch to make sure there is fresh game for the winter months. Usually fall is the best time to hunt as the deer are fat and ready to hunt down for supper. Spring is not a good time as the females are calving so his father have taught that Spring and Summer are for the deer to repopulate. Autumn is best because it is mating season and the young are big enough to hunt. That is when the hunters start gathering the meats needed to survive the winter.
Late afternoon such as now near dinner time and after dinner is dedicated to the Lords and Lordly duties. Robb would sit and watch his father proceed with dealing with the many problems in his hold. Having the largest hold is no easy task and thankfully most of the lords just send ravens or messengers with their problems. Those that do come in person his father meets with them in the great hall. Helping to solve problems was what the Lord of Winterfell is good at. And Robb can see that soon he too would be the one to lead his family as the eldest son.
If Jon was not on his journey or Theon then both would be learning how to rule as well. Jon because it was his duty as the crowned Prince even though he no longer has a crown and Theon because he is the heir to the Salt Throne on the Iron Islands.
As they neared the fourth man to list his complaints Robb was growing increasingly bored.
"You are going to have to deal with this someday Rob so get used to it," Lord Stark said to his son. Robb could only groan.
A WEEK LATER
It was only a week since they had been there but already they had to depart from the Cerwyn hold. After the exciting first day with the Free Folk man and his son which they got to know the group departed. They headed further down the road towards the fork that would take them towards the Barrowlands. It was going to be close because from what they had heard the King's company was already at the foot of the Neck. So they decided to avoid the King's company they would head towards the Barrowlands. None of the Lords know which holds they would go to on their journey but Sansa and her group were indeed going to avoid the King as much as possible.
"You think Lord Stark is going to head south?" Dany asked Sansa one night while they were camping.
"I don't know all I know is that father was adamant about not going, not with the Others coming," Sansa replied.
"He won't go, the Long Night is nearly here and it is getting colder by the day," Ramsey said as he sharpened his arrows.
"I know that, but you don't know anything about the king and how they were like brothers," Dany replied.
"Were like brothers till the King ordered the Mountain to kill innocent women and children," replied Jon.
Dany sighed her nephew was right. As much as it pains her Robert will try to persuade Lord Stark even doing the pity trip. But after what had happened to them in particular...it was better this way.
"Hey guys!" Theon said as he brought back some rabbit and a bird. He started to clean it immediately while the others started to make sure that other ingredients were in place. Asha returned not long after with some mushrooms and herbs. Together they made their food in silence and enjoying the warm fire. The nights were getting colder and thankfully they brought their winter clothes with them to keep them warm. Ghost and Lady were sleeping near their master's bedrolls when both their heads snapped up in alarm. But the sounds of the animals filled the woods and the wolves don't seemed alarmed.
Asha only laughed when she saw the deer and some normal wolves coming closer. But at the sight of the direwolves they quickly moved off.
"You know what we need a good song," said Ramsey.
"Really? I bet your voice would sound like a harpy?" Asha teased and Ramsey caught the teasing.
"Said the lady who thinks she is a siren when in reality she is nothing more then a screeching banshee," he replied.
Asha threw a mushroom at him and he ducked just in time. It was then that the wolves raised themselves up growling a warning. The others noticed and quickly reached for their weapons. It was with luck that the food was only starting to cook when the first bandit arrived.
The first flew at Jon who rolled backwards raising his feet at the same time to guide the bandit over him. At the same time he slashed upwards killing the man instantly. Ghost and Lady attacked two others in the dark tearing out their throats. Sansa held her spear out just as a man came from behind. But not before she jabbed him in the gut and delivered a high kick to his face. Asha had a pair of daggers with her and threw one at a man heading towards Ramsey. Ramsey in turn shot an arrow into the face of another behind her and Theon used his bow like a shield against a man with a sword. The weapon obviously was not of Northern make or else Theon's bow would have shattered. Instead it just banged against the ironwood that it was made out of. Theon then struck upwards with his other fist and grasped the person in the throat. Twisting he broke the person's larynx killing him instantly.
Ramsey fared no better as he too was using his bow. But unlike Theon he took his string out and converted it into a makeshift staff. Twirling it around above him he then swung his staff at a few other bandits who stayed in the background baring arrows. Twirling it he used it as a shield before going after a few of them. Leaping over their heads he brought his staff down on them hard. He heard bones shatter as he struck and then used his leg to wrap around another man's arm before breaking it.
Dany was busy using her own sword against three thugs at once. It was a rather large group and they wanted what they could to steal from killing the owners. Well she was not going to have it as she stirred the pot of stew and turning the spiggot with the rabbit before pushing two of the men away. Taking a burning coal which does not burn at all in her hand she thrust it into the third man's face. The man screamed at the feeling of hot coals down his throat before Dany shoved him away and decapitated him. Everyone it seems was fighting someone or another and in turn she too was fighting. But luckily for her she was trained by the best and used that to her advantage.
Using her smaller body she made it appear that she was the weakest. When in fact she was one of the best.
The largest man of them tried to go for her but being faster she went for first his legs then his head.
As the last man fell she looked around the camp to see a whole string of corpses. Nodding to the others they went and buried the bodies in forest and with their burial they burned the graves to makes sure they don't come back. The deep pits that the bodies were buried in are what is used to bury the unwanted dead. It was a tradition that lasted for centuries in the North and as par with their beliefs. They are also renewing the earth with the ashes.
"Well I think that was exciting don't you think?" said Ramsey.
"Very much so I think all that makes for an appetite don't you think?" said Jon.
"Not until all of us have a bath we are covered in blood," Dany replied. Which was true they are covered in one form or another. Ghost and Lady are also covered in blood and are licking it off each other.
"Well good thing we chose a good spot then there is a hotspring nearby," said Asha.
"Well we will take turns then the boys will go first followed by the girls," said Theon.
"And we will make sure that Theon does not spy on you ladies," said Ramsey eyeing Theon with distrust.
"Alright then shall we?" said Dany
"Let's," said Sansa as they made their way towards where Asha found the hotspring.
WINTERFELL
The Septa of Ice once again entered her chamber. The deep underground home of the most ancient members of the Winterfell staff. When she entered the familiar room the room itself has not changed much in the past millennia but it still looks the same as it did that day. The same stone floors and the same kitchen that brought them here. The pantry full of goods now stands as it once was. She reached in and pulled out a bottle of wine that she had gotten from the stores. Its contents is rather potent. But the Septa can no longer be taken by drink.
She poured herself a glass and stared at the fire that was kindled in the fireplace. The chamber was once a house before time had grown around it. She chuckled at the slowly sinking home and how the stone seemed to have molded around it. She was still surprised that electricity works still in this home even after many, many millennia in this world.
She was even more shocked at how her electronic equipment still works. But she put such thoughts aside as she sat down on the comfortable couch and stared at the blank T.V. in front of her. There is no cable in this world so all she ever watched as all the movies that lined the walls and read all the books on the shelves. Even those in her children's rooms were still working. As if time had stood still in this house. The wood had long since turned to stone but the electronics, the sinks everything else still worked. That was one of the many mysteries of this world and one she does not know how to solve.
She stared at the screen and remembered what she had heard that day in the Solace of Lord Stark.
It had started out fine until a scout sent a raven about the arrival of the King to the Northern Boundaries. He was making good pace and was expected a week sooner then anticipated. It was a good thing that they had the Targaryens leave as it is. Who knew what Robert Baratheon would have planned if they were still here. She stared at the empty screen again.
"Robert you fat bastard all these years and still jealousy clings to your heart," she said.
As she stared her eyes began to wonder around the well lit room at the other pictures on the walls. Pictures of a much happier time and many more to come. She smiled softly to each each and everyone of those faces. Mostly to the faces of the people she had lost. Namely the ones dressed differently then the rest of the images.
They were her original family her husband with his tawny hair and clean shaven face. Her eldest son who was holding her youngest child with them. Her daughters and her dog and cat staring happily at them. On the side was a big black raven that they had adopted years ago when they found him as a chick. He was on her husband's shoulder with his mouth open. She remembered that memory all too well.
FLASHBACK
"Alright everyone gather around now?" she said holding the camera on the tripod.
The family had just thrown a party for her eldest son Jacob who was going away to the military. They had just finished his graduation at his high school just a few weeks before. And now they are gathered around waiting for her son to appear.
When he did appear he was carrying her youngest son who was only three on his arm. She smiled at the sight as they all gathered around. The dog Tracy was right there by their side along with Max their cat and Maleficent their raven. Percilla her eldest daughter was laughing when Jacob held up her youngest Alex towards the camera.
"Alright everyone smile," she said as she quickly ran into position beside her husband. The family waved as the picture was snapped.
END FLASHBACK
It was all gone in an instant. The flashback from that time still stung but it was there. Sighing she looked down at the parchment in front of her. It was a map of Westeros before the war between the First Men and the Children. It showed the continents united and the land bridge before it. But the way it was separated was nothing like the old legends. The children did not destroy the neck or the bridge with their magic.
It was simply an act of nature that did it. She was sure of it as she poured herself another drink.
She studied the drawings again and it became clear that along the route she saw several sand banks.
"This place is so strange," she said. As she rolled up the map again.
Getting up she prepared to make her bath ready again. As she slipped in she felt her muscles relax as the hot water began to massage the aches and pains of the day. When she felt it leave her she began to relax. Her skin felt warm under its methods and she looked towards the radio. She then reached for the remote and turned it on. Soft music began to play from the next room. It was an old song she remembered from her time on a Native American Reserve.
Allowing herself to immerse in the soft music she let her mind rest. As she laid there staring at the ceiling she let her mind drift once again to that happy time. It just seems so long ago. Then it happened and she found herself in this world of dragons and monsters as well as magic. How could such a thing happen to someone as ordinary as her?
As she thought that she rose from her bath. The tub still boiling with the water from the hot springs. Cleaning herself off she made her way to her rooms to get dressed.
At least here she has something of her past to come back to.
As she prepares for bed all she could think about is the coming of the Long Night.
LORD STARK'S ROOM
Lord Eddard Stark stared out the dark window with loathing. His wife has yet to return from her duties as Steward. But he does not complain much. It was the letter of Robert's arrival that had him clenching his fist.
His blood boils at the fact that Robert would dare make haste up to Winterfell to ask Ned to be his hand. The only excuse he has is that he wants to visit the remains of Ned's long dead sister Lyanna. And to probably discuss with Ned about killing Dany, or to make him hand of the King. All these things Ned can see Robert journeying up North to do in haste. Things in King's Landing must not be doing so well. He had just gotten the Raven from King's Landing about a possible Bastard of Robert's being found amongst the lowborn of Flea Bottom.
If that were the case then Robert needs to deal with this himself.
The door opened behind him and Ned found himself staring at his wife as she entered the room. Her face was all that he needed to know how tired she really is.
"Still thinking about Sansa and the others?" he said to her.
"All the time I can't help but worry just like I worried for Robb when he left last year. This time I worry for her and the others. They are all my children even if they have not come from my womb." Catelyn replied as she quickly shed her day clothes and quickly gone into the waiting bath in the other room.
Lord Stark smiled as he joined his wife in the larger bath. As they both settled down she was just glad to have this private moment with her husband. "You seem troubled?" she said.
"I am, I just received a letter that the King is due sooner then expected," Lord Stark replied.
"Oh Gods! When is he due to arrive then?" Catelyn asked.
"A week from today a lot sooner then expected," her husband replied.
"Thank the Gods that Sansa and Dany are not here," she said.
"Thank the Gods old and new indeed," Lord Stark said.
"We can only hope for the best that much I can assure you dear husband. And I hope you have the strength to keep to what you said," said Catelyn.
Lord Stark only nodded his head.
Later that night his wife was fast asleep but Lord Stark could not sleep not one bit. His thoughts drifted towards Robert's arrival and how things would have played out. If he was as people say he was then he would have said yes very quickly. But appearances are deceiving and he was not about to abandon his people to travel south for the King. He knew the Long Night has returned and for centuries his people are ready to face their ancient enemy. The first time was the last time the Others and the Undead have caught them off guard. Now after centuries of refinement they are more ready then ever.
But he still worries because the Septa of Ice had warned time and time again to expect the unexpected. Meaning all their preparations may not help them but be ready just in case. Ned sighed knowing that the ancient Master of Arms is right. As she has always been. Most men would have thrown away the wisdom of a woman no matter how old they are. But for him his father told him years ago to trust what this person says. Ancient wisdom comes with experience and with experience comes wisdom. She is older then anyone and even older then civilizations. In fact she was the one who brought the secrets to Valyrian Steel to the North. Ned was quite pleased with that aspect but he must remember what he was told. Keep the secrets of the North to the North. The south is full of lies and mistrust. He knows that Robert only plans to use his honor against him.
Well he will get a very tearful departure.
TBC
a/n: Whew that was hard to write considering I just watched season 7's conclusion again. Oh man so much crap has happened then. A lot of stuff that happened in earlier seasons are finally making full circle. So now all that's left is finishing the series. Well I for one can wait for them to finish it. Waiting makes the story better they say. So I will post this new chapter to answer that. As for writing it….well this chapter was a bit rough to write. I mean I have so many things I wanted to put in here but that would make it too long. So I will just post the main point which was what was happening around the time our group left for their tour and afterwards. Next chapter would be the arrival of the king which means a time skip. So be prepared.
And as always please leave a review but no FLAMES, BASHINGS, OR LORE MONGERS PLEASE this is an alternate universe so please leave it at that. Thanks !