Jon watched as Lillian ran across the field "why don't you just tell her Jon?" Robb asked scaring Jon half to death. Jon groans he had heard it before tell her how you feel Jon. Be a man and step up.
"What could I offer her Robb?" Jon asked "can't offer her land or a home. I am a bastard and what she takes my last name how fortunate for her Lillian Snow"
Robb signed "when I am in charge I will give you the last name stark"
Jon laughed "your mother would kill you"
"Nar I'm her first born she'd get over it" Robb shrugged elbowing her. Before Jon could say another work Robb let out a loud whistle making Lillian stop playing with Arya, Brann, Nadine and Brent and looked at us.
Robb ushered Lillian over. As Lillian walked over little did they know her rapid heart beat and sweaty hands were the same thing Jon was feeling. They both smiled at each other as Lillian walked closer. Robb couldn't help but smile at the two of them unknown to each other they were in love.
Everyone in the keep knew it but them "You whistled Robb" Lillian raised an eyebrow at Robb it was something they did to get one another attention the three always did it to each other.
"Just seeing what you're up too" Robb shrugged
"Well I was in a full on game of tip with the kids" Lillian pointed back at the kids running around laughing with one another.
"Ah I see well Jon wanted to play" Robb nodded
Lillian frowned at Jon "Jon you know you can come play you don't need permission" Lillian put her hand out "come on" Lillian hand came out and she waited, Jon was hesitant nothing more he wanted than to touch her and hold her but he was afraid. Jon looked into Lillian eyes and placed his hand in hers.
Lillian than reached over to Robb who sat on the fence shoving Robb off the fence and into mud "ROBB IN" Lillian yelled laughing as she gripped Jon hand and ran off.
"OH YOU'RE DEAD" Robb yelled removing wet mud off himself.
Jon and Lillian laughed holding hands tightly. The other kids running from Robb.
Lillian POV
I don't know how many days passed but Rickon slept a lot in the cell, he didn't talk a whole lot but he did hold onto me like I was going to disappear. Sound of huffing and keys rattling came closer "wake up Rickon" I whispered shoving him a little.
"Stand both of you" guard grunted. Standing to my feet scared they would lay a hand on Rickon I obeyed. Tied in rope we were both dragged out of the cell "hold him I want a word with her" Ramsay spat gripping my rope, he dragged me away from ears "war is coming and I just wanted you to know that I'm going to kill Rickon and then if Jon is captured I'm going to skin him alive piece by piece and make you watch and then when I'm done with Jon I will let you watch my man rape Sansa over and over again"
I turned and looked at Ramsay he was colder than usual the light I once held was nowhere in his eyes. Smirking "until then"
"You shouldn't have killed her"
"She shouldn't have tried to kill Sansa, I warned you, I warned her and if I could turn back time I would do it again and again. Hate me I don't care I want you to hate me because we're not friends, we're nothing you made your bed"
I watched his jaw clench together hard "Your lord it's time"
"Going to see if the bastard surrenders"
"Which one?" I asked as he mounted his horse. The wind was knocked out of me as I fell to the ground, blood dripping out my nose and the familiar sting on my face.
"Stay there Lillian" he hissed riding away. Guards grabbed my ropes dragging me to the kitchen hall where the food was. I watched as the girl who drew my baths came in and began placing food on the table.
"You need-"
"Shh little one I am fine" I smiled softly "don't get yourself into trouble okay" she nodded as she placed the last bit of food. Rickon and I stared at the food untrusting.
"It's safe" the girl muttered putting an apple in her mouth she took from the bowl.
With hands bound together Rickon picked up some food and began eating it. My nose and lip stung and I could feel the bruising in my face already. We weren't safe and I worried for Rickon life.
Thoughts ran through my mind if I can do something anything. Turning my head, I looked at the guard and he was all eyes on me with his arms crossed leaning against the wall. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the fork and began eating, poison wasn't Ramsay style and if it's a war he wants it's a war he'll get.
…
The air was thick and when Ramsay returned he didn't usher a word or spare a glance at me which I was perfectly fine with to be honest. The guards took me back to the cell I was no longer wanted I no longer sat in a bed chamber.
"Lillian"
Looking at Rickon "yeah"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't run faster and hide harder. I was afraid to leave the north because all of use that did something bad happened" he signed
Walking to Rickon "Ramsay going to make a show tomorrow, first light occurs his man will be up and will be getting Winterfell ready for war. To Ramsay we are just pawns, game pieces he likes to play with"
"His going to kill Me"
"Not on my watch" I promised
"Lillian you can't save me"
"I can try already let three Starks die I won't let another"
Rickon gave me a look "three who are you blaming yourself for?"
"Your father, your mother. Robb" I signed "if I had yelled louder gotten my point across than they would be safe but I didn't and now- "
"No" Rickon shook his head.
"My father died because his loyal and honourable, my mother died because she couldn't leave her first born and Robb died trying to save his sister, funny though dad was in a war to save his sister and now we were in one to save ours but sadly the table has turned and we have lost the people we care about" Rickon signed "if I do die, bury me next to father?"
"You're aren't going to die, not on my watch" my voice stern I didn't want to hear it anymore.
….
I knew it was morning I could feel it I was going to see Jon today one way or another. Winterfell was alive today people moving about echoed throughout the dungeon. I didn't see it but I heard something get thrown into our cell. I looked at the shadow who moved, it was small which made me believe it was the little girl who drew my baths.
Moving around I patted the ground before I felt it, it was a knife. Tucking it into my pants I went back towards a sleeping Rickon "get up it's time" Ramsay spat angrily "I want them right next to me both of them" Rickon was jolted awake and as we were dragged bounded through the grounds our feet struggling to keep up.
Walking pass the gate we entered the field and I saw the line up as Rickon and I were dragged through the ranks, my eyes turned to littlejon "traitor" I spat in his direction. Turning my head when we were no longer dragged, my eyes widen as I looked across the field and there it was crosses of burning people, the smell of their flesh burnt my nose.
Ramsay handed my ropes to a guard "it's time" he smiled.
"Don't" I whispered, Ramsay shook his head as he dragged Rickon further and further away from me "Ramsay please" I begged pulling on my ropes, the rope burning into my wrist.
He turned to me giving me the smallest amount of hope and then turned pulling a dagger out from behind his back. The rope got tighter as I thrashed against them. Pulling and kicking the horse the guard sat on getting pushed around "RAMSAY PLEASE FUCKING DON'T I BEG YOU PLEASE, RAMSAY FUCK PLEASE NO" I screamed.
My heart stopped as the knife moved, I couldn't look away I refused too. The knife moved but not to his throat his hands, Rickon hands were cut I couldn't hear what was being said between the two of them but I was frozen Ramsay loved games.
Rickon began to move forward he turned his eyes on me this wasn't a surrender "no you have to run remember those are the rules" Ramsay yelled.
"RICKON RUN" I yelled "FUCKING RUN" his feet began to move as he began to run through the field. A guard moved to Ramsay handing him his bow. I began thrashing again my eyes began to tear up as I watched the youngest stark child run. The first arrow missed, second one missed.
"STOP YOU PIECE OF FUCKING SHIT STOP DON'T RAMSAY PLEASE I WILL SURRENDER PLEASE FUCKING STOP PLEASE"
As he turned to me a smirk reached his face "you were given a chance Lillian now, you made your bed" Anger boiled inside of me like wildfire
Falling forward into the mud, Ramsay turned around pulling back his bow, reaching for the knife under my furs I pulled it out cutting my restraints.
Running forward my body collided with Ramsay but not before he let go. Our bodies collided into the mud our eyes watching as the arrow pierced through Rickon. He lifeless body lying on the ground.
My heart broke my breathing hard and strong, Ramsay laughing made me turn angrily. Huffing my fist began pounding into his face the smile not leaving him which fuelled my anger even more "I HOPE YOU FUCKING DIE" I screamed as guards pulled me off, gripping the locket I ripped it off his neck "YOU DON'T GET TO WEAR THIS YOU DON'T GET IT YOU HEAR ME FUCK YOU DIE CUNT DIE"
Ramsay stood hurt and pain swum in his eyes, blood and mud dripped off his face "Take her back to Winterfell, strip her naked, tie her to a cross and whip her until she begs for forgiveness" he grunted as two guard began dragging me back my eyes turned to Jon who stood angrily in the field.
The gate opened and I was thrown on the cross, my clothes torn from my body the cold air nipping at it "such a beauty" the guard signed "shame he probably going to rape you and then murder you slowly"
Looking up I spat in his face, I watched his eyes grow angry as he pulled back colliding his fist with my face. The pool of blood built in my mouth the taste of cooper made me laugh harder "Slut" But the smile never left my face.
"Pussy undo me and fight me like a man"
He grunted staring at the other guard "give me the fucking whip" he grunted pushing the other guard "dirty little slut whore. I should rape you my fucking self" he hissed as the loud crack of the whip went through the air breaking on my skin.
Arching my back my teeth gritted I remained silent, slow tears rolling down my cheek. Lick after lick no sound was made but tears fell hard. I felt lifeless like this was it.
….
"She's not going to scream, she won't beg for forgiveness" one of the guards frowned "let her rest, Ramsay only going to do worse to her, we don't need to be those people" it was the same guard who never dragged me or touched me he was young yet I could tell he didn't have the same beliefs as Ramsay.
The other guard signed handing him the whip "I'm going out there than" he grunted walking away and back out towards the war that raged outside. I felt blood dripping out of me. Every part of me stung to no man's land.
"Lady Falls water?" I looked up at the guard "I mean you no harm it was me who got the girl to give you the knife" he softly smiled giving me a drink of water "rest okay" he signed throwing a fur coat over my cold body.
Nodding I Closed my eyes I rested. Trying to keep my breathing steady, as I listened to the commotion outside it was loud, clingy of swords, grunts and screams from man. I felt myself beginning to drift as I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.
The sound of banging made me open my eyes "Hello Lillian" Ramsay smiled beside me "you didn't scream?" He pulled the fur coats off my body.
"Fuck you" I whispered my throat burning from the cold air, my body shaking.
I felt it the familiar whip and his ice-cold hands "fuck you" he growled. One, two, three, four lashes my teeth grind together, my eyes remained shut with every lick my body got until it couldn't I felt the last lick as the gate was broken across my face.
Jon POV
As the gate opened a scream ripped through Winterfell my eyes fell on Lillian, blood dripping from her body, hey eyes closed and head hung low. She looked dead and Ramsay hand dropped the whip.
My men flooded the courtyard and began killing Bolton soldiers. Turning to Wun Wun I reach out to him after seeing all the arrows in his body. But my hand stopped when an arrow pierced through his eye, WUN WUN dropped to the ground with a thud.
"You suggest one on one combat, didn't you?" Ramsay asked. My eyes looked from WUN WUN to Lillian "I've reconsidered. I think that sounds like a wonderful idea"
I grunted as he notched another arrow, dropping my sword to the ground I picked up a shield from the ground and began moving towards Ramsay. Ramsay releases an arrow. Blocking it I advanced forward, second arrow, the third missed me going straight pass my head.
Hitting Ramsay with my shield I knocked him to the ground, Dropping the shield I jumped on top of Ramsay and began punching him. His bones cracking under my knuckles. Blood pouring out of his face. The smile on his face made me angrier by the second.
The sound of coughing made me stop looking up Sansa was holding Lillian. Jumping up quickly I bolted to Lillian "get me a knife" I yelled gripping her head "Hey Lillian I got you It's me I'm here okay" but Lillian didn't respond. Her head laid low and her breathing hard.
"Please Lillian" I cupped her face
"Brent, Forresters, Raven" she huffed the words out.
"Lillian hey stay with me"
"R-r-r-Rickon I-I-I'm Sorry" she stuttered blood pouring out of her mouth, her breathing choppy. Going to work on her ropes her body fell into mine taking the coat I was offered I wrapped her body up carrying her with ease out of the cold and to the maester "I-I-I love you Jon"
"No, no, no" I muttered this can't be the first meeting after so long. God no "help, HELP" I screamed "get me a fucking maester" I screamed. Breaking the arrow that jammed into her chest I held her to my body.
"It's okay Jon, let m-m-me go" she shook her breathing almost non-existent.
"HELP FUCKING HELP NOW SOMEONE" I screamed my eyes watering "Lily please stay with me okay I love you please. Please not now come on" I held her tight shaking her as she stared into my eyes.
Maester finally came taking her away they began working over her body I watched as they closed up all her cuts from the whips. I watched them break her bones and reset them and lastly removed the arrow that lodged into her chest.
"She needs to wake on her own the next two days will tell us how she goes, she will bare scars on her body and her face. She needs to beat the cold that has taken her" the maester nodded "a nurse will be with her every night-"
"I'll be with her" I stated cutting him off.
"Jon" turning I looked at grant and Brent "is she okay?"
"Only the gods know" I nodded my jaw clicking.
"The gods like her" Brent whispered walking into the room.
"They always have Jon, they'll be good to her" Grant nodded "she'll be fine. It's Lily"
My heart broke they depended on her so much and leant on her and I couldn't blame them I did it too. She could always take the load that's why we let her help carry it.
Grant and Brent took a seat next to her "hey Lily it's me your big brother Grant I'm back and I'm not going to leave you and Brent ever again. I'm so sorry for the burden you had to hold because of me" Grant whispered his eyes filling with tears.
"Lillian I need you to wake because I can't hold our secret" Brent looked at me "you need to wake and tell him"
"Tell me what?" I asked staring at him.
"Keep an eye on her I'm going to get Jaymie" Brent stood "she'll wake trust me"
….
I couldn't tell you how long I sat there listening to her breath, holding her tight when her body began to shake uncontrollably. Sansa had come and gone. Ramsay no longer alive mauled by his own hounds. Melisandre was banished from the north yet I sat holding Lillian hand scared that if I let go, she would leave.
"Jon it's time" looking up at Sansa, frowning I got up kissing Lillian hand "I'll be back" I whispered leaning forward I kissed her forehead "don't you dare go anywhere"
walking out of lily chamber my heart heavy. Lifting my head, I sat in the dining hall where my father once sat Sansa to my left. Gulping back the overwhelming feeling of judgement I stared at these northern man and women.
"You can't expect knights of the vale to side with wildling invaders" a knight from the vale yelled.
"We didn't invade. We were invited" Tormund yelled back
"Not by me" the vale knight glares
"And who are you little boy" Grant yells glaring at the knight.
Signing I stood "The free folk, the northerners, and the knight of the vale fought bravely, fought together and we won. My father use to say we find out true friend on the battlefield"
Some house representative stood "the Bolton's are defeated. The war is over. Winter has come. If the maester are right, it'll be the coldest one in a thousand years. We should ride home and wait out the coming storm"
Groaning "the war is not over. And I promise you, friend, the true enemy won't wait out the storm. He brings the storm"
The hall began to fill with chatter and murmurs, I watched as lady Lyanna stood the murmurs grew quiet "Your son was butcher at the red wedding, Lord Manderly, but you refused the call. You swore allegiance to house stark lord glover, but in the it hour of greater need, you refused the call. And you, Lord Cerwyn, your father was skinned alive by Ramsay Bolton. Still you refuse the call. But House Mormont remembers. The north remembers. We know no king but the king in the North whose name is stark. I don't care if he a bastard. Ned stark blood runs through his veins. He's my king from this day until his last day" my eyes widen at the love from such a small girl.
Nodding the room filled with mixed emotions I watched as lord Manderly stood, the room falling quiet again "lady Mormont speaks harshly and truly. My son died for Robb stark, the young wolf. I didn't think we'd find another king in my lifetime. I didn't commit my men to your cause 'cause I didn't want more Manderlys dying for nothing. But I was wrong. Jon Snow avenged the Red Wedding. He is the white wolf. The king in the north"
Manderly draws his sword than rest it point down on the ground and kneels. Lord glover stood next "There will be more fights to come. House Glover will stand behind House Stark as we have for a thousand years. And I will stand behind Jon Snow… the King in the North"
Please review.
Jeanette x
