iPreviously on POTG: Nathalia finds out about the dark magic used by Melisandre. Sansa encounters problems in King's Landing.
Disclaimer: I don't own A Song of Ice and Fire (though i would love to marry Robb Stark)
Chapter 21 Trouble Brewing
*Alessandra*
She and Dyllon remain cordial on the next few days of training. Somehow, the confrontation from the past week has taken them both to the edge that they could not exchange more than mere pleasantries. The new guardians are improving and have been very well taught by both older guardians. They have managed to get used to the very different teaching styles of each and began to work out some chants without needing any help.
The number of wildlings dwelling in the wall became so large that the shadow tower needed to be cleaned and properly renovated so that the wildlings would not freeze in the low temperature of the North. Mance Ryder has arrived the day before yesterday. The men were, at first, apprehensive and unsure of the given circumstances but once Mance sat with Jeor Mormont and managed to produce a laugh from the old bear they began to accept the presence of the so-called rebels. Now Samwell is not the only person who dares to converse with them.
A hand suddenly grabs her arm while she's walking towards the Lord Commander's office. Ally is ready to combat with her assailant when she recognizes the sharp features of Dyllon. "I need to speak with you," This is the first time that he manages not to look away from her eyes after a few seconds.
She retrieves her arm, not showing that the action released a familiar hotness on her belly. How long has it been since she'd been with a man? Perhaps, she remembers, Viserys is the last man I ever let touch me. "What for?"
He lowers his head, making her unconsciously turning her head away. His hot breath is now fanning her face, most probably leaving her wanton once their conversation is over. "I have been monitoring the whispers lately."
"Who asked you to do that?" She asks immediately, taken back by how irresponsible she may look to him.
He surprises her by releasing an amused laugh. An involuntary shiver escapes her and when she looks up, she meets the paleness of his eyes. There are a very soft color that you would think that his pupils are translucent. "You're very annoying, you know that?"
She scowls, moving closer so that his face is very near hers. "Did you pull me here to insult me?"
"No, I didn't."
"What do you want then?"
How could she not have noticed how beautiful his eyes are and how those small traces of beard can make him look regal and classic? "There's been an…interesting turn of events at Robb Stark's camp."
"What do you mean?" She suddenly forgets her inappropriate thoughts and panics. "Is Thalia hurt?"
"No no not that." His fingers hold her shoulders and she wonders how such a small action could seem so sensual. "Though it's also a bit on the darker side." His voice lowers, making the atmosphere turn serious. "Dark magic is being used by Stannis."
"What? No, that's not possible."
"Nathalia is the one who sent the whisper." And this is enough reason for both of them to believe whatever has been previously said.
Dark magic being involved in the game of thrones can be the cause of the kingdom sending untrained but of age guardians to Westeros. The use of false gods and such dark crafts are not tolerated and whoever practices such should be killed. However, it would take long before those new protectors can be sent. It is not information that they want out but the population of inexperienced guardians in their kingdom is not even half of the population in Westeros.
"Well what do you propose we do?" For a moment, he looks startled that she would ask his opinion.
No word passes between them for a short moment. Their eyes are scanning each other's faces, as if the answer is written on their foreheads.
Then Dyllon finally lets out a sigh, as if what he will suggest pains him. "I'll go."
She opens her mouth to inquire about his statement but the sudden toll of the bells stops her from doing so. She pushes Dyllon softly, enough for him to take a step back from the narrow confines of the small space they were conversing at. If anyone noticed their questionable disheveled states, they do not comment on it because they are too busy shouting at the bell ringer.
The next words are what made their blood run cold.
"White Walkers!" Grenn, the watcher on duty, screams while he continues to ring the heavy brass.
"No," Her body is suddenly unable to move and she can only stare and listen at the bell, willing for it to stop so that everything that was shouted can be proved false. All around her, men begin to run around; the dragonglasses forged are not enough to arm everyone. Panic is creeping up in her chest, travelling towards her belly. It is like the bell moved itself inside her, following the erratic beating of her heart. How could she have ever thought that she can lead a few hundred men without losing her confidence? All her years, she is a shadow to Nathalia. Thalia should be here. Thalia should be the one to command the Night's Watch. Thalia would know what to do. Ally is happy to stand beside her because what she does best is follow orders.
Dyllon is no longer behind her. He is already below the offices, shouting commands to close the gates. His calm exterior not fazed by the sudden attack of their enemy. It is as if he has readied himself for what would eventually happen. For a moment, his gaze moves towards her frozen state. Then he exhales and shakes his head, as if he already knew that he would have to command the people by himself. She feels shame enveloping her. The men trusted her and she repays them by doing nothing.
"Alessandra?" It is Ygritte's voice talking to her, trying to take her back to the present time.
But it is Samwell's chubby hand that slaps her back to reality…literally. As soon as the impact hit her face, she looks down and finds the men positioning themselves in columns as they await her command.
"Fire," She whispers to herself before shouting their alternative. "FIRE!"
"What do you mean miss?" Pypar is on the first line, a confused look on his face.
She steadies herself on the reigns of the second floor, trying to make eye contact with them all. This is what Thalia would do, she thinks. Feeling the comfort of her friend's approval of her actions, she starts yelling orders. "Set as much blades or as much wood on fire! Fire cannot kill a white walker but it can long enough distract them for another of your brothers to stab them with dragonglass. Please bear in mind that only a few can be equipped with these obsidian. As soon as you see a wight, stab it. DO NOT HESITATE. They will kill you and eat your rotting flesh before you can even get inside the confines of the wall. Do not let their blades harm you. If you get stabbed by one of them, it is better to kill yourself than come back as a wight. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
There is only a couple who answers her; the others too shocked at their uncertain fate.
"I asked, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
This time, they all shout back. Adrenaline punctuates itself in everyone's eyes. All of them are eager to finish this gruesome battle.
"Very well," She says softly. "Disperse."
At this last command, she walks away with Ygritte and Samwell on her train. Taking hold of her skirts, she unhooks it from the side and lets the heavy material leave her body. Thank the gods that she wears breeches underneath her skirts so that she wouldn't have to change with a sudden attack.
She barges inside her quarters to get her dragonglass sword before running down the stairs and preparing with the men. Ygritte is already in her wildling clothes, taking hold of bows and arrows while Samwell seems uneasy waiting for a command.
She grabs his face with her hands, "Thank you for the slap." She winks then points the edge of her sword towards the highest point of the wall. "You take Grenn's place in guarding. We need his swordhand here."
"I can fight," His pride seems to overtake his wants.
"Do you want to fight?" She taunts.
He runs to the lift without another word.
A smile forms on her lips before she starts to address the wildling woman beside her. It is the first time that she sees panic in Ygritte's eyes. "Take many archers with you at the wall and light the edge of you arrows. Do not release them without my command."
With a nod, Ygritte begins to tap men on the shoulders, ordering them to follow her lead. Once sure that enough archers are given the proper weapon, they all move fast towards the lift.
"And us?" Dyllon's voice gives her a brief reminder of her previous shameful state. She turns around, expecting his annoyed glare, feeling her breath hitch when she notices the amount of agitation present in his pale eyes. He has never been less than composed before and the his present state only reveals how severe the events are.
The newly trained guardians are surrounding them, their faces betraying their nervousness and temporary low self-esteem. Alessandra takes a deep breath, trying to say the next words with much confidence as she could muster. "We build barricades."
*Nathalia*
It is an angry man's scream that wakes Nathalia and Jon from their deep slumber. Last night has been…exhausting. Jon has taken it upon himself to make sure that everyone in the camp knew that she was his. At first, Nathalia had called him out and told him that she wasn't some price that has to be proven won. Then Jon made a notion of men ogling at her and whispering filthy things behind her back—to which she replied that she was already used to. Apparently, that last bit backfired on her and they were back to a screaming match. It was too rowdy that Steffon had been sent by Robb Stark to check if everything was alright. They both took a sigh of annoyance and calmly told him that nothing is on the wrong. A deep conversation followed and, after, Jon pulled her towards him and kissed her more tenderly than he has ever. The night—or early hours of the morning—was followed by passionate love-making, both of them telling each other how sorry they are for their fight.
Nathalia turns over, burying her head on Jon's warm chest, determined to ignore the silly antics of men early in the morning. However, as soon as she hears the sounds of metal clashing with each other, she immediately steps out of their bed to grab Jon's long tunic from the ground and slipping it on her naked form.
"Where are you going, love?" Jon's husky voice interrupts her from her splashing cold water from her face to wake her senses.
"Out," is her only reply before running out from the tent.
She is barely able to walk five feet from the tent when a hand grabs her arm to spin her around wildly.
"Surely not dressed in that?" Jon's grey eyes switches from her fairly hidden bosom to her perk morning breasts.
She smiles seductively, only now noticing how Jon managed to only wear his breeches in an attempt to follow her out. "Then come with me and you can relish in the glory of letting everyone know you're bedding me," Her fingers trail down his abdomen before intertwining her fingers with his.
She knows that she managed to win this argument because of the deep sigh released by her beloved.
A moment later, they find a man kneeling on the dirt. Nathalia studies his high cheekbones and golden hair hidden beneath a cake of filth. Surely he must be a high-class man if he was released of his shackles and would bathe for a long time. Then the man looks up, his emerald green eyes glistening even though his face is black from all the soil he must have gotten from being abused. It takes Nathalia a moment to realize that this man is Jaime Lannister, the Lannister lion. Jaime Lannister…who is kneeling in front of an angry Lord Karstark. The gleam of silver from Karstark's hand can only indicate that he is the one who pulled the sword first to kill their prisoner.
"What is going on in here?" Her voice rings out in the clearing, stopping any chance of the kingslayer's head rolling on the ground.
Every man gawks at her, lustfully eyeing her bare legs hidden scandalously using Jon's—thankfully thick—tunic. There is no sound present while every man takes in her current state, almost all of them wishing they were in the place of Ned Stark's bastard.
Jon, sensing the rise in temperature, pulls the gorgeous guardian beside him more closely.
"Lucky bastard," One man manages to spit out. Then their gazes turn to him, each wanting to murder him with their eyes because of jealousy. For them, it is not fair that a bastard should get the most enchanting woman in the whole camp.
"Well?" Nathalia presses on, voice as intimidating as a newly forged steel.
Lord Karstark steps forward, still pointing the blade at Jaime Lannister's neck. "With your permission, my lady, I would like for this man to die."
She puts her palms up, stopping him. "That request is not for me to grant." It is only then that she looks at the shamed knight. The last time that Nathalia has seen him was when they laid siege on King's Landing. He was every bit of a promising boy then: handsome, cocky, and a great swordsman. She doesn't doubt for a moment that he is still those three. They are only hidden by the filth covering him. "What have you done?" Her words, if listened to closely, are not said with fierceness rather the tone that a sister might use to scold her younger brother for misbehaving.
"Is that a way to greet an old friend?" His usual snarky voice asks her, a trademark smirk transfixed on his mouth.
A smile threatens to betray her. She has always been fond of this man and finds him in equal humour with Steffon. "Do not be so cocky, Lannister. It is your neck that threatens to hang on a spike." Taking a deep breath, she continues: "Tell me your sins against Lord Karstark."
"I killed his son," The lion has the decency to hang his head in show of shame. It is not only Cercei who idolized her. It is a mutual feeling between the twins.
"And he has to die for it!" Karstark is red as he spits out the fury of his words.
"It is not my fault that your son is not a great warrior as you were. He was an idiot, to be honest." Jaime Lannister has never kept a filter on his mouth and would let any of his—mostly unacceptable—opinions come out rapidly.
"You cunt!" The blotched-faced lord lifts up his swordhand, ready to strike the smug prisoner.
"WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS IS HAPPENING?" Robb Stark appears riding his horse. Beside him is Lady Catelyn Stark and an unknown woman. Hmm..looks like the morning started early for everyone except for Jon and I.
She takes a small step forward, finally feeling the frost running up her bare thighs. "Jaime Lannister killed Lord Karstark's son in an attempt to escape. An execution is suggested by the latter."
The king raises an eyebrow at her current state, his eyes moving from her to his brother at a certain realizing speed. Nathalia steals a quick glance at Jon and finds him in eye contact with his brother. He clears his throat, making Robb do the same and try to concentrate on the predicament presented to him the in the late hours of morning. "Jaime Lannister will not be executed today."
"But my son—"
"—will be missed." The king of the north finished for him, glaring. "The kingslayer is too valuable an asset."
With a large clang, Karstark throws his sword on the dirt, as if ending his alliance with the young king. His defiance creates an uncomfortable silence in the camp. The only question in their minds is what will happen to their delicate alliance. A few men grab Jaime Lannister by his shoulders roughly, pulling him back to his cell. A few still linger, staring at them as if waiting for more things to happen.
"Walk away, now." Nathalia finds herself shouting, unable to hide her irritation at such curious attention from men. Soon enough, they begin to go back to their original stations while muttering among themselves their theories of what might happen next.
The king's horse neighs in protest of his unmoving position. Sensing his discomfort and uncertainty on how to act in front of her half-naked, she curtsies gracefully and flashes him a small smile. "Wise choice, your grace. Good morning."
He smiles an unsure smile and rubs the back of his neck bashfully, as if he is embarrassed by her. "Good morning, Nathalia…you too brother."
Jon wastes no time in wrapping a secure arm around her waist and kissing her on the side of her head. "It is indeed a good morning, brother."
Recognizing the sarcasm and hidden meaning, the king coughs awkwardly and struts his horse forward with Lady Catelyn and the mystery woman following him. Nathalia wonders what the olive-toned woman could have possibly done to be given such a privilege from the king. Surely Robb Stark would not be keeping a mistress, would he?
A horse neighs loudly from a distance with its feet thumping loudly on the ground. Nathalia turns around, seeing Steffon riding the horse at its full speed towards her. He isn't wearing his normal dirty tunic and unflattering breeches since everyone finally knows his true identity as a guardian. Now, he's wearing a leather coat on top of his white cotton tunic that can only be purchased with a few pieces of silver along with his black, worn-out boots. His curly blond hair is shining from the rays of the sun, making him look his part as a powerful piece in the games.
"Nathalia," He says as a way of greeting, also throwing a nod towards Jon.
She smiles at him, clapping Jon on the chest a few times to show that she's pleased that he nodded at Steffon in return. "Steffon, what is urgent this morning?"
He jumps off his horse, giving the reins to a nearby stable boy. "There is news from King's Landing regarding Stannis Baratheon."
Hearing this matter, Jon kisses Nathalia on the forehead and tells her that he will be taking a quick bath. Once they are alone, Steffon removes his long coat and gives it to her. "For everyone's sake, wear this." He pushes when she starts to protest.
She rolls her eyes but concedes, "What is happening in King's Landing?"
He leads her away from nosy ears, "There is talk of war. Stannis Baratheon rides his ships towards the harbors of King's Landing."
"Is that so?" Her eyebrow raises in question. Surely Stannis is not that much of a fool to think that he could just raid King's Landing and win the title of being a king. "Do we have any plans?"
His eyes betray him of nervousness. "Well…I do have one."
"What is it?"
"I go to King's Landing and help them defeat Stannis." He meets her eyes, probably looking for approval. "If he's planning to use dark magic, your sister cannot defeat him by herself. Besides, she's posing as Sansa Stark's handmaiden. She would probably be guarding her inside the queen's safety chambers." He remembers everything that she's told him of the Stark girl's guardian and of Tyrion Lannister's information to the opposing side.
Still…she cannot let him go just yet because of a current hole in his plans. "They'll know you're a guardian as soon as you kill Stannis' men with no trouble at all. They don't know you. You're a stranger wearing noblemen clothes."
"I know that." He tells her, his voice defying her warnings.
"How could you ever pretend to become a normal man in King's Landing if you go on trying to be a hero and saving the city?"
Suddenly he moves in front of her, his head going in the direction of Jaime Lannister's prison. "I need him."
Moments later, Nathalia and Steffon enter the Kingslayer's cell. The four guards inside immediately stand up straighter, wondering why the two guardians would pay visit to such a vile man.
Nathalia crinkles her nose, not liking the smell inside. Poor Jaime. A wave of sympathy overwhelms her. "Remove his shackles." She orders the men.
They do not move until Steffon takes one by the armour and pulls him threateningly. "Didn't you hear the lady? Take the fucking shackles off." She ignores Jaime's burst of amusement by chuckling.
The men start moving frantically, trembling in terror. Finally, the kingslayer stands up, rubbing his wrists that are finally free of being held.
"And for his sake, give him new clothes and a tub of hot water." She adds before exiting the filthy prison.
OOOOOH What will happen next?
I just looove Steffon! He's a very fun character to write.
Review Replies:
Lycan Lover 411: Aaaaah your reviews always amuse me! I really had fun writing that part.
Phoenix Crest: Thank you for your many reviews! Have you seen the video? And you likes Suits! AAAAAHHH… And thank God you also noticed the resemblance between Robb and Klaus!
Next: Robb learns of Steffon's plans. Tyrion commands the knightsguard. Sansa is in trouble.