"I knew it was too fucking good to be true." Tormund marched toward his horse halting from Jon's iron clad grip holding his arm.
"Wait Tormund—"
Tormund yanked Jon's hold off meeting the ranger's glare, "wait for fucking what? The dead are back."
"We don't know that."
"Its the same symbol we saw before retreating to Winterfell—"
"You told me you found young Ned Umber dead and nailed to a wall; this symbol," Jon glanced at the slew of severed limbs, "it's different, it could've been here before the long night for all we know."
The wildling lieutenant shook his head turning away, "and what if it's not?"
Jon walked to the severed limbs circling the formation looking for any distinction, "look over here," he knelt closer examining the limbs, "these look any different then what you saw at the Last Hearth."
Tormund grabbed the nearest limb, "It's cold, frostbitten, a few weeks old at least. At House Umber the pieces were fresh." The rotted frostbitten flesh was easily distinguishable from fresh meat hours from dismemberment.
Jon nods standing, "that means whoever set this here wanted us to find it."
"Who would go through all this pretending to be white walkers?"
"Someone who wants us divided, fearful. Mountain Thenn remnants who defected from Mance's army after his death." Jon suggested.
"Aye I can't argue with that, I hate fucking Thenns, they could give two shits about the free folk even if they're one of us—They will eat anyone who crosses their path."
"Then their food source ran out and this is what remained which explains why they traveled this far south."
Tormund grunted skeptical of Jon's dismissal of the dead returning, "do you believe the others are really gone?"
It took a few moments for Jon to respond, "I'm not sure Tormund, but I'm going to find out." The ranger collects nearby wood and leaves tossing the contents over the symbol. "Come on help me burn this." Jon said as they got to work setting the dismembered carnage ablaze.
The pair rode in silent contemplation keeping their thoughts to themselves about the recent development. Tormund spoke the lone words of the trip thanking Jon for talking him out of telling the free folk caravan about their recent findings. The information would frighten the group moving forward breaking overall morale and resolve which they needed to complete their journey north. Tormund found Jon the most reliable crow he'd met, his duty bounded him to finding any validity to the others' reemergence—If they were truly back Jon would be the first one to declare it.
The caravan bended around the edge of Milkwater's furthest stream continuing their northeast trajectory to Storrold's point. Trees spread farther apart thinning out in the woodlands ahead. Jon stopped the free folk a mile from the edge of the halfway point of the forest leading to a few hundred meter clearing leading to the back half of the woods. The group set up camp resting in a secluded spot until the following day. Jon rested beside Ghost in his makeshift tent waking at constant nudging from his loyal companion.
"My king a word." The voice stirred Jon to get up emerging from his tent joining a large group of Hornfoots.
"What do you need?" Jon asked pinching the bridge of his nose regaining his bearings.
The group exchanged glances staring at their feet, "I know it's selfish of us to ask this but," Xander hesitates scratching the back of his head.
Jon understood the position of leadership at a young age. The nineteen year old now chief of the Hornfoots, leading others was a natural gift and a craft that had to be rigorously practiced to reap the benefits. "Its alright Xander take your time."
"Thank you Jon, it's just..." Xander steps forward surprising his tribe, "the Frostfang mountains have belonged to us Hornfoots for thousands of years, we would like your permission to head west and establish a settlement."
"Most of you are warriors we'd be losing a good bulk of our forces." Jon's gaze swept over the the group, "make sure you send a scout south to send word of your progress I'm sure you'll find horses on the way."
"Y-you're giving us permission?"
"Aye you never needed it, I'm just glad you told me." Jon said offering a smile.
As night fell at the temporary camp cups were raised and musical instruments harmonized with dancing throughout the celebration. For most the journey north was halfway over and everyone was safe having found peace. Jon watched the Hornfoot clans in their own section toasting to their return to the coveted Frostfang mountain range.
"To Jon Snow our king beyond the wall!"
"We're going home!"
"To freedom!"
"To family!"
Their words stirred feelings about his own home of Winterfell knowing it was in the best hands. He wasn't sure if he would ever return or if he was wanted there. It didn't stop his thoughts about the trueborn Starks and laments about Daenerys, his last and only connection to the Targaryen bloodline.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Talia," Jon pushed himself off the tree taking the cup she offered, "thanks I really needed this." The ranger resisted a cough downing the harsh liquid. "I forgot how much stronger this is than the Watch's ale."
"It's a proper northern drink." Talia said eyeing Jon behind her cup, "so what's the king doing all by his lonesome?"
"Being able to see everyone happy like this is enough for me." Jon couldn't help smiling warmly witnessing everyone's wild dancing around the several bonfires spread amongst the camp.
"Is it?" Talia asked standing closer to Jon. "You deserve time to decompress, isn't there a time when you're not on duty? When you're not a ranger?"
Jon shook his head, "the vows I took were for life, no matter where I go I have to hold to them or my word means horse shit." The only guarantees he had in life was his duty, name, and word, they were his core he had instilled in him since birth by Ned Stark himself—Integrity, honor, serving justice to yourself and others were at the forefront of his morales.
"You're a good man Jon better than most I've known, but even I know good men don't lie with thieves," Jon didn't hide his surprise when she drew closer, "I'm not your type of gal am I?" Jon's surprise grew as he drank the alcohol faster.
"What makes you say that?"
"Call it a woman's intuition."
He grinned meeting her eyes, "Tormund told you didn't he?" Talia laughed playing with a strand of hair, "what did he say?"
Talia's gaze softened unable to meet Jon's "he said you were in love with a friend of his a girl who was kissed by fire Ygritte." Talia immediately recognized the nerve she hit as Jon's features narrowed. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have—" The ranger's firm grip on her arm kept the brunette from fleeing.
"Ygritte," Jon spoke her name like a song, "was my first love; when I left Mance's group I figured she would kill me the next time we crossed paths." He finally met Talia's curious gaze, "I got to see her one last time..."
"...Did you do it?"
"No...In a way I didn't care if she killed me that night, all that mattered was that moment."
Talia sighed at the tragedy there was a recent one he suffered, "and the dragon queen?"
In all honesty he hadn't given it much thought forcing himself to forget the event in order to keep his sanity. It was terrible but necessary, no matter how he felt about it he did the right thing. "A mistake." He said. Talia places a palm on Jon's cheek kissing him softly as he shuts his eyes returning it slowly. She tugs on his cloak wrapping an arm an around his side while his arm encircled her neck pulling closer. The pair forgot their past staying like that for awhile enjoying the camp's happiness.
Jon rubbed his eyes waking up early the next morning just as first light peered through the tree line. He draped an arm over Ghost rubbing his stomach trying to no avail to wake the soundly sleeping wolf. "Come on up Ghost, no time to be lazy." He said patting his companion's belly waking him. The duo emerged from the tent meeting Tormund and other early risers sitting around a faint fire.
"Morning." Jon sat in the circle receiving low groans and half assed responses which was expected after the heavy night of celebrating. "Did the Hornfoots already set off?" He asked noting the camp was thinner than last night.
"They left when it was still dark out, they wanted a jump on the journey west." Brielle states clutching her forehead.
Tormund chugs the northern drink letting remnants drip through his beard, "Snow, I have something for you." He said pulling out a worn Watchmen cloak abundant with silky red stripes differing from the Watch's standard issue all black cloaks.
"What's this?" Jon questioned. He notes the color scheme's similarity to Targaryen sigil colors pondering a connection.
"When Mance died a few of us collected his belongings trying to find his treasure. We found this instead, this cloak was precious to him. That cloak used to be a ranger one similar to yours until Mance was gravely injured by a mountain cat hunting elk. A wildling girl nursed him to health repairing his cloak," he pointed to large red stripes decorating the black fabric, "she used scarlet silk originating Asshai her grandmother pulled from a cog washed up on the Frozen Shore. It was her grandmother's greatest treasure, it was Mance's and now it's yours—do with it what you will."
"I'll take good care of it, thanks for trusting me with it."Jon held the cloak running his bare hand on the fabric, there wasn't any silk that came close to it. He folded the new cloak placing it in his travel bag returning to the group. "You mentioned Asshai Tormund, that's a city far southeast of Essos."
Tormund shrugged, "I just know the name, haven't heard anything about it."
"Aye it's on the southernmost edge of a mountainous peninsula called 'Shadow Lands,'" Brielle said."
"That place is cursed." Axel inquired, "no one would be stupid enough to go there except merchants and traders not even Sothorian pirates will step foot in that place."
"Do any of you think it's possible to get there sailing west?" Jon asked.
The small group stared at him like he went bat shit insane, "hell no! People have tried to set up trading routes for hundreds of years only to fail." Rowan scoffed.
"Jon," Brielle called grabbing his attention, "sailing west in a death sentence. Even if you're able to cross the Sunset Sea which no one has done; to get to Asshai you need to pass through the Shadow."
"The fuck's that supposed to mean?" Rowan asked causing Brielle to roll her eyes.
"It means they would need to sail though the Saffron Straits where the Ash river meets the Jade sea—I've heard stories from sailors, people always leave only to never return."
Axel stood up surprising them, "seriously Brielle? What a croc of shit! We're busy discussing far away lands that half the shit said about is nonsense."
"Same was said about the others." Tormund spoke biting into a meat leg obnoxiously.
"And now the others are gone. We should worry about the journey ahead." Axel said leaving abruptly.
Jon and Tormund exchanged a glance as the wildling lieutenant shrugged giving him the choice to say something, he had his full trust.
Jon nodded in agreement they would need to get camp packed soon, "Brielle, thanks."
"Anytime." She said standing to greet her wife and daughter.
Jon witnessing the family reunion thought of one of his own silently praying for each of their safeties, especially Arya. He knew where Bran and Sansa were, he had no idea where Arya was but he was sure the assassin he still considered his younger sister wasn't in need of rescue. It didn't stop him praying for her safety.
The caravan resumed their march after mealtime to complete the journey within the coming days. Jon rode on the group's outskirts hovering around the middle formation slowing his pace making sure no one got left behind. He waved to Talia and Oliver riding ahead before turning to the vast woodlands wondering where Ghost was. The ranger rode on, Ghost could track him easily he always found a way back.
Snow hadn't been abundant in the forest like it had been before the Long Night. With the others gone ice receded from the woodlands leaving only perennial snow covering pockets of the land which could last for years. Ghost used the advantage of camouflage as a cover for years, he wore the advantage of blending into the environment like armor. Since the sudden snow recession camouflaging became more scarce exposing his cover to any potential threats.
The White Wolf sniffed the surrounding area ducking behind a fallen log surveying a rabbit scurrying across the way. The prey didn't have time to turn it's head being snatched between Ghost's jaws. Satisfied he trotted to nearby Milkwater bank feasting on the kill and drinking from the river. His ears perked hearing howls when leaving, paying them no mind Ghost continued to the Jon and the others.
A gray wolf trio stood to Ghost's side forcing him to confront them. The grays were outclassed in terms of size, Ghost was superior. The lead gray lunged only to be rammed backwards nearly falling off balance. Ghost stood proudly causing the other two to pedal back thwarting their plan of attack. Ghost growled clawing the lead gray wolf killing it scaring the two wolves deeper into the woodlands.
Ghost ran for Jon and the caravan halting at a feral snarl appearing on his path. A burly black wolf growled boasting an imposing build surpassing Ghosts. It's eyes reflected focus, determination, and confidence staring down the white wolf. They circled one another charging to kill quick and swiftly.
Jon slowed his horse's walk seeing the clearing through the furthest tree line ahead. He glanced in the forest's depths hoping to spot Ghost running for him. He shook his head riding on Ghost was better suited for survival in this environment than anyone. The moment his horse continued it's march Jon's eyes widened snapping his head in the direction of the woods hearing a pained shriek echo through the forest.
"GHOST!" Jon yelled scanning the nearby forest rapidly. Not a moment later he broke his horse from the caravan toward his companion's yelp weaving through trees finding him sprawled on the ground staining blood in the snow drawing heavy breaths. He immediately recognized the long claw mark on the left side of him. Jon dropped to his knees cradling Ghost in his arms burying himself in his fur, "hang in there boy, I gotcha." He said picking the limp body ignoring the pained whines sitting Ghost on his horse. Jon narrowed his eyes toward the howls and barking drawing closer by the moment. He fled from the area returning to the group.
Oliver, Talia, and Tormund greeted Jon when he returned horrified at the sight of a bloody battered Ghost.
"Jon what happened?" Talia asked resting a hand on Ghost noting the irregular wheezes exerting from him.
"There's a pack of wolves on our trail, gather anyone able to fight. If we don't stop them here they'll pursue us until there isn't anyone left."
Tormund nods, "don't delay the order, we will start heading to the rear." He said cutting through the crowd disappearing from sight.
"Jon let me help too! I can shoot arrows good just how you taught me—"
"No you're not ready," he said placing Ghost on Talia's horse, "but one day you will be." Jon faced the young lad, "can I trust you to look after my closest friend while I'm gone?"
"Yeah count on us Jon."
"I knew I could Olly." He said patting his shoulder assisting him onto the horse.
Oliver grimaced hearing Ghost's labored breathing, "w-what happened to him?"
Jon glanced at Ghost unsure of what happened but he had a hunch, "he ran into a bigger wolf." The ranger climbed on his horse mustering a smile, "thank you Talia."
"You'll never have to thank me, just come back safe."
"I will, stay safe." He rode to the front of the caravan halting their movement as he stopped in their path.
They shared glances giving him their full attention, "listen everyone! Keep moving, cross the clearing until you reach the other side and stay hidden!"
The front of the crowd chattered among themselves unsure of the present situation "what's happening?" Someone shouted from the group.
"We're being invaded by wolves and they won't stop until we deal with them. Keep going and don't look back, GO!" Jon barley had time to step his horse back as the caravan increased their pace heading to the edge of the forest.
"Quickly this way!" Talia waved directing the mob to the shortest escape route. Jon gave one last glance letting out a sigh of relief Ghost was on the doctor's medical cart receiving medical attention.
The caravan departing Castle Black stood at three hundred strong; since journeying north many families left the convoy to start their new lives building homes in the woodlands. The Keep's construction took ten families or roughly fifty people. The loss wasn't as significant as the seventy Hornfoots who were known as a warrior clan. Fighters were significantly fewer than when they began.
Jon halted witnessing four wolves darting toward the caravan's center aiming for easier targets. His need to protect others overrode the regard for his own safety as he jumped from his horse in pursuit of the wolves. A lone elder man was pulled from the crowd by his ankle hitting the wolf with his walking stick in an attempt to escape. Running out of time Jon grabbed the Watch's standard issue hatchet at his side throwing it toward them lodging it in the gray's neck.
"Thank you my king, thank you." He said as the ranger helped him to his feet.
"Can you stand? Keep moving." Jon directed the elder into the caravan as others assisted him continuing to their destination.
Jon sprints in the opposite direction of the fleeing caravan dodging people crashing into one another. Wolves ran from the south attacking toward their rear flank. Seeing a wolf charge from the side Jon slashes Longclaw hacking the top half of the wolf's head off before it could sink its jaws in a mother holding her child. He felt the long days on the road and hard labor pay dividends cutting through the crowd at a sprint spearing House Mormont's ancestral sword through a wolf's side tearing the blade from it's stomach decorating the ground in blood and guts.
Tormund pressed his knee into a wolf's neck punching it's face subduing the wild animal further. He dug his fingers between it's teeth tearing the mouth snapping the hinges of it's jaws. The lieutenant released a howl of victory feeling alive again. He stood up noticing Axel, Brielle, and Rowan on their horses weapon in hand with ten fighters ready for battle.
"Split up in pairs and we'll regroup near the rapids, this ends when we kill the pack's Alpha." Jon said jumping on his horse riding off at top speeds into the morning fog.
"The fuck ya standing around for?! You heard the man!" Tormund charged in a random direction followed by the others.
Jon sped past two charging grays leading them into position as he turns hundred eighty degrees going on the offensive. He reaches behind him pulling out a spear carved days earlier chucking it into a gray wolf's chest downing the animal instantly. The other gray ran past Jon circling ahead facing down the ranger biding it's time, letting Jon charge first. The gray evades the thrown spear lunging for Jon's neck. He didn't hesitate drawing Longclaw slashing the wolf's face in half grinding his horse to a halt. Shouts in the opposing direction of Milkwater broke his stupor as he wiped blood from his brow speeding toward the sounds.
Tormund bellowed a laugh slicing through two wolves using a padded forearm catching the third's jaw falling onto his back. He wildly shanked a jagged dagger into it's neck spraying blood in his face and soaking his beard. "This is too damn easy!"
"I hate to agree with you but you're right." Brielle shot three arrows lodging one in a gray's eye causing it to swerve crashing into a tree impaling the arrow through it's skull. "Where's Jon? Is he already with the others?"
"Brielle! Tormund! Have you seen where everyone else went?"
"No we heard shouting a minute ago, but it seemed to have stopped."
"I heard it too, we better get a move on and find the others." The trio rode through the forest finding Axel and Rowan kneeling at a wounded man's side clutching his gut in pain. Jon and the others stepped past several dead wolf carcasses standing beside their comrades.
Jon knelt by the wounded man's side recognizing him immediately as part of his group tasked with logging wood for their first settlement. "You doin alright Ismael?" He placed a reassuring hand on him glancing at the others remaining hopeful.
"I-I shouldn't be losing this much blood, I can't lose all this blood." He replied.
"Jon, help him." Axel said standing up unable to watch his agony.
"This all can't be coming out the side, too much blood. This way too much blood." Jon pried Ismael's hands off his stomach wound horrifying the others seeing a large gash squirting blood. "Fuck. Oh fuck. Jon help me okay? Something's wrong. Something's really, really wrong here, okay? I don't feel right. I just don't." Ismael threw his head against the tree trunk, "Jon, okay, this doesn't..."
Jon tightened his grip on his shoulder, "Look. You're going..."
Ismael jerked up in excruciating pain groaning from the slightest movement. Jon steadied himself placing both hands on Ismael's shoulders. "Relax. Listen, listen," he met his gaze, "you're going to die. That's what's happening."
Ismael's mouth fell agape as he shivered uncontrollably. "It's okay." Rowan said. Brielle didn't bother wiping fresh tears falling down her cheeks.
"No. No, no." Ismael a strong warrior who showed no hesitation entering a battle now feared his own mortality like anyone would in his position. "No, no, no, no, no. Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on."
"It's alright. Look at me. Look at me." Jon said unable to calm Ismael's hysterics.
"Hold on, hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on."
"It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Look at me." Jon spoke firmer finally drawing Ismael's eyes, "keep looking at me."
Unable to accept his fate he shut his eyes, "It's all right. It's all right. Look." Jon held his hand on Ismael's head balancing him. "Look at me. Keep looking at me. It's alright. It will slide over you. It will start to feel warm, nice and warm." Ismael met the others' eyes before settling back on Jon. If there was one person who knew death it was their king, he'd given his life for their survival. "Let it move over you. It's alright."
Jon felt the man shake unable to feel pain anymore. "Let your thoughts go. All the good things. All the good things yeah?" There wasn't much time left. "Who do love?" Jon asked.
"Who do you love?" He repeated receiving no response after a few moments.
"My Mya."
"Is she your daughter?"
Silent tears spilled from Ismael's eyes, "s-she didn't make it t-this far...She's six."
Jon nods keeping his gaze locked on him, "Let her take you now. Let her take you." Ismael tore his gaze away from the others staring at the gray sky convulsing rapidly.
"It's okay. It's okay." Rowan and Tormund placed their hands on the exposed wound staying until the end.
Brielle didn't hold back her tears giving into her emotions placing a hand on top of theirs. Ismael stilled releasing a steady breath, "wait for me." He whispered. The group watched bowing their heads paying him a final respect for defending their own.
"Did he just fuckin die? He just fuckin died didn't he?!" Tormund snatched Axel by his collar lifting him off the ground.
"Shut the fuck up or I'll make you wish you didn't open up your cunt mou-" Axel and Tormund stumbled back due to Jon shoving them apart.
"Is this everyone?" He asked.
Rowan nodded hesitantly standing, "the others that were paired up banded in a larger group in search of their leader."
"Then we go after em, it's best if we leave our horses here." Jon hitched his horse restocking the hatchet supply.
"I heard horses fleeing toward the river when we first arrived, the leader has to be around there." Brielle said. The group ran toward Milkwater's rapids further inland.
Nearby howls stopped them in their tracks forcing the group to circle up. "Damn this morning fog, can barley see shit." Axel snorted gripping his spear tighter.
"Stay alert they could attack anywhere." Jon replied. The five combatants huddled back to back looking in all directions.
Axel crashed to ground yelling in terror at the wolf biting into his shoulder. Rowan swung a shotel sword falling onto his back feeling a finger break from the impact. Brielle, Jon, and Tormund dispatched the wolf stabbing it to death. Axel flipped over in a frenzy chopping at the wolf carcass. "You moutherfucker! Try sneaking up on me again!"
The group chuckled, "alright enough Axel I think you got em." Jon said kneeling next to the deceased wolf.
"What is it Jon?" Brielle asked. She knew him long enough to know whatever he was thinking of wasn't pleasant.
"This doesn't feel right, the wolves we killed were Omegas."
Axel let out an exasperated sigh shaking his head, "tell me that's something good, the omegas are the strongest behind the alpha right?"
"No. They're outcasts usually elderly and sick traveling in the pack's front. The alpha was testing us—He's drawing us right to him."
"Then what're standing around for holding each other's cocks lets get a fuckin move on. I'll make a nice winter coat outta the alpha." Tormund headed toward the inclined ravine less than a hundred meters ahead.
"This is it!" Rowan shouted peering over the edge of the steep hill, there wasn't any other way. Getting back up wouldn't be a problem, descending is another matter entirely, "I can hear the river from here!"
"Then there's no time let's go down now, we need regroup with the caravan soon." Jon turned to the others, "who wants to go down first?"
"I'll go." Rowan said clutching a nearby tree side stepping down the decline slowly followed by Tormund and Brielle trailing his path down the steep hillside.
"You want to go next?"
"No you go ahead Jon."
"You sure?"
"Yeah I just need a minute something about heights..."
Jon nodded, "don't take long." He said beginning the descent.
Axel shivered pacing the area trying to no avail to control his breathing; Ismael's death made him want to puke. He glanced down the ravine noting Jon and the others barley a quarter the way down. Axel walks to a nearby tree taking a piss checking every direction. A large gray clamped it's jaws on his throat as he turned to follow the group. His attempted scream was silenced by another wolf biting through his face.
Jon halted staring at the top of the ravine hearing rustles in the distance, "Axel stop fucking around. Axel!" Jon ran up the hill hatchet in hand. He grimaced standing over Axel's corpse already turned blue from major blood loss.
The group caught up with him disturbed at the loss. Tormund struck a tree hard splintering it in half breaking a knuckle the last words he said to Axel playing over in his head. "This is wrong." Jon said.
"What do you mean?" Brielle asked.
"I know wolves, I've grown up around them my whole life—They don't do this." Jon places Axel's cloak over his half eaten face. "These wolves kill for pleasure. We aren't dealing with Omegas anymore. The ones that got Axel answer directly to the alpha. They must've had eyes on us since we got here, and waited until one of us was isolated, vulnerable." Jon's grimace deepened as he said a silent prayer over the fallen lieutenant. "The betas didn't give him a chance, they want us to know we're being watched."
"Maybe if we leave they won't pursue us we'll have the numbers and gather the rest of the forces." Rowan suggested.
"Don't be fuckin stupid we're slaughtering all these fuckers."
"Tormund's right they won't let us go, if we run they'll track us to the caravan killing as many as they can regardless of our numbers." Jon said. Nearby barking put the group on edge forcing them back down the ravine. The wolves growled fiercely sliding down the hill pursuing their prey.
"Run for the river!" The group split up on Jon's command evading the wolves during their descent. One by one they fell due to the steepness rolling down the hill at high speeds as the wolves gave up the chase retreating. The survivors broke through branches, skimmed over rocks, crashing hard into piles of snow at the bottom. Jon, Rowan, and Tormund scrambled to their feet shouting for Brielle.
Brielle placed a hand over her forehead unable to feel any movement beneath her waist. She smiled warmly reaching out to her daughter standing above her. Brielle chuckled feeling soft hair caress her face softly embracing the warm surrounding.
"Brielle!" Jon shouted noticing her body dragged behind a tree. "Brielle hold on!" Jon sprinted raising the hatchet above his head piercing a wolf's side scaring the other one off. Rowan and Tormund threw daggers impaling the mortally wounded wolf finishing it off.
"By the gods..." Rowan puked witnessing Brielle's missing leg and a large chunk missing from her side. Tormund cursed to himself walking away from the carnage unable to see his friend in that state. Jon sighed heavily resting Brielle against a nearby tree trunk brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "What are we going to tell Elena and little Ivy..." Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose tearing up. "Oh god this is so fucked up."
"We tell them what happened. Brielle was just as tenacious and brave as anyone. She died protecting her loved ones and the people she cared about." Jon placed a hand on her shoulder paying final respect.
"We finish this now," Jon said joining the duo away from their deceased comrade, "the river's just past those trees ahead; we follow it until we find a crossing."
"Then we kill that alpha cunt."
"Right, let's move."
Rowan hissed clutching his bleeding hand glancing one last time in Brielle's direction before pressing on trailing the duo. Jon halted along the rushing rapids arching a brow at Tormund lagging behind with a slight limp. "Tormund," Jon called, "you doin alright?"
"I'm fine don't give a shit about me little crow." He grunted grabbing onto Rowan for support quickly shoving him aside, "back the fuck up I don't need help!" Tormund collapsed onto a knee unable to suppress the pain any longer. Jon and Rowan carried him further settling him on a log.
"Easy, easy." Jon said holding his hands up defensively touching Tormund's left ankle causing the lieutenant to raise a fist restraining himself from striking Jon.
"Ah ya fucking cunt!"
"How did you make it this far? You're one tough bastard but you won't make it much further with that ankle." Jon stood up contemplating their options. "Come on we'll carry you to the horses."
Tormund shoved Jon away, "I told you Snow I don't need any help." He grunted shifting against the fallen tree, "get going and kill that fuckin alpha wolf already, I will just...Wait here awhile."
Jon turned away slightly frowning, "try making it back to the horses if you can."
Tormund shook his head, "wipe that look off your face, you're the king beyond the wall," Tormund bowed his head for a few moments meeting their gazes, "we both knew I had to die sometime." He shakes Jon's hand recalling the first time they'd met, how times had changed since then.
"Wait here, we'll be back after we kill the Alpha." Jon said patting his shoulder.
"Sure you will, now get going." Tormund watched the king of the north exhale hoarsely before nodding leaving him behind.
Tormund laughs listening to the rushing river ignoring the numbing pain creeping up his leg. Two betas appeared grabbing Tormund's attention just as he chugged the last of his alcohol. "It's about fucking time, I'm going to rip these fuckers' guts out with my bare hands." Tormund juggled two identical daggers glaring down the charging enemies releasing a war howl.
"Are you sure it's okay to leave Tormund."
"Don't worry he's too stubborn to die, focus on the task." Jon points to a large fallen log down the river. "We cross there, the alpha shouldn't be too far after that."
Rowan sighed, "you're right Jon, your right—" Barks forced the pair to run from two beta grays flanking them. Jon ran through the snow intending to make it to the log unaware Rowan fell behind ambushed by both wolves. He yelled falling into the rushing rapids flailing desperately unsure of the danger posed.
"Rowan hang on!" Jon avoided the wolves sliding on the bank's ice into the freezing water pursuing his comrade down river. Rowan slipped underneath the rapids unable to swim to surface grunting in pain feeling his foot pinned between rocks.
Jon held onto the log noticing Rowan submerged beneath the water. Rowan's hands broke through the rapid's surface gasping for anything holding onto Jon. He felt an unrelenting pressure on his foot holding him back from swimming against the current to freedom. Jon glanced at the log lifting Rowan up using all his strength realizing it wasn't the fallen tree pinning him.
"Rowan what the fuck are you doing?" Jon pulled harder using the log blocking their path as leverage.
Rowan thrashed around his arms wildly forcing Jon to pull again unable to budge him. There wasn't any other choice the man would drown if he did nothing. "Hold your breath!" Jon dove underwater providing air to Rowan's lungs. Rowan panicked feeling water enter his lungs thrashing his arms above the surface screaming to Jon his foot was trapped.
"Hold your breath!" Jon dove underwater trying again only for Rowan to start convulsing panicking at the thought of drowning unable to keep the water from the filling his lungs.
"Gods don't do this!" Jon pleaded trying desperately to raise Rowan's mouth out of the water inches away. The ranger let Rowan go feeling him stop his convulsing going completely still.
Jon rested on his knees climbing out of the stream staring up at the gray sky. It took the lives of his lieutenants to be able to make it here, he couldn't save a single one of them. "Is this what you wanted?!" Jon yelled toward the sky. "Is this what you brought me back for?! Fuck faith! Earn it! Show me something real! I need it now! Not later, now!" Jon bowed releasing a deep breath nodding to himself, his prayers would go unanswered, it wasn't like he didn't expect it. "fine I'll do it myself." He said rising to his feet into heading into the forest in search of the alpha.
It didn't take long until he stumbled on one of the warrior's corpses who bravely volunteered to fight. He pushed onwards ignoring the howls growing louder with each step he took. It wasn't long until he came to a small clearing decorated with human skull and bones. Wolves surrounded Jon forcing him to center of the field staring at a hillock at the edge decorated with a freshly eaten corpse.
"It's the fuckin den..." Jon said. The ranger dropped to his knees staring down the alpha wolf glaring down at him rising from the hillock showing it's dominance. The black direwolf was bigger than any he'd heard about surpassing Ghost's size. This thing couldn't be a direwolf, the way it methodically attacked them targeting the caravan's scout, tracker, and strongest ally Ghost. Sending the weak and sickly wolves to test them. Sending the strong to pick them off trying to instill fear in each and everyone of them. Was this all part of this wolf's plan? The more Jon thought about it the more he was convinced this thing wasn't an ordinary direwolf. It felt like a physical manifestation of his Targaryen bloodline staring back him; the untamed anger, lust for power, and show of dominance.
The Alpha growled fiercely scaring the wolves away glaring into Jon's gaze. Just by the stare he could tell this alpha had been battle tested hundreds of times showing no outward fear of man. He could almost laugh at the irony life bestowed up. Growing up believing he was the bastard son of Ned Stark, a snow. Being born Aegeon Targaryen heir to the Iron Throne during it's reign. Falling in love with the enemy becoming closer to anyone he'd ever had before only to watch her die in his arms. Killed by his sworn brothers for sticking to the beliefs instilled in him since birth branded him a traitor by the old guard Watchmen. Believing in a false prophet to save Westeros betraying her for love after she succumbed to their family's madness. Separated the from the Starks he considered family that he loved deeply. Had all of those trials lead to him to die in a fight with this alpha?
Jon detached Longclaw's scabbard on the ground drawing the Valyrian sword and pulling a hatchet from his hip returning the alpha's gaze halting it's tracks for the first time. It finally dawned on Jon; he wasn't coming here to die, he was came here to prove to himself he was alive. Life in the world was worth living, there were the people that believed in him he needed to get back to. He wanted to see his family again some day. He wouldn't die today. The Alpha took a slight step back showing some semblance of trepidation noticing something dark brewing beneath Jon's eyes. Without a moment's hesitation they charged at one another coming to blows.
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XXX
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"Is that them? You said there wouldn't be any women or kids." A gruff man said standing beside his leader. The pair watched Talia leading the caravan across the clearing to the other side of the forest.
"It doesn't matter. The ones we don't eat or kill we'll rape." The Thenn leader licked his scarred lip in lusted excitement, "it seems the king of the north is absent, this just made things easier."
"Perhaps." His subordinate said watching the free folk hurry to safety.
"Gather the others the time to move is now."
"Y-yes very good sir."
The Thenn leader grinned placing a heavy axe over his shoulder, "come out to play the king beyond the wall."