Jon rested his head on the alpha wolf's belly feeling it release a final breath welcoming death. The remaining wolves huddled tightly around Jon gently nudging and licking him. He understood their oppression at the hands of their alpha. They didn't want to kill each other, the groups suffered losses on both sides. The pack were free to choose a new leader to follow. Jon petted their heads knowing they made sacrifices in order to get him to slay the alpha. The wolfpack released a series of howls leaving the ranger alone.
Jon stood wiping the blood and dirt from his face trudging back the way he came. He shook his head passing Rowan's submerged corpse lamenting collecting their dead. Coming to a familiar sight along the river's shore a smile crept across his features.
"I'll be damned, I thought you died again." Tormund said resting against the log.
"same to you my friend."
"Rowan didn't make it did he? Otherwise the fucker would be with ya."
"We're it."
Tormund laughs sitting up, "It's like I said before we're gods immune to death."
"I'd agree with that but I died already." Jon said hoisting Tormund to his feet lending him support for the climb up the ravine.
Tormund bellowed a laugh again halfway up causing Jon to arch a brow, "I really thought that was the end for me back there, know what I thought about?"
"No what?"
"I was thinking about rolling in the hay with that big knight woman who guards the king in the south."
"Brienne of Tarth?"
"Ah that's the one! I pray to the old gods every night to send me a woman like that up here. The next time you go to Winterfell I'll tag along in case she's there."
"Winterfell is the north, I don't think she'll travel there anytime soon." Jon said using a tree as leverage to combat the hill's steepness.
"With your brother being from there he'd go back—"
"Tormund," Jon halted their ascent more than halfway up, "I'm not returning to Winterfell I'm not a Stark...Winterfell belongs to... Sansa, it isn't my home."
"you were raised there no?"
Jon supported Tormund past the a row of boulders leading to the top, "Aye it was my home growing up but now I'm not sure I'll be wanted. I caused the Starks enough trouble, their lives will be better without me."
Tormund stopped Jon clutching his shoulder, "you're a good leader Snow, though your a shit liar. I made the mistake of staying away from my family because I assumed they hated me." This wasn't easy to discuss Tormund rarely mentioned his loved ones. "Don't make my mistake, even if your family hates your guts, you still owe it to to do everything you can for them like you have for us..." He smiled punching Jon, "stop brooding Snow, I can tell they love you more than we do."
Jon assisted Tormund on his horse whistling for his own. He recalled his departure from the Stark family at King's Landing before rejoining the Watch. At that time it felt like a farewell—permanent. Despite their feelings toward him he wanted to see them again, however the probability of that happening was extremely low. Jon broke free from his thoughts remembering the last place his eyes roamed before turning away unable to look back. "Thank you." Jon said climbing on his horse, "you'll be the first to know when I return."
"That's the little crow I know." Tormund said walking his horse the way they came. Jon smiled imagining the reunion with Arya, Bran, and Sansa. He wasn't sure he would be able to separate from them again. "Friends of yours?"
Jon glanced at the wolf pack watching them in the distance guarding the territory "We don't have to fear them, they're allies now."
"I don't know how you do it Snow. If it were anyone else they would've skinned every last beast." Tormund gave Jon shit almost constantly, that was who he was. He also respected Jon more than anyone being the first to declare him king beyond the wall. His respect grew for their leader witnessing the wolves' alliance with him. Jon's most impressive quality wasn't his fighting prowess, it's the uncanny ability to rally others to fight beside him rather than for him—The rare trait made him a king. Tormund watched in awe as the wolves vanished into the forest leaving them alone.
"We need to hurry to the caravan, we'll bring others back for our comrades." Jon said. The duo corralled their comrades' horses riding toward the original path. The duo stopped at the forest's edge hearing screams and shouts across the clearing. They wasted no time racing to the scene leaving two dozen curious eyes behind.
Jon cursed pushing his horse to the limit causing the animal to grunt, "come on girl a little further you can make it." He gave one last push hearing the screams from the caravan clear as day as they spread through the woodlands.
"Where are you going pretty lady? The fun's just getting started." A wild Thenn shoved a young woman against a tree pushing up the furs covering her mouth muffling screams, "I know you can scream a lot lou—" The grunt slumped releasing the woman clutching a wooden spear protruding through his neck.
Jon grabbed the spear picking the woman up placing her on his horse, "Are you alright miss?"
She nodded still shaken flinching at the agonizing screams nearby. Tormund rode past them slashing through the enemy forces pushing their way ahead. "Ride east to the end of the forest, tell anyone you see on the way the same." He said strapping his travel satchel to him tucking the spears down his back. "Can I count on you?"
"Y-yes count on me." She spoke finding her voice.
"Thank you."
"No thank you Jon." She watched their king in amazement clearing a way through the hostiles before riding off.
Jon tackled a Thenn to the ground slitting his throat from behind flanking the rear of the enemies' formation. His hunch was correct Thenns were aiming to loot, rape, and kill them preserving their group. It would prove difficult counterattacking their advancement; they were short on fighters and Thenns were considered among tribes as the fiercest and most organized. The ranger caught sight of a nearby archer shooting randomly into the fleeing crowd slowly creeping behind him.
"More arrows! I'm running low." The archer glanced to where his spotter lay in a pool of blood. "H—" Jon muffled the attempted warning burying the hatchet in his skull.
He picked up the bow and arrows running to the nearby hillock taking a step back at the sight before him. The caravan was spread throughout the trees scrambling to safety from the Thenn's closing in. Bodies flew over one another, severed limbs and blood could be seen from where he stood. Jon wanted to curse the heavens losing himself in anger. Releasing a deep breath he stayed composed focusing on saving lives and evacuating his people.
Tormund rode through the crowd slicing through the Thenn frontlines charging onwards. The remaining warriors seeing the lieutenant alive regained focus holding a line of defense. "Get the fuck outta here! Go east!" Tormund shouted to a nearby group standing out in the open. Noticing a woman on Jon's horse rallying others to escape he jumped from his horse biting the urge to clutch his ankle. Tormund picked an elderly man sitting against a nearby tree putting him on his horse.
"Can you ride old timer?"
"I'm n-not sure."
"Good gather everyone you can find and follow that girl." Tormund said pointing in the last direction he saw her, "get going."
"Wait," he grabbed Tormund's sleeve, "please find my wife Edna s-she won't make it far without me...We haven't separated for fifty seven years."
Tormund nodded watching the man leave, he grunted being rushed from behind. He quickly turned double axe slamming the grunt onto the ground stomping his head repeatedly crushing it like a melon. Full of bloodlust Tormund pulls out twin khukuri blades charging into the fray.
Jon kicked a prone archer in the ribs flipping him over, "I'm asking once, you don't answer I shoot." He held the bow string tightly picking a spot, "where's your leader?"
"Y-You're him, the king beyond the wall."
Jon pulled the bowstring tighter aiming for an eye socket, "where is he?"
"I don't know...His group are in charge of ransacking your supplies..." The grunt said dragging a hand toward his side.
"What's his name?"
"Horace the chained." Jon shot an arrow into the archer's eye evading the throne dagger. Once the archers were dealt with Jon continued attacking the enemies' flank tossing the arrow-less bow aside, unsheathing Longclaw driving it through a grunt's back forcing parts of his spine through his stomach. Jon ducked under a wild sword swing parrying the next man's attack using it's momentum to fuel his own, slashing him from ear to waist throwing his crumpling body into the end of his comrade's sword.
The Thenn backed away away snatching a bystander placing a dagger against his throat, "one more step and I'm gunna gut this boy."
Jon put his telltale sword away raising his arms, "let him go," Jon unclasped the strap dropping the spears, "I'm unarmed, you'll have an advantage..." The ranger noticed wobbling in the grunt's knees. He must've known who he was; Jon would never get used to seeing outwardly fear toward him from enemies. Noticing blood trickle onto the blade Jon darted his eyes one way drawing the grunts. A hatchet lodged itself between the hostile's eyes before he could blink. It didn't surprise Jon one bit. He was taught early in life being scared in a battle was normal, it was a catalyst for bravery. However being dumb and indecisive too was a surefire way to a painfully quick death.
"Let me fight Jon, I can't run when we're getting slaughtered."
Jon strapped his satchel on securing his weapons, "pick up that hatchet," he hands the teen a spear, "you hesitate, you die." He said releasing it running toward the crushing crowd ahead.
The free folk's main caravan scrambled through the western front heading east while holding a withering line of defense. Some desperately searched for an escape route, others fought for their theirs lives as well as their loved ones to the end. Their numbers diminished down to two-thirds the amount that crossed the clearing. Despite the enemy having fewer than half their numbers now, their fierce tactics and superior weaponry impeded them significantly.
Talia left Ghost's side leaving him in the care of their doctor. Since the raid began Oliver disappeared leaving her in charge of evacuating as many folks as she could, losing friends along the way. The Thenns held no compassion killing in grotesque manors predetermining which body parts to eat first. Pleas from their clan brethren were shunned outright claiming them to be inferior by following an outsider.
She didn't think it were possible to hear the type of guttural screams coming from a person. Talia picked up a jagged dagger running past crowd attempting to find her Oliver.
"Bring me those two." Horace pointed at the children held in their parent's arms. Their father stood protectively in front of them being grabbed instead. Horace grins behind the skull mask decorating his face's top half, "now watch closely folks, this is what happens to heroes in this world." Horace drove the axe through the man's head repeating the action until skull fragments remained drenched in blood.
The mother whispered to her kids kissing each sending the pair away. "Go fetch them." A grunt pursued the brother and sister through the woods enjoying every second.
"Come on this way." The elder sister held her brother's hand tightly dragging him along, "hurry."
"Stop running kids, I just want to play. Don't make me catch you!"
The pair bumped into Jon who caught them in his arms, "where did you two come from?" He could barley hear the words through their tears. "Listen you're not yet, see that path there," He said pointing east, "I need you to be brave again, can you do it?"
They nodded wiping their eyes, "what about you? Where will you go?"
"I'll be right behind you guys. First I have to stop the bad people hurting ours."
"The bad man's that way—" the boy held in sobs pointing the direction they came.
Jon placed his hands hands on their shoulders, "I'm proud, you're much braver than I was at your age, now hurry and no looking back until your safe."
"Thank you." They said running the way he told them. Jon watched until they were far enough following a nearby voice.
The grunt solider peered through a bush trembling from the sight of Jon standing feet away glaring directly at him. He trips over his feet falling to his knees unable to scream due to Longclaw's Valyrian blade protruding out his mouth. Jon kicked the lifeless body off his sword turning sharply hearing Talia screaming to be released.
"It's a shame I'll have to kill this one, she's almost too good to eat. I should eat her face to commemorate her beauty, bring me her head first." Horace said draping the heavy over a shoulder. The Thenn leader didn't want to waste time in this chaos, the caravan would eventually succumb to their losses.
"You're nothing but twisted thieves and cannibalistic murderers! A disgrace to our people!"
Horace raised a hand delaying the Talia's execution, "you've gotta mouth on ya woman. You call us a disgrace when you follow a crow outside masquerading as the king beyond the wall."
Talia bowed accepting her fate, "Jon Snow is the king of the free folk now until our dying day." She locked onto Horace's gaze "nothing will change that, you'll never be a king."
"We'll see." Horace gestured toward the executioner. His mens' screams caught their attention. Jon slashed through cowering grunts staring down Horace's group. "So you didn't run away? You came back to die with your people."
"No I came back to stop you."
Horace spat making his stance clear, "kill them."
Jon grabbed a spear chucking it into the charging hostile evading a wild swing running Longclaw through the grunt. Talia smiled proudly witnessing their king keep to his word fighting to protect them all. Her heartbeat nearly stopped noticing Oliver crouch meters behind Horace's group aiming the bow at him ready to end the raid. He changed his intended target to the executioner raising the sword. The arrow struck the executioner's neck sending him crashing to the ground while Oliver nocked another arrow.
Jon stabbed another grunt tossing him aside shouting for Oliver and Talia to run away. Horace turned extending the chain wrapped securely around his wrist. "Did you really think you could kill me after giving away your position? Boy." Horace yanked the blade tipped chain spraying blood onto the ground.
Talia's ran to Oliver, her screams echoing across the land. Oliver coughed blood spilling down the sides of his mouth clutching his throat.
"Oliver!" Jon shouted shoulder ramming his way through two grunts closing the distance. Horace whistled grabbing ahold of Talia's hair summoning the remaining soldiers in the rear formation. "Watch closely King of the North, I'll show you what happens to inferior wildlings who follow an outsider."
Jon met Talia's tearful eyes desperately fighting his way to her. 'You're our king.' She mouthed clutching the heavy axe digging into her stomach. Jon couldn't believe what he'd seen. His thoughts ran wild unable to focus. He became feral slaying the forces attempting to surround him. Jon eventually became overwhelmed being tackled into the dirt by five grunts.
"Show the king how real wildlings express their undying loyalty." Horace taunted heartily enjoying the grunts kicking Jon while he was down leaving him unable to grab Longclaw. The Thenn leader was left in awe watching Talia crawl toward her brother leaving a blood trail. "What a waste such a strong spirit, such a pretty face." He watched her cradle Oliver's lifeless body resting her forehead on his.
Jon's eyes snapped open hearing Ghost's howls. He never heard these sounds coming from him. Jon used the distraction sticking a hatchet into a man's achilles causing him to collapse screaming in agony. He picked a broken spear sticking a grunt's sternum rapidly then swiftly stabbing the jagged end through the bottom of an ambusher's mouth causing him to gargle out blood clutching the wood lodged in his throat. Jon picked up Longclaw cutting a Thenn's arm off in time before he had a chance to impale him.
"He's a monster..." A grunt said cowering from the approaching ranger. The two soldiers ran toward Horace and their brethren being slain without hesitation.
"I've got no use for cowards." Horace stepped back meeting Jon's gaze, "you're outnumbered King in the North," he mocks earning laughs from his men, "you can't think to take us on by yourself?"
"You won't find out until I try."
Horace frowned furrowing his brows, the ranger had to be bluffing, shielding his ego with a false bravado, "someone shut that fucking dog up!" Horace shouted sending a large foot soldier toward Ghost. "Even if you kill us all it won't step the rest of my forces from slaughtering your precious subjects like these two..." His anger grew unable to read Jon, not an ounce of fear or rage surface. Distant barks increased in volume putting the hostiles on edge, "what the fuck is that?"
Gray wolves appeared through the trees hurdling past Jon dispersing in the nearby woodlands attacking the Thenn forces aiding the caravan.
"Wolves?! Are you fucking me?!"
"Run we need to run!"
"Cowards! Where do you think you're going?!" Horace spat witnessing his army spreading out in a panic devoured by wolves. Jon sliced through terrified grunts shoving one to the ground hearing a wolf tearing into him. Another grunt laughed stomping on a gray causing it to whine. He rose his sword to finish the wolf off clashing with Longclaw instead. Jon splits the man's head from his shoulders in a flash as the wolves continued their assault.
"Kill em all you mad mangey mutts!" Tormund said leading the band of fights bursting though the Thenn's frontline.
"Tormund Giantsbane! You picked the right day to die!"
Tormund halts in his track at the familiar voice letting the warriors pass him by. "Mekhi the half giant, did your mother send you here to tell me how much she misses my cock?"
Mekhi cracked his knuckles, "You're a funny man, that's why I'm going to kill you first. I don't give a shit about any of these people, I came here for the sole reason of killing you."
"That supposed to me feel honored you dumb cunt? Fight already!"
Mekhi drew his broadsword charging the wildling lieutenant. Tormund evaded the mighty swing laughing as the blade broke on impact. He kicked Mekhi in the groin damaging his ankle more than his enemy. The taller and broader man picked him up running Tormund through half a dozen trees hurling him into the air.
Caravan warriors and wolves ran rampant clearing hostiles out. Horace unwound the chain from his wrist throwing the blade at Jon. He didn't flinch cutting through the steel chain sending the serrated blade flying. "I missed? I never miss...Let's see you dodge this." Horace hurled the heavy axe in Jon's direction. Jon eluded the Axe by a hair letting it strike an ambushing grunt.
Jon pursues the Thenn leader using the battle's turning tide in favor of his allies as cover making it to the forest's western tree line. Horace was escaping with four others abandoning his forces to their fate. Jon rolled past two spears chucking his at Horace grazing his leg.
Jon unhitched a horse nearby climbing on the saddle glancing one last time at the fleeing group before heading toward the survivors. He gave his horse to the doctor allowing them to check on the injured then quickly rejoined the fray. One by one the cannibalistic Thenns were slain dwindling their numbers until none remained.
Tormund head butted Mekhi breaking his nose bare knuckle punching him. Mekhi kicks the lieutenant's ribs flipping their positions. Mekhi left Tormund unable to counter punches causing the left eye immense swelling. The half giant wrapped large hands around Tormund's neck strangling him. "That's right ya fuckin mongrel, head for the light." Tormund spat in his face holding a last gasp in. "That's it, that's it." He taunted watching him on the verge passing out. Mekhi grunted staring at the Valyrian blade protruding through his sternum collapsing onto the ground coughing up blood.
Jon helped Tormund to his feet, "it's over Tormund we won."
"Edna!" Tormund yelled stumbling past Jon, "Edna!" Jon turned to Mekhi choking on blood clutching the gaping hole in his chest. He sheathed Longclaw leaving the half giant to his fate.
The survivors and wolf pack surveyed the torn battlefield collecting their deceased comrades. The wolves surrounded Ghost keeping him company while the rest of the caravan returned aiding the warriors. Jon laid Talia next to Oliver keeping them together, it's how they would've wanted. They held a pyre for their dead as the sun fell beyond the horizon shedding tears having lost half their people in a single day.
Jon halted as the wolves alerted to his presence before settling down permitting him entrance to the medical tent. He knelt beside Ghost placing a hand in his fur, "this is all my fault Ghost...Everything's that happened. I failed everyone." Jon smiled at Ghost's comforting licks. "I promise I'm not failing again, I'll make this a better world than the shit one people have always known." Jon traced the scar patting Ghost's head, "get some rest boy, you got new friends to lead."
Jon stopped at the edge of the placid camp sitting next to the elder he'd saved from a wolf earlier. He sat next to him noting his empty gaze staring into the sky's dying light. "What're you doing out here by yourself Winston?"
"Just enjoying the view." His voice was soft hollow, a ragged sound of a broken man.
"You don't want to join the others? I'm sure they'd—"
"Do you have family Jon?" He asked keeping a distant gaze.
"I have all you guys—"
"Jon," Winston interjected, "I'm old...Don't have much time left, tell me. Do you have any real family?"
He nods, "Yeah I have a family. I'm not sure they want anything to do with me."
"Never let them go..." Winston sniffs wiping at an eye, "hold onto them no matter what."
"Aye I'll never let them go." He missed them now more than ever. Their reunion gave him a glimmer of hope during the caravan's roughest time. "I'm sorry about Edna."
Winston buried his sobs into his hands falling onto Jon's shoulder, "why couldn't it have been me? I should've been there."
"It's alright Winston, you did what you could." Jon wrapped a comforting arm around the frail geezer's shoulder.
"I let her die out there; cold, alone, afraid. How could I have let that happen?"
"I'm sorry Winston, I truly am, it will get better. The others need you now more than ever."
Winston shook his head, "they need their king, they'll be fine without a useless old man like me..." He said resting his head against his arms. Jon placed a comforting hand on his back letting Winston fall asleep on him. It wasn't long before Jon carried him to his tent tucking him in.
Tormund met Jon on the camp's outskirts holding a knife to a Thenn's jugular, "What the hell are you doing here?!" Jon asked approaching the pair.
"I-I'm...We...We didn't know this would happen..." Jon yanks him from Tormund gripping his collar, "we didn't know."
"Say that again and I'll kill you myself." Jon threw the man aside. "What does he want?"
"Says his leader wants to speak to you."
"How many people do you have?"
"Forty five and a half."
"Half?"
"An old man, a cripple."
Tormund smacks his head, "just say that then ya dumb cunt."
"Be honest with me kid," Jon held him steady preventing him from falling over, "how many people did you kill in the raid?"
Silence passed the trio as Tormund smacks his head again, "you're not deaf answer the king when he speaks to you."
"I didn't kill a soul."
"You lying boy?" Questioned Tormund prepping another strike.
"No, no I swear I swear it...I came to a woman and her child. I was going to do it, but I couldn't, I hesitated...I told them to run...I tried to save them."
Jon nodded, "I believe you," He grips the lad's shoulder reassuringly, "what's your name?"
"It's Noah sir."
"Alright Noah take us to Horace. If you try anything I'm killing you, no questions asked."
It took long after the moon rose in the sky illuminating the darkness to reach the moderately sized camp tucked between a pair of low mountains in the fist of the first men's direction. Tents lined in rows were maintained in poor condition and the people carried a musty odor in need of many resources. They eyed him in wonder standing at attention as Jon strode toward the commander's tent.
"I don't like the way you're looking at me." Tormund drew his sword preparing to strike the teen staring blankly at him.
Jon grabbed his arm, "No Tormund, not them." They're innocents they've got nothing to do with this." He refused to let the lieutenant free.
"They did the same to our people, YOUR people Snow. You want to give them justice? It's only right—"
"No," Jon released Tormund, "we have to be better. There has to be a difference between us and them. These people are ours now." He said continuing toward the war tent closing the discussion.
Noah watched in awe wondering why the King of the North acted this way. Most leaders would've killed their people without any hesitation. The man they called Jon Snow intrigued him; he was an enigma that exuded a silent charisma choosing to champion honor and justice at the core. Is this why the free folk follows him unquestionably? He heard rumors the ranger was resurrected after dying for their people. Could he hold a higher purpose than just serving himself like everyone did nowadays? Noah followed Jon and Tormund hoping they'd walk away with their lives to find out.
"You're finally here," Horace held a hand out welcoming them, "I'm honored to host the crow who calls himself the King in the North."
"I'm no king. I'm here because I need to be." Noah and the others shifted glancing at one another hearing Jon's statement.
"No you're just a crow, you may talk like a wildling but you'll never be one."
"He died for us just like Mance did. Your cunt leader Styr followed him like I did."
"Tormund, I almost forgot you were here, hardly recognized you with your face like that. Mekhi must've found you I take it."
"He's the deadman and I'm still breathin."
"You stand here subjecting to a crow who killed Styr on the Night of the wall raid."
Tormund snorted, "fuck em, and fuck all of you, I hate Thenns. If it were up to me I'd kill you and everyone who follow you. It isn't my call. If you had any pride at any all you would've attack the Hornfoots, they'd gut your fuckin livers."
"I hate the Hornfoots almost as much as you hate us. I'd drown everyone of them bumbling bastards in Milkwater tomorrow. It would be easy, the young leader they have is soft, indecisive, those qualities lead to a quick death. Today was too much fun, I had a chance to kill an outsider crow and his followers who call him the King beyond the wall."
"This is not a game! This is life or death! I lost good people who survived winter expecting to go on living! You could've brought peace to your people, it didn't have to be this way."
"That's where you're wrong ranger. We're similar in a way—"
"We're nothing alike."
"You don't want your crown, that's why they follow you. I didn't want to be the Magnar of our people. I let Loboda and Styr fight for that title, I just wanted my clan to do their duty. Mance offered me a spot in his army to march down south, I respected him enough to hear him out. I couldn't follow him and break bread with crows, that's the day Thenn blood stops running through my veins."
"You killed good people today. I don't care about your reasons, and I'll never be able to trust you. Still I'm willing to come to peace, there is a way out of this for you. We don't have to kill each other."
"No it's far too late for that. What could you offer to killers like us among your people."
"Serve the Night's Watch. You work personally under me. You'll be signing a death warrant and receive no glory but it serves noble cause to something bigger than yourselves."
"How stupid could you be? Wildlings don't serve the Watch."
"Times are changing; wildlings defended the north in place of the Watch in it's darkest hour, they're welcome to guard the realms of men."
Horace shook his head, "you act all proud as if serving that obsolete order brings any honor. The white walkers are gone."
"Were you the one who placed severed limbs in a field surrounding Milkwater's southern shore?"
"No it wasn't me, does that really matter crow? Face it, the dead were here longer than we've been and will here far after we perish. We celebrate small victories now, but they win in the end. When I was a kid I thought water was bad seeing many friends drown. It's nothing compared to ice, it moves like it has a mind of it's own. It acts like it got a taste for killing the world once and vows to do it again. At least that's what Mance believed."
"Don't talk about Mance. He believed in uniting the free folk to survive the dead. The dead are gone and I'm trying my best to make life better for everyone. Things didn't have to turn out this way, we lost good people."
"Let me ask you something ranger." He said wiping wine off his beard. "What do you care about innocents? You killed your queen for the land of Westeros? Good of the realm? You really are a ranger crow. I'm curious what makes you believe you have any honor?"
"You talk too damn much," Jon said drinking from his own cup, "I told you I'm here because I need to be. The forty six people you had living under you are part of our camp now."
"You think I care about them ranger? Most of them are made up of whore wives, old people, and injured men who aren't worth a damn in my army."
"What's left of it," Jon said crossing his arms, "this is the last time this I'm offering you your life. You won't be free, own land, live on the communities and raise families. Those will remain unfulfilled, you reform yourselves joining the Night's Watch working in a squad directly under me."
Horace bellowed a laugh surprising the others, "you just don't get it. I'm not done attack you or your people, I won't stop until you're all dead."
"You won't be going anywhere anytime soon with your leg wound."
"It'll heal. I'll find better subordinates and I'll kill you."
"Why?" Jon asked. "What's your point in all this?"
"You really no nothing Ranger. True Thenn pride themselves in the hunt, we were the first to develop advanced war tactics among the first men; deliberate attacks on non-combatants for the singular purpose of tormenting the enemy. Generations of front line battles forced us to organize into a lethal killing force. It's the code we live regulates us to this life of continued evolution. I am the one to carry on this will.
Jon glanced at the four Thenn behind Horace noting their silence. "I'm aware of Thenn tactics, you were the one enemy I didn't want to face. There's no taking what you did back, a code that is honor less isn't a code. I can't allow you to carry this will of yours on, this ends here."
"Then it appears there's only one thing left for you to do."
"Aye, suppose there is." Jon downed the rest of the cup blocking Horace's sword aiming to decapitate him. In one motion the ranger parried breaking the inferior sword shattering the chain tipped blade to pieces negating Horace's surprise attack. Jon sliced the Thenn leader's neck to the bone ensuring he felt his death watching him collapse soaking blood in the carpet.
"It's over." Tormund halted staring at the bewildered Thenn, "don't stand around, I can't promise I won't kill you."
Jon watched the clan eagerly pick their belongings for the journey ahead. He turned to the four Thenn nodding toward Noah. "State your name and how many people you killed in the raid."
"Name's Kaid, killed two warriors, they were barley old enough to call themselves men."
"Eli sir, I killed two also, a young couple. They um... didn't have a chance, I didn't want to believe I killed unarmed people." He bowed his head causing Jon to grip his scalp planting his gaze forward.
"Solomon, I killed several people. Men, women, children...It didn't matter, I just follow orders." Jon stared at him nodding to himself taking the rope from Tormund.
"Hands behind your back cunts!" He shouted binding their hands together while Jon looped a rope through their binds tethering then together.
"Start walking I'll leave if you fall behind during the trip." Jon stated turning away ignoring their protests.
"Ranger!" Noah yelled halting his tracks, "you owe us an explanation about sparing our lives if we're joining you."
"I don't owe you anything." Jon marched toward them, "you'll be fed, that's all I can guarantee. Your job is to stay bound and shut the fuck up until we leave for Castle Black."
"When the fuck's that going to happen?" Solomon inquired.
"Not soon. Weeks at the earliest thanks to you guys."
"I'm sure Noah's big mouth told you we didn't know. You think we wanted to kill a bunch of women and children who didn't have a chance?" Kaid shifted on his feet struggling against the ropes.
"Tell that to your friend here."
"Solomon's barley got half a brain, he's a goddamn halfwit." Eli said ready to fight Solomon using only his legs as he tried to approach.
"Why not just kill us instead?" Kaid asked stepping between the group.
"You're going to be the example that sets a new standard going forward. Things are going to be different; Wildlings, Northmen, Dothraki, Unsullied, no matter where you come from anyone can all be afforded the privilege of serving the Watch."
"There's only honor in serving if threats exist. You talked about finding a walker symbol, I thought they were extinct." Noah said.
"It's not enough concrete evidence, it could've been there before the Long Night for all I know. The only way I'll find out is by traveling up river northwest to the Land of Always Winter."
The four prisoners froze staring at the ranger, "so that's it then huh? You don't give a damn about us. You just need us for your fuckin suicide mission." Eli said.
"That's the idea. I couldn't care less if you live or die, that's up to you guys. I could behead you all or you can deal with it." Jon replied.
"Fuck it, I'm in." Kaid said shaking his head, "ain't gotta choice now."
"I am leaving my fate with the gods. I'll join your quest Snow." Solomon spoke.
"You didn't have a choice to begin with. I welcome the enthusiasm." The ranger deadpanned.
Better than losing my head like that crazy bastard Horace." Eli pinched the bridge of his nose contemplating a beheading.
"I still don't understand."
"What's that? Why you still have a head?"
"Exactly, you could kill us and no would give a shit—"
"I don't owe anything to you guys."
"Trust goes both ways, how do you know we won't coordinate an attack to kill you while your back's turned.
"I don't plan on turning my back on any of you and I'd kill you quicker than you could draw your swords if you tried."
None argued the ranger's point. "Still, at least tell us the truth, if you're honorable as they say you'll keep to your word." Noah drew Jon's gaze to their group.
It felt like an eternity before he spoke, "someone a lot smarter than me said killing and beheading isn't a way to inspire devotion." He said leaving them in awe. Jon returned towing his horse grabbing onto their binding rope, "now you guys have my permission to shut the fuck up." The ranger grinned climbing on his horse trailing Tormund and the others.
Light peered over the horizon by the time they made it to camp. Tormund took the clan to the medical tent to get wounds treated and stock their rations. Jon tied the prisoners to the horse post smiling at Ghost leading twelve grays as their new alpha.
"Jon! Jon!"
The ranger knelt embracing Brielle and Elena's daughter Ivy. "Good to see you little one."
"She was asking where the King of the North rode off to last night." Elena said hugging him, "I guess it's finally over then."
"Yeah it's over," Jon stood watching Ivy and the other children playing with the wolves showing no outwardly fear, "I'm sorry about what happened to Brielle, she was a good person—"
"She was the best person I knew." Elena chuckled at the kids tumbling over Ghost and his pack, "she believed in you Jon. We all do, things are going to get better I can feel it." Elena squeezed Jon's arm calling for Ivy, "oh yeah Jon, Winston hasn't got up yet. You better move him if you're planning to pack."
Jon called to Winston stopping outside his tent, "Winston we're leaving soon rise and shine. We'll find horses on the way and I'll take you sea fishing like we talked about." Jon entered the tent shaking the geezer's shoulder, "Winston we have to leave." He shook him again, "Winston." Jon removed a glove placing fingertips between the wind pipe and neck muscle immediately grimacing.
Camp finished packing as the caravan prepared to disembark toward Storrold's Point. They gathered around Jon cradling Winston's corpse shielding him from view using a blanket. Tormund sighed prepping a small pyre, "It was time." They watched last elder of a wildling generation placed to rest. The caravan survivors more than a hundred strong paid their final respects before continuing on.
Hardly anyone spoke for the first ten miles into the journey east content to walk in relative silence toward their destination. Jon didn't have a problem with the lack of communication, he preferred things like this for the moment. The survivors rested at a low valley taking time to survey their surroundings enjoying nature's tranquility.
Then Jon saw it; In the middle of the green sea of grass stood a tall kingly horse. His hooves glittered in the sunlight marching through the weeds, held high and proud. Horses appeared sweeping into the valley by the dozens galloping into the wind, legs corded with muscles, and hooves that brushed the ground as they plummeted by. Running like wildfire with their manes and tails streaming behind them mirroring ribbons. They galloped through the ocean of green soaring in hot pursuit of ravenous wind.
Everyone watched the horses in stunned amazement approaching them steadily. Vegetation was fed to gain their trust letting the caravan survivors greet them. Jon removed his saddle thanking his horse for the journey, however she was aged holding a lot of mileage on her legs. He didn't want to exert her to almost near collapse again. He gave her to a Thenn woman and her brother seeking out the the stampede's leader's location.
Jon neared the white horse admiring it's beauty, it was actually a she. The kingly horse was a queen. She faced Jon as he approached permitting him to step closer as she snatched the vegetation allowing him to gently pet her. "Hey girl, how about you come with me." He said smiling as he fed her another carrot.
"Nice fuckin horse." Tormund said pulling the prisoners along grinning at the cloth he wrapped around their mouths to shut them up.
"Don't give me that look Ghost." Jon chuckled when the direwolf examined the horse staring up at him. On morning after finding horses the caravan arrived back at Hardhome. Jon lead the group down the trail leading to the torn gates passing by abandoned structures unable to see any movement. He rode on until hearing a noise originating from the interior. "It's alright don't be afraid, we're not enemies."
People emerged from the fog greeting the arriving caravan with open arms. The caravan and Hardhome survivors shed tears upon reuniting while Jon took a step back processing the miracle happening in this moment. There were only five hundred left over from the six thousand that were present when they left. It gave Jon hope that there were survivors out here holding out for aid. They would build on the old creating a better place to live then before.
"Your grace! Your grace." A voice shouted breaking Jon from his conversations with the Hardhome refugees.
"What is it?"
The man stood straighter, "I met a man claiming to be related to you one night after I got lost tracking elk through the woods. He said tell Jon Snow to find me up north, he'll be waitin. I thought he was a walker at first because of the way he looks, turns out he's just a regular guy."
Jon's eyes widened slightly, "Thanks for telling me." There wasn't any doubt about where he would be going after helping establish settlements.
"Sure thing, though now that you're here and brought fresh supplies I can get out of here."
"Where are you headed?"
"I don't know that's the best part. We thought no one would come for us, that there wouldn't be a chance to rebuild. All that's changed now thanks to you." He said disappearing into the crowd.
The free folk stood hand in hand along the shoreline letting water soak their bare feet basking in the sun's rays. They stepped in the sea together stopping waist deep throwing water over one another. Words weren't needed, everyone was free to choose their own path. Seeing his people laugh and hold one another in the bay brought a certain sense of fulfillment. All the sacrifices that got them to this point would be cherished by generations to come. Jon wished to share the special moment with the Starks but he held hope he'd see them again. To whatever came next, for now Jon wore a smile feeling true peace overcome him.
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She shivered uncontrollably unable to feel anything. Her heartbeat echoed roaring to life, she felt as if it were someone else's, it sounded too faint to be hers. Her chest heated up stirring the woman to take an inhale. It felt like an eternity since her last. The exhale came more suddenly setting every nerve on fire. Daenerys snapped her eyes open letting out ragged pants unable to stop shaking.
"May the Lord of Light be praised. Our queen Daenerys Targaryen has returned to the world of the living." Kinvara clasped her hands together unable to contain her excitement.
"Praise R'llor." Zanrush added. The priests and priestesses wasted no time covering the queen in heated blankets warming her ice cold skin.
"Where am I?" Daenerys asked staring at the high priestess.
"You're in Volantis's red temple my queen. The Lord has made his will known—"
"Where is Drogon?" Daenerys glanced at the ceiling hearing her son's roars echo across the sky. "Do not touch me." She said halting Zanrush's movements. Daenerys dragged her feet along the heated stone failing to stand upright. She touched the aching scar beneath her left breast recalling how it got there, the fresh memories only brought a headache.
"You shouldn't move your grace the resurrection hasn't completely healed your bo—"
"Resurrection?" Dany locked eyes with Kinvara, "how long was I dead?"
"Your grace—"
"How long?!"
"A little over two weeks."
Daenerys shook her head, "that's too long for some to be dead... I shouldn't be alive, it isn't right!" She placed a hand over her stomach holding the urge to vomit.
"You came to us completely encased in ice, it took us days to thaw you out." Zanrush said placing another blanket on her.
"Get me water..." Dany coughed sending a priest to fulfill her request.
"This is wonderful my queen," Kinvara placed her hands together approaching the Mother of Dragons, "truly you are reborn to remake this world...You are the champion of freed slaves, your dragons are fire made flesh...A gift from the Lord of Light...Your destiny is to lead the people against the darkness in the wars to come."
Daenerys finished her cup greedily glaring at the red priestess, "my destiny was reclaiming the Iron Throne. I lost it to someone who had the stronger claim. I have no interest in returning to Westeros or listening to prophecies any longer."
The room's attention shifted to shouting originating outside. Daario Naharis and his Second Sons calvary burst through the doors pushing past the priests. Daenerys tried to no avail to meet him as he pushed past them in order to reach her.
"This is a holy place of worship, we told you-"
"Out of my way witch." Daario scooped Daenerys in his arms holding her tightly, "I'm sorry Daenerys, I should've never left your side..."
Silent tears poured down her cheeks as she held onto a loved one. Something that was void in Westeros, she was betrayed by everyone and in her last moment alive truly felt alone. "I heard from Greyworm what happened; Varys, Missandei, Ser Jorah...I should've been there..."
"Daario," she sobbed releasing her pent up emotion, "I made a mistake." Daenerys clutched him like a lifeline unable to let go.
"Daenerys look at me." He said lifting her chin, "fuck Westeros, fuck their people, they celebrated your family's death and didn't think twice about killing you even when you weren't a threat to them. Listen to me," he cupped her face gently, "you did what you thought was right, you pursued your destiny."
"And look where that got me...I failed Daario, I'm not anyone's queen anymore." She said averting her gaze feeling the shaking dissipate.
"Essos will always see you as a liberator and their rightful queen. The people here still love you, I love you. You failed once, we should go and fail again."
"My whole life I'd only had one goal...Now I don't know what to do."
Daario offered a small smile "I could only do so much as a regent in your absence. The majority of Essos practices slavery in abundance now more than ever after the battle in the Bay of Dragons. People here need their queen, hope."
"I'd like to leave." She said softly earning a nod from him.
"Of course my queen—"
"I told you I'm not anyone's queen!" Daenerys sighed leaning into Daario's support, "I'm only the Mother of Dragons."
"Bring her clothes!" Daario shouted to his shoulders leading her out of the room.
"I'm done letting prophecies decided my fate." Dany said leaving Kinvara and Zanrush.
Daario carried her to the temple entrance hearing Drogon's roars becoming fiercer. "Daario...Do you still believe in me?"
He arched a brow, "of course, I'll always believe in you...We waited along Myr's coastline hearing Drogon was flying home. When we saw where he was headed we held hope he'd come here. I rode for three days straight to get to this shit pile of a city because I wanted to see you again." Dany hid a smile in his shoulder.
"Is Greyworm and the unsullied alright?"
"I sent them a raven when we left, I urged him to return to Mereen. Now that you're back we should expect to see him soon.
She was thrilled Greyworm was safe but couldn't bring herself to show it, "I'm not returning to Mereen."
The commander halted for a moment, "where will you go?"
"Home."
The pair shielded their eyes stepping out into the light of day emerging from the darkened temple. Drogon lands in front of them blocking their path scaring off the temple guards. The dragon stands on it's hind legs showing off it's imposing height and wingspan roaring into the air. Daario eased Daenerys down unwilling to leave her side.
Dany felt life return to her running her hands along Drogon's scales. "I've missed you Drogon, my sweet boy." She said placing a chaste kiss on his snout.
Recognizing what was happening Daario caught Dany's wrist causing Drogon to snarl in his direction. "Please Daenerys, Mereen needs you, your people need you, I need you."
"Daario..." Her once assured voice sounded shattered, broken. No longer carrying the same fire from before.
"You can still bring hope to people. I'm more hopeful than I've ever been seeing you now. We'll be awaiting your return to Mereen my queen." He said releasing her stepping back as she climbed on Drogon giving one last glance ascending into the atmosphere.
"The world still needs the Mother of Dragons." Kinvara said standing beside the commander.
"Essos needs her. She'll return, I can feel it." Daario gestured his troops to follow taking their leave, "come to Mereen in a few days time, hopefully our queen is back by then." The Second Sons departed leaving Volantis to prepare their capital for Daenery's return.
No matter any troubles she went through, flying on Drogon had the effect of making everything else seem insignificant in comparison. By themselves the duo were powerful, together they proved to be an unstoppable force. He was her last living son and she would be damned if she let herself outlive him. "There it is Drogon, where we're from." For the first time since waking a joyous smile spread across her features. Years were taken off her life in pursuit of the Iron Throne. No longer would she be a slave to her ambitions or foretold prophecies, now she was free. Nothing else mattered at this moment, "we're home Drogon." Daenerys held back tears seeing the ruins of Valyria emerge through the clouds. For a moment she felt like her old self pulling on Drogon's spike making him fly faster—At this moment she felt truly alive.
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A/N: Next the world expands. Tyrion, Bran, and King's Landing will be featured. Also Jon's return to Castle Black and journey to the Land of Always Winter begins. As always thanks for the read.