Marya was sure her fingers were going to fall off. Underneath her gloved hands, she was no longer sure if they were attached to her arms any more. Her teeth knocked against themselves in her mouth as she tried desperately not to show anyone just how cold she was. In her opinion, the north could go fuck itself. Tyrion and the Lord Commander were a few feet away from her, discussing the needs for supplies and more men. They were short on both, but she could understand why no one would willingly choose to come so far north, just to guard a bunch of people who were better off than most. While she still held belief of white walkers, she knew that the most dangerous things people thought were north of the wall were the wildlings.
From what she had seen of the numbers, if a wildling party truly wanted to get past the wall, the night's watch would be stretched thin in holding them off. Down below in the courtyard, she watched as Jon Snow trained with the others. He was easily proving his skill with a blade, but she rolled her eyes as he knocked a couple of the others down to the ground. His moves were getting rough as he tried to prove himself better than the rest. Marya had no doubt that he was better at sword play than a stable boy or a farmer's son. She winced as another one was knocked down to the ground. It looked like he hadn't bothered to take her advice to heart.
"We received a raven," the Lord Commander said softly, but Marya still heard him.
She crept closer to where they were standing, coming to stand just behind Tyrion's back. Her eyes were wide with expectations and for a second Lord Mormont hesitated as his eyes focused on her. One didn't exactly say no when a Lannister came knocking on their gate, asking to see the wall. Especially when said Lannister was the brother of the Queen, but when he had heard the man brought a woman with him, Mormont almost thought about turning them away. It had been a quick thought. One that was quickly replaced by the growing list of bodies they needed and supplies. With a troubled mind and a stern speech to the rest of the brothers, he made his intent perfectly clear that these two would be treated a guest of honors while they were at Castle Black.
He had also come to realize that Lord Tyrion didn't keep anything from his maid. "It came from Winterfell. The boys brother has woken up."
"I'm sure he'll be relieved to hear it, my lord." Marya said, while taking another glance down at the courtyard. Thorne had dismissed the group for the day it seemed and she watched them head inside. "I can go give him the message if you don't mind?"
Lord Mormont nodded and didn't expect her bright smile to be flashed at him. The girl had a certain charm about her. Though he hadn't heard her speak much since she had walked through the gates. Even the Lannister always changed the subject whenever the conversation trailed to her. It was odd and obvious that the two were hiding something, but as far as Mormont was concerned, it wasn't his problem. The only thing he wanted now was supplies in order the get through the coming winter.
"I'll follow, I do need to have a word with our friend," Tyrion said and nodded his farewell with the Lord Commander.
The two made their way down the steps, their feet leaving imprints in the snow.
"I don't think we should stay here much longer," Marya said softly, her eyes trailing towards the faces that watched them. They were always being watched and she was sure it wasn't merely because she was a woman and Tyrion a dwarf. She was sure it had more to do with the fact that he was a Lannister and they wondered if he could buy them out of their futures among the wall.
"Why?" Tyrion asked casually, "I thought you enjoyed the north."
"I do like the north, however I'm certain that this is a layer of hell no one seems to be aware of," Marya grumbled and pulled her cloak tighter around herself. The cold had managed to settle into her bones now and she wasn't entirely sure what she could do to get rid of it, other than slipping into a wash tub filled with boiling water.
"Come now, don't be so dramatic. I've managed the chill just fine," he said.
"Yes, but not all of us have hot lions blood running through us," Marya teased him as she opened the door she had seen Jon and the other boys walk through. She stopped immediately, her eyes frozen on the scene before her. Jon was being held down by two of the others while another stood in front of him with his back to them. The room was filled with weapons, but she didn't think she would be able to move fast enough to reach one of them and Jon before they either attacked her or slit Jon's throat.
"Now this is interesting," Tyrion muttered and he moved around her, stepping fully into the room.
"What are you looking at half man?" one of the boys said, turning to glance at them over his shoulder.
"Why I'm looking at you. All of you in fact, you all have such distinctive faces. It's interesting really. I bet they would look interested sitting on spikes at Kings Landing. Perhaps I'll write to my sister the Queen and tell her all about it." Tyrion's words were a bigger threat then there sharp blades.
They moved with quick feet as they turned away and one even fled from the armory. Marya didn't think they had even been that fast while training. Maybe fear would do these boys some good. She stepped closer towards Jon, her eyes trailing to his neck to see if the blade had managed to cut him. She had almost reached up to move his collar aside, but his eyes seemed to beg her not to. She held her arms up in surrender, not wishing to ruin whatever image he was trying to portray.
Jon leaned heavily back on the rack behind him and shook his head in disbelief, "Everyone knew what this place was and nobody told, nobody except you two. My father knew," he continued on stiffly, "and he left me to rot on the wall all the same.
Marya raised a brow at him and glanced over to one of the boys. Blood coated his face and she was sure his nose had been broken, "Grenn's father left him too." She nodded towards the boy.
"Pip was caught stealing a wheel of cheese. His little sister hadn't eaten in three days. He was given a choice, his right hand or the wall. We've been talking to the Lord Commander about them. They all have such fascinating stories," Tyrion said.
"They hate me because I'm better than them," Jon said angrily. He stood up straighter and got closer to them as his chest puffed with his anger.
"It's a good thing they weren't trained with masters at arms like you were," Marya quickly cut him off, "They've probably never even held a real sword until they came here."
Marya turned her back on him then and started heading out the door. The boy was going to get himself killed quickly if he kept acting like a highborn bastard who was better than the rest. Even she knew that once someone became part of the watch, they left their past behind them.
Tyrion went to follow her, but stopped, turning once against back to Jon. "Your brother Bran has woken up." He handed Jon the scroll and then turned around, following Marya out the door.
The two walked away silently until Marya stopped in a shadowed corner away from prying eyes. She was angry, and that bothered her. Anger had never done her any good as she grew up, except make her stupid and rash with the choices she had made. She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths through her nose and letting them out through her mouth. Her body was shaking still, but now it was more out of anger rather than the cold. Tyrion stood in front of her, just watching and waiting. He had been the one to teach her how to breathe instead of letting her mouth run away from her. Once he had suggested she drink away the anger and pain, but that only led to two foolishly rash people who caused trouble. He had been sure his father was going to keep him permanently locked away at Casterly Rock and have Marya killed.
It had been the only warning they had received and they had known it was the last as well. Since then, Marya learned to breathe and Tyrion, well he still drank.
"He is not your brother, and he is no longer in Winterfell. You could have said something back if you had wanted to," Tyrion told her.
"Aye," Marya agreed with him, "I wanted to say something with a blade though. He acts too much like a highborn."
Tyrion nodded and pursed his lips in thought, "He was raised as one, but then so were you."
Marya opened her eyes and looked at him. She knew he was right, he always seemed to somehow be right, but she'd be damned if she ever said that aloud to anyone. "It wasn't the same and you know that."
"Yes, just as different as they are the same. You learned quickly and early. He'll learn just as quickly as well. You aren't the only one who's allowed to change."
Marya winced as she realized that he was actually lecturing her and not taking her side. It was something he seemed to have mastered with her. In front of others, he would stand by her, but as soon as they were in private, he would chastise her on her actions. It always made her feel younger than she was and she hated it. Yet she had learned to listen as well. In the last year, Tyrion had taken on the role of older brother somehow. Not that they would give anyone the chance to see them act that way. She was sure Cersei would constantly remind her she was no lion, just like she liked to remind Marya now that she was nothing more than a maid. Luckily, Jaime had been slightly kinder than his twin because of his love for his brother, but she always stayed clear of the two if she could help it.
Tywin Lannister was another force entirely and she was glad she hardly ever saw the man.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"Don't apologize, just be better next time."
Marya nodded and vowed silently that she would. She wasn't the same girl she was a year or two ago. Tyrion had made sure of that. He turned around and left their little spot before heading across the courtyard and towards the dining hall.
"Come along Marya, I suddenly find myself very thirsty and in need of a good drink."
Marya took another second before following after him. She scoffed slightly under her breath, not entirely sure he would be able to find a good drink inside Castle Black. Still, as they pushed past the doors and entered the hall, Marya almost slumped in relief at the warm air inside the room. She quickly turned and closed the door behind herself, not wanting to let any of the cold in. The hall was practically empty and Tyrion let a displeased sound escape from his lips.
"Have a seat and warm yourself, I'm going to try and find that drink," he said before he turned to go back out the doors.
Marya made her way towards one of the tables and quickly sat down. She placed her back against the wood and faced towards the front of the room where she assumed the Lord Commander ate. She heard the door open again as Tyrion made his way back out. Honestly, she hadn't thought that they would be here so long but Tyrion actually liked the place. That and he wanted to make sure the Jon settled in alright. He had been the same when he found her; just a dirty girl wondering the woods alone. He hadn't stayed by her side when he returned her to Casterly Rock. It hadn't been her home, but it was the closest thing near the woods, so he had assumed. Somehow, a cook had taken pity on her and made her help out in the kitchens. Tyrion had always managed to show up every now and then. She hadn't realized that he was keeping an eye on her.
However, it wasn't until one of the men who worked at the stables cornered her and she ripped his throat out with a blade she had snuck from the kitchens, did she realize just how closely Tyrion had been watch her. He had found her still wet with the man's blood and the knife gripped tightly in her hand. Tyrion took one look at the scene and then thanked her for saving his life. He said the man had been drunk and attacked him while she had been passing by. He told the story again and again until it suddenly became truth. Tyrion took Marya out from the kitchens that day and made her his maid. Even Tywin couldn't deny it, when so many were sure she saved his son's life. Since that day, they hadn't talked about it. Tyrion had only asked her one question and that was if she had been from Casterly Rock. When she had said no, he nodded and said they needed to get her a proper blade.
The blade had remained strapped to her thigh ever since.
Marya pursed her lips and forced herself to swallow down the ale. It wasn't good. She winced at the after tasting, somehow finding it worse. She shook her head and passed her cup over to Tyrion. She could do without it. It hadn't taken Tyrion long to come back and he hadn't been alone. Yoren had come with him and she knew the moment he opened his mouth, why Tyrion liked him so much; a man not afraid to speak however he wished, especially in the presence of a Lannister. Tyrion liked people significantly more that way.
"What's wrong girl, our ale too much for you?" Yoren asked her, taking another gulp from his own cup.
"It's too much for anyone. I'm surprised the lot of you hasn't died from its poisoning," she said, wrinkling her nose at him. Marya had tasted worst in her lifetime but she had become spoiled being at Tyrion's side.
"Oh I'm sure you prefer some fancy wine," he said, only slightly mocking.
"Better than shit ale," she smirked back at him.
A great laugh roared through him as his raised his cup up to her before chugging it down. From beside her, Tyrion smiled as well and took a sip of his own drink. He had both the finest and the worst, and he really didn't care which he had in his hand; as long as it did the trick. The three of them had been joking for hours now; the candles were burning lower as the day went by them outside. Even if he hadn't wanted to admit it, the warmth of the room had gotten to Tyrion as well and he almost didn't want to step back outside. It was only a matter of time before he made it up to the top of the wall. Marya had been perfect clear that she would stay on the ground.
The door jerked opened and Marya glanced over seeing Benjen Stark walk through. She glanced away from him and focused her attention on Yoren once more. Since the day in the woods, she had managed to avoid the grim ranger, but every now and then she would catch him watching her and Tyrion. As if they were somehow up to something.
"Do you think we're funny here in the night's watch?" Benjen said as he walked over to them. He stood in front of Tyrion, looking down at him. "Is that what we are to you Lannister, an army of jesters?"
"You don't have enough men to be an army," Marya quipped at him, dragging the man's attention from Tyrion.
"And besides Yoren here, none of you are particularly funny," Tyrion nodded up at him.
Benjen kept watching them for another silent second before taking a seat next to Yoren. Marya could see from the look his face that he wasn't pleased with either of them. Not that it mattered much. Most people didn't like Tyrion for either being a Lannister or a dwarf and most people didn't like her for being a woman or in a Lannisters company. The two had learned a long time ago to ignore what others thought of them.
"I hope we provided you with good stories to take back to King's Landing. Half of the boys you've seen training will die north of the wall. Might be because of a wildling, might be sickness, might even be the cold. They'll die in pain, and they do it so plump little lords and ladies like you two can spend your days in peace and comfort," Benjen nodded at them with a small bitter smile playing across his lips. He stared them both down at that moment.
"Plump?" Marya asked with wide eyes and raised brows. She looked down at herself and then over to Tyrion, "Do you think I'm plump?"
Tyrion glanced over at her, "I'm afraid the cold hasn't been kind on you my dear. You should be eating more."
"And apparently you should be eating less," she teased him.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Yoren try and fight back a laugh as he turned away and took another sip from his cup. Marya had no idea how he even had anything left in it to be honest. He seemed to be draining it just as quickly as Tyrion was.
"Listen, Benjen. May I call you Benjen?" at his nod, Tyrion continued one, "I have great admiration for the night's watch. I have great admiration for you as the first ranger, but I don't believe in gumkins, and giants and whatever other stories children are told about what's on the other side of the wall. I believe, the only difference between the wildlings and us is that when the wall came up, our ancestors just happened to be one the right side."
Marya scoffed as she got up, "After all your books it annoys me that you refuse to believe in anything besides the wildlings," she said. She started making her way towards the door, "I'm going to start packing our bags. We're leaving tomorrow."
She heard Yoren laugh as she opened the door, "Clearly we see who the leader of you two is."
Marya rolled her eyes and closed the door behind her. The courtyard was nearly empty, except for a few of the boys were still lingering around either training or just talking. She steered clear of them. While she didn't think they would be foolish enough to try anything in such an opened view, she had been around enough foolish men to not give them the chance. She walked up the stairs that led towards their chamber. She caught sight of Jon Snow as she went, smiling when she saw him talking to some of the boys that he had knocked down earlier. He seemed to be showing them a thing or two. Maybe Tyrion was right about him and he would learn quickly.
She pushed the door open to their chamber and closed it quickly behind her. Early in the day she had left the fire burning, but it had long since gone out. The room was still warmer than outside though. She walked over to the fireplace and began and new fire, moving more wood into it. Marya didn't need to pack much. Most of her things were already set to go. It was Tyrion's things that she had to worry about. Thankfully the two were carrying light once they had left Winterfell, but Tyrion had brought along a couple of his books and they were now placed all around the chamber. Marya went around collecting them and placing them back in their small trunk. She brushed her hand along one of their spines before looking over to the door. Tyrion would probably take his time with Yoren. With A shrug she removed her cloak and sat down on one of the chairs. She opened the book and began reading, getting lost in the words.
Outside, day turned to night. In the distance, she could hear Ghost howling from Jon's room and she smiled softly thinking about the direwolf. Marya imagined he would keep growing and be one hell of a beast to have by Jon's side. It wasn't long after the sun had set that Tyrion tumbled into the room. The door swung open and he hung from the handle as he walked in, leaning heavily on the door. He looked around the room with squinted eyes that widened once the fell on her.
"Marya!" he said loudly and made his way over, "I have some exciting news." He clambered up on the bed and sat beside her. Reaching down, he tried to tug his boots off, but the ties had been tied tightly and would barely budge from his feet. He groaned and kept tugging at them until Marya finally sat her book down and kneeled down on the ground in front of him. She untied the laces and quickly pulled his boots off while he leaned back and sighed in relief.
"What's the good news?" she asked him after a moment of silence. Marya stood up and placed his boots on the floor near the end of the bed. She made her way over to the extra bed the brothers had brought in when they had first arrived. They had made comments about them being in the same room, but never directly to their faces.
"Hmm?" Tyrion questioned as he fell back completely onto the bed and closed his eyes, "Oh yes, we'll be traveling with Yoren down to King's Landing together. We'll get to see all of it from here to there."
"That's usually what it means when one travels from one place to the other," she said dryly, but smiled all the same.
Before she could say anymore, she glanced at him and saw the slow rise and fall of his chest. The fool hadn't even bothered to change out of his clothes. His own fault if he gets sick. Marya went about changing her own clothes, not a tad bit worried that he would wake up and see her. Quickly, she went back over and grabbed the book before slipping under the furs of her own bed. She didn't think she would be getting much sleep. The excitement of the journey that was to come was rumbling away in her stomach and she wondered how interesting it would be to travel with Yoren. He probably knew the north better than they did. She hoped the days to come would be worth this trip north.