30 Minutes Earlier
Winterfell
Bart Allen
The two black cloaked men that walked into Winterfell, if it had been noted by anyone, would have been met with more than a few strange looks. For one, Benjen Stark was situated on the back of a horse, while his traveling companion easily kept pace with the First Ranger despite having ridden in at a full gallop. "No matter how many times I see you run lad, I never get used to it."
"Just one of my many awesome talents." Bart called back with a smirk and his green eyes alight with mirth behind his goggles, completely at ease with the pace they had set the whole way to Winterfell. "The boys on the Wall don't get it either, so don't feel bad Benny boy. What they do get is the fact that I'm far easier to deal with than Thorne."
"As much as I might hate the man, he has his uses. Although..." Benjen shrugged as they entered the main courtyard. "The bastard can't get messages to us in the blink of an eye, pull our men out of harm's way even faster, or cook a damn fine leg of lamb. And then eat the whole bloody thing."
Helping to tie Benjen's horse in the stables, Bart laughed and shrugged in return while Benjen dismounted. "Being the fastest man in Westeros leaves me with an appetite to match. It's one of the few downsides, but it could always be worse."
"That it could lad." Benjen replied with a smirk before he heard a noise over in the training yard. Without a word having to be shared, they changed direction and headed towards the source. It didn't take them long to see what was happening. "Is he dead yet?" Benjen cheerfully shouted before Jon Snow turned and saw who had called out to him.
Having been hammering away at one of the practice dummies in the yard with his sword, Jon had been completely consumed in the exercise since it gave him an outlet for his frustration. Being the bastard made for lonely company at times, especially during such an important event as welcoming the king and his family. But he forgot all about his problems when his eyes fell on his favorite uncle, temporarily forgetting the fellow ranger that had made the trip with him. "Uncle Benjen!"
They embraced tightly before Benjen smiled widely and slapped a hand on his shoulder. "You've gotten bigger I see." A gust of cold wind slammed into them as Benjen shook his head and sighed. "Trying to have a talk with my nephew here, Allen. Would you mind?"
"Mind what? Oh, you must be that cool bastard guy, Jon Snow." Bart cheerfully replied, finally noticing the young man Benjen had stopped to talk to. If he noticed the dark frown that appeared on Jon's face, the speedster didn't comment on it.
"Now he gets a word right." Benjen muttered to himself as he threw his hands in the air. "You'll have to forgive my talkative friend here. His mouth moves 'bout as fast as his feet, yet his mind has a tendency not to keep up."
"And Benny boy still lets me hang with him. He's crash like that." Bart chuckled as he slapped a hand on Benjen's back, again ignoring the First Ranger's playful scowl as he turned to Jon next. "So, rumor has it you want to join the Night's Watch. Any truth to that Jonny boy?"
"You know, I'd prefer you hang by youself." Bart somehow missed the glare Jon sent his way before turning to Benjen. "And yes, there is. If you talk to father, I know he'll say yes."
Bart might not have understood what he had stirred up, but he recognized an urge to prove oneself when he met Jon's gaze even as he spoke to his uncle. Benjen knew it too and tried to cool his nephew's temper somewhat when he put a hand on his shoulder. "No bastard was ever refused a place there Jon, but you don't know what you'll be giving up. We have no families, none of us will ever father sons."
"I don't care about that!" Jon shot back before jerking his arm away from his uncle's grasp.
"If you really knew what it meant, you wouldn't be so quick to give up the chance Snow." Bart shrugged though as he looked towards Benjen before turning back to Jon. "I don't have any experience either, but eh, to each their own. The point is, it's not an easy place to be day in and day out Jon. But it's your choice, I just hope you're making it for the right reasons."
"The lad's right Jon, butit is your choice. I'll speak to Ned on your behalf. We'll speak more when I return. Come Allen, might as well save my brother from his guests." Jon nodded his head before turning back to the dummy, and it came as no surprise to either man that he had immediately gone back to pounding away at the wooden post for all he was worth. "He's no ranger." Benjen stated once they were out of earshot.
"No, but he could become one if he gets his attitude adjusted. You don't hit a dummy that hard without imagining someone's face attached to it. I know." Bart stated solemnly as they stopped at the main entrance to the great hall.
"You're like a bloody onion aren't you Allen?" Benjen asked, amazed by the shift from cheerful to deadly serious he had seen from the youth on a daily basis. The surprisingly wise man that had addressed Jon had since disappeared, but the First Ranger knew it was there, ready to come out again when he was needed. Just when I thought I knew the lad, he pulls a fast one.
"What? Do I stink?" Bart made a show of sniffing at his own armpits, much to Benjen's amusement even if his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"You know what I mean lad." Benjen countered, and was just about to open the door when someone all but kicked it down. If not for Bart's quick movement, the door would have smashed into his face. All the First Ranger saw was a streak of golden blonde hair that disappeared into the darkened courtyard. "I take it that was one of your friends. Not many golden haired girls in Winterfell."
Bart was almost beyond words as he watched Artemis stomp out into the courtyard, and then pause as if something had occurred to her. "And she doesn't look happy. Let's leave her alone for a little while." The younger man rapidly fired off as he all but dragged the Ranger into the hall.
"Excellent plan Allen." To Benjen's mind, Winter had just ran out the door in all her feminine rage. The cold wind that had followed in her wake certainly didn't help, but he and Bart shook it off as they entered the hall together. Before he knew it, Benjen was standing in the entrance alone, and saw that Bart had ran ahead to a nearby table where two women and Tyrion Lannister were situated. While he had never met the man personally, he knew who it was just from the fact he was a dwarf, and that he was one of the most well dressed men in the hall with his expensive clothes and the gold rings on his fingers.
He didn't get a chance to dwell on it though as the same streak of blonde hair that had blasted by him earlier did so again, and all but tackled Bart to the floor. Benjen knew one thing for certain, if Winter had just left the hall, then Summer had ran back in as he walked over to an exuberant Artemis Crock and her friends. I see Allen isn't the only one full of surprises.
The next morning...
"So ah, nice place Arty." Bart rubbed at the back of his neck nervously as he glanced around Artemis' quarters. Having taken a spot against the wall, he tried to stay out of her way as she gathered her gear, having seen the same routine while they had lived in the cave. He had made the mistake of slowing her down once, and he had not done it twice.
"Stop acting like I'm going to shoot you in the face or something." Artemis rolled her eyes as she finished checking her arrows over before stuffing them into her quiver, which she then slung onto her back. "'Sides, I'm still happy you decided to pop up when you did. It makes me hopeful the rest of the team's alive and well."
"Anyone hear from the others? Who knows if we all ended up here or not. The four of us might be it." Following Artemis out onto the walkway that overlooked part of the castle grounds, Bart didn't jump the balcony as she did. Instead he simply zipped down the stairs and was next to her by the time she stood to her full height again.
"I was hoping you had some good news to be honest. I haven't heard anything either. Maybe Zatanna or M'gann know something we don't." Artemis hoped so, she knew she could use some good news with this whole Hand business looming over their heads. "Actually, since it'd be better if it was just us, maybe no news is good news."
"I suppose I could zip around the planet and do a quick search. Should only take me three or four months, if I'm thorough." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Bart knew Artemis was going to shoot his suggestion down. He was almost relieved that she did, but he didn't say as much.
"No, as much as I might want you to do just that Bart, I'd rather you didn't take any unnecessary chances. Besides, it's enough for me to know the four of us are alright." It wasn't just the fact that she was afraid someone would take exception to the fact Bart could run faster than any man had a right to, but that Artemis was afraid of what he might uncover if he did go out into the world to try and find the rest of the team. Even if he did manage to find some of them, the chances he would come back alive to tell her about it were almost nonexistent.
"Well, figured I'd offer at least. But, I have gotten sort of attached to these Watch guys. Everybody gives them crap and yet they seem to be the only ones actually doing anything important. Yeah it's cold as Antarctica up on that Wall of theirs, but I could think of worse places to be." He didn't have to say, and Artemis didn't ask what he was thinking about. She had her own nightmares to contend with, and she doubted Bart hadn't forgotten his own despite the change of scenery.
"Trust me Bart, I've had the same thought many times. Same problem." Artemis smirked as she gestured to the courtyard in general. It was still exceedingly busy with the King's men running to and fro, but it still felt like home to the archer.
Bart nodded his head in approval, having long since noted why Artemis loved Winterfell as much as she did. "Yeah. I can't blame ya Arty. You have a good life here, I wouldn't want to give it up either."
"Can't help feeling like I'm giving up on them though." Artemis emphasized that point by kicking at a stray stick in her path, sending it rolling ahead of her several feet.
Taking his life, and his wrist, in his own hands, Bart slowly rested a hand on her shoulder. "Arty, we'll find them. I know we will. Then we'll plan our next move, like we always do."
To his surprise, Artemis grasped his hand gently between her fingers before turning her head to face him. "How do you stay so chipper all the time Bart?"
"Practice. And pie. Lots of pie." He happily told her with a big silly grin.
"Dork." Artemis chuckled despite the insult as she pulled away from the speedster, and led the way to the small godswood, as she did every morning regardless of what was going on. She was surprised to see that Zatanna and M'gann were already there, having stopped in front of the massive white tree with its face carved into the bark. "What are you two doing here?"
"Eddard Stark pointed us this way. Now I see why he did." Zatanna stated as she ran a hand across bark, her hand coming away sticky with the sap that seemed to bleed out from the eyes and mouth. Even the color matched, but the smell didn't as she brought the small drops of tree sap up to her nose. "Hmm, I can see why you like it back here though. This place has an air about it not felt anywhere else on the castle grounds."
"It's...almost like this tree is looking at us. I'm not sure if I like it or not." M'gann shivered at the thought, still unnerved by the odd sensations this place elicited in her.
"You and Catelyn both feel the same way M'gann, but me? I've always felt at peace in this godswood. Don't ask why 'cause I couldn't explain it to you, but I fell in love with this place from the first time I walked through it." Leaning against the tree itself, Artemis crossed her arms and looked down into the small pond that was right in front of the heart tree. The pool gave off the occasional puff of steam from the natural hot springs that ran throughout the grounds of Winterfell, but Artemis paid it no mind as she looked towards her three old friends. "You never answered my question."
"We just wanted to talk Artemis. Last night didn't give us as much time as I'd have liked, that and there were a lot of people around, Tyrion included." That got Artemis's attention as she met Zatanna's gaze. "We might have known him since we got here, but we've known you a lot longer."
"I am so throwing that in his face the first chance I get." Artemis grinned widely as she imagined the insulted look on the Imp's face when she did drop that on his lap.
"Arty..." Zatanna rolled her eyes and frowned at the archer. "Can't you be a little more serious?"
Artemis' demeanor changed in an instant. Gone was the cheerful look in her gray eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, you want serious? I can understand why Bart never searched for us, he had people counting on him just to survive." Arty gave the younger man a look of admiration, which vanished as she turned back to M'gann and Zatanna. "Why did it take both of you two damn years to find me? I could understand if you had been alone M'gann, but you Zatanna have that locator spell. You could have found me at the very least."
"I didn't exactly see you knocking on our door either. Here I thought you had all this great assassin training. You couldn't even find us a few hundred miles away." Zatanna shot back before M'gann could say a word in her own defense. Putting her hands on her hips, the magician leaned forward and glared daggers at her blonde counterpart. "As for my locator spell, I was lucky it worked when I used it to find the Injustice League, and that was with a holographic map of the entire world right in front of me. No one has a completely accurate map of this world, or haven't you noticed the chamber pots they use for toilets?"
"Oh I noticed, I almost died because these people have about as much medical knowledge as your average witch doctor." Artemis growled before stomping over to the magician, only to stop when they were eye to eye. "And sorry for not dropping everything to go traipsing through this backwards shithole where women are treated like second class citizens, fit only for cooking and bending over a barrel! Being dead wouldn't have helped anyone either!"
"Um... why don't we just relax for a sec, everybody is totally feeling the mode right now and-" Bart tried to step in between the two enraged women, only to land on his backside as them shoved him away.
"SHUT UP!" Artemis and Zatanna shouted before they returned to glaring at each other.
ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU! M'gann shouted in their minds, separating Zatanna and Artemis a moment later with a mere wave of her hand. "Is this how we fall apart?! We turn on each other just because we haven't seen each other in two years?! The Light tried to tear us apart once, and they failed, yet time is going to succeed where they didn't?" M'gann let that sink into their heads before dropping them to the ground and continuing, her voice growing more emotional by the second. "Is that what I'm getting out of this?! We should be HAPPY! We should be falling to our knees in gratitude! Not fighting like a bunch of spoiled children! I miss everyone too! I want them to be alright too! But you don't see me pointing fingers! You don't see me uselessly arguing over the past!"
"Um... I'll come back later…." Arya hesitantly took a step back when four sets of eyes fell on her and the direwolf pup that trailed behind her. "I should go..."
"Arya, it's alright. We were just...being stupid." Artemis all but whispered as she looked away from an equally ashamed Zatanna.
"Most grown ups act that way, so I'm not surprised." Bart was surprised by Arya's courage despite having been present for the worst argument he had ever seen between the team. Not only did she not run as fast as her legs could carry her, she closed the distance to Artemis and was soon by her side. "You should really apologize. Father always says that arguments between men can always be settled with patience and time, but things not said, or imagined slights, can fester and blacken the soul."
All of them blinked owlishly at the surprisingly deep and wise words the young girl had just spouted. Even Artemis was slightly taken aback by Arya's comment, but she was glad she had decided to appear when she had. "If you need the reason as to why I stayed here instead of either tracking everyone down, or dieing in the process, you just got it." Artemis held out her hands in exasperation. "I can trust these people. I can be honest with them and they don't stab me in the back for it. Can you say the same of the Imp and his psychotic family?"
"His family, or us Artemis?" Zatanna asked pointedly, but sighed as she nodded her head in defeat. "That was harsh….harsher than I meant it to be, but it's still a valid question Arty. Besides, it took your dad and sister giving you a ride to Santa Prisca to get you to admit anything about your past. I understand why you didn't come out about it, but we would have still accepted you."
"I know that now." Artemis grumbled, having gone back to looking at the pond nearby.
"Then why Arty? Why don't you trust us now?" Zatanna whispered, barely heard over the the sound of the cool morning breeze.
"Because she was afraid we had changed as much as she has. And not just for the better, like she did." Bart solemnly stated, just as M'gann had been about to say something similar. "We all have changed. I've been here just as long as you, and I know I'm not the same person I was two years ago." A pale, sarcastic imitation of Bart's usually cheerful attitude reasserted itself. "For one, I don't have nearly as many Reach related nightmares anymore. Those got replaced by being chased down by dead guys with glowing blue eyes." He shrugged and smirked, even if he was being partially serious about the wight related nightmares that had started after his near brush with death.
"Hmm. Maybe you should all talk with Maester Luwin. He's better at listening to people's whining, I mean problems, than I am." Arya stated as a small grin appeared on her face.
"We are being kind of whiny aren't we?" Zatanna grinned down at the little Stark girl and sighed, seeing that Artemis agreed with her from the small smirk on her face. Holding out her hand to the archer, Zatanna offered an apology before asking a question. "Still friends?"
"You better believe it Zat. And thanks Arya, you made us feel like a group of idiots, which was exactly what we needed." M'gann giggled into her hand about the same time Bart shot them a beaming smile.
Arya looked quite smug for having pulled them together again, with M'gann's help, but she wasn't about to tell them that. "You're welcome. Come on Nymeria, let's find you a nice stick."
It was only after Arya had disappeared that Zatanna addressed her friends again. "Did we just get shrinked by a nine year old girl? Because that's what it felt like."
Bart held out his hands with a satisfied grin. "Hey, I'm not complaining about a little girl crashing the mode. Just glad I didn't have to tie you two up or anything until you came to your senses."
"Tie us up? Really Bart? I didn't know you were that adventurous." Bart pulled at the collar of his heavy cloak and chuckled nervously as all the blood went to his cheeks at the less than subtle insinuation Zat had just directed at him.
"I didn't know it was possible for him to look so cute." M'gann chuckled as she floated over to his side and playfully ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, you'll find someone right for you one day Bart."
"Gee thanks M'gann." With a sigh, Bart was about to run to another part of the castle, but it was about that time that one of the direwolves that always followed the Stark children around started barking in the distance. While that in itself wasn't unusual, it was the frantic note to its cries that got his attention. "I think there's trouble."
"Let's move! Bart go!" Artemis shouted, having already taken off like a shot from her bow. She didn't miss a step as the speedster zipped away the next moment before he returned two seconds later. She only took a moment to look at his face, but it was enough for her heart to drop to the pit of her stomach. Following his trail as he stopped every dozen feet, just out of her reach before she and the others caught up, it didn't take them long to reach the source of the disturbance. What she saw made Artemis skid to a stop before her legs buckled beside Theon Greyjoy and the bundle in his arms.
"I-I just looked up and saw him falling and-" Theon broke down in sobs as he stared at the gravely injured Bran held in his arms. "He landed right in front of me!" Gone was his usual sneering and sarcasm, replaced by utter desperation and fear.
M'gann and Zatanna were the first to actually do something as they knelt on either side of the boy as Theon suddenly lost his grip and was forced to set Bran flat on the ground. M'gann didn't care if he had seen her eyes flash green as she gently lowered the injured child to the ground while Zatanna raised her right hand to the sky and sent a red streak of light out of her open hand. The orb exploded, showering the area in crimson light, clearly marking their current position. "That should get somebody's attention."
"Maester Luwin's already been informed, but I might have given him a stroke." Bart was icily calm about scaring the old man with his sudden appearance, but he hadn't considered it a problem considering what was happening. His stoic green gaze never wavered from the boy as Zatanna did what she could to stabilize Bran's condition.
Ignoring the astonished look on Theon's face at the light show Zatanna put on as she cast another spell on Bran himself before she slumped over in exhaustion. She turned to Bart and Artemis while M'gann kept her upright. "There, we can move him now, but the damage was severe. There might be spinal injuries, definitely a concussion, but its his legs that have me concerned. They're shattered, and it'd take several operations just to get him able to use them again at a later date. I'm not sure I can do it."
"There isn't a modern hospital in a billion miles." Artemis said, angrily pointing towards the sky. "You're all Bran's got."
"I'll do what I can. Just give me time." Zatanna promised about the same time Maester Luwin, Ned, and even Robert himself ran towards the tower.
"What happened here?!" Ned shouted, having since turned to Artemis and her friends. "Artemis! What happened?!"
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Before anyone could stop her, and no one was about to make the mistake of getting in her way, Artemis stormed off. An out of breathe and concerned looking Jaime Lannister joined them a few moments later.
"Where have you been Kingslayer?! Nevermind, you, help search the grounds. Someone's head will be leaving their body if I find anyone at fault for this!" Robert roared before his gaze softened as he put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll find out what happened here Ned. It's the least I could do for what I'm asking of ya, what I've asked of you before." Jaime rushed off towards the nearest group of guards as Ned carefully took the wounded boy in his arms. Robert wasn't surprised Ned didn't say so much as a word before carrying his boy away to be taken care of by Maester Luwin. Gods I need a drink.
That night...
Artemis Crock
Catelyn Stark had taken the news the hardest of them all, right behind Ned, and not so surprisingly, Artemis. Despite Zatanna's best efforts, his legs were still in pretty bad shape, but what was more troubling was that he hadn't woken up. He was trapped in a coma, an endless sleep that Maester Luwin believed would last for quite some time. M'gann was forced to agree with him, there was no telling how long he might remain this way, but she had wisely not said as much in front of the grief stricken Catelyn Stark.
"He never falls... never so much as slips. This can't have been an accident." If Catelyn had heard Artemis's words, she gave no indication she had.
"I'm afraid it does indeed look as if the boy fell by accident my Lady. We searched the tower, inspected the outer walls, and found nothing suspicious except for a few loose stones." The tension in the room was palpable as Jaime finished his brief report.
"Surrounded by Lannisters. Go Kingslayer. You aren't doing anything but taking up space." Robert growled out at his wife's brother, paying him no further attention as he turned back to Ned and his assembled family. "Much as I hate to say it Ned, he's right. Didn't find anything to say the boy didn't merely lose his grip."
"Are you calling me a liar your Grace?" Catelyn spat out, glaring at Robert for a moment before turning her worried gaze back to her gravely wounded son.
"No Cat, all I'm sayin' is, it does look like it was merely an accident. But if someone was responsible, I will find out who did this and make them answer for it."
"Like how you answered to that serving wench last night?" Artemis growled out through clenched teeth, earning her a glare from Robert and a smirk from Jaime. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword before Robert waved him off with a look of disgust.
"Guess the whispers I heard from Varys about you were spot on. Yes, I pay attention to what happens in my realm, despite what you might think about me woman. You're lucky Ned Stark favors you so, or else I'd have half a mind to slap some sense into you."
"You'd have to catch me first. And it's hard to hit someone with two broken hands. Course, that's why you have Ser Illyn Payne on your payroll I imagine. You don't have to dirty your own fat hands."
Robert pointed at her and shook his finger. "Oh I like her Ned. She has more balls than most of these blonde cunts I'm surrounded by. If I were you, I'd give her her weight in silver to keep her around."
"I don't have to be paid to follow the Starks. I'm not some spineless sellsword, like most of the people in your court."
"You have no idea how true that is about most of the fools that come to me. And not paid eh? What then? Ned's charming personality is it?"
"They saved my life, you fat fuck." Artemis shot back, having managed to fill her voice with so much venom that it practically rolled off her tongue.
Even Catelyn temporarily forgot her grief at the heated words that were being exchanged over her son's bed when Robert threw his head back and gave out a short laugh. "Ha! I knew it! Leave it to Ned's bleeding heart to snare him the best fuckin' archer this side of the Vale."
"If you don't mind me saying so, I doubt she's among the top hundred." Jaime knew of only a handful of archers that could compare to the Starks' impudent little blonde, but he didn't get a chance to say anything more.
"I do mind. Now shut the fuck up and get out Kingslayer." Robert shook his head at the departing Lannister before turning back to Ned and the Starks gathered around Bran's bed. "I wouldn't blame ya for wanting to stay here a few more days Ned, just don't keep me waitin' too long. I need you down there in the south, instead of lingerin' here where you're no damn good to anyone as I told ya the other day. Cat, Artemis, take care of the boy. Rather not give ol Ned here more of a reason to look like he has a frozen tree branch up his arse."
"How generous your Grace." Only Arty caught Ned's almost imperceptible tick. Once Robert had slammed the door to Bran's room behind him, only then did Ned put a hand on his wife's arm. Artemis wisely left as Catelyn turned and started to sob against him.
Artemis started to pace the narrow hall like a trapped tigress before her eyes snapped up and she paused mid stride. An idea had hit her as surely as a thunderbolt, and she planned to pursue it. M'gann, where's Tyrion?
He's... entertaining someone right now. M'gann hesitantly replied about the same time a feeling of slight embarrassment filtered through the link.
A fuming Artemis stomped towards the closest stairwell with a clear destination in mind. My friend's son almost got killed and all your perverted little 'master' cares about is getting laid?!
He's not our master. The martian shot back hotly, not about to be accused of sleeping with the supposed enemy. Especially not by someone she had thought was one of her closest friends.
Certainly looked that way to me. Is he going to be 'entertaining' you and Zat next? There was just a hint of regret attached to the thought as soon as it left Artemis' head.
Zat had had enough by then and was ready with a snappy comeback. There was no mistaking the angry tone to her thought. I'm sorry, who was it that's been trying to heal Bran to the point of dropping dead on their feet?
Sighing in exhaustion and resignation, Artemis looked down at the stone floor between her feet before 'voicing' her next thought. Kick whatever whore is dropping her panties for Tyrion out of his bed. I need to talk with him. Privately.
Even M'gann was beginning to get frustrated by this point. Talk, or beat him until he's black and blue? You're too emotional to be interrogating anyone Artemis.
You have until I get to his chambers to get out of my way. The fact she had just outright threatened two of his closest friends flew over Artemis' anger clouded mind as she took the stairs two at a time.
We'll be waiting. The fact that they sounded almost sad as the link was cut didn't help Artemis's mood in the least. If anything, it only made her urge to hang Tyrion from the nearest window by his ankles and use him for target practice all the stronger.
She knew that Zatanna and M'gann were right to try and get in her way, but the rational part of her mind had long since taken a backseat to the rage at what had transpired earlier that day. "Are you alright Artemis?"
She was brought up short by Robb's sudden appearance, but she shook off her surprise and went for the nearest exit from Winterfell's quarters devoted to the Starks themselves. "I'm fine."
"Now I know you're lying. Everyone always says they're 'fine'. I once told father I was perfectly 'fine', right after I fell off my horse and nearly broke my arm." Without thinking about it, Robb laid a hand on Artemis's shoulder and spun her around to face him. "I know you want to find the truth of what happened to Bran, but going off half strung like this will only make things worse Artemis."
If it had been any other man, besides Ned himself, manhandling her like this, Artemis would have snapped their wrist. As it was, she gave Robb her best steely glare. "I don't-"
"No, you do care Artemis, that's why you feel so strongly about this. He's my brother, do you think I don't want to find out the truth as badly as you?!" Lord Robb Stark didn't have to yell to get his point across. His death grip on her arm slackened before his hand fell to her wrist. "He didn't fall, I know that much, and I know you do as well. But going after the Lannisters will not help our case, not without proof that the king can't deny. The wolf can't stand alone, you know that better than most."
"I'm no wolf. Tigers don't hunt in packs." Artemis didn't have to raise her voice either as she jerked her hand away from his grip, but Robb noted the hesitence behind the action.
"Maybe not, but neither can they live in solitude all their lives." Robb knew he had gotten through her thick skull when he saw her face fall and tears start to collect at the edges of her gray eyes.
"Your father asked me to watch over your family….and now Bran's holding on by a thread." Artemis looked up so quickly, Robb almost wondered if she hadn't hurt her neck. "Why do you go out of your way like this Robb?"
"Because you're only one woman Artemis, and you can't be everywhere at once. You've always done the best you could by us without complaint."
"Thank you. I-I'll let you go see Bran. Excuse me." Artemis didn't get two feet before Robb stopped her.
Not wishing to push his luck, Robb stared down at the confused archer and slowly took his hand off her shoulder. "I visited him earlier, but I wasn't here to see him now. I came to find you. I was... worried."
"Worried?" Artemis made that one soft spoken word sound like the most grievous of insults.
Robb just sighed and ignored a glare that would have sent most men running in the other direction. "Yes worried. I had a feeling you'd hold yourself responsible for this, and I was right. You're not alone Artemis, you haven't been since you've become a part of our lives. Always remember that. You aren't a Stark by blood, but you might as well be one in name." Artemis blinked, and before she knew it, Robb had started to turn around and head out the nearby door. Stunned and rooted to the spot, she let him leave, but when she recovered from what he had just said to her, Artemis wiped at her eyes and felt a small smile tug at the corners of her lips.
Leaving through the nearby door, Artemis made a beeline for the guest quarters. She had some apologies to make.
The next morning...
Arya Stark had disappeared into the godswood, but it hadn't taken Artemis long to find her. For one, she had felt the urge to run into the forests herself the moment she could, but her duties had come first. Besides, her drive to find the truth of what had happened to Bran hadn't prevented her from searching the tower from top to bottom once things had settled down. But when she had found nothing, Artemis had retired to her quarters and fell asleep the moment her head had touched the pillow.
The next morning, her mind felt clearer and her blind drive to make someone pay for their crimes had given way to her rational mind, and it was just in a nick of time as Jory found her. He had told her Arya had been missing since early that morning, and Artemis had only nodded before getting ready for the day. And now she was here, standing beneath the tree the small girl had hidden herself away in the higher branches. "They say Bran won't wake up. That he might not ever wake up." The girl quietly whispered when she saw Artemis standing below her.
"That's not true Arya. Bran's just as stubborn as his father and brothers, he'll pull through."
"How do you know? How can you be so sure?" While her biting words were aimed to hit bone, Artemis took no offense, knowing she had said far worse for far less.
"Because. M'gann told me so. M'gann that was your cue..." Artemis slapped her arms against her sides in annoyance.
Sorry Arty. Don't worry, you aren't going crazy or anything, this is just a very special secret we wanted to share with you Arya. And Arty's right, I can't tell you when Bran will wake up, but I know he will. Eventually. Gone was the hostility that had been present the day before. Whatever cracks had started to form between them had since disappeared, partly from having slept off the worst of their collective raw emotions, but also because they had talked things out as Arya herself had suggested. It's really just a matter of time and-
Bart, as predictable as ever, was quick to interrupt their favorite martian before she dug herself a bigger hole. M'gann, you're scaring her Snarkiness. Hey there Arya! Pretty neat trick huh?
Bart, you're not supposed to be- oh hello Arya. We're not handling this well at all are we? Zatanna sighed in embarrassment at having no doubt made things worse.
Um NO! Artemis shouted with an audible groan as she put her hand against her forehead.
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY VOICES IN MY HEAD?! Four sets of hands involuntarily slammed over four sets of ears as Arya did her best to mentally deafen them. WHY IS MY VOICE SO LOUD?! It wasn't hard for them to pick up on her confusion and fear, the young Stark girl practically reeked of it. WAIT...HOW AM I TALKING WITHOUT MOVING MY LIPS?!
Geeze that girl can yell! I thought you had a big mouth M'gann. Bart was quick to change tactic when he felt M'gann's annoyance filter through the link. Right right, it's uh….kind of complicated your Starkyship, but uh-
It's a special talent only I possess, but it has saved us a lot of trouble where we came from. There was a collective mental wince as Arya began to speak again, but M'gann cut her short. Arya, just pretend you're whispering. It'll get easier, trust me, and if not me, Artemis. Has she ever steered you wrong before?
Artemis was quick to jump in before the young girl could get a word in edgewise. Don't answer that.
YES. I mean, yes? This is so strange... Arya shouted, before following M'gann's advice and finally figuring out how to moderate her volume.
Arya... Artemis grumbled mentally and audibly as she shot a glare up at the smug look on the girl's face.
She shrugged before she told the rest of Artemis' friends what had happened. You told me the ale wouldn't make me sick when I drank the entire mug.
Bet you didn't do that again did you? Bart snickered to himself.
Artemis didn't have to see the indignant sneer on the young girl's face to know she wasn't particularly grateful for that learning experience. Her tone said it all. No, I was throwing up all night. Mother wasn't happy with her for the rest of that week, even though the 'lesson' worked.
I don't know what's more amazing, the fact you did that to her Artemis, or the fact Catelyn didn't hang you out to dry. Zatanna chuckled low in her throat as she imagined the dirty look Artemis would have no doubt been throwing her way if they were face to face at that moment.
Artemis barely kept her less than pleasant thoughts to herself as she quickly interrupted the others attempts at 'reassuring' Arya. Awesome pep talk guys... mind if I take over now?
Oh. Sure thing Arty. Artemis shook her head at M'gann's good intentions before looking up at Arya's shocked face.
Bye Arya! Nice talking with you! Bart managed to squeeze in before M'gann cut him from the link.
Artemis somehow resisted the urge to bang her head against the trunk of the tree as she sighed instead and threw her hands into the air in frustration. "Perfect. And now you probably think we're a coven of witches or something. I told M'gann you'd probably freak out. You're just a little girl after all. It's not a big deal, having her in your head like that, but I guess it would be a bit weird at first." It hadn't even dawned on the archer to warn Arya first about the strange sensation of having your mind linked to another person, let alone hearing them. Or so it would appear to Arya.
To Artemis's hidden glee and admiration, Arya jumped down and glared up at the archer in irritation. "I'm not stupid just because I'm a girl." She grumbled before plopping herself down against the tree trunk. "If you say it's alright, I'll believe you. It was a bit strange though. And of course I won't tell anyone, so don't bother asking." Before Artemis could say anything further, Arya crawled into her lap and leaned her head against her right shoulder. "Bran's never going to walk again is he? He won't be able to ride a horse, shoot a bow, or be a knight like he always wanted."
"I don't know what might happen Arya." Artemis said at last after hugging the girl with her left arm. "I just know they will try to do everything they can do help him before the King goes back to the capital. And thanks for reminding me that they are my friends still Arya."
"You're a moron if you couldn't figure that out on your own."
Arya, I just wanted you to know that Bran probably will be able to walk again, once he wakes up, but he'll have to work at it everyday. Arya could hear the smile in Zatanna's voice as she chuckled lightly. And good one Arya, but Arty's not a moron, just really thick headed.
Arya understandably hadn't heard a word past Zatanna's declaration that Bran would be able to at least walk again, provided he woke up first. Really? Thank you Zat, thank you so much!
You got it kiddo. Zatanna's sense of satisfaction was palpable as she left the link, most likely to get some much needed rest.
Having disentangled herself from Arya's grasp in the meantime, Artemis stood up and pulled out a small bundle she had kept on her belt until that moment. Now seemed a good a time as ever after Zatanna's good news. "You know, I had something for you, but now, I think I'll just give it to Cheshire as a nice chew toy. I can't possibly compare to Zat. When did you start calling her that anyway?"
"What?! I mean, Tyrion told me too, and I take it back, you're not a moron! You're really kind and generous!" Arya curiously eyed the bundle that Artemis kept shifting from side to side behind her back.
"Now you're just kissing my ass. I'm short tempered and arrogant, I'll give you that. Catch." Artemis smirked as Arya's hand shot out and caught the package before pulling the cloth away. The widening grin on her face was all she needed to see as the custom made hand crossbow was revealed, alongside a collection of small wooden bolts to go with it. "You've earned it kid. Just don't shoot Mordane, or I'll never hear the end of it."
"Will you teach me to shoot it?! I'm sure father won't mind."
Artemis rolled her gray eyes at the now gleeful young girl. "Yeah, he'll be ecstatic. It's like a regular bow, you just point and pull the trigger instead of releasing the string by hand. But sure, I could give you a few lessons until you get the hang of it." Watching her turn it about, examining the collapsible sides to the 'bow' itself, Artemis nodded her approval when Arya figured out how to collapse it to a miniature size for easy storage before flipping the lever the other way. "I had to help Mikken make it, but between the two of us, I think we did a pretty good job. How's it feel in your hand Arya?"
"It's heavy, but it's so small." Turning it this way and that, Artemis couldn't have helped the smirk on her face at the girl's wonderment if her life had depended on it.
"It'll get lighter as you get stronger. Trust me, I know. Just be glad I'm not making you punch a bowl of water." Artemis eyed the pond behind them, half tempted to start Arya's first lesson right now.
Arya followed her gaze and gave the pond a dubious look. "How can you punch water?"
"That's what I asked. You know what my friend Ollie told me? It's not so much you're hitting the water, it's the motions associated with it. Three days later, and I was able to pull back the string on his bow, and his bow has a pretty strong pull to it. At least ten times the draw strength of yours." Before Arya could wonder just what she was made of to pull that trick off, Artemis motioned to the hand crossbow in her grasp. "Go on, see if you can string it properly."
Arya grasped the string with her fingers and barely moved it back half an inch before it snapped back to its original position. "It's too tight!"
Artemis only nodded her head, having expected as much. "I didn't get it the first time either when I was given my first hand crossbow. There's a speed loader on the bottom side. Try that until you can do it by hand. And you will do it by hand. Loaders break. Fingers at least can heal….in most cases."
Arya looked at the small weapon in her hand less as a wondrous new gift and more like a deadly python wrapped around her arm. "Arty...I-"
Artemis reached forward to take the crossbow out of her hand with a look of disappointment. "It's okay Arya, I should have known you were too young for a real weapon. I could get Mikken to make you a nice doll instead." As predicted, Arya jerked the crossbow away from Artemis's reach and shot her a dirty look before going for the tool attached to the weapon itself.
"I'll show you who deserves a damn doll." With a good amount of effort, Arya managed to use the hook like device to lock the bow string behind its firing pin.
"Nice job. But if I see you put your other hand in front of that string again, it is going to be Cheshire's new chew toy. Crossbows are just as dangerous as a regular bow, more so since there's a lot more tension on the string. One slip and you'd sever every finger on your free hand off." Mostly likely Arya would only break a finger or two but Artemis wasn't going to tell her that.
"I'll be careful." Arya promised with a quick nod of her head.
"Good. One last thing, never point that at someone when it's loaded. Putting your eye out is the least of your worries. If it's loaded, anything you aim at is something you intend to kill." Artemis was surprisingly grateful when Arya dutifully nodded her head, and carefully set the weapon down before wrapping her small arms around the elder archer's waist.
"Thank you Arty."
"Don't mention it. You've been easier to teach than Bran by far, but even if you weren't so naturally gifted, I'd have been proud to have you as a protege back home. Now go on, stop hugging me and grab a bolt. I know you're dying to try this thing."
Something in Arty's voice caused the younger girl to stare up at her accusingly. "Have you?"
"Only a few dozen times." At Arya's annoyed glare, Artemis grinned and shrugged. "What? I had to make sure it was safe."
"Long Lost Lannister!" Arya cursed before picking up the bolt pouch that had been on the ground at her feet.
Artemis managed to keep a straight face as she scowled and did her best impersonation of Cersei Lannister. "Well then Lady Underfoot, I shall take my awesome gift and leave in a bitchy huff. Good day, impudent little Stark."
"That's just scary." Artemis barely moved an inch before Arya snatched up the crossbow. "Jaime was right, you could have been a Lannister."
"Be glad I'm not. Could you imagine the size of the stick that would have to be up my ass to prance around like they do?"
"On the bright side, you'd always have a spare bow handy."
"I see you've been practicing your snarky comebacks. Not bad Arya." Artemis grinned and nodded her approval again, having been taken aback by the girl's clever comment. "Alright, let's get this show on the road already. See what you can do with that." Pointing to the crossbow, Arya finally turned and raised the weapon with both hands towards a small sapling. "Hmm, maybe I should have gone with punching water first. You should only be using one hand to aim and fire, but we'll work on that." Artemis waited till just after Arya had pressed the release and yelped in surprise to remind her of two important facts. "You might want to load a bolt next time. Also, mind the recoil on the string. That's why you hold it one handed."
"Oh." Despite the flush that filled her cheeks, Arya went through the motion of reloading the crossbow, making sure to keep her other hand clear this time. Then she slid one of the simple wooden bolts into place, and aimed at the sapling anew.
Artemis nodded her head at her slight increase in speed despite having to use the loader again, and wasn't surprised that when she pulled the trigger, Arya almost dropped the hand crossbow because she hadn't properly braced for the recoil yet again. "It's different from using a bow isn't it?"
"It almost whacked me in the face!"
"Would have been an improvement." Artemis chuckled and spun Arya around and into the dirt when she went to take a swing at her. "Still too slow there Underfoot."
"You could have warned me!" Arya grumbled as she pushed herself off the ground before picking up her new gift a moment later.
"Yes. I could have. But experience teaches far better than any lesson ever could."
"Ha. Ha. You're ever so witty."
I was being serious. Artemis didn't say that though and instead merely shrugged. "You've already had enough snark practice today, why don't we focus on getting you to hit something instead?"
"There you two are." Jon said just as Arya muttered something about Lannisters and their jokes. "I see Artemis has already given her gift. I guess I'll just have to wait until tomorrow then." With a slightly disappointed yet humble nod, Jon turned to head back to the grounds.
Distract him.
"Huh?"
Artemis rolled her eyes at the confused girl and gave her a knowing wink. Distract Jon for me.
Oh! Right. "Ah... Jon? Look over here!"
With a sigh, Jon slowly turned back towards them. "What Arya? Wait... where did Artemis go-" Feeling a tug behind him, Jon spun around, only to see Arty proudly holding the long, cloth covered bundle he had hidden behind his back. "I see you two are still up to your old tricks. Mother will be so proud to hear it. Come on then, give it back Artemis."
"Oh this ol' toothpick? I don't know, I thought I might keep it." Artemis wasn't surprised in the least when Arya dashed over and ripped the bundle away from her. "Sheesh, someone's grabby today."
"Can't imagine why." Jon snorted with amusement as Arya unwrapped the sword that Mikken had helped forge. "I had it made for you special."
"It's so skinny." And it was skinny. It was one of the skinniest swords Artemis had ever seen, but that didn't matter since Jon had been wise in his choice of weapon for the small girl. Despite it being far more akin to a fencing blade, Artemis still found it an appropriate choice given who it was meant for.
"So are you. It might not hack a man's head off, but it can still poke him full of holes if you're quick enough." Jon leaned forward and made sure their eyes met before he asked Arya. "Do you know how to use it?"
"Stick 'em with the pointy end." Arya said in such a way as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Jon merely chuckled while Artemis grinned. "That's about the gist of it, aye." He pointed to the odd miniature crossbow with a laugh. "At least it will protect you, unlike Artemis' little toy. Still, a fine gift."
Jon didn't see the way the elder archer's right eye twitched at his misjudgment of the technologically advanced 'toy' that was on the ground by the girl's feet. "Arya?"
"Ya Arty?"
"Would you mind if Jon tried your 'toy'?"
"But you gave it to m-"
Trust me, this will be worth it.
"Alright." Arya grumbled with a very believable huff of annoyance. Only a slight twinkle in her eye gave her away. Wait. He's not going to get hurt, is he?
No. He might get a bruise though if he's not careful of the recoil.
Which you failed to mention. Again. Artemis' grinned when Arya's hand fell on her pocket, and pulled out the speed loader just enough for her to notice it.
Jon barely noticed as Artemis nudged his free hand out of the way with her boot while he quickly strung the crossbow and immediately stood to his feet. "I've heard tales of the gold cloaks using weapons like these. Never imagined one could be this small though. Is it for hunting squirrels?" Jon made the same mistake Arya had as he held the small bow in both hands.
"Squirrels, deer, wolves, bears... if you hit them between the eyes. Bears, you'd need two, three shots at best, but by then I imagine you'd be up a tree or dead." Artemis gestured towards the sapling with one bolt in it already. "Let's see if you're as good as Arya."
"A tree doesn't move you know. Not a very sporting target."
Artemis shrugged nonchalantly. "She's learning." And so will you in a moment.
Jon grinned and shook his head, carefully taking aim. A yelp of pain pierced the quiet morning air a split second later. "Bloody hells! That thing jumped when I fired it! Nearly took my bloody hand off!" Artemis and Arya were too busy laughing to notice the angry glare he threw their way. "You knew and you didn't say."
"I did it to Arya already!" Artemis managed to say between her belly deep laughs as she pointed at the look on Jon's face. "You should have seen your face, it looked like you were about to shit yourself!"
"That's because I- I mean, this is far too dangerous for a young girl!"
"And a sword isn't?" Artemis asked, her laughs dying in an instant as she met Jon's outraged gaze. "I was her age when I was given my first bow. She at least has a choice in the matter, I didn't."
"I'm sorry Arya, I have to tell father. He would never forgive me if something happened to you. I'd never forgive myself."
"Guess I better tell him about the sword you gave her then Jon Snow." Artemis said with a sigh, and even started to walk back to the main courtyard to do just that by all appearances.
Watch this Arty, he isn't going tell anyone anything. "What? I just got both of them and you want to take them away?!" Artemis had to admit, even she would have been fooled by Arya's tears as the girl started to quietly sob.
"You've been teaching her far too much Artemis." Jon said before kneeling in front of the girl. "You can keep the sword and the fancy little bow. Just stop with the crying already."
Arya wiped at her eyes and came up smirking as she hugged Jon. "Thank you. I'm going to miss you."
"I'll write home whenever I can." Jon promised as he returned the favor and crushed her against his chest. "All the best swords have names you know."
"Hey, where I came from, some bows had names too Snow." Artemis snapped back with a note of feigned annoyance.
"Needle."
"That's a good name." Jon said with a nod of his head as Arya took a step back.
"And..." Artemis said with a grin as she gestured to her gift.
"Hmm..." Arya took a moment longer this time as she picked up the crossbow and gazed at it. "Lightning."
"That's a very good name. Clever, and much more intimidating than a piece of sewing equipment." Artemis snickered even as Jon made an attempt to shove at her playfully. She easily moved out of his reach without any visible effort.
"Ha, ha. I love them both equally. I can shoot a pirate in the eye and if he doesn't go down, I can stick him."
"Good answer Arya." Jon said with obvious pride, while Artemis only nodded her head. The hardest lesson was yet to be learned, and she honestly hoped Arya never had an opportunity to find herself in a situation where she had to pull the trigger, or plunge a blade into a live target.
In an attempt to lighten the dark mood that had settled, Artemis shot off her mouth yet again. "One small problem Arya. The closest sea is hundreds of miles away."
"Highwaymen then."
Several Days Later.
Heading For The Wall
Bart Allen
He didn't need M'gann's telepathy to tell him what Jon was thinking as he and Ned talked at the crossroads. He was saying goodbye to his old family and was about to ride off to get a whole new one. That kind of transition didn't come easily for anyone. He waited beside Benjen's horse, forgetting the ripe apple he had been chewing on as he watched the scene play itself out. "I almost wish he would have refused. Farewells suck. I'm totally feeling the-"
"At least he had a chance to say goodbye Allen." Bart nodded his head at that, having told Ben and Mormont, and anyone else that would listen to his stories, about how he had been separated from his old friends. If they found his stories hard to believe, then proof of his speed soon shut up the doubters in most cases. Now that Benjen had seen a few of the boy's mythical friends in the flesh, he was more inclined to believe the rest of his outlandish tales.
"Yeah." Bart muttered to himself, far more somber than usual. "I guess not getting to say anything is even worse. 'Sides, I was able to see three of them in one place." He added on a high note, but the frown never left his face as he watched Jon ride towards them, and Artemis ride up next to Ned next. "Oh this isn't gonna end well." Benjen reluctantly agreed and reconsidered riding back to his brother's side in order to protect him from the new captain of the Stark guard.
It was no secret that Artemis had wanted to go with Ned to the capital, but he had flatly refused her. Apparently all the ego stroking in the world had not soothed the new captain as she started to raise her voice in anger. "She's your friend. Should I be worried?"
"About Eddy? I'd be more worried if she wasn't around him. If what you told me about the capital is even half right, he's gonna need all the help he can get. Zatanna and M'gann are good, but Artemis is better. She's had personal experience with knives in the dark and worse."
"Her family I take it?"
"Yeah... Let me put it like this. I never got to know my folks. But if they had been as bad as hers... I wouldn't want to."
"That bad eh?"
"Worse. Her father had a thing about pitting Arty and her sister against each other in the middle of the wilderness."
"Charming fellow. Makes my father seem like a bloody saint." Benjen said with a sad shake of his head.
"Still, she turned out alright." Bart said with a shrug before watching Artemis ride back to Winterfell, her head held low at being turned down. "Well, least she didn't hit anyone."
"You sound surprised."
"Totally. I wouldn't want Arty angry at me for anything."
"That's odd. I've done my utmost to royally piss her off and have yet to suffer any ill effects." Tyrion had chosen that moment to ride up on his own horse, his head held high despite having said his own goodbyes to Zatanna and M'gann.
"Were you left alone with her?" Bart asked, waving to the two distant women that were riding back to King's Landing.
"Not that I recall."
"There you go."
"Ah. It's a long ways to the Wall and back. Will I have to inspect my back daily for a securely wedged blade?" Tyrion asked before unhooking the wine flask from his belt and bringing it to his lips. He immediately regretted that when something foul hit his tongue, and he spat it out all over the ground in disgust. "Pah! Alright, she earned a fair point, I should have seen that one coming."
"You're going to need a new flask and some water for the trip." Benjen stated with a noticeable frown.
"Water? I'd rather drink the rest of this horse piss." Tyrion countered as he squeezed his leather bag and emptied the rest of the horse piss onto the ground at his horse's feet.
"Should I be worried about how you know what horse piss tastes like?" Bart asked, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.
"I was very drunk at the time, I sobered up right quick when I ran into a puddle of it on the floor of Casterly Rock."
"Eww."
"Yes, eww, indeed. One moment." Tyrion cautiously sniffed at his two remaining flasks before taking a sip from each of them. "Water and a spare flask of the best summer vintage this side of the Narrow Sea. Nice to know she didn't plan on me dieing of thirst."
"I could have told you that. Arty either ignores you or takes you down. There's not much in between." That wasn't entirely true, but Bart wasn't about to tell Tyrion that. He was enjoying the look on the Lannister's face a little too much as he squirmed in his saddle.
"I'll be certain to keep that in mind." Tyrion impatiently gestured to the open road ahead of them as Jon finally joined their number. "Shall we gentlemen, or are we going to wait until Winter before we begin our little trek?"
"Winter always comes Lannister." Benjen intoned before turning towards the north without another word.
Bart said nothing as he kept pace with the strange group he found himself in, ignoring the astonishment on Jon's face. A dwarf, a bastard, a crow, and a speedster go to the end of the world. Sounds like the start of a bad joke.