Queenie: Okay, this is just a filler chapter that shows all the half-bloods that are going to appear in season 1 to 2. I have like three more planned, but they might take a while to appeared. So I just have this line up now, and I hope you like their introductions.
I sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair. I was completely exhausted and it was just midday. All I've been is exhausted in the last week. The dreams usually end my sleep rather easily. I used to be told that people can function without sleep. It's the dreams they can't function without. It was like some kind of psychological study that a person gets the most rested sleep and recharge during their dreaming hours, but I'd like to call bullshit on that because I've never felt so tired before in my entire life. And all I've been doing lately is dreaming.
"Tell me more of these dreams, Celena." Luwin said getting my attention to him.
I had almost forgotten I had come to the old Maester for counsel. I thought if anyone could help me it might be him. I'm actually usually comforted by Luwin and his soothing tones especially when he's helping me work through my issues. Not as much as Jon comforts me, but Jon couldn't help counsel me.
"They're just dreams of people I have never seen before." I said. "And as time passes more unfamiliar faces come to my dreams. I learn their names, but that is about it. Whenever I try to dig deeper, I wake up. Though overtime, I have learned more about the one I dreamed about first."
Norah was becoming clearer and clearer to me with every dream I have of him. I have learned he has a lover who is a young and beautiful dark skinned woman who speaks in a language I do not know. I also know she is expecting his child by now, and is a few months into her pregnancy. I know this because I remember in one dream that Norah was boasting about how his cub would be even mightier than himself.
"And what is this person's name?" Luwin asked.
"Norah…Norah Snow." I said.
I noticed how Luwin shifted partially in his seat even if it was just the smallest of movement of him adjusting his robes. I looked at him curiously.
"Snow?" Luwin asked. "And do you remember what the surname Snow means here in the North?"
I sighed wondering why he had to turn this into a lesson. I mean, I'm pretty used to it by now. He tends to try and teach me along with counsel me on most days. Though I have to say I prefer having him as my tutor than Septa Mordane who likes to try and get me to "behave like a lady", which I can't stand. Besides, it Sansa's job to teach me how to be a lady as I teach her how to defend herself. Though hand-to-hand fighting wasn't her forte, so I've decided to take a different route, and was having the blacksmith whip something up for her.
"It means he is a bastard child of a noble house of the North." I said.
Luwin nodded his head as I wondered if he would tell me why he had reacted as he did when I said Norah's name.
"Tell me more of Norah." Luwin said.
I frowned getting the feeling he was going to make me work something out, but I wasn't sure what yet. Why couldn't this old codger just give me straight answers?
"He is a strong warrior who is taller than Lord Stark with a broad build." I said. "He is known as the Great Bear…at least that is what he has referred to himself as. In one dream, he had even been with a horde of large bears on a cold and dreary island. It was raining…and the way he interacted with the bears it was as if he was one himself."
"Did you know that House Mormont's sigil is that of bear?" Luwin asked.
My eyes widened as I looked to Luwin. House Mormont…I learned about that house during one of my lessons. It was one of the Lesser Houses that were sworn to House Stark. Now where did House Mormont hail from? When I remembered, I nearly wanted to hit myself for not connecting those easily placed dots earlier.
"Do you think he's on Bear Island now?" I asked Luwin. "Does it take long to get there?"
Maybe I could finally meet Norah, which would mean one half-blood found and who knows how many left to find.
"It takes little time to get there." Luwin said. "However, you won't find Norah on Bear Island. He left many years ago when he was still a child with his uncle Jorah who fled the island after it was discovered Jorah Mormont was dealing with the slave trade."
I wanted to groan out of frustration. Just when I thought I was getting somewhere with finding a fellow half-blood, and he hasn't been home in years.
"Do you wish to find Norah?" Luwin asked.
"I want to find all of them." I said. "All those I've dreamed out. It's hard to explain, but I feel like they are the same as me. Children of gods. Every one of them are different from those around them, and most of them probably find it hard to hide their true selves on a daily basis. I want to find them to bring them together to show they are not alone. Because being alone just because you're different and surrounded by others is the worse feeling ever."
I went silent as I fiddled with a loose string on the shirt I was wearing. It was, of course, one of Jon's old shirts, but I think he can still wear this one. I just took it because my clothes hadn't been cleaned yet beside my dresses, and I didn't want to wear any of them today. I'm sure Jon will complain once he figures out he's a shirt short. Not that I care.
"Besides, with winter coming the more allies we have the better prepared we are." I continued.
"Yes, however, you might find it hard to rally even your fellow half-bloods to your cause when we do not even know who the enemy is." Luwin said. "They all have their own lives and families. It is known that Norah is very loyal to his uncle, and would never leave him. Furthermore, Jorah is not welcomed in Westeros any longer."
I knew it would be hard, but I wasn't going to give up. I'm stubborn like my mother and my father if I'm being honest. I would keep working at it until I found them all. After that I would bring them together in one place, a place that would become known as the home of the half-bloods—the mortal children of the gods.
"Now, what of these others you dream of?" Luwin asked. "You said you dream of more and more people as the nights pass."
I nodded because that was true. First it was just Norah, but now there were others. Like the woman with golden hair.
"I had an odd dream of woman who had golden hair." I said. "She's really beautiful with noble features and piercing greenish-blue eyes. I know which house she comes from. The House of the Lions."
As I said this I was reminded of the lion's den I had entered when I first spotted her. A member of the pride yet a prisoner as well.
NO POV:
A bird sang softly from a tree branch in the castle's garden in King's Landing as the sun shined overhead brightly. A beautiful blonde maiden watched the bird with a dreamy look in her eyes as if she was somewhere else than where she was sitting with her mother.
"Jayderia, are you listening to me?" Cersei asked her eldest.
Jayderia blinked before turning to look at her mother who had an almost concerned look in her eyes.
"Sorry, mother." Jayderia said. "I suppose I was lost in my thoughts again."
Cersei just looked softly at her daughter while reaching out to gently brush Jayderia's golden hair back from her face.
"Oh, my little lioness, sometimes I wonder where your thoughts take you." Cersei said. "High above the clouds into the clear blue skies that cover the entire Westeros perhaps."
"I suppose at times." She said as she looked back to the bird. "I sometimes wonder what it would be like to fly above the clouds like a bird riding the wind."
Cersei didn't comment as she continued to stroke Jayderia's hair. Her eldest child—ever since Jayderia was little she always had a fascination with flying up into the sky like bird. Tywin used to say it was Jayderia's Lannister ambition showing. That it was Jayderia dreaming of reaching far and high in life, but her dreams made it as if she was a bird in flight trying to go as high as its wings would take it. Cersei wasn't so sure, however. Cersei believed it was more of Jayderia taking after her real father.
"But the dreams have changed lately, mother." Jayderia said turned her eyes onto her mother again.
"Changed how, dear?" Cersei said.
"I dream of colder places and wolves." Jayderia said. "And I dream of this girl who is perhaps a bit younger than me. She is surrounded by the wolves as if they are protecting her."
Cersei's brow furrowed thinking Jayderia was speaking of the North and House Stark without knowing it. However, Cersei didn't know why Jayderia would be dreaming of that house. Or who this girl could be. Perhaps one of the daughters of Ned Stark.
"I feel as if she is my opposite." Jayderia continued. "As if she is part of the earth itself while I am the sky. There is so much space between us that can never touch. I feel as if these dreams are a warning."
When seeing her daughter's worried look, Cersei reached out to gently make Jayderia look at her.
"A warning or not, you are my darling girl, and I would never let anyone or anything harm you." Cersei said. "So don't worry, little lioness. For as long as I am here, the wolves will never hurt you."
CELENA'S POV:
"House Lannister?" Luwin questioned.
I nodded my head knowing Jayderia had to be of House Lannister. It explained the lions, which were the sigil of House Lannister. From what I have learned of the Lannisters, I can tell they are not the type of people I would ever get along with. I just had this gut feeling House Stark and House Lannister would not be allies in the winter that is coming. However, I didn't want to leave Jayderia on the opposite side of the war than where I stand.
"And what is her name?" Luwin prompted.
"Jayderia." I said.
Luwin went silent without speaking for a moment as I turned to look towards him. When seeing the almost troubled look on his face, I frowned. This was a stronger reaction than when I mentioned Norah.
"If that is her name then you are mistaken on which house she belongs to, Celena." Luwin said.
My frown became one of confusion. Wrong? How could I be wrong? Lannisters were all blonde of hair with green or blue eyes, and lions were their house's sigil. If not House Lannister then what house?
"The girl you speak of happens to be Princess Jayderia Baratheon the daughter of King Robert and his wife Queen Cersei." Luwin said. "That would make her a stag not a lion."
My eyes widened again for the umpteenth time since this conversation took place.
"She's a princess?" I asked. "A bloody princess?"
How was I supposed to count on her as an ally? I'm sure she's never had any combat training in her entire life. Not only that, but I'm certain no one would be okay if one of their kingdom's princess was asked to join on the battlefields. I then sighed though as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I suppose that actually explains a lot." I said.
"Pardon?" Luwin asked.
"Let's just say, I got the feeling she was royalty." I said. "She has the same air about her that my cousins Thalia and Elaina have, and those two are the daughters of Zeus the King of Olympus and all the gods. I could just tell there was something royal about her."
It would also explain how I felt as if she and I were complete opposites. Like day and night, or a better contrast being earth and sky. It has me worried how she and I will get along in the future. Children of the Big Three tend to get in many spats just like our fathers. Though I have to say my cousins and I aren't nearly as bad as our fathers. However, when we do fight, let's just say others better go and hide or they might be killed by the crossfire cause by the fighting.
"This has gotten even more complicated." I grumbled.
Luwin cleared his throat, which had me looking back at him again as I left my thoughts to the back of my mind for a moment.
"I feel as if we have been sidetracked." Luwin said. "Tell me of the others."
I sighed though nodded my head. I supposed I did get sidetracked there for a moment. I the leaned back in my seat while propping my feet up on the barrel in front of me.
"Well, there's also Adriarah," I began.
NO POV:
The sound of hammer meeting metal could be heard within the armory at Castle Black. Heat rose off the hot coals as a young man with blonde hair banged away on a sword he was working on. Despite the cold temperatures at the Wall, he was shirtless as sweat rolled off his body due to the heat of the fire. He had a toned form due to his many years working as a smith and his time spent as a member of the Night's Watch.
"Adriarah, working as always I see." A familiar voice said, which had the boy pausing.
He looked up seeing First Ranger Benjen Stark walking towards the blonde youth.
"Benjen." Adriarah greeted as he resumed his work on the sword.
Benjen chuckled at Adriarah while knowing the boy wouldn't stop his work until he finished it even if it mean ignoring others. Adriarah has been this way since he came to the Night's Watch as a thirteen-year-old boy with his older brother Danieryn. Many didn't think Adriarah would make it here long back then, but he took up the life as a member of the Night's Watch quickly while besting boys much older than him in training. It became apparent the boy also had a talent for blacksmith work. It sometimes saddened Benjen knowing a boy with such talent was stuck in the Night's Watch.
"Preparing to head north of the wall?" Adriarah asked as moved his sword, which was finally in the shape he wanted off the fire.
He then stuck it in the water beside the fire that wasn't frozen because the fire kept it warm around from not freezing over. The steam hissed as it came off the sword. Adriarah left it there since it wouldn't hurt the sword as he looked towards Benjen.
"Soon." Benjen said.
"Then you must be here for your sword." Adriarah said.
Benjen had left Adriarah his sword that had needed some sharpening to the young smith a few days ago. Now he needed it back.
"I finished sharpening it last night." Adriarah said as he went to get Benjen's sword.
"Boy, do you ever sleep?" Benjen asked while knowing the boy had been up really late last night, and Benjen knew it couldn't have just been his sword Adriarah worked on.
"On occasion." Adriarah answered cryptically.
Honestly, even when he tries to sleep he has these odd dreams of battles and a girl who had to be a few years younger than him. She was usually running towards him during these fights. Not to hurt him, but as if to run to his aid. It was like comrade looking after another. He felt the need to look after her as well, which was confusing since he had no idea who the hell she was. So he tries to ignore these dreams while hoping if he did long enough that the dreams and her face would leave his mind. He had more important things to do than dream of a girl. He is a man of the Night's Watch after all.
CELENA'S POV:
"I have a feeling he doesn't want to be found though." I said about Adriarah. "He's seems to be really serious and focused on what he wants to do."
But if he thinks that means I'll give up on finding him, he'll be disappointed when I finally track him down.
"Does he too appear to be from a noble house?" Luwin asked.
I shook my head because Adriarah didn't seem to have any connection to any noble house. At least not of the ones I've been taught about.
"It'll be harder to find him, I think." I said. "The same goes for Eliae."
"Eliae?" Luwin questions.
"She is a young girl who could be no older than Sansa if not younger." I said. "Whenever I dream of her…she is on a ship and it is badly storming. However, she isn't scared of the rocking waves nor the raging storm. She just stands on the deck looking up at the darkened sky as the rain hits her face and the wind lashes her hair around her."
It was as if she was meant to be a sea, which is the complete opposite of me who needs to remain on land. I don't like the sea or the sky for that matter. Mostly because a daughter of Hades like myself is not welcomed in either domains. The reasons why I refuse to fly or go sailing. Though since this girl does so well on the sea I'd say she's a daughter of Poseidon…meaning a cousin of mine.
"Hmm, there are a few families who are known for seafaring." Luwin said. "House Greyjoy and House Seaworth coming to mind first."
I frowned hoping this girl had no connection to the Greyjoy family because that meant she'd be related to Theon. I wouldn't wish such a thing on anyone. Just because I was warming up to him didn't mean I'd want to be related to him myself, and I'd feel sorry for anyone who is related to that urchin.
"I'm not sure." I said. "I saw now sign of sigil or hint of what house she might be a part of. She might be like Adriarah with no actual house."
Luwin nodded his head in agreement with me as I looked up at the sky. If this girl was as seafaring as she seemed in my dreams, I might not ever meet her because no one will ever get me on a boat.
NO POV:
The waves crashed along the shores of the Iron Islands with a girl who looked no older than thirteen standing on the cliffs to look out at the ocean. The cold wind blew back her dusky brown hair as she watched the dark waves churn. As she watched the waves, that pull she felt days ago returned. The pull to leave her birthplace to travel across the waters to the mainland into the North. She has felt this pull for months now, and she knew the cause of it as well.
It all started when she started having dreams of that older girl…Celena. To this young iron born it was obvious something was different about Celena. Something unworldly, and Eliae just wanted to find out exactly what made her so different. However, to do that she had to go to the North where her family isn't exactly welcomed considering the rebellion her father started and lost. Also she knew there was no way Balon would send his youngest to the North. She's tried before saying she wanted to see her old brother Theon, but Balon forbid her from going.
But she was a strong willed young woman like most of the women of Iron Island. She would go to the mainland then to Winterfell where she felt as if she would find Celena. She just had to think of a way to do so. She couldn't exactly man one of her family's ships on her own, and a smaller boat wouldn't get all the way across the waters when the waves were this strong. If she ever wanted to meet Celena, she would have to be careful with how she did it. Very careful.
CELENA'S POV:
"Though I have a feeling she and I might not get along either." I said.
If she is indeed the daughter of Poseidon's counterpart, there is a chance she and I won't be able to work together at all. I sighed really hoping that meeting her and meeting Jayderia wouldn't lead to something like World War II. Because I'd hate for a family feud to be the cause of winter to this world.
"There is no telling for certain." Luwin said. "There is even no telling if you will ever meet this people, and even if you do there is no true evidence that they would be swayed to your cause. We do not even know who they might fight for during the upcoming winter."
I let out a sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair. Those were all good points, but I still wasn't giving up. I think Luwin could see that by the expression on my face because his lips twitched up in a slightly amused small smile.
"Well, if anything knew happens in your dreams, you may come to me for counsel." Luwin said. "I will help you in any way I can. However, I do believe it is time for Lord Robb's language lesson."
I blinked in confusion before turning my head to see Robb was waiting patiently a few feet away. I had actually forgotten all about agreeing to teach Robb more of the Greek language. He seems fascinated by it along with the Greek culture.
"Right." I said nodding as I stood. "Thank-you, Maester Luwin, for listening."
Luwin nodded then shooed me off, so I went over to where Robb was waiting.
"I apologize if I interrupted anything." Robb said as I reached him.
"No, it's alright." I assured him. "We were just finishing up. Now let us go see if you have gotten any better with your pronunciations."
Robb gave me this look that said he highly doubted he was better, which brought a chuckle to my lips. I'm sure he wouldn't be that bad.
NO POV:
Jon watched from a distance as Celena was giving Robb another lesson over the Greek language. She was trying not to laugh as Robb tried to repeat back what she had said to him.
"No, no." She said shaking her head as she placed her hands on Robb's arms. "With the rate you're going you will be insulting someone's mother soon."
Robb chuckled not seeming too bothered by her assessment as he reached out to place his larger hand over the two she had on his arm. Celena didn't seem to notice as she continued talking to explain how Robb was messing up the sentence. However, Jon noticed how his brother smiled tenderly at Celena while hanging onto her every world. The jealousy bubbled up within Jon once more as he watched the two enjoy the other's company.
As he watched Celena laugh at something his brother had said, Jon sometimes wonders if Celena has feelings for Robb in return. The very thought brought this almost stabbing feeling to Jon's chest. However, he has to remind himself that Celena spends more time with him than Robb. That has to mean something, right? Or did Celena just see him as a good friend, and not maybe as a lover or future husband.
Jon scoffed to himself. Of course, Celena couldn't see him as a husband. It wasn't as if Jon could give her much even if they were to marry. Not only that, but their children would be known as Snows even if they weren't born out of wedlock like him. Even if Celena didn't seem to mind him being a bastard because she is one, doesn't mean she'd want her children to go through the ridicule of being one. Robb could give her so much more than Jon ever could. Celena would become Lady Stark of Winterfell, and give Robb heirs, so the family would live on as they have for nearly 8,000 years.
That would be a better future for Celena, and even if he wants her to choose him if it ever came down to it, he knew the better thing to do was let her be with Robb. Jon shook his head as all these heavy emotions weighed down on his chest. He then turned away to walk towards the training area while not even noticing the very woman of his thoughts was watching him go with concern in her eyes.