I stood silently next to Jon as Ned waited at the beheading alter for the deserter to be brought forward as Theon held Ned's sword for when he needed it. Bran and Robb were in front of us, and then there was Rodrik and a few other men of Winterfell standing all around. As I stood next to Jon, a gangly looking blonde teenage boy was led forward mumbling to himself with a scared look in his eyes. My eyes also widened because I recognized him from my dream.
"Will." I whispered.
Jon, who must have heard me, looked down at me as I stared at Will as he was continued to be brought forward.
"He's one of them." I whispered to Jon. "One of the men from the dream. He seems to have managed to survive the attack."
Jon's eyes widened partially as I said this before he looked towards his father who was looking at us. In his eyes, I could see Ned questioning if this was one of them. I nodded my head slowly. Ned's face turned a bit troubled as the deserter was brought to the Alter. Once he got closer, I stiffened as an awful reeking stench of death wafted over me. Jon reached out to grasp my hand in comfort as the deserter stopped mumbling to look up at Ned with an almost ashamed look in his eyes.
"I know I broke my oath." Will said. "And I know I'm a deserter. I should have gone back to the wall to warn them, but…I saw what I saw. I saw the White Walkers."
The name had me shuddering as I remembered those undead monsters from my dream. They weren't like the undead I've dealt with before. No, these White Walkers were much more vicious, which is what scared me the most. I wasn't the only one looking uneasy.
"Celena." Ned called getting me to look towards him. "This is not often permitted, but you have questions for this lad, do you not?"
Will looked towards me in confusion as I slowly nodded my head to Ned. I did have questions for him. I just wish we didn't have to kill him afterward. I can understand why he fled. I mean, I would have returned to my comrades to warn them, but the thought of fleeing somewhere safe definitely would have crossed my mind. I went to step forward though Jon held onto my hand a moment longer. I looked at him seeing a question in his eyes that asked if I could handle this. Honestly, I wasn't completely sure, but I nodded since I had to do this. Jon finally released my hand, so I could walk towards Will.
"Will," I began with his eyes widening when I knew his name. "These creatures you saw…did they have icy white skin and pale blue eyes."
Will didn't answer for a moment, but he soon nodded his head as his eyes showed the fear he must have felt when he first laid eyes on them.
"Amongst those White Walkers did you ever see a man with them?" I said. "A man with dark eyes?"
It wasn't much of a description, but his eyes were the only things I had seen clearly through the dream.
"No." Will said. "Just the White Walkers…and Gared before he was beheaded. I didn't see Waymar, but I heard his screams. And Danieryn…I was too frightened to go back to see if he…he was even alive."
I looked at Will sympathetically while knowing he had be feeling a lot of guilt about leaving behind a comrade. Especially since he didn't know if Danieryn was alive or not.
"Danieryn didn't make it." I told him.
I knew it wasn't exactly good news, but he would know that he didn't leave his friend alive and along amongst the walkers. It would be some closer for him. Will bowed his head with a look of sorrow on his face, but he nodded to me as if thanking me for the news.
"Danieryn was one of our best rangers." Will said. "He's been at the Wall with his brother for six years, and in all that time they were never once hurt during training or beyond the Wall. Not even a scratch. They're skill was too great, they're reflexes too fast compared to all of us."
Definitely sounded like two half-bloods to me. Fighting against humans was just guaranteeing a victory since they couldn't keep up with our skill if we were fighting seriously.
"If the White Walkers managed to kill him, they are more dangerous than I thought. People need to know." Will said looking to me. "If you can get word to my family, tell them I'm no coward. Tell them I'm sorry."
I nodded to him before moving back since I knew what was to come. I went back to Jon who retook my hand immediately. It was silent for a moment before Ned turned to nod towards the men holding the deserter. They forced him to his knees to get his head in the right spot as Ned turned to Theon who held out the bear skin that held his sword. Theon held out the sword with Ned pulling it out with ease. He placed the top of it on the ground while bowing his head.
"In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon the first of his name." Ned said.
"Don't look away." Jon whispered to Bran while leaning forward as Ned continued to speak. "Father will know if you do."
I looked to Bran thinking he was too young to be seeing this, but I wouldn't question Ned. I am sure he had his reasons. Bran didn't respond to Jon psychically or out loud, but I know Bran understood.
"…Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, I, Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, sentence you to die." Ned said.
Ned raised his sword, and in one quick sweep took off Will's head, which fell to the ground. Once it happened, I had to look away as I was hit with Will's life force leaving his body in an instant. It wasn't a strong feeling this time since death came so soon, but it was still there.
"You did well," Jon said to Bran before putting his arm around my back. "Come on."
He gently turned my around while leading me back towards where we had the horses waiting. I subconsciously leaned into his side while feeling mentally exhausted. Today has been a rough day so far, and it was far from over.
"Are you alright?" Jon asked leaning his head towards me.
I flickered my eyes up at him while wanting to say yes, but I wasn't entirely sure myself.
"I will be." I said. "I just want to go back home."
"We'll be home soon." Jon assured me as we reached my horse. "Now, would you like help, milady?"
He grinned slightly while nodding towards my horse. I frowned at him then looked down at my dress. Yes, I was wearing a dress because Catelyn said if I was "going out" I needed to be dressed as a proper lady. Now while I have mastered walking and even running in the dress, mounting my horse was another thing entirely.
"You know I need help." I said to Jon.
Jon chuckled nodding his head before helped me onto the back of my horse. Next lesson Sansa gives me, it will be how to properly ride a horse while in this ridiculously long dress. Now, this was one of the new ones Sansa made me, so it was easier to move in than my previous ones, but still not made for horseback riding.
"Thank-you, kind sir." I said to Jon a bit sarcastically I might add.
NO POV:
As they rode for Winterfell, Jon noticed Celena shifted in her saddle. He looked towards her as her brow furrowed.
"What is it?" He asked.
His question had Theon, who was riding in the front of the group with them, glancing at the two curiously.
"There is death close by." Celena said. "I sense it."
This had Theon and Jon exchanging a glance. Jon then nodded back towards the rest of the group that was a little ways behind. Theon nodded in return knowing that Jon wanted him to go back and warn Ned and the others. Theon turned his horse around to do just that as Jon moved his horse closer to Celena.
"Let me go first." Jon said. "We're not sure what might have caused this death or it it's still around."
"I can handle myself." Celena reminded him.
She then had her horse pick up the pace, which had Jon frowning. Why couldn't that woman ever just do as she's told? He hurried his horse after hers, and soon they came to a bridge. At the end of it, Celena saw an elk lying on the road. Its guts had been spilled from its body, and by the smell and sign of maggots it has been dead for a while. Celena dismounted her horst with a little difficulty, but she had managed to do so. She led her mare off to the side while shushing it soothingly as the mare jerked its head slightly.
"It's alright." Celena said to the horse as Jon dismounted his own.
"Is this the death you were sensing?" Jon asked.
Celena's brows furrowed once more as she shook her head while looking around. Before Jon could ask more, he heard the others approaching, so he turned his head to watch as Theon came into view first. He dismounted his horse like them then moved it to the side while standing next to Celena.
"Is this it?" He asked.
"No." Jon answered for her. "She's sensing something else."
Theon frowned looking around. He didn't see any more death, but something could be under the bridge or down by the creeks. The three then looked to Ned as he and the others dismounted their horses. Ned came to stand beside Jon who was on the other side of the bridge from Theon and Celena.
"What is it?" Jon asked.
He didn't mean the dead creature in front of them. He was wondering what could have killed such a large elk with enough force to rip its stomach open. They didn't have many big predators in these woods.
"Mountain lion?" Theon guessed.
"There are no mountain lions in these woods." Ned said shaking his head.
He then looked to Celena when noticing her gaze was looking towards a trail going around the and below the bridge.
"There is more death below." She said. "…but there is also life."
She looked to Ned with confusion in her own eyes. Ned looked back towards the trail supposing if the half-goddess was sensing something it was worth looking into. He started down the trail with Jon and Jory right behind him. Bran went next with Theon behind him in case the little Stark needed help. Robb went to follow though paused when seeing Celena's bothered look.
"What's wrong?" He asked as Ser Rodrik went ahead of them.
"I do not think I can follow in this dress." Celena said honestly.
Robb moved towards her while offering his arm. She looked up at him curiously as he smiled.
"I will help you." He said. "I know you want to see what you are feeling."
Celena bit her lip still looking unsure, so Robb used his other hand to gently grab hers to put it around his offered arm.
"I won't let you fall, I promise." Robb said.
Celena nodded her head then let him lead her to where the others were going. Rodrik paused at the small wooden bridge at the trail to let them go in front. The two joined the others near the bottom where Celena saw the large dead wolf lying on the ground. Its size made her think of the hellhounds from home, but hellhounds gotten even bigger than this wolf. However, what really caught her eyes were the small pups nestled around the body. This had to be the life she had been sensing. Ned and Jon knelt by the animal with Jon reaching out to the pups to pet one as they all stayed near their mother.
"It's a freak." Theon said frowning.
"Urchin, I think you are the last one here who has a right to be calling another living creature a freak." Celena said.
As she spoke, Jon turned his eyes towards her, and he immediately frowned when seeing she was holding onto Robb's arm. He knew she might have had trouble getting down here, but he stupidly left her up there on her own. He looked away while trying to ignore the jealousy bubbling up in his stomach. It was a feeling he was unfortunately getting used to.
"It's a direwolf." Ned said.
He then looked towards Rodrik with both of them feeling as if things were wrong here. First Celena has dream of White Walkers killing men of the Night's Watch. Secondly a deserter of the Night's Watch confirms seeing the White Walkers. Now this…a direwolf south of the Wall. Direwolves haven't been south of the Wall for many centuries. Something was definitely wrong here.
"Tough old beast." Ned said as he pulled the broken off antler of that elk from the direwolf.
"There are no direwolves south of the Wall." Robb pointed out.
"Now there are five." Jon said.
He picked one up by the nape of its neck while standing up. He looked towards Bran who was staring at the pup curiously.
"Want to hold it?" He asked Bran.
He placed the pup in his younger brother's arms, and Bran cradled the pup against his chest while petting it.
"Where will they go?" Bran asked. "Their mother's dead."
It was silent for a moment as the men exchanged a few glances. They knew what needed to be done, but wasn't sure how to tell Bran that.
"They don't belong down here." Rodrik pointed out.
"Why?" Celena asked looking to Rodrik. "Because they are different?"
She then stepped away from Robb to go farther down the bank. She slid a little bit, but Theon grabbed her elbow to help her down the rest of the bank. Celena nodded to him in thanks then went over to where Jon and Ned were. Celena crouched down while looking down at the pups.
"Whether they belong here or not, they are here." Celena said.
"They won't last without their mother, Celena." Ned said as he stood. "Better a quick death."
Bran and Celena both looked at him in disbelief. Theon though moved into action quickly as he went to the bottom of the bank while pulling out his dagger.
"Right." He said. "Give it here."
He took the pup from Bran's arms while ready to do as Ned commanded of him to do.
"No!" Bran shouted, which had Theon pausing.
"Urchin, stop." Celena added as she moved closer.
"Put away your blade." Robb ordered with more force than intended.
However, he felt a bit of anger raise within him when seeing Celena close to the knife. She could get hurt if she reached for the pup when Theon was trying to kill it.
"I take orders from your father, not you." Theon reminded him.
Robb glared at Theon, but Celena and Bran ignored them to look towards Ned who was heading up the bank.
"Please, father." Bran said.
"I'm sorry, Bran." Ned said.
He turned away about to leave for his horse while feeling the guilt of having to kill those pups when Bran and Celena obviously wanted them to live. It was like he was not just disappointing one child but two.
"Lord Stark," Jon said getting Ned to pause again. "There are five pups. One for each of the Stalk children. The direwolf is the sigil of your house. They were meant to have them."
It was silent for a moment as everyone looked towards the Lord of Winterfell to see what he would decide. He then sighed.
"You will train them yourselves." Ned said. "You will feed them yourselves. And if they die, you will bury them yourselves."
Even if he said this a bit gruffly, Celena and Bran smiled while exchanging a glance. Celena then plucked the pup from Theon's hands to hand over to Bran.
"I can't believe you'd kill a defenseless animal, sea urchin." She said frowning.
"I was doing as ordered." Theon retorted.
Celena just frowned at him before turning to Jon as he picked up two more pups. He handed then over to Robb who had moved down to help, and in return Robb handed them to Theon. Theon started carrying them up the bank as Bran turned towards Jon.
"What about you?" Bran asked.
"I'm not a Stark." Jon said. "Get on."
He motioned for Bran to start going up the bank as Robb picked up the last two wolves. Celena smiled while reaching out to pet one with Jon watching her. He smiled at bit as well when seeing all the worry from earlier was gone from her face. It was good seeing her happy again. It's how he wanted to keep her. Robb then started up the bank with the wolves in tow, and Jon waited for Celena to go in front of him in case she slipped. He was following after them when Celena paused. Jon was about to ask what was wrong, but Celena held up a finger then tapped her ear. Jon frowned in confusion, but then noticed he head more whimpering of pups.
"What is it?" Robb asked as he, Theon, and Bran paused to wait on the two.
Celena moved towards a tree while kneeling down. She reached into some weeds while pulling out a small white pup. She held it up to Jon who took it by the nape of the neck.
"Oh, the runt of the litter." Theon said. "That one's yours, Snow."
Theon let out a chuckle, but he stopped when seeing Celena had found another pup. This one a stark contrast of the one in Jon's hand. Instead of being pure as white snow, this one was pure black with silvery blue eyes. Celena looked up at the others.
"And who lays claim to this one?" Celena asked. "I am no Stark in any means."
Though Jon could tell by the look in her eyes that Celena wanted to keep the pup.
"It's yours." Robb said. "You are family, after all. Besides, you were the one to speak out on their behalf just like Jon."
Celena seemed surprised at first, but she then smiled as she held the pup against her chest. Theon frowned while feeling a bit of jealousy bubble up. He, who has been her longer, wasn't even considered family as much as Celena was. She was indeed treated like Stark even if she's just a ward like himself. What made her so special? Her half-goddess status? No…the Starks didn't like her just because of that, which bothered Theon the most. He shook his head while turning to leave. Let them keep their pets. He doesn't need them.
CELENA'S POV:
I sat in my room on my bed looking at my new furry companion as she rolled around on my bed.
"You're sure making yourself at home, aren't you, Persephone?" I asked.
At the sound of her new name, she paused in what she was doing to look at me. I smiled as her tail wagged like a dog's would before she came over to me. She climbed into my lap while making herself comfortable. I chuckled while petting her gently. I named her after my stepmother because her dark looks made me think of Persephone who was a dark haired beauty. Not only that, but this pup looked as if she could be a queen of the Underworld with her dark fur and sharp eyes.
"I will have to start showing you how to hunt soon, so you can fend for yourself a bit." I said to her. "Until then I suppose I'll have to make sure you get the milk you need."
Persephone just remained still in my lap breathing deeply to show she had fallen asleep. Not a care in the world she seems to have. I wish I could be as carefree as her, but it was impossible for me to be so now. Besides, she's only carefree of the world because she doesn't know it yet. Though I suppose animals don't care about the matters of the world. Again I wish I could be her. Well, it's not as if it matters. There was then a knock on my door, which had me looking up.
"Come in!" I called not wanting to have to move Persephone to get to the door.
The door opened to reveal Jon, and at his feet was Ghost—the white pup—who was looking around curiously. As Jon stepped into my room, Ghost stumbled forward on somewhat shaky legs. I'm sure in a day's time he and his littermates would be walking without trouble.
"Jon." I greeted. "Do you need me for something?"
"No." Jon said as he walked over to my bed.
He sat on the edge of it while leaving a respectable amount of space between us. I wonder what he would do if I closed the distance? How would he react?
"Then is something wrong?" I asked.
I hope nothing had already happened to one of the pups. They just got here a few hours ago, and all the children had been happy at their arrival. Though I'm sure Catelyn hadn't been sure at first about letting her children keep direwolves as pets. But I don't think anyone could deny Rickon what he wanted once he gave a person his pout. It is a dangerous weapon that is for certain, and I have been on the receiving end more than once. I cave every time too. You'd have to be heartless to not crumble at the sight of it.
"Not necessarily." Jon said.
My brow quirked when he said that. He said not necessarily, but I had a feeling there is something wrong…just maybe not majorly wrong.
"A raven just came from King's Landing." Jon began.
I nodded my head while knowing King's Landing was the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and where King Robert Baratheon and his family lived. Which meant it was also the home of Jayderia.
"It brought word to father that an old friend of his had passed." Jon continued.
I frowned because that couldn't be easy for Ned. It's never easy losing someone you are close too.
"But that's not all." Jon said.
Now I was curious. There was more news, and it was more troubling than an old friend dying?
"The king rides for Winterfell." Jon said. "Along with the queen and all the rest."
My eyes widened when he said this. All of them? Did that mean Jayderia would be here as well? I'd finally get to meet her. To speak with her. During the dreams there is obvious tension between us, but perhaps I could clear things up between us in person. I'd finally meet one of the half-bloods I've been wanting to find. Just knowing this felt as if things were being set into motion.
"Why are they coming here?" I asked.
"I don't know." Jon said then scooped up Ghost who had been whining at the bottom of the bed.
Jon set the pup on my bed, and Ghost immediately came over to where his little sister was in my lap. Ghost laid at the edge of my lap while burring his cheek into Persephone's side. It was like the two weren't meant to be separated.
"But Father and Lady Stark seem bothered." Jon said. "So I guess it's nothing good."
Well, this had me shifting a bit uneasy. I hope the king or his family bring trouble with them. I'd hate to have to hurt the royal family because they brought trouble to the Starks, but I would if I had too. But I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. I would prepare along with everyone else for their arrival, and be as civil and polite as I am told. I can be well-behaved as long as they are.