TW: mild dubcon - I think.

Chapter 4: Fire and Ice

It had been hours of trudging through snowy paths without break. Eira's feet were blistering, her stomach gnawing on itself viciously, and every blink felt like gravel was grinding through her eyelashes. She didn't understand why the Wildmen weren't setting up camp, she couldn't see a settlement for miles, just stretches of forests and snowy fields. They occasionally merged with the thick forest, but kept to the edges, as if scared to go too deep within. The silence was deafening, driving Eira mad.

"What's wrong?" Her voice broke the silence like a whip, she was immediately shushed.

"Quiet girl. These woods are haunted, and the haunting spirits have been getting more and more active." The wise older man who served food in the morning spoke lowly, he kept mostly to the back of the pack alongside Tormund, although more out of being too slow to keep up than the protective stance Tormund carried.

"Ghosts?" A small smile played on her lips, she didn't take these Wildmen to be superstitious.

"No girl, monsters. Corpses that walk. Wites." Wites?

Eira had heard of Wites before, every Northerner had, stories of icy deadmen that rose and captured children who spent too long outside playing. She felt a laugh bubble up but the graveness of the man's voice caught the laugh in her throat.

"They tell tales of those beings to children in my village. But no one thinks they're real."

"That's because you Kneelers live a cushty life, you're all soft and protected by your Knights Watch." He sneered and hobbled onwards. Tormund gripped her shoulder and gave it a squeeze, he'd become more touchy after her revelation at the foot of The Wall. It comforted Eira that he wasn't completely disgusted with her.

"Don't mind him lass, the elders are more cautious, seen too much death. It's been a wee while since Wites came 'round these parts, there's nothing for them to prey on where we're going." Eira hoped that wherever they were going was close, she was tired, and fed up with her dress, the wine stains were ugly and made the fabric dry in a hard, itchy way.

"Tormund," It was the first time she'd uttered his name, his head snapped towards her, it seems like the word had shocked the both of them, "At our next camp, could I go to a river, or stream. This dress is.. Uncomfortable." She hoped he didn't take her words as an invitation. The man looked uneasy, she thought he was going to deny her but after some mulling over she received a short nod.

"Aye, under my watch though. The elders may be overly cautious but I'm no idiot." He thought she was going to run, which made sense. Eira was actually surprised she'd not thought to, maybe this talk of Wites was a way to ward her off from escape, but if so then these Wildmen were better actors than any whore in her village.

They continued their trek, inching further and further into the depths of the forest until a small village of sorts appeared. It was tiny, maybe a dozen shacks, a large fire pit that had been long extinguished, and some apparatus for drying clothes and hanging game. The air felt heavy, there was no wind, despite being in the middle of a forest, if Eira closed her eyes she'd believe she was in a cave or crypt. A new camp was set up in the remains of the ghost village, Eira helped set the fire in the old abandoned pit as the old man struggled amongst the damp kindling and spent coal. She was good at setting fires nowadays, not sure if it was luck or her God but she preferred to believe the latter.

A small hunting party left quickly, but with their behaviour on the journey up Eira doubted they'd be out too long. She hovered around the pit uselessly until Tormund gave her a nod to follow him, in his arms was some clothing. She followed him down a narrow path long taken over by brambles and thorns but the cuts to her ankles didn't bother Eira as she zoned onto the gentle rush of a stream. The water ahead of them was clear and ran steadily, away from the village animals appeared to roam hesitantly, with a couple white birds in the trees ahead her, staring down at Eira and Tormund with beady red eyes.

"Be quick." The giant grunted, "You better not fall in, the last thing I need is to freeze my balls off because you can't swim." Eira didn't take the bite, too happy to be out of her grubby dress. She threw off her shoes and pulled at the lace of her back,

"Will you turn around please?"

"Nah." Her hand paused, "And don't you think 'bout refusing now you stink of stale wine and I'm not wandering 'round in the pissin' cold for no reason girl." The Giant crossed his arms and raised a threatening eyebrow, "So undress yourself or I'll help". Apprehension gripped her wrists, stopping Eira from getting the dress off fast enough. A paw swiped through the air faster than a hawk and ripped the garment over her head. "I'm sure you know how to take yer pants off now girl". Eira obediently removed her undergarments and laid them on top of her shoes. She couldn't meet the Giant's eyes, instead focussing on the water behind her, she turned and stepped in carefully, avoiding the less rocks of the bed.

In fairness, Eira wasn't as afraid as she could've been. She doubted even he would be horny enough to chase her into the freezing water, so chose to ignore the Giant's gaze and enjoy being in the fresh, clear water. It had been a good few seasons since she'd been able to go swimming, she loved playing in the waters with her sisters as children but such fun was apparently reserved for boys and children, not "ladies". Eira was never really a lady, as a single tavern girl at her age, certainly not now in a forest, naked with a Wilding.

Tormund's gaze was still on Eira, she could feel it, but no sound indicated that he'd moved. She wasn't brave enough to face him just yet so focused on cleaning herself in the waters. She wanted to sit in the stream and get as covered as possible but had heard tales of many a strange animal over The Wall, such as fish so cold they'd swim up your cunt to get warm. Real or not Eira wasn't risking that.

Eira stayed in the water for much longer than she thought she'd be permitted, eventually perching on one of the larger rocks of the edges of the stream and taking in the beauty of the forest. Snow covered the ground in thick layers, some animals would peek from their hiding places and be nothing like Eira had ever seen before. Those eerie birds from the path with their blood eyes were now flitting between the trees singing, and small spindly mice with toothpick legs being watched unaware by a grand looking owl. Eira felt like she was in a fairy tale, where a princess finds herself in a magical forest awaiting an evil end.

"That's enough now you may not feel the cold but it's baltic out here I'm gunna 'ave to teabag the fire if I ever wanna fuck again." Unfortunately for Eira she didn't have a prince in this forest but a crude oaf. With a sigh she rose and turned towards Tormund, she'd hid as long as she could. His eyes were trained on her tits as if he'd never seen a woman before, maybe he hadn't, and that's why he had to fuck as bear as the young wildman had said. A fire burned under Eira's cheeks as she slowly walked towards the Giant as one would approach a wild animal, a hand slowly reaching out for the clothing he was holding. The animal was too quick however, and Eira found herself wrapped up in an arm, her feet dragged harshly across the forest floor.

"Not too fast now, let your husband take a good look." One arm kept Eira firmly still whilst the other slowly roamed her body. Starting at her shoulder, Tormund's calloused hand brushed across her collarbone and down her chest, landing between her breasts and leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. First he cupped the left breast, rolling a nipple between his fingers and sending a chill down Eira's spine. She'd forgotten the feeling of cold soon after That night, but the Giant's focus on her breast brought an awful shiver, like when a drop of icy water runs down your back, come rushing back. The hand moved to her right, sharply pinching the nipple, Eira yelped like a pup and the Giant laughed.

"That's enough for now I think," His grin was splitting his face, his eyes seemed to brighten to a more vivid, summery blue with their amusement. The hand had left her breasts alone to sit at her waist then brush her hip. Her imprisonment by his arm ended with a sudden slap of her ass and a bundle of clothes shoved at her. The fire of Eira's cheeks would put a Dragon's breath to shame, as she stumbled back, the sting of her ass thrummed with the ringing in her ears. She was torn in half between embarrassment and a disgusting disappointment that the Giant's fumbling had stopped. You pathetic fool. Eira shoved herself into the tunic and pants she'd been offered, too long and large for her as expected but doable with the belt provided. It must've been the boy Wildman's clothes, she thought, he was the only one scrawny enough, and weak enough to get bullied into sharing clothes with a girl.

Eira followed Tormund back to the village in silent rage, she was so stupid, a stupid little girl.. The kind that got knocked up in a barn or down a ditch by the first boy to look in her direction. Father had taught her better than this, to be able to be reliable and responsible enough to help run the tavern. Barely a day beyond The Wall and she was already losing grip with civility and lowering herself to their Wilding ways. She glared into Tormund's back, she could tell he was still grinning, she bet he thought he'd won, that come nightfall she'd fall onto her back, bare cunt and beg for his seed. Nice fucking try Giant but never will that slip up happen again.

"What's up with you?" The youngest Wildman's high pitched voice snapped Eira out of her internal rage. Tormund had let her be once they set foot in the village but that didn't stop her frustration. They were sitting around the fire eating some other kind of stew and passing around a few bone flagons of some fermented milk. It was too sweet and left an odd aftertaste in her mouth that she couldn't quite place, but Eira gulped as much down as much as she could, still hungry from the journey despite the measly stew.

"I'm fine." She snapped and swore she saw the boy flinch from the corner of her eye.

"Ah don't worry with her lad she's just mad she had some fun down in the water," Tormund let out a bark of laughter from across the fire, his ice eyes daring her to argue. "That's the problem with you Kneelers, all so uptight with yer rules that ya can't even fuck without pissin' yer pants over ya 'reputation'".

"It's not our fault that you would rather roll around the dirt like animals. That's the difference between us, you wild people are animals. We're people." Eira didn't know where this bravado came from to be shitting on their way of life whilst stuck in their land with no escape. She took another swig of the drink.

"Nothing civilised 'bout the way yer chugging that milk lass, slow down or we'll be draggin' ya corpse back to Mance." Eira paused, the cold bone of the flagon just touching her lips.

"Why?" more laughter.

"Cus that's way stronger than any of the watered down pish yous serve down South girl. Though I'll admit that barrel of grape juice you apparently appeared from was damn good." It was alcohol? Eira couldn't taste it, not like the bite of whiskey or the tartness of wine. She stood up to get her bearings and lurched towards the fire, the boy's hand grabbed her trousers.

"Oh."

"That's enough I think lass, let's get you to bed." Tormund slapped his paws on his knees as he got up, wrapping the same arm that trapped her. They stumbled into their tent that was half covered by the remains of one of the smaller shacks, Tormund set her on the fur covered bed mat and set to removing his boots. Eira lay her head on the furs, closing her eyes and stroking them gently. Maybe she was drunk. The Giant sat at the foot of the mat, she could feel him watching her, opening a lazy blue eye.

"That thing at the stream. I've not done that before."

"What? Take a bath."

"You know what I meant you oaf" Said oaf laughed and nudged Eira to move so he could lay next to her. The mat was comfy, much nicer than her sagging, hay-filled "bed" in the attic of the tavern. Her fingers still brushed up and down the furs of the mat, tangling with the furs Tormund wore to rest. They felt nice too, he must look after his clothes well. Her fingers climbed his clothing, playing with the pelt.

"Are we alright there?" Eira could hear the smile in his voice, it sounded nice, she turned to her side so she could see him better.

"Aye"

"Are we a bit fuzzy in the head?"

"...Aye" Eira smiled like a dope, "You feel nice and soft". Her hand climbed higher to the peak of his chest and lay there. The Giant shifted, his arm cocooning Eira between it and his body. She was now surrounded by his nice and soft fur, it was nice.

"Maybe I should keep ya drunk all the time, I think I like this side of you girl". Eira wouldn't mind that much either, she felt good, warm and cosy cuddled in the furs next to this Giant wildman. A paw rose and clasped the hand laid on his chest, he gave it a squeeze and sighed.

"We get back home tomorrow, wife. I'll take you to Mance Rayder, The King Beyond The Wall. He's a stubborn git and hard to impress but if anyone is gonna know what's up with you and your God it's him".

"I'm really going to be stuck here beyond The Wall forever aren't I? Be a Wilding." Her stomach dropped at the question, she knew the answer, it was useless to speak it.

"Aye, but life will be good. Better than that shithole I caught you in. I'll take care of you." And she believed him, Wildman, Monster, Beast whatever she could call him Tormund had shown nothing but protectiveness and leadership towards her and his pack ever since he dragged her out of her Tavern.

Eira felt sleep drape its cloak over her eyes and let it take her. In the haze of half-dream half-reality she could hear the Giant murmur "Besides, if this God of yours gave you the ability to withstand the true North? Does that not mean he would want you here?".

Note: I hope I'm conveying Eira's personality well. I see her as someone who can change emotions quickly, she gets angry and frustrated, especially to herself. She can be mean-spirited, and certainly holds the usual prejudices towards Wildings as most people in Westeros do. But that is slowly changing. I didn't want her to just switch to being accepting of the situation but I also don't want this story to be 100 chapters long.