Hey guys, so here is the next chapter of The Lone Wolf. Hope you all enjoy it, and be ready for more. I'm going to try and release two chapters within the next week as I have a lot of time on my hands now. So I have a good bit of motivation now and the response to last chapter has only fueled it. I appreciate every single one of you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or Halo as they belong to their respective owners.
Ned Stark
Outskirts of Winterfell
The Spartan laid silent in the carriage, the wounds he received had been treated as best they could. But, Ned had never seen wounds like these before. The Spartan was burned, clawed, beaten, stabbed, and exhausted.
Ned never took his eyes off Six as he rode beside, only now truly realizing the young age of him. This Spartan, had years of battle scars. Yet he looked no older than twenty. Ned had seen war at that age and before, but something about the variety of the wounds. Plus the circumstances surrounding the Spartan, was otherworldly.
The lands he hailed from were gone, as was the enemy that destroyed it. He prayed to his gods that he nor his people, would ever have to fight something that horrid. Or witness the destruction of an entire civilization, like Six had.
Turning his head from Six, he peered back at the carriage at the far end of the convoy. It was surrounded by guards on all sides, the men were looking back and forth between the road and the creature. What in all of creation, would conjure that? It was larger than any beast he had ever seen, and had teeth that no doubt would tear the flesh from his body.
When the terrified rider had finally reached Winterfell, the horses were on the brink of death he'd pushed them so hard. White as a ghost, and dried blood splayed over his tattered clothes. It wasn't until the guards heard tell of a metal man battling a beast from the depths of hell. That they let him through to the Lord of Winterfell.
Ned wasted little time in preparing a detachment of fifty of his best men and stormed out the gates of his castle. No shortage of volunteers as the northern host surged across the lands. If the Spartan couldn't defeat whatever it was, dread filled his body. He'd fight till his death but he had no idea what he was going up against.
They only stopped for a few hours rest so their horses could gather their strength. Every hour felt like an eternity, but it would not do him any favors if he showed up with an exhausted cavalry. Eyeing the device that Six had gifted him just before departing, a blinking blue light told him the Spartan was still alive.
When they arrived at the ancient castle, extensive damage was plain for everyone to see. The strong walls of barrow kings now caved through, the very structure itself was groaning from the aftermath.
As his men searched for both the Spartan and beast, they discovered many of the missing caravans that had been reported in the past weeks.
Grain, lumber, and a wagon full of ironwood. Thankfully, most of the goods were still useable and could be retrieved. To further prevent any of the resources being either destroyed or stolen, he'd station ten men here until it was completely bare.
If and when the Spartan wakes, he'd make sure he knew how much the whole of his land was grateful for his efforts.
The gates of Winterfell now in view as he and his retinue charged forward. Looking back at the man who'd done so much for his family in the short time he'd been there. The beast placed at the rear of the convoy, covered by pelts to avoid discovery. But, his people needed to know just what the Spartan had done for them.
He could see the guards on post announcing his arrival, the gates being opened quickly and the courtyard being cleared. His men yelling for the maester to be brought immediately. He rounded his horse to the stable boy, practically leaping off it as he did.
The men were slowly lowering the Spartan from the back, his head limply hung forward. Having to carry him by the shoulders they gently laid him down on a cart nearby. With his chest piece removed it was much easier to move the Spartan, but it still took almost ten men to get him off the wagon.
One of the men pulled a knife out and tried to to cut away the undershirt, revealing numerous deep cuts, claw marks, and a massive bruise beginning to form on his left side.
They gazed over his broken and bloody body, the scars he'd already had. The ones he would now have. Ned slowly approached and laid a hand over his head, the blood seeping through the cloth. He heard rushed footsteps from his right and was relieved to see maester Luwin. His sons right behind him. No doubt having heard of his and the Spartans return.
"My lord, forgive my lateness." Maester Luwin begged as he drew his breaths in quickly. Running as fast as his old legs had let him.
Ned waved it off and gestured to the Spartan, "He needs aid, now. I did all I could with what I had, but his injuries are beyond me." He explained, worry evident in his voice. Luwin nodded his head and went immediately to work, looking over him for several moments. Inspecting the cuts and gashes, shaking his head once he pressed gently on the bruised skin. He looked back to his lord.
"His ribs are severely bruised and these cuts need to treated. The burns on his side seem to have been coated with.. some form of ointment." Luwin shook his head at the unidentified coating. He turned his head away and addressed Lord Stark, "I must have him brought to his chambers. I'll gather what equipment I need from my tower." He rushed away leaving them in silence, the men jumping into action. All eager to help the man who'd saved them from the monster of the barrow lands. Most of them having been trained by the Spartan himself and wanting to repay him in anyway for his help.
The north remembers.
Ned watched them carry him away and only stopped watching when he saw Robb approaching him. The rest of his family followed behind. Ned turned to his son, the solemn look on his face said it all. Jon looking just as crestfallen and shaken. Sansa cupping her mouth with her hand in shock, eyes glistening with tears and confusion. Arya and bran both saddened by his appearance.
Catelyn brought her hand to his face, shaking him from his stupor. Not knowing what to say, still in the moment of it all. He shook his head and motioned for them to follow him, quietly they did so. Walking to the wagon in the very back that was guarded by half a dozen men. All wearily looking to the pile of pelts. When he approached them he gave them a nod and they created space for him and his family.
Silent as the crypts beneath Winterfell, he faced his family once more. "I have no way of saying this softly, so I'll speak plain." Ned spoke clearly, yet apprehensively. His family could see the hesitation in him, but his eyes said something else. It was necessary for them to see it, he told himself.
Had Six failed, he dared not finish the thought. Images of a world on fire flashing in his mind, Six's world. What could have been Neds world had it not been stopped. One creature, was one too many in his mind.
"The Spartan... Six. Has done the north a service we can only hope to repay. Fighting and slaying a demon from hell, one that would have burned our very way of life to the ground. Yet it didn't. Because of him." Ned nodded to the retreating form of the unconscious spartan.
Ned looked to the men around the furs and gave a sharp nod. His men wasting no time and wearily got to work.
As the men grimaced at the weight it was eventually dropped to the ground in front of them. The sheer size of it causing them to take a few steps back. Many looking to him confused, as if asking if he was sure.
One of them approached whispering some words into his ear, after a seconds thought he nodded. The man stepping back and hand on his sword, the others followed suite. "You know he is not from the north, but he gave his blood for it. When he had no reason to other than moral obligation. Going out of his way to protect us, and had we not arrived when we did." He let the thought linger on their minds. Once more pointing to the fur covered form, "This.. is what he did for us."
With that he ripped the pelts off and heard the startled screams of his family and small folk alike.
He stared grimly at the monster before him, looking as if it was spit out of the seventh hell. Blood still spewed all over it, mandibles ripped apart and a hole in its neck. Where the killing blow had been struck. It's claws still stained with blood. Dark red eyes staring blankly into the sky.
Catelyn shielding her youngest sons eyes so he could not see, her eyes widened in terror. Looking back at her husband in disbelief, he only returned the look with sadness. Robb bringing his hand across his face as he tore his eyes away from it. Jon only looked on in silence, though he could tell his son was battling with himself.
Sansa was pulled into her mothers arms, too scared to look anymore. Her muffled cries could be heard as she clutched her mother. Catelyn holding her just as tight. A new appreciation for the Spartan flowing through her.
Having seen enough for them to understand, he turned to Ser Rodrik. "Mount the head on a spike, put it on the tallest tower and let it rot. Take the rest of it into the woods, burn it until nothing is left. Take anything of value off the creature, and bring it to the Spartan. Let no one have to see this.. this beast again." Ser Rodrik nodded slowly as he carefully moved forward.
Ned walked away from them, in a haze as he headed to the godswood. The only place he could think of that may provide him with some peace.
Sansa Stark
She walked beside her mother in silence, her brother Bran and Arya as well. Not a word was said between them. What could they say? Their father left in such a distressing state, but so was everyone else. What they'd seen.. it was a monster. Like one from old nans tales to scare them at night or to get them to behave.
"Sansa?" Her mother called, she looked up at her.
Catelyn brushed a hand through her hair as if to ease her stress, "Yes, mother?"
"Are you alright, sweetling?" Concern clear in her voice.
Sansa nodded her head, "I.. I think so. I'm worried, mother, about Six."
Catelyn cocked her head for a moment in confusion, realization soon dawning as she gave a small smile. "We all are, Sansa. He is in capable hands now, Maester Luwin will take care of him. All we can do now is.. pray to the gods." Her answer not providing any comfort as she only nodded her head.
"I feel so terrible, mayhaps I should go and check on him. See if I can help Maester Luwin with anything?" She asked, hands wringing together nervously. Catelyn looked a bit apprehensive at first before sighing, giving a small nod in return.
She immediately stood to her feet and left the room, her hands clasped together. Striding through the castle with determination, the sun was nearing past midday. It had been several hours since father had returned. Only at the behest of her older brother Robb had he left.
She rounded a corner and could hear the guards speaking amongst themselves. Speaking silent prayers for Six's health, the two guards bowing their heads as she passed. Finding her destination she gathered her courage and knocked three times, shuffled footsteps could be heard before it opened.
Maester Luwin looked down at her surprised and looking near exhausted. "Lady Sansa, what brings you here?" Confusion clear in his question.
"I'm here to help in anyway I can, mother has given me permission." She said as she snuck a glance into the room. She could see the silhouette of Six, but not much else as the maester stood in her way.
He looked back briefly before responding, "Forgive me, my lady, but you don't have any training to heal the wounded."
Sansa however, was not looking for a handout. She would work for whatever she could help with. "I can fetch fresh water if you need it, I can stitch if I need to, and do any small task too tedious for you. Please, maester I only want to help." She begged him and could see the conflicting emotions within his face.
He looked down briefly before slowly nodding, but bringing a finger up to her. "Alright, but you must listen to everything I say." He emphasized, stern look coming from him. She nodded in affirmation, he opened the door wider and let her in. She took in the rest of the room as her eyes began to wander. It was very simple but everything had a place and was neatly laid out.
Her eyes drifted to Six, his breathing was much better from what she could tell. His cuts had been clean but still very red with irritation, she took a seat next to the maester as he pulled a clean cloth out.
"When I remove the bandage, you must wipe away as much as you can. Be as gentle as you can, but if you feel you cannot continue there is no shame in letting me finish." He instructed her as he began pulling the wrap off, her eyes drifted to his scars that scattered across his body. She had seen her fathers battle scars a few times, but only briefly. This was much worse than what she could have imagined, it was as if he was covered entirely in them.
Then she saw what looked like a set of necklaces around his neck. A set of two metal tabs, each saying something but it was matted with blood and grime. She would have to ask him when he was better.
She pulled her thoughts away as the bandage was finally pulled off, the deep gash exposed. She dipped the cloth in warm water and squeezed as tight as she could. Once satisfied she brought it up and began to wipe away the dried blood.
Being this close to Six, she could finally appreciate the manly features behind the scars. He was only a few years older than her from what she could tell.
She began to hum to herself softly to dissuade any fears she had, he had been nothing but kind to her. She was returning his kindness with some of her own.
As she started on the gash itself she felt him stir, barely holding the cloth as the sharp intake of breathe shaking her. She looked to him as his eyes began to slowly open. She was stone still while she could hear the maester stand from his chair, shocked as well. She could not tear her eyes away from his though. She did not know why as they looked at each other. He seemed to be studying her before he looked around the room.
Six eventually noticed his injuries as he clenched his jaw when he made to sit up, she quickly tried to push him back down. But he pointed away from her, she looked behind her to see a blue canister. She reached over and picked it up.
"That's bio foam, hold it over my side. Squeeze the trigger and make sure to cover all of it." He said, his voice surprisingly calm despite his injuries.
She held it over his chest and began to apply the foam, it scared her at first as it hissed when she pressed the trigger. But an encouraging nod from Six pushed her forward. All the while maester luwin took notes on him, occasionally glancing between the two. She carefully started applying it to his side.
"What song was that?" He asked.
She cocked her head before she realized he had heard her humming. She looked embarrassed before answering, "I'd not thought you had heard it, it's called gentle mother. I sing it sometimes when I feel alone, or if I'm sad."
"It was beautiful, but why do you feel alone?"
She continued applying the foam before she decided how to answer, she did feel alone. A lot actually. Her mother was the only one that paid attention to her. Jeyne, her only friend she could share her hobbies with.
"I don't really have many friends, and my mother is the only one that pays attention to me. Father is always busy, being the warden of the north. My brother and half-brother are always training." She explained, setting he canister aside. She saw him frown at the mention of Jon.
"Why do you call him half-brother?" He asked.
"He's a bastard, mother says they are evil, and scheming vile creatures."
He scoffed at that, "Does he seem like he wants to steal Winterfell from Robb, or take anything that isn't his?" He questioned. She thought hard for a second before shaking her head.
"No, that notion that they are all bad is ignorant. Do you think Jon chose to be born the way he did. That he had any control over how he was conceived?" Again, she shook her head.
She looked away, " No, but mother hates him, so much. I know it hurts father the way she treats him." She confessed.
"And how do you think that makes Jon feel?" He asked softly, his head cocking to the side.
She lowered her head before answering, "I can't imagine, I've always had my mother to care for me. So I can't relate to him in that, but I think he'd feel sad."
He nodded at that, "So, do you see now why I asked?
She did, it wasn't fair that he be treated badly for something he didn't do. "Yes." She said quietly.
He seemed to study her for a moment before asking further, "I know why your afraid." He said, she looked to him curiously. What did he mean he knew why she was afraid. "Your mother loves you, I know you see that. But you shouldn't let others influence you on how you should treat them."
He crossed his arm against his chest, "When you look at me, what do you see?"
She frowned for a second at the question before shrugging her shoulders, "I see a man."
He chuckled slightly before wincing and straightened up, leaning back against the headboard. "I mean what do you see, yes I'm a man. But I'm many other things as well, look deeper."
She looked at him, into his eyes once more. She saw pain, sadness, and.. relief? His scars telling a story who had seen too much for someone as young as he. His powerfully built body practically screaming warrior. "You've been through so much pain and suffering, but you keep fighting. You fight so that others don't have to, but you also... care deeply for those around you."
He stayed silent for a moment, seemingly shocked at her revelation. "Yes.. before I came here. I watched as my people were endlessly slaughtered. We were outmatched in every way, but we still kept fighting. I watched my brothers and sisters die before my very eyes. I've fought, and I've lost. But I never stopped, ever. I don't want what happened to my people, to ever happen to anyone else. I will fight and die to protect you or anyone else." He explained, his eyes never leaving her. His voice carried so much emotion and she believed every word he said.
She knew the answer to her next question but she couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
"Because your innocent, pure. Sansa, if I can help you in anyway. I'll do it, because I'm a Spartan. A guardian."
She smiled in return, head turning away for a brief second. It vanished soon when she spoke again, "I saw it, what you fought. What you almost died to protect us from." She croaked out, tears beginning to form as she remember the monster. It terrified her. Maester luwin only looking on in sadness, he had sat silently and listened to them speak. Finishing up his task and patiently waiting, he grew a new found respect for the man that laid there.
She felt a hand gently guide her back to him, she opened her eyes and could see him stare right through her. His thumb wiping a lone tear away, his hands were rough and calloused. "You have nothing to fear from them anymore, there gone now. I made sure of that, I would have rather you not seen it at all. But you can't change it now, but remember. It's dead, it will stay dead."
She had only one more question to ask, "What are those?" She pointed to his tags, he looked down before grabbing them and slowly thumbing them.
"These are my dog tags, they have my number and name. Or, just Noble Six in this case. I keep it on as a reminder of where I came from. We all wore these so if anything happened to us, we could notify our leaders." She didn't seem to understand but nodded anyway.
He lowered his hand away from them and looked back to maester luwin, "Now, maester. How long until I can be out and about, I've no desire to be stuck here for the foreseeable future."
Maester luwin gave a small chuckle before standing up, "Well, your injuries have all been treated and thanks to that foam of yours. It seems to have closed all the wounds momentarily, your ribs will take time to heal. So, bed rest for the next few days. If your health improves, I see no reason for you not to return to your duties. I'll check back in at midday, but amazingly you should make a full recovery."
Six nodded his head before turning to her, "See? I'll be fine, thank you for helping me. You were very brave, now.. don't you have some things to do?" He quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes, I believe I do and you are welcome. Six, you have my gratitude and the gratitude of house Stark." She stood up and gave a perfect curtsy to him, he bowed his head in return, a smirk on his face as he did so. She turned away and left the room with maester Luwin in tow. She had some apologizing to do, and some making up as well. She went to look for her brother Jon, a new pep in her step as she walked forward.
3 weeks later
Noble Six
He stood and observed the boys form as he drew the arrow back, arm slightly shaking from the weight of it. Letting it loose it missed wide right and struck the haystack, sighing in defeat Bran dipped his head. Robb and Jon both laughing at the terrible attempt.
"And which one of you were a marksman at ten?" They heard a voice from above, they all looked to see Ned Stark looking on. Pride on his face, "Keep practicing, Bran." He encouraged.
Bran grabbed another arrow before nocking it once more, Jon walked forward and held him by the shoulders. "Focus, fathers watching." He told him softly, patting him briefly before retreating back. Bran drew it again.
"Relax your bow arm." Robb pitched in.
"Keep your back straight, let it do the heavy lifting." Six advised, and saw the boy straighten it and went to release. When an arrow suddenly struck the bullseye, raising his eyebrows and looking back. Bran had yet to fire his arrow, so they all looked behind him. Arya having fired the arrow, gave a mock curtsy before running away. Bran, embarrassed at her getting the better of him. Gave chase and his brothers laughed and encouraged him. Six smirked in response, she had come a long way since he'd caught her that night.
The overall mood of Winterfell had improved since he'd been given a clean bill of health. He was back to instructing the guards and new ones that volunteered. He'd also been training with his war hammer to also improve his effectiveness. Growing quite fond of it very quickly, being strapped to his back nearly at all times had proven his likeness to the weapon.
He'd noticed some changes in the Starks too, he'd seen Jon talking with Sansa a number of times. It seemed his talk had gotten through to her, Jon seemed happier now. The boy still brooded more than his father, but that was probably a stark trait. Robb had begun to take his duties as heir more seriously and he had many conversations with Six recently. Asking for pointers and tips to be a better fighter so he could protect his people.
Robb was also very interested in the prospect of creating a special forces group for the North. With Six in charge of training, Robb noticed a distinct difference in the tactics and armor that was being commissioned. The guards now began carrying square body shields, much like the ones used for phalanx but just a foot shorter.
Six then introduced to him to an empire from Six's lands, the Roman Empire. Granted it was thousands of years old and fell from grace far before his time. It was still one of humanities greatest empires. One that had the most powerful military for centuries. Six, aimed to make the North, just as formidable if it was to be his home for now.
The Winter Wolves had been used by Cretan Stark during the dance. 2,000 of the North's best men, and the damage and fear they invoked was heard through the history books. It would take time, coin, and a lot of persuasion on Robb's part to convince his father. That would come later though, many more things to accomplish before then.
Theon was still a cocky little shit, but he'd been tampered down since his return. A few knocks in the dirt will do that to an overly cocky individual.
Six began to help Jon with acquiring the arrows from the practice, patting him on the back as they placed them back. He saw Jon look up briefly and then avert his eyes, he followed the trail and saw lady Stark glaring at him with contempt. Placing his hand around the bastard of Winterfells shoulders he met her eyes, anger in them as he glared right back. Her glare dissolved instantly as she quickly walked away.
"I wish you wouldn't do that." Jon said, as he placed the last arrow back.
Six scoffed at that, "I'm not going to tolerate her mistreatment of you. I've told you this, not while I'm around."
Jon went to defend her, "Its not her fault, six."
Six popped an eyebrow before shooting back, "Oh? So it's yours, I'm going to tell you this once. Ignore her, if it helps you pretend she doesn't even exist when she's around you. Sure it may make her angry, but what is she going to do? Tell your father? I've already said this before and I hate repeating myself, I'll back you up if it comes to that. Lord Stark will not deny me." He said, Jon only sighing and nodding his head. Good, giving one last pat on the shoulders he looked to see Ser Rodrik approaching them.
Giving a tilt of the head he addressed them, "A deserter of the nights watch has been found, so saddle your horses we ride out within the hour."
They looked to each other before agreeing, heading to the stables. Six had been given a fresh new horse that was as black as his armor. It was a larger horse, used more for large carriages for noble families but it was still faster than most horses. It fit him well, even going as far as to name it. Thor.
Tightening the straps around it, he checked the saddlebags for supplies and nodded to himself. He was ready, he pulled his fur cloak around and clasped the latches around. His riding gloves now on him, he placed the hammers strap around him and lifted himself onto the horse. He followed the lord of winterfell and a few of his household guards out of the gates. Six looked to the skies as he rode alongside Jon and Robb. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about this. Tightening his grip around the reins, he resolved himself for whatever was headed their way.
A/N: What's up y'all, we have finally hit the beginning season one. Now it all comes together, more updates to come and I'm stoked with the response as always. You keep reading and reviewing, I'll keep posting. As I always say I appreciate you all. Stay safe!
Deuces.