No spoilers for season 8 in reviews or messages! I haven't been able to watch anything yet! I own nothing but my OC's their house and well my oc dragons because they are my adorable balls of fire.
For four months they had been at sea now. Each day the night came just a bit faster and the temperature dropped just a bit until finally Thomas could see his breath everyday all day. Being so accustomed to the heat of Essos he hadn't even realized how cold the northernmost kingdom would be. One day he had asked Jon Snow if this was as cold as it would get. The King in the north and clapped his shoulder and said "it will be coldest when we are north of the wall." Thomas took some consolation when another young man named Gendry Waters blanched just like him.
Gendry was an anomaly to him. Every time he tried to strike up a conversation with him either Jon or Davos would intervene and steer him away. While he had formed a somewhat friendly relationship with Jon and Davos, he was quickly losing his patience with the matter. That was another thing that bothered him. His lack of patience as of late. Ever since leaving Dragonstone he had been quick to anger. It was hardly noticeable early on but as the second month into their journey began people started whispering about how snippy he got. He also realized that around that time was when his connection to his two dragons seemed to slip into this barely there feeling. He hadn't told anyone of this for fear of coming across as mad but it was worrisome. Deciding to ignore he started throwing himself into tasks to take up his time. It seemed to do the trick but then the cold really started to hit hard.
The day had started like any other, cloudy morning with nothing but rolling waves and a frozen breeze to greet you. A few storms had graced them on their voyage but thankfully they were still making good time. Thomas had expressed his worries about Euron's fleet coming for them but Jon assured him the man wouldn't travel this far north since his kingdom had no fleet.
Looking out over the waves Thomas braced for another day of cold and boredom. "You look bored out of your mind." Jon snuck up behind him startling him.
Turning Thomas gave him a small smirk. "Not much to do out here is there?"
Jon Chuckled shaking his head. "No, there's not. Unfortunately for us." Jon looked out over the ocean with Thomas for a few moments. "What was it like in Essos?"
Thomas looked over at Jon curiously. He shrugged when Jon remained staring out at sea. "Warm. Rough. Hard. Was there something specific you wanted to know?"
"Not particularly no. Just trying to make conversation really." Jon shrugged.
"Well what could you tell me about the North?" Thomas asked then. "I know next to nothing about your people or family. Just what I have read from books and was told by Viserys."
"Is that Daenerys' brother?" Jon asked quickly.
Thomas nodded. "A bad sort of person. Apparently, he was as mad as his father." Thomas shrugged. "He's dead now so he hardly matters." Looking expectantly at Jon the King nodded along and prepped his answer.
"The North is cold, hard and rough." Both men chuckled. "We have a saying in the north. The north remembers." Thomas started listening intently. "We look after our own. We don't have time for backstabbing and other political maneuverings. The only house that practiced such things were the Boltons. But thankfully they are gone." Jon gave Thomas a look that told him all he needed to know on that topic. "Overall we are a hardy folk who are more likely to kill you outright then stab you in the back."
"Mmm." Thomas nodded his head. "Any siblings? Aside from Arya and Bran of course."
"There are three others though two of them are gone now." Jon let out a heavy sigh. "Robb and Rickon were my brothers before the Boltons killed them. Sansa is my final sibling. She's the current lady of Winterfell and the one ruling the North in my absence." Another sigh. "She's been through more than most. I just hope I can keep her safe." they settled into a comfortable silence after that. Jon remembering old memories while Thomas mulled over what he learned.
"I heard you were expecting a sibling." Jon spoke up.
"Yes, I am hoping for a little sister." Thomas smiled fondly. He couldn't wait to see his new sibling. "House Ward is growing slowly but surely." Thomas chuckled.
Jon nodded along. "Your house words, how did you come up with them?" Jon asked. He had refrained from asking about the battle Thomas had went to with Tyrion as burning men with dragon fire still didn't sit well with him.
Thomas stopped to think for a moment. "Honestly, my parents thought it the most fitting for the times. Especially with my dragons." Thomas explained. "Since it is only us and we have no lands, wherever Dany chooses to put us will likely be some disgraced lords' previous lands. With no loyalty to us or men at arms to protect us, my dragons will be the only thing to discourage would be aggressors. We did think of others such as, rise from the ashes, ash and stone, Dragon's Shield, and finally ash and stone. Many of them take note of my time with Daenerys or how I got my two dragons. But we all ended up agreeing that while we should pay homage to house Targaryen, we should also have them be a warning to them and others as well. It is very unlikely that we will ever go against house Targaryen but who's to say what will happen in future generations." Thomas shrugged. "Fire is our sword also relates to how I handled the Zakuul situation."
"I had heard about that." Jon nodded solemnly. "Many in the north didn't want me to go south due to what you did. Claiming you were mad and would burn me for defying you." He turned to Thomas. "I'm glad they were wrong." He held out his hand.
Thomas smiled as he took the offered hand and shook. "I hope to call you friend Jon. if that is ok?"
"Fine by me. Now how about we go get something to eat." Jon and Thomas turned back and walked down into the ship in search of their midday meal.
About another month later they had finally docked at Eastwatch. BY this Time Thomas barely if ever removed his gloves and even started training with them on. He and Jon seemed to dance of the deck as Blackfyre and Longclaw collided. Now he and Gendry both looked with awe upon the massive wall before them. Jon Chuckled as he walked passed them and greeted a red-haired man. Thomas heard the name Tormund before they were ushered into the dungeons.
Sitting in the cell were three men. One wore an eyepatch; another was bald and the third had half his face burned off. Thomas noticed Jon seemed to recognize the burned man. But chose to let everything play out.
Listening intently, he took note that Gendry seemed to hate these men. Jon seemed to hold them in some regard although Thomas had trouble reading him. For Thomas, the most interesting person was the man known as the hound. Gruff and to the point this man didn't bother with pleasantries and got right to the point. After Jon agreed to take them on the mission everyone went upstairs to eat and rest.
Sitting at the table Jon and Tormund were talking and everyone else seemed to enjoy the lack of conversation. Thomas however was slightly annoyed. He was expecting some kind of planning, not sitting around. Coughing to get everyone's attention he spoke. "Jon, what's the plan for capturing this Wight?"
Jon looked around the table quickly before rising up. "Tomorrow morning at first light, all of us and a few wildlings will head north of the wall, find a patrol of undead. Once we find them we will either Isolate one from the group or kill all but one and take the last back to the wall so we can bring it to kings landing." Jon sat back down as he finished. Most of the table seemed to shrug and accept that. Thomas however was baffled.
"So, we're just going to take 10 men to hopefully find a patrol that might not exist and just grab one?" Thomas looked incredulously at Jon. Tormund picked this moment to speak up.
Turning to Davos he asked. "I thought it was your job to talk him out of stupid ideas like this?"
"I have been failing at that as of late." Davos sighed in resignation.
"You really think so few men can do this?" Tormund asked. Jon nodded his head resolutely. "Alright, I'll ready the men." Tormund stood up and moved to the door. Before he left however, he turned back for one final quip. "Should have brought the big woman." With that done, he left.
"What's the plan when the entire army of the dead come after us?" Thomas asked.
"We run."
"Run? That's it? We'll be dead before we reach the wall. We should bring most of the wildling force to create a diversion so a small band can grab one and run. While the wildling force holds them off, we make it back to the wall and to safety." Thomas suggested.
"We can't risk all the them. Plus, the night king will just add them to his army and we would have even more to deal with." Jon argued back. Everyone else was silent while the two leaders talked.
"We have 5 dragons that can burn hundreds in seconds. I think we can afford to lose a few wildlings." Thomas scoffed.
"The FREE FOLK will not be used as sacrificial pawns." Jon's voice was hard a he rose to challenge Thomas. "We need to work together, not throw each other away."
"You have a good heart Snow, but if we follow this plan, it will get us all killed. Then what will happen to everyone else?" Thomas glared at Jon who returned the look.
"These are my lands and this is my decision." Jon's voice was firm. "You are welcome to stay behind but tomorrow we are leaving. I hope to see you with us." Jon turned and marched out. Thomas snarled as he too left.
When he got outside, he made for the elevator and used it to reach the top of the wall. Marching t the far edge he silently brooded while looking out. He idly noted that the view was magnificent and if he was in a much better mood, he would marvel at the beauty before him. Now he just glowered at it. Thinking back on his argument with Jon didn't help either. Already more, better ideas were coursing through his head. Why not send a few wildlings north, kill one or two, wait for them to turn and have the remaining ones drag the undead south? Or better yet, use the dragons to pick a few up off the ground and fly away with them. Thomas scoffed; those plans would only work if these undead were real. Thomas looked back south for a moment, in the vague direction of Dragonstone and wished he was back there.
"You know I heard that if you glare too long the expression gets stuck to your face." A male voice called out.
Turing at the sound, Thomas saw Gendry walking up to him. The young man looked even bigger with all the layers he had on. Thomas chuckled slightly before turning back south. Gendry soon stood next to him and the two stood in comfortable silence.
"I'm surprised you offered to come here." Gendry started, ending the silence.
"And why is that?" Thomas glanced over at him.
"The north and the Targaryen's don't have the best history. For all you knew Jon wanted you alone to kill you and weaken your queen. Yet you came here practically defenseless and without any escape plan." Gendry explained as he looked at Thomas who remained looking south. "I just want to know how you can trust someone you barely know this extensively?"
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Thomas didn't answer for a few moments. "The answer is quite simple, Gendry, I never trusted Jon Snow." With his piece said Thomas turned and left. Leaving a very confused Gendry behind.
Exiting the lift on the ground, Thomas was met with Jon who looked troubled as he walked to the lift. Both men stopped as they starred at each other.
"Ward."
"Snow."
Both men continued to stare at each other. Before Thomas once again looked out towards the south before sighing. "I apologize for what I said earlier. I was acting rashly and would still like to head north with you."
Jon Snow looked down for a moment. "I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide." Thomas nodded his head before stepping aside and Jon stepped onto the elevator. Turning towards the barracks Thomas decided that a full night sleep was what he needed as a sense of safety settled over him.
The next morning the small party gathered by the entrance of the tunnel, ready to head out into the frozen wastes north f the wall. Jon lead the way, with Thomas to his left, out into the storm. Thomas glanced up and through a small opening in the storm noticed two small birds flying north, he smiled before focusing on the path ahead.
So, my over a year absence. Well a lot has gone on. Some writers block and a few technical difficulties. But most of it stemmed from having no money and needing to work constantly to try and get some breathing room. Not very successful. Money still extremely tight. Another reason, found out my Dad has been heating on my mom for three years after he packed his stuff and left before thanksgiving. So I have been really depressed and honestly that definitely brought my writing down. This chapter has been rewritten deleted and restarted more times than any other. It was supposed to cover the entirety of the trek north but Honestly; I just don't have it in me to write that just yet. Especially since some major differences will appear next chapter. Changes that will undoubtedly affect season 8. No spoilers as I have not seen any of the new episodes. Ugh, the asshole who left dropped HBO and since money is extremely tight right now, nobody can afford it. I'm hoping to do the free trial at the end of the season and binge the whole thing. So please now spoilers. As you have noticed I mentioned some other ideas for the house words. Honestly, I truly loved them all and with I could have used them all. Who knows, if things start looking up and I finally get a decent nest egg of money beneath me I can start some of my other ideas for house Ward. Namely placing them back in time or in Westeros instead of with Daenerys. Thoughts on that? Again if you have stuck around for this chapter thank you. If you are just going through this, I hope you enjoyed, if not well not much I can do because for the most part I love this story of mine. Will definitely go back and change a few chapters though.