Thank you to those who reviewed/favorited/alerted etc. All the things. So FF is having a major problem with email alerts I guess for a long time now. No matter how many times I update preferences it doesn't work. So if you message me or review I won't get it unless I actually log into the website. So I'm a bit slower. Also, I'm really bad about answering reviews :( lol
But the last reviewer, Sam, asked if the Night King wanted to marry Sansa and the answer is unconventionally, yes. Not so much marry the way we think of it but posess and be bound to. Like, there won't be a ceremony or anything.
It's been so long since I've updated this fic that I can't remember if I answered any questions or responded before, but if I didn't don't take it personally. I always read all the reviews and MEAN to answer but I forget things very fast. :(
There was a fic I recently read with a Sansa/Roose Bolton pairing that was done so well that it actually made me want to update fics again. I don't think that author is updating the story anymore but I can't fault her because I do the same thing. When you lose your inspiration or drive you just literally can't write.
Who were they?
The Night King looked over at Sansa. Their mental connection allowed him to know who she was speaking of without further clarification. His lieutenants.
Various men who became something more through their own weakness.
Weakness?
His mouth barely twitched upwards in a smile but she could see it. Scyllah was a Night's Watch commander who lusted for both power and women. It was not difficult to seduce him to my side. Once he fell, he was mine. Forever.
And the other's?
Martenn is destroyed now by the boy's blade. He betrayed his entire family so long ago for a better position and fell into my hands. Instead of killing him, I brought him to my side. Because of him, the tides of war turned in my favor. His House is no more.
Cragen and Damon were the best of the Night's Watch. Scyllah found them for me. Their skill rivals the boy's. He will replace the one he destroyed.
She knew he was talking about Jon Snow now. He is not like the other's who serve you. He is not corrupted.
The Night King turned to face her, a slight, cruel expression on his ancient face. Corruption is not a prerequisite. I simply enjoy it. I will enjoy having my suboordinates made up entirely of the Night's Watch. Those fools thought they could keep me out, keep me away from conquering what is rightfully mine. I have crushed them and shown the pathetic uselessness their lives truly are.
How did you do it? How did you know the world was weakened and ready for you to take it? She felt his satisfaction at the question and realized he felt something akin to happiness when he thought about his superiority.
The world of men thought me dead. Thought me asleep, or simply thought me a nightmare confined to the Age without memory. It's true that for a long while I slept-after the Great War-my enemies combined forces to drive me back into the edge of the world. And I was weakened by the Three-Eyed Raven. No more.
Sansa felt nothing at the memory of the boy in the chair brutally coming to an end. It was and always shall be. As you say, my King. She turned the barest of fractions to look out over the dead city. No more.
()()()()()()
Tyrion stood watch in the cold dark night. The dead had mostly left them to travel further south with their army. Still, no one was allowed to leave the confines of the castle.
"Anything?"
He started at Brienne's voice and then relaxed. "No."
She was quiet for a moment. Then, "We can't stay here."
Tyrion looked at her incredulously. "Where exactly do you think we'll be safe?"
"Across the Narrow Sea for starters."
"And how do we get there?"
Brienne waited a heartbeat. "The Ironborn."
He snorted out a laugh. "Oh yeah, those fucks are known for their willingness to help out. And how do you propose we get there? On foot? In this?" He gestured out to the freshly falling snowflakes. One melted on the back of his hand.
"Lord Tyrion, staying here isn't an option so yes, I propose we go to the Iron Islands. On foot. In the snow." She over-enunciated the last couple words in derision.
Suddenly Tyrion waved a hand at her. "Shut up, shut up."
Her hand briefly flexed on the hilt of her sword, however, her patience won out and she took a deep breath. "Lord Tyrion-"
"Lady Brienne, do you hear that?" he whispered, cocking one ear toward the night.
She paused and then did the same. Nothing.
"It almost sounds like a whooshing sound. Like…" He didn't finish.
They listed for another minute or so and then Brienne slowly straightened up. "Is that the sound of a dragon?"
They both looked at each other, one ecstatic, one afraid, until both grew properly afraid. It could be the Night King for all they knew. But before they could run off the guard wall a familiar dragon and rider lowered to the ground below them and they gasped in relief.
"Jon!"
Tyrion had never been happier to see the Stark bastard in all his life. "I suppose now we don't have to walk to the Ironborn anymore."
()()()()()()
Sam stood by the boat waiting to take them all the way to Asshai. Gilly held her baby and drew the hooded cloak closer around her face. Some men nearby them started talking about strange happenings in the West.
"I felt the chill of it meself standing on shores in Pentos. A dark stormcloud's been circling Westeros for some time only now it's as fierce as a howling wolf."
"And I swear I saw dragons," another one whispered.
Sam and Gilly looked at each other. Dragons, as in plural? Her lip almost quivered until she pressed them together and collected herself.
"Something ill comes this way, you mark my words," the first man warned.
Sam and Gilly were motioned forward to board and they moved quickly away from the men. Once settled on board, Sam put his arm around his wife and leaned his head back. It would be a longer journey than he would've liked but it couldn't be helped.
I will save you. All of you, he intoned in his head, closing his eyes.