Warg Maiden

Edited by xXFallenSakuraXx52

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones


Chapter 13: Desertion

Craster's Keep

It was risky to spy on the Mutineers in the daylight. The men who volunteered to go on the mission with Jon were not good with stealth. Jon considered going, but Grenn stopped him, saying he was recognizable. It was true; Jon, Edd, and Grenn were too identifiable. If they go into the Keep, the traitors will kill them. So, it had to be someone else. Edd and Grenn said there were twelve of them. Both men felt guilty for abandoning the women for this long. Better now than never. Let alone avenge Jeor Mormont.

Locke volunteered. He was still going by his alias of a game's warden from the Stormlands. Game warden means they must have stealth since they hunt for a living. Little did the Men of the Night's Watch know that Locke had other motives. At first, he thinks about killing Jon, as Ramsay has asked him to do. But, in the past few weeks, Locke decided not to, not with the Wildling problems happening. No doubt, a wildling can finish the job. Therefore, his main focus is Brandon and Rickon Stark. Or, in this case, Brandon, since eavesdropping on the conversation of Samwell spotting the cripple boy. If what the two say is true, then Brandon Stark would be at Craster's.

Ever so carefully, Locke inspected the area and did surveillance. It was still early, the crack of dawn. So far, there were only six people out. Two were the mutineers wandering about while four women were tending to the animals. Locke guessed most of the mutineers were in the central Keep, leaving the smaller buildings as the women's shelter and supplies. Carefully, Lock scavenged the area until spotting one building. A guard walked away from it while saying:

"Be quiet."

Locke checked the area before bumping into a lantern as he made his way across. He hunched low, lifting the tarp slightly to see what was inside. A guard was placed for this hut. Therefore, there must be something valuable or essential inside. And what he saw confirmed that. There were four people inside. Two boys, one girl, and a humongous man. All were tied to several posts. The boy Locke had a better view of was, no doubt, Brandon Stark. While everyone was hunched and legs bent to keep warm, one boy had his legs out. Also, he had dark hair and eyes, just like Jon.

Bran paused, for he thought he heard rattling. He glanced over his shoulder at the main entrance of the shed to find no one was there. The only thing he saw was the lantern swaying in the wind. But for a second, he felt like he was being watched. Leaning some, he noticed fresh footprints. The guard did leave a moment ago, but these footprints were heading back to the forest.

Many thoughts stirred in Bran's head. Was it one of the younger girls? Another wildling? Or could it be the Night's Watch? Uncle Benjen says the Night's Watch never allows deserters to live. It may take time to track a deserter, but in the end, heads till fall.

A cough caught his attention.

All eyes turned to Jojen. The greenseer was sickly pale. He needed food and water. Most importantly, medicine. Meera had packed herbs to make tea for coughing. However, the mutineers won't allow her to give it to her brother. The only time Meera wasn't tied up was when Jojen had a seizure.

"You need water," Meera mumbled.

"It doesn't matter," Jojen said quietly.

"Of course, it matters," Meera disagreed.

Jojen shook his head, "You mustn't let anything stop you."

Bran raised his tied-up hands, "They already have stopped me."

"No," Jojen said, his eyes wandering about. "You're not here."

He had a vision, "You're far from here."

"What does that mean?" Meera asked.

In the vision, Jojen could see a frozen lake with a hill. On top of the hill was a weirwood tree with ravens and crows perched on it. Surrounding the weirwood were sacred stones. Four he could see. The sun was rising as it was in Craster's Keep. Bran, who sat in front of him, was still oblivious to what was happening behind him. Unaware of the tranquil scenery.

"At the hill," Jojen answered. "A great weirwood tree."

"You've seen it, too?" Bran asked. He has had dreams in the past few years. On occasion, he saw a weirwood tree on a hill.

"Meera and I, even Hodor, we're only here to guide you," Jojen answered, seeing the day turn into night. "He's waiting for you. We have to find it. You have to make it."

"We will," Bran promised.

"This – this isn't the end," Jojen said as the vision stopped. "Not for you. Not yet."

"How…will we know the end?" Meera asked.

The answer came to Jojen as he stared at his hand. His right hand was on fire. There was no heat, only the illusion of warmth dancing along his skin. Jojen also tapped on his chest, where his vital organs would be. Jojen focused his attention on the burning hand, knowing his fate.

"You'll know," he mumbled his answer.

That is when Jojen felt warmth in his hand. He glanced down, seeing his hand was on fire. This did not bother him since he knew it was an illusion from the vision. None of his friends were on fire; only he was.

.o0o.

The Haunted Forest

Locke made his way back to the camp where the other volunteers were. A fog had seeped in, masking the campsite. Jon was cleaning Longclaw when the newest member returned.

"Brothers," Locke greeted.

"You do move quiet," Jon commented.

The volunteers gathered around, "How many?"

"Eleven men," Locke reported. "Most of them are already drunk. No guards posted. They don't seem to have a care in the world. We'll carve them up like walnut pie."

"Karl was the top paid cutthroat in Flea Bottom." Grenn reminded. "I've seen what he can do with a knife."

"Have you seen what I can do with a knife?" Locke challenged.

Grenn chuckled, remembering the example Locke made, "Not yet."

"There's a hut on the west side of the Keep. We should steer clear of it," Locke added.

"Why?" Jon asked.

"They've got some hounds chained up inside," Locke lied. "The closer we can get without the dogs sniffing us, the better."

Jon looked at Edd and Grenn, who nodded. All the remaining hounds that survived were under Karl's control. Grenn gazed up to the sky.

"New moon tonight," Grenn announced.

Jon sighed, looking at his men, "Get some rest. We move at sundown."

The men nodded as they returned to the camp to rest. Unaware that Locke had lied to them about the hut, the man simply smiled to himself, thinking about the Keep and crest.

.o0o.

Imogen's POV

Something did not feel right. I felt a chill inside my bones and a throbbing headache. This pounding was like somebody had struck me in the head all day. We were all hidden in a forest. I stayed away from the others, hoping for some privacy. In the end, the headache continued. Something did not feel right. The only time I felt like this was when Skadi got badly hurt.

Fearing the worst, I went over to Ygritte.

"I need your help," I told her.

She stopped trimming the shaft and looked at me, "What for?"

"I need to check on Skadi," I told her quietly. "Something doesn't feel right."

I then glanced at the Thenns. I don't trust leaving my body alone when a Thenn is nearby. I have more trust in leaving my body in Tormund's care than a Thenn. Especially when Styr is here. He was a Magnar, and I am a Chieftain's daughter. One union Fenrir will disapprove of.

Ygritte nodded in understanding. The Thenns gathered around their fire with their latest meal as we watched. She got up, securing her things before we searched for a quiet place to be alone. We were still near our comrades but at a distance. Once situated, I sat down against a tree with Dark Sister on my lap. Ygritte sat down as well, making sure we were safe.

Knowing I was in good hands, I took a deep breath and warged. Although Skadi was unconscious, I connected to her. I dug deeper into her memories, wondering why she was in pain until I saw the cause. The black direwolf had interrupted Craster's sacrifice and encountered a White Walker. The White Walker was so focused on collecting the baby that he disregarded Skadi rather than finishing her off.

My poor familiar, I thought.

As I went deeper into her memories, I noticed something. A pale direwolf in the cage. Apparently, Skadi has been trying to free the direwolf but couldn't. Now, knowing the cause of Skadi's frustration, I sighed in relief. Although the Direwolf in the cage had me concerned. Is Mance nearby and sent a Dire and his familiar to scout the area only to be caught? If that is so, I need to help my fellow comrade.

It would be dusk before Skadi finally woke up. She smiled as her spirit nudged against my own. Together, our minds were synced. We got up and headed back to where the direwolf was trapped in. Skadi took control of her body while I tagged along, observing everything. When we arrived, the white direwolf was still in the cage. However, he was not alone. There was whimpering. I took control of Skadi, making my way to a pit to see silver and sandy fur direwolf. Skadi was confused since this direwolf had not been here before.

You gotta be kidding me. I thought. There are two Dires captured?

I took a deep breath, trying to figure out a way to free the direwolves so we could save the Dires. I walked around the cage, trying to find any weak spots. When I noticed a few pillars were thinner than others. I hunched down and began to dig. It took some time until I reached the bottom of the post and exposed it. With the pillar section not having the ground for support, I apologized to Skadi and began to bang on the cage. Over and over until the wood started to weaken. The white direwolf noticed this and would bang against the section between each strike. Soon, the wood cracked, and the wooden beams split after several more attempts. We each grabbed the pieces, biting them out to make a hole large enough for the direwolf to escape.

It was a snug fit, yet enough for him to get out. Staring at the direwolf, he seemed to be at least three years old. Then again, he could also be the runt of the litter. We rushed to the pit, where the second direwolf was. Looking around to see if any logs are about to drag over. The gods were good, seeing that the white wolf and I worked together to nudge it over, making sure it fell horizontal and at an angle for the silver wolf to climb up.

Suddenly, there was a sound of chaos. A fight was happening nearby. All the direwolves looked at one another, unsure of what was happening. We were about to join the battle when a man came rushing in, by the looks of it, a Crow, since his clothes were black. The Crow, who I recognized was Rast from spying months ago, stared at us in shock.

"Fuck," Rast gasped.

The white direwolf growled, charging at Rast, tackling him, and biting his head off. And there is a reason why you should never cage a wolf. They hold grudges far more terrible than a human. When the white direwolf was done, we headed toward the Keep to join the battle. Only to realize it was Craster's.

.o0o.

Moments Earlier…

Craster's Keep

Karl Tanner devised a plan to figure out why three little nobles were on the wrong side of the Wall. One he and two of his brothers were happy to enjoy. So, leaving the Keep, they headed towards the hut with their wicked scheme.

"I've always liked a girl with curls. A touch of class." Karl said gleefully. "You take whatever's left."

The two mutineers chuckled.

They arrived in the hut. The four captives looked at them, confused, wondering why they were there since they were not holding bowls of food. Meera got a sick feeling, seeing Karl with the same look one of the Mutineers had when spying on the Keep.

"Get her up," Karl ordered.

The two mutineers came over, untying the restraints and forcing her up. Realizing what was about to happen, she tried to break free from their grasp. However, the two men were stronger. Bran was pleading with Karl to stop it. Hodor shouted out as well, except no one understood him. Jojen's eyes widened, not expecting it when a vision suddenly came to him. He saw death, fire, and snow.

The two mutineers forced Meera's bound hands onto a hook. She cried out from the sharp angle her arms were in. She thrashed, trying to break free, but she couldn't. She was a snared rabbit.

"Please, get off her!" Bran yelled.

"Hodor! Hodor!"

"Please! Please, leave her alone!"

The men tried to take her boots off.

"Please, stop. Stop!" Bran begged. "What are you doing? Leave her alone!"

"Hodor. Hodor."

Karl came over, "Shh, shh, shh."

Meera gasped, trying to catch her breath as the two men stepped away. Karl cradled her face, looking into her brown eyes. Those brown eyes were terrified. Meera did not want to be raped. Like any noblewoman, she was saving her virtue until marriage. Any premarital would ruin her reputation. Let alone she did not wish to sire a bastard out of rape.

"You've got pretty hair, don't you?" Karl murmured. "Now, what is a pretty little highborn girl like you doing out here in the deep, dark woods, eh?"

Meera panted, still traumatized by what just happened.

"You left your daddy's castle looking for trouble, didn't ya?" Karl continued, feeling her curly hair. "No dresses for you. You like it rough, don't you? You like it in the gutter, don't you?"

"If you let my sister go, I can help you," Jojen interrupted calmly.

Karl turned slightly, giving a demeanor look, "You can help me?"

"I can," Jojen confirmed.

Karl looked at him again, "And how ya gonna do that?"

"I have the sight," Jojen explained. "I can see things."

"That's very helpful," Karl replied doubtfully as if he had heard something stupid.

"Things that haven't happened yet," Jojen clarified.

Karl shrugged and paused. Since Mormont's expedition, he has encountered wights and white walkers. He has heard about Wildling tribes that mind-control animals. So, what is the possibility of encountering a seer? He remembers the stories about magical people long ago. Many thought they had gone extinct. And now, a boy is saying he can see the future.

"What a fine thing," Karl said as he knelt before Jojen. "A fine thing. Have you seen what I'm gonna do to your sister? Have you seen what they're going to do to your sister?"

Jojen kept a neutral face.

"No," Karl smirked, drawing a dagger, "Don't close your eyes."

The Cutthroat stood up, making his way towards Meera. Ready to use his daggers to cut open her furs and begin his sadistic fun.

"I saw you die tonight," Jojen said.

Karl stopped in his place.

"I saw your body burn," Jojen happily said. "I saw the snow fall and bury your bones."

Karl turned around with a scowled look. Ready to cut that smug look on Jojen's face. Just as he was about to stab the boy, a sound of chaos could be heard as a mutineer outside yelled.

"To arms!"

Rast burst into the hut, "They're here, the Night's Watch."

Karl growled as he ran out.

Meera sighed in relief, for help was on the way.

.o0o.

Jon leads the Night's Watch into Craster's Keep from the east side. They charged in, using the new moon to cover them. The gods were on their side as the mutineers panicked, trying to find their weapons while the Night's Watch came in for the attack.

One came after Jon, who deflected it with Longclaw. Not wanting to deal with Jon, the mutineer rushed to the others. Leaving Jon exposed for a moment when another mutineer came for the attack. The Night's watch and mutineers fought each other while the women ran away. Screams could be heard in the heated battle.

Meanwhile, Locke scurried through the chaos, making his way towards the west side where the hut was. He killed two on the way but managed to reach his destination. Barging into the hut, finding the girl strung up.

"Rescue party is here, lads," Locke announced, sheathing his sword. "Lady."

It would have been courteous to free Meera first. However, Locke went straight for Bran. He took out his dagger and started cutting the ropes that held the boy to a pillar.

"Is Jon with you?" Bran asked.

"Aye. I'll take you to him," Locke answered, cutting the ropes. "You're Brandon Stark?"

All three of the children's eyes widen. How could Locke know he was Brandon Stark? So far, the only people who knew about the heir of Winterfell going beyond the Wall were Osha, Rickon, Samwell, Gilly, and the wildling Imogen. If not the mutineers. It would be understandable if Samwell told Jon, but Jon wouldn't have openly told people his younger brother was out in the wild. Also, Bran knew his mistake about asking if Jon was there. It would lead to more questions.

Bran looked ahead, ignoring Locke's question. The man raised a brow, using his dagger to slice Bran's leg. The boy cursed for his paralyzed, as he did not wince since he did not feel the pain of being cut. Only the feeling of pressure. Meera gasped when seeing this.

"Hodor. Hodor. Hodor!" Hodor cried out, worried for his lord.

"The little crippled lord," Locke confirmed, with a smirk. "We're going for a ride, boy."

"Jon! Jon!" Bran called out for his older brother.

Lock covered Bran's mouth, "Keep talking, and I'll cut your friends' throats."

Hodor started moving back and forth, trying to gain attention from the Cutthroat. Banging his body against the Wall.

"Starting with the idiot. Do you hear?" Locke threatened. "Do you hear?"

Bran could only nod.

Hodor continued to shout while Bran stared at Jojen, having a plan. Jojen saw the plan in a vision and nodded. Bran nodded back, letting Locke finish untying Bran except for his hands. Not wasting time, the Cutthroat lifted Bran and flung him over his shoulder. He needed to escape before the Night's Watch noticed he was gone. There would be a half-day trip to Castle Black before sneaking off back to the Boltons, where a nice reward is waiting for him. Both leave with ease.

Locke was utterly unaware of Bran's abilities as the boy warged into Hodor. Hodor panic soon stopped as his blue eyes rolled to the back of his head and turned dark. Bran was in control, manipulating Hodor's body to move back and forth to break free from the chains. It took several tries until the chain snapped.

The battle continued outside. So far, Jon had killed three men.

Back to Locke, he continued to run through the west side. A horse was waiting nearby, making the escape much more accessible. He was about a hundred feet away from the Keep when a growl caught his attention. Looking up, he saw a massive black direwolf staring at him with silver eyes.

"Bloody hell," Locke exasperated.

Before Locke could react, Bran, through Hodor, caught up, yanking his body from the man. Locke stumbled, grabbing his dagger, but Hodor grabbed him around the neck, lifting him into the air. Locke tried to fight back, yet Hodor/Bran used their other hand to grab Locke's head and roughly yanked it to the side. Snapping, if not cracking the neck, killing Locke instantly. Hodor/Bran dropped the body.

Suddenly, Hodor was pinned down on the ground by the massive direwolf. Dark eyes widened in shock until silver eyes were seen. Before he could react, the spirit inside the direwolf warged into Hodor's mind.

Bran was confused, finding himself back in Winterfell. He stood in the courtyard. Hodor was there, only he seemed more interested in the horses by the stable. Unaware of the change. Bran, utterly confused, turned around to see Imogen again. She stood there in a gray gown with a black vest. Her hair was down, yet it did not cover the wolf tattoo on her neck. Her silver eyes were livid with anger.

"Imogen?" he asked.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Imogen yelled.

"I…I…" Bran didn't know what to say.

"Did you not heed my warning?" She yelled. "The true North is not safe for a cripple boy!"

"But I have to see the Three-Eyed Raven," Bran explained. "My friend says he can help me."

"He won't help you. The only thing that damned bird wants is your abilities and body." Imogen said. "You will be nothing but a vessel to him."

"What do you mean?" Bran asked.

Imogen took a deep breath. Her body was still shaking. It reminded him of the deserter, who was traumatized by fear. The man talked about seeing the White Walkers. What has Imogen seen from the Three-Eyed Raven that would leave such a physical effect on her? Why does she not want him to see the Raven?

"Please, help me understand?" Bran begged.

Imogen opened her eyes, gaining some control of her emotions, "All he wants is a vessel. You will become his vessel. If you dare take this path, know that power will not solve everything. Knowledge and possibilities won't be enough to satisfy a damned life. Especially when you are isolated from the world. We are nothing but pawns to him."

Bran took her words in. Jojen says the Three-Eyed Raven can help them. And yet, here is someone who has encountered the Three-Eyed Raven saying he shouldn't. He doesn't know who to trust.

"Then why is he calling out to me?" Bran asked.

"What is your last name?" she asked.

"Stark," he answered.

Imogen took a deep breath, "Because you come from an ancient line of kings, down to the First King. Let alone wargs are in your blood."

"How do you know this?" he asked, wanting to know more.

Imogen opened her mouth to speak when there was a raven's caw. They turned their attention to the Raven, perched on a fence, looking at them with three eyes. Imogen scowled, lifting her hand up and swatting the creature away. If vanished, like smoke disappearing into ashes.

"Remember my mark and the words I told you," She warned. "If you follow this path, you will be lost. It will be a fate far worse than death."

"Imogen... wait," he pleaded.

"No time... your friends are waiting," Imogen said, disconnecting the illusion.

Bran had returned to his body. The black direwolf ran away, heading towards the riot that was happening. Summer rushed over to Bran, trying to help his master. Bran panted. He did not understand the confrontation between Imogen and the Three-Eyed Raven. Although, now is not the time to think about it.

"Hodor," Bran panted.

Hodor blinked a few times, wondering how he got out, let alone seeing a dead Locke.

"Hodor, get his knife," Bran commanded "Cut me loose,".

Hodor stared at his hand, seeing blood.

"Hodor, get his knife," Bran ordered.

"Hodor," Hodor panicked.

"Cut me loose, Hodor," Bran nearly shouted.

Immediately, Hodor snapped out of it, grabbed Locke's dagger, and rushed to help his young lord.

"Jojen and Meera, free them," Bran ordered. "Go!"

Hodor nodded, rushing back to the hut.

"Jon," Bran mumbled, forcing his body around to see his brother in the fight.

Bran dragged himself closer. He needed his brother's help. He had not seen Jon since King Robert's visit to Winterfell. "Jon!"

A moment later, Jojen and Meera came over to him.

Jojen rushed to Bran's side, "If he sees you, he won't let you go north."

"He's my brother," Bran countered.

"And wants to protect you," Jojen added. "He'll take you back to Castle Black. You have to decide."

Bran knew Jojen was right. Although he did not know who to believe. If only he could have a few days to think about it. But now is not the time to think. He only has a moment to choose to go back with Jon to Castle Black or continue onward to the Three-Eyed Raven. Why does Imogen hold such hostility towards the Raven? Most importantly, what will happen to him once he encounters the Three-Eyed Raven?

"Do you want to find the Three-Eyed Raven?" Jojen asked.

The young lord looked up, still watching Jon fight. Summer gave a whimper, nudging his master to provide comfort. Regretting his decision, he called out, "Hodor."

"Hodor," Bran replied. "We need to go."

All three nodded as they helped Bran up.

.o0o.

Grenn saw Jon reach the Central Keep. He tried to get over to help Jon when two men attacked him. Grenn wanted to fight them off, but he was outnumbered. Edd was as well. They were being pinned as the mutineers tried to force their blades to gut them open. Little did the mutineers know a black direwolf was standing behind them. It was massive, larger than Ghost. Grenn and Edd pushed the mutineers back. Just as the traitors were going to lunge forward, the direwolf tackled the three, chomping and biting away.

Grenn and Edd panted, trying to catch their breath. Edd, however, quickly recognized the black direwolf. He could feel the scar on his chest throb from the memory of encountering the Wildling Huntress. He looked around, wondering if the Wildling Huntress was here. Only two more mutineers came in for the attack.

.o0o.

Jon enters Craster's Keep, where Karl Tanner pinned one of his brothers and cut his throat. Karl smirked at Jon, finally meeting the Bastard of Winterfell. He kicked the body down, drawing both of his daggers.

"Lord Snow," Karl greeted with a bow. "Are you bringing me back for trial?" He clashed the daggers together. "We had a good thing here. We were free men. You'll never be free. You'll never know what that's like."

Jon made the first move and swung Longclaw overhead. Karl lifted his daggers, blocking it, and shoved it aside. Jon attacked again, except Karl swirled around him, adding a shove. Karl was quick and did not fight with honor. The fire pit separated them as the traitor smiled defiantly. When they got to the other side, Karl attacked. Jon tried his best to block it, keeping his distance. Yet Karl kept slashing rapidly toward him. Their blades clash repeatedly until Karl elbowed Jon.

"You learn how to fight in a castle?" Karl taunted.

Jon attacked, and Karl jumped back, blocking with his daggers. He dodged again, swinging his arm around and stabbing Jon in the thigh. Jon cried out and groaned, staring at Karl.

"Some old man teaches you how to stand, how to parry?"

Jon grabbed Karl's hand, forcing the dagger out of him with a groan, and parried forward. Once more, Karl dodged it, swinging around and slashing the short blades at Jon. Jabbing now and then for Jon's chest.

"How to fight with honor?"

Their blades crossed, Jon having Longclaw in a defensive hold while Karl was on top, adding his weight to force the boy down. Jon threw a punch, causing Karl to stumble back. The duel continued, each a near match. It wasn't long before Jon got behind Karl, securing him in a tight hold. Karl thrust his body, forcing Jon off him. Immediately, the two recovered as their blades clashed to a standstill.

"You know what's wrong with honor?"

Karl spat in Jon's face, followed by a kick in the leg, knocking him down. Before Jon could grab his sword, Karl stepped over his hand. Jon looked up, wide-eyed, thinking this was the end. Just as the traitor was about to give the final blow, Sissy, who had been hiding, grabbed a discarded knife and lunged in, stabbing Karl in the back. Karl turned around, facing his whore while grabbing the knife out of his back.

"You," he growled.

Sissy stumbled back, tripping over a stool. Karl yanked the knife out of his shoulder, stepping forward for the final kill. The moment Karl was in arm's reach, he lunged only to stop the moment Longclaw pierced him from behind and all the way through his mouth. Jon had taken the distraction to stand up and kill Karl when he was most vulnerable. Yanking Longclaw back, Jon kicked Karl down beside Sissy. The young woman panted, staring wide-eyed at her rapist, before looking up at Jon.

Jon heaved, limping over, and knelt before Sissy to see her condition, "Are you all right?"

Sissy nodded, unable to speak.

"Come with me," Jon said. "Come on."

She was hesitant at first. But seeing that Jon had killed her tormentor, she nodded, accepting the hand to help her up. Jon leaned over Sissy yet made sure he did not violate her space as they came outside. Grenn killed the last of the mutineers while the brothers dragged the dead back. Edd pulled up Locke's corpse with a disfigured neck. Sissy saw Morag and her sisters rushing over to them.

"We lost four brothers?" Jon asked.

"Five," Edd said, dropping Locke's body.

"What the Seven Hells could do that to a man?" Grenn gawked at the neck wound.

Jon shrugged his shoulders, "I count ten dead mutineers."

"Locke said there were eleven of them since twelve's head on are the spike," Grenn said.

All three men looked at the bodies, noticing one familiar traitor was missing.

"Where's Rast?" Edd asked.

A growl could be heard as they looked at the gate where the black direwolf stood. Jon tensed, recognizing Skadi from anywhere. And by the looks of the direwolf's eyes, she was warged by Imogen. Jon drew Longclaw, except Grenn stopped her.

"No, he helped us," Grenn said.

Jon was baffled by this. Imogen served the Wildlings. Why would she help them? Skadi stepped aside where Ghost appeared, blood covering his jaw and chest, yet he seemed perfectly fine.

"Where in the Seven Hells?" Jon asked aloud in disbelief. "Come here."

Ghost rushed over to his master, panting happily. Jon knelt down, seeing how much Ghost had grown. The albino direwolf was larger than the average wolf. Ghost whined, and Jon petted his familiar's neck happily.

"I missed you, boy," Jon murmured.

Edd came over, "What should we do with this lot?"

All eyes turned to Craster's wives. Skadi/Imogen saw this and rushed over, separating the Night's Watch from the women. She gave the Crows a warning growl not to come near. The women gasped, not expecting it, then comprehended a Dire was controlling the direwolf trying to protect them.

Jon stood up with caution. Imogen was in control, and the last time they saw each other was during his betrayal. He wasn't close to Imogen since the Dire mainly talked with Ygritte, Orell, and Tormund. Any communication they did have, Ygritte was there. So carefully, he stood before Imogen, yet his attention was on Morag.

"It's not safe for you here on your own," Jon said. "Mance Rayder has an army heading this way, and there's worse out there than Mance. Come with us to Castle Black. We can find your work. Keep you safe."

"Meaning all respect, Ser Crow, Craster beat us and worse," Morag said. "Your brother crows beat us and worse. We'll find our own way."

Jon was dumbfounded by this, "You want to stay here in… Craster's Keep."

Morag rested her hand in Skadi's fur for comfort before spitting at the Keep, "Burn it to the ground and all the dead with it."

Burn the pain and agony.

.o0o.

Imogen's POV

I stared at the burning Keep where all the dead were kept. I stood between the women and the remaining crows. This was filled with so much pain. I've seen what Craster did to his wives/daughters in the past. How the other Free Folk hadn't stepped in to end this is beyond me. Or better yet, come in to steal the girls to be their wives. These women would undoubtedly prefer a husband to save them from this nightmare.

Jon came over, standing beside me. I gave him a warning growl.

"I know you don't like me," he said.

You think, I thought.

"All I ask is if you can help these women find a safer place," he requested. "There's a village twenty miles from here. It's abandoned, but it should be a start for them. Will Mance force them?"

I shook my head no. Mance held honor and would not force women to join his cause.

"I ask you not to do this," he murmured. "You and the rest of the wildlings won't make it."

I gave Jon a growl. How could he have asked me that? He knows what lies beyond the Wall. My tribe and people are in danger. The only place they can be safe is south of the Wall. The only place where the Night King's curse does not affect them is when death arrives. He knows what they are. He has seen the Others before. How can he ask me to stand down?

"We will come up with something, but violence is never the answer," he said.

I shook my head.

"You should leave," Morag said, resting a hand on my mane. "Before she bites your head off."

Jon opened his mouth to speak, yet Edd came over, resting a hand on Jon's shoulder. "We better go before Thorne has our hide."

The Crow sighed in defeat, giving one last pleading look before walking away with his brothers. The women watched the seven men depart, returning back to Castle Black. This will be the only time I will help the crows. I helped to protect the women, nothing more. Although, I wish it was two Dires who were held captive, not Jon and Bran.

"They will understand when death is near," Morag murmured.

I could only nod in agreement.

"You have stayed too long in your wolf. Return to your body," Morag advised.

She was right. It is dangerous to stay in an animal's body for too long. Even though I was a strong Warg, the temptation was there.

"Will your wolf guide us?" Morag asked.

I nodded, knowing Skadi could lend her services as protection until they reached the abandoned village.

"Thank you," Morag said.

I nodded once more then howled. I instructed Skadi to help the women evacuate the area and protect them until they reached the village. It won't be long before Mance and our armies arrive. With nothing else to say, I returned to my body.

I opened my eyes with a gasp. A small fire was in front of me, and Ygritte was roasting a rabbit. After hearing my gasp, she looked up and gave a small smile.

"Was wondering when you'd return," Ygritte said. "How's Skadi doin'?"

I tried to speak, then closed my mouth, unsure how to tell her.

"Well, what is it?" she asked.

I glanced around, ensuring no one, especially the Thenns, was near to hear.

"I encountered Jon," I answered, quietly.

Ygritte's face dropped as she scooted closer. "And…"

"He's still alive…."

I couldn't hold any secrets and whispered to her what had happened.


Hey, everyone thanks you so much for reading my story.

Once more, thanks for reading, and please leave a review!

Updated!