Warg Maiden
Edited by DesertMortician
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones. Just Imogen and the Dire tribes.
Chapter 23: A Breach
Jon's POV
Jon was still trying to wake up from this dream. He was elected the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. It has been a few days since the election, and the transition has been overwhelming. His closest friends guard his back, so none of his brothers stab him because of the tight win between him and Ser Alliser.
The following day, Commander Mallister came to Jon, explaining the position he was in. Jon won not just as Commander of one of the three remaining Night's Watch Castles. No, he was the Lord Commander. Being held responsible for Castle Black, Eastwatch-by-the Sea, and the Shadow Tower. Jon appreciated the elder Commander's words of wisdom. Although surprised, the man bore no malice. Commander Mallister smiled, patting Jon's back as he said,
"I'm old, and you are new. The times are changing."
In the end, Jon accepted the Commander's words.
Later that day, Jon was assigned to his new quarters. It was strange since he knew the room was Commander Mormont's chamber. Now, they were his. Everything was still the same, except for the change of linens and furs on the bed. No longer does he have to share quarters with the others. This time, he had more privacy. One he is thankful for. Since not many members have their own rooms, except those in the council.
He has even taken Olly as his steward. The boy was still too young to surrender his life to the Watch. Jon hopes having Olly by his side can guide the young boy on the road he wants to take and not rush into battle. Despite the error in what Olly did to Ygritte, Jon knew the boy was trying to protect him. He hopes he can teach Olly better.
Olly entered the room as Jon assigned him his chores. As the boy did his work, Jon glanced out the window to see Imogen escorted back to her chamber through the grounds. The new Lord Commander was still in question about Imogen and what she had told him before the election.
"Since the creation of the Wall, we don't use the name because of the stigma it holds. Over time, many have forgotten, and we go by our names and parents' names. We practically forgot who our ancestors were until the Three-Eyed Raven took me under his wing. He showed me my ancestors since the Long Night."
Jon wondered by any chance if Imogen and her family were…Starks.
The wolf that marks both Fenrir's and Imogen's necks holds the exact resemblance to House Stark. The mannerisms were similar to Ned Stark's, along with the gray eyes. Barely a few remaining Starks have gray eyes. So far, only Ned and Arya hold gray eyes, while he and Bran have dark eyes, and the rest of Rob, Sansa, and Rickon have blue eyes from Lady Caitlyn. In the end, Imogen was an enigma. Maybe her ancestor met a Stark who joined the Night's Watch thousands of years ago and stole the crest as theirs. If only Maester Luwin had been here to help him.
He sighed; Imogen was getting under his skin. He honestly doesn't know what to do with her. His brothers find her a threat to what she has done to them. She has killed many of them. However, many of the wildlings defended her, stating she killed the Night's Watch members to protect those who couldn't defend themselves or attempted to rape and kill her. Let alone, she is a warg—a powerful one.
It doesn't help that she can warg into an animal without looking at the beast, especially when Frigg and Orell have been flying about. The worst would be if Imogen wargs into Skadi… the damage the massive Direwolf can do, including Fenrir with Valko. So…why haven't the Wargs attacked Castle Black already? Jon saw them on the rafters watching the elections. Why haven't they attacked?
It brought back his concern when confronting Mance after the Battle of Castle Black. Hundred-thousand wildlings were there at night, and a few thousand remained during the day. Either many have given up on Mance, or another attack is coming.
Sighing, Jon sat at his desk, looking at the papers. The Night's Watch was way behind since Commander Mormont's death, and Ser Alliser barely did any of it. He was going through a document when there was a knock on the door.
"Let them in," Jon said.
Olly stood up from his corner and answered the door. Thus, enter King Stannis and Ser Davos.
"Lord Commander," Stannis greeted.
Jon stood up, "Your Grace."
Stannis stared at the boy, "I'd like to speak alone."
Olly was about to leave when Jon said, "Olly is my steward now as I was Lord Commander Mormont's. I want him to attend my meetings to learn from men with experience."
Stannis gave him a look.
Jon stared at Olly with a proud smile, "One day, he might command."
Olly stood by the door, trying not to smile. On the other hand, Stannis was in disbelief while Ser Davos watched by the window, impressed. The entitled king sighed, not going to argue as he took a seat, "Very well. Have you considered my offer?"
Jon took his seat, knowing the offer Stannis was addressing. To be legitimized and receive Winterfell as Lord and Warden of the North in exchange for serving Stannis in the war. Ned failed to be a Stark and a Stark with King Robert. However, there was a slight problem—his vow and commitment to the Night's Watch and the Great War that was to come.
"I have," Jon confirmed. "And I thank you for it. You do me a great honor. All my life, I wanted to be Jon Stark."
"Say the word, and you will be," Stannis said.
Jon took a deep breath, "But I have to refuse you."
This baffled Stannis as he tried to keep his composure.
"I'm Lord Commander of the Night's Watch," Jon explained. "My place is here."
"I'm giving you the chance to avenge your family, to take back the castle where you grew up." Stannis reminded. "To rule the North."
"I wish I could fight beside you. Believe me, I do." Jon said. "But I swore a sacred vow at the godswood. I pledge my life to the Night's Watch."
"You're as stubborn as your father," Stannis noted. "And as honorable."
"I can imagine no higher praise," Jon commented.
"I didn't mean it as praise. Honor got your father killed." Stannis countered. "But if your minds made up, I won't try and dissuade you."
They both stood up.
"May I ask, Your Grace, how long you plan to stay at Castle Black?" Jon asked.
Stannis stared at him, insulted by the question," Are you bored of us already?"
Jon quickly replied, "You saved us from Mance Rayder's army. We will never forget that. But it's a question of survival. The Night's Watch can't continue to feed your men and the wildling prisoners indefinitely. Winter is coming."
They received a raven just after the expedition, announcing that the summer season was over and that autumn had arrived. Many know that autumn is the shortest season, a time for people to start preserving resources. Let alone they had a long summer, and a long summer meant a longer winter, including the threat of the White Walkers.
Stannis smirked at that motto and said, "I know it. We march on Winterfell within the fortnight before the snow traps us here."
When Lord Overton came in, Jon would ask about the Wildlings, "You both need to come out now."
"What is the meaning of this," Stannis exclaimed.
"Forgive me, Your Grace," Lord Overton apologized. "But two members from the Shadow Tower arrived all bloody with grave news."
Jon's eyes widened as he rushed out of the chamber, not bothering to wear a cloak. Olly came right behind him, along with the others. In the courtyard were two members, worn out and tired. Their horses were lying on the ground, exhausted as they ran all the way from the west without stopping.
Commander Mallister, Blane, and other members of the Shadow Tower tried to comfort their closest brothers. They wore leather and fur like any Night's Watch member, although their armor was bronze and steel.
"What happened?" Jon asked.
"The Shadow Tower was attacked by wildlings," one man named Cedric said. "They attacked during the new moon. There was an increase of wildlings sneaking around, and we thought we stopped them…but we were wrong." Cedric took a deep breath. "They rowed through the river while many climbed the Wall. We tried to stop them, until…until the…they were not like any man we have seen. They looked very different and used axes that were the size of a horse. Most were as tall…as giants."
Jon's eyes widened, wondering how many giants were genuinely out there.
"I fear these are the same wildlings from the battle," Lord Overton said.
"They laid everything to waste with grievous plundering," One name, Hamish, added.
"How could this have happened?" Ser Alliser demanded.
"I have never in my life seen men fight as these wildlings," Cedric explained. "Believe me, there's something devilish in the way they look in their lack of fear in the face of death. Many wore masks of animals, riding along with dire wolves, bears, and wildcats. Once the siege was done, they collected our fallen, taking us to the courtyard where a…a…"
"A what?" Blane asked.
"A woman wearing a white wolf's mask stood beside two young men with the same face," Cedric answered. "She told us to give you a message."
"And what is the message?" Jon asked.
Cedric took a deep breath, "To release the prisoners and return them to the west. She wants to speak terms with the new Lord Commander and the King, who claims his birthright. If you do not show at the Nightfort…she vows all the villages will burn to the ground."
"Who is this woman?" Stannis asked.
"She goes by the name Boudica," Hamish answered. "And she is not afraid to spill blood."
Jon paused, trying to remember that name. He heard that name once when traveling with the wildlings. Tormund commented about Boudica when they crossed the Wall and made camp. As Giantsbane blabbered about dangerous women.
Why does Boudica sound familiar? Jon thought.
And then Jon remembered….
.o0o.
Imogen's POV
I stared out the window and saw a gathering of crows in the courtyard. I had warged into a mouse to get a closer look to see what was happening. When the Shadow Crows spoke of the attack, I knew Boudica led the western castle invasion and claimed it. After getting the news, I immediately scurried to Fenrir, passing the message along. Fenrir was pleased, knowing what was to come. Orell has reported that there are seventy-five thousand wildlings at the ready.
Stannis only brought three thousand men, while Lord Overton had a hundred and so men. They will be outnumbered. The question is, are Jon and the others willing to accept these terms? There should never be this much bloodshed to survive. My people only want to cross to prepare for the second-long night.
The door opened, and I turned around to see Jon standing there. His face was severe. No doubt, he got the word.
"Lord Commander," I greeted.
"You knew," Jon accused.
"Knew what?" I asked.
"You knew of the second attack," he answered, shutting the door and making his way over. "You knew the wildlings were going to attack the Shadow Tower."
"Mance wasn't a blindsided fool," I said. "You forget which castle Mance served when the Night's Watch killed his village and stole him as a child. He told many how to attack the Shadow Tower if the siege of Castle Black were to fail. Mance was stalling by sacrificing himself."
"Imogen- " he started.
"Don't Imogen me," I interrupted. "You know that my people are suffering beyond the Wall. Our loved ones dying and being resurrected to become our enemies. You saw the Others and fought their slaves. And yet, you Southerners focus on a chair of iron. King's Blood and Power. Ignorant for what is to come."
Jon remained silent.
"You know the Night's Watch has failed the world of men," I said. "If you want to redeem what has been stolen, you let us go and cross the Wall. There is a war coming, Jon Snow. A war that will need every able body soul to fight. Otherwise, the Night King will win."
"The Night King?" he asked. "Who is the Night King?"
Sitting on the chair, I bit my tongue and took a deep breath. "He is the First White Walker."
"The first?" Jon asked in disbelief.
I nodded, "The Three-Eyed Raven showed me his origin. The Children turned a human into a creature to rid Westeros of men."
"The First Men," Jon clarified.
"The war between the Children and the First Men grew tiresome. Death was everywhere, and the sacred weirwood trees were being destroyed. So, the Children created the Night King. A creature that cannot feel pain and cannot be killed so easily. As the war grew on, and the Night King created his army to protect the realm, he turned on his masters. Thus started the Long Night." I explained. "Three Generations fought against him; men, Giants, and the Children managed to defeat him and put him in an eternal slumber while his army roamed the True North. The Sealgaireans, my ancestors, fought to exterminate the Others as the Wall was being built. It was done for thousands of years, yet the Andals came and banished us, calling us savages. Five thousand years later of silence, until three hundred years ago the Night King awoke, and the last two decades he has been collecting."
Jon grasped my words.
"The Night King is someone you can't negotiate with," I warned. "An army that doesn't leave corpses behind on the battlefield."
"Have you ever encountered him?" he asked.
"Only through visions of the past while under the Raven's guidance," I answered. "I've only encountered his children. And killed three so far."
"So, they can be killed," he said.
"With dragonglass," I confirmed. "But understand, we must work together before it is too late."
Jon nodded as he made his way to the door.
"Jon," I said. "Don't make the same mistake twice."
Jon stopped where he was and turned around to face me. "I won't. But I can't promise you anything."
Something told me I was going to be here longer than expected. I got up, trying to stop him, but the shackle on my ankle prevented me. Jon made his way out.
Furious, I screamed, "SNOW!"
.o0o.
Jon's POV
The following day, Jon and a group were heading off to the Nightfort with Stannis, several of the Night's Watch, half of Stannis's army, and the majority of the prisoners, except for a few hundred. Stannis advised that they keep hostages in case the negotiation doesn't work out. As Imogen and Tormund remained as prisoners. Jon felt they could be of use in the future. Especially when Imogen is the first-born child of Fenrir. A chieftain's daughter.
Fenrir was forced to come; however, they did not release Valko. The elder direwolf was stuck in the kennel with Skadi. Jon can sense the dark glances from the wildlings at him. But what can he do against Stannis's orders? Jon can only pray that the negotiation will follow. Sensing the danger, Jon had left Ghost behind so Fenrir or any Wargs wouldn't possess him.
Jon stared at Stannis, who continued straight on.
"Your Grace," Jon started.
"What is it?" Stannis replied.
"What are we going to do with the Wildlings?" Jon asked.
"If they'd rather burn than fight for me, so be it," Stannis answered. "I leave their fate to you until the Great War."
Jon was surprised that Stannis knew of the Great War.
"You could execute the remaining prisoners, but Boudica will retaliate," Stannis added. "Or you could see Fenrir, Imogen, or this Tormund fellow is more willing to compromise than Mance ever was. I assume the brothers of the Night's Watch would rather see the wildlings dead."
"Most of the brothers, yes," Jon sadly agreed. "There's little love for the Free Folk here."
"You're the Lord Commander. Your decision," Stannis decided.
Jon sighed, nervous that Stannis was giving him the Wildlings' responsibilities while the King fought to reclaim his throne.
"Have you considered sending Alliser Thorne elsewhere?" Stannis asked. "Give him command of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea."
"I heard it was best to keep your enemies close," Jon said.
"Whoever said that didn't have many enemies," Stannis replied.
Afterward, Stannis continued onward. With much distance, Jon took a deep breath, covering his face for a moment, unaware of Ser Davos leading his horse close to him.
"He sees something in you," Ser Davos said. "Might not be apparent from his tone, but it's the truth. He believes in you."
"I'm sorry I disappointed him," Jon sarcastically said.
Ser Davos stared at him, "The king is a complicated man, but he wants what's right for the Seven Kingdoms."
"As long as he's ruling them." Jon countered.
"He's the one true king," Ser Davos reminded him. "He has a blood right to that throne."
"I've sworn to stay clear of the politics of the Seven Kingdoms," Jon said.
"Have you now?" Ser Davos asked, then stared at Gared Tuttle, who was riding along. "How does the Night's Watch vow go again? I'll bet you got it memorized since you got here."
Gared glanced at Jon, who nodded to speak.
"Night gathers and now my watch begins," Gared started.
"No, not that bit. The bit at the end," Ser Davos corrected.
"I am the sword in the darkness, the watcher on the walls, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life –"
"Right, that's enough," Ser Davos stopped him, then turned to Jon. "The shield that guards the realms of men. That's what you swore to be. Now, I'm not a learned man, but the best way to help most people might not be sitting in a frozen castle at the edge of the world. It just might mean wading in the muck, getting your boots dirty, and doing what needs to be done."
"And what needs to be done?" Jon asked bitterly.
"As long as the Boltons rule the North, the North will suffer," Ser Davos said. "Just one man's opinion."
With nothing else to say, Ser Davos rode ahead. Jon sighed, taking the older knight's words in. Along with what Imogen told him about the Night King. As much as a part of him wanted to seek vengeance for his family. He knows the real enemy is the White Walkers and their King. If he and Stannis can negotiate with Boudica, then maybe, just maybe, he can save everyone.
.o0o.
Imogen's POV
I watched as my father and the Free Folk hostages were taken away. However, not many were left. As I warged around, too many remained in the dungeon. I did not like where this was going. I sat on the bed and closed my eyes to connect with Frigg.
When I opened my eyes, I stared through the owl's vision, finding her atop the Wall. Taking control, I flew towards the west along the Wall. I continued to soar, staying high in the sky so the Crows and Stannis's army didn't find me. As I flew, Orell spotted me and followed along. He gave a bob of his head, leading the way.
Flying through the sky was faster than riding a horse. It would be late at night when I arrived at the abandoned castle known as the Nightfort. There were thousands of Free Folk there assembling the ruins to find accommodations for the night. Orell continued leading the way through the castle until arriving at the great hall where many meals were prepped. At the front were familiar faces.
At the front stood a proud woman. She was tall, had dark red braided hair, and had vibrant green eyes. She wore Dire armor while a white cloak covered her shoulders. Beside her were two young men with dark red hair, except they had gray eyes. One had long braided hair with the sides shaved. Meanwhile, the other had short hair with a small braid at the back of his neck.
Orell and I landed on the table. The three looked up to see us as Boudica gave a motherly smile.
"Imogen," Boudica greeted, offering an arm.
I flew over, landing on her arm. Boudica rested her head against my own. I sighed, breathing in her scent, for it had been a long time. When we pulled back, I glanced at my brothers.
"Got yourself captured, eh, sis?" Ethan teased, having long-braided hair.
"You know she can beat your ass," Aiden warned.
Ethan laughed.
I shook my head and stared at Boudica.
"What news do you bring?" Boudica asked, leveling so our eyes would meet.
Connecting our souls…
I warned her what was to come.
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