Warg Maiden
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Author's note: There is a cursed chapter. I spent weeks on a chapter to get it right, and suddenly, due to a technical error, the chapter vanished. All the hard work that held so much character development is gone, and I go into a funk. I'm sorry for the long wait, as I try to remember and give a good chapter.
Chapter 38: The Truth
Imogen's POV
I gasped, awakened from the vision as my body tensed. All my joints locked into place while muscles tightened, strangling the bones as if they were to snap it. There was a weight on top of my body while my hands were being held tightly.
"Easy now," Someone called out.
I panted, choking while trying to breathe. My vision was blurry with black spots. Everything hurts from the tightness. It was not a seizure, as my body did not thrash or shake. It was like I was being constricted.
The one holding my hand tightly.
"I'm here," the voice said. "I'm here."
It was different from the first voice.
"Breathe."
I'm trying.
"Breathe."
I took several deep breaths.
"You're safe. I'm here."
I listened to the voice as it brought me back. Slowly, my body began to relax, regaining control. I hated this side effect of greensight, especially when my ability and body did not connect. As a warg, a part of me is grounded to my vessel when warging into an animal. But greensight, even with my body grounded, I have no control. That is why I hardly use it unless I have a weirwood tree as a conduit.
Slowly, my vision became normal, and I could see Wun Wun staring down at me. I blinked a few times as it was slowly the early hours of dawn. As the sun slowly broke from the horizon. The vision took longer than expected. Then again, I had witnessed a massacre of the Children and Bloodraven.
"Easy now," Tormund spoke as he secured an arm under my back.
Wun Wun removed his massive hand from me. Tormund and another person helped me sit up, though I leaned against the giant. There I saw it was Jon. I mentally cursed, for he had seen me in my vulnerable state again.
Jon let go of my hand. That is when I realized it was Jon who was bringing me back. It used to be my parents or Ygritte, people I had trusted. And because the vision came out of nowhere, I thought we could make it to the Nightfort for Boudica to watch over me. But it happened sooner rather than later, as I put my trust in Tormund and Wun Wun. And Jon saw it again.
I could see the concern in his dark eyes.
Tormund placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a squeeze, "What did you see?"
I took a deep breath, "The Night King found them?"
The men looked at me, confused, "Who?"
I felt my eyes sting as they watered. I looked down, allowing my hair to cover my face, "The Children of the Forest and the Three-Eyed Raven. Along with…."
I didn't know how to say it. I know Jon is aware that his brother Bran was beyond the Wall with a tall, simple man, Meera, and the direwolf Summer. There was another companion, a young man, Jojen, but I did not see him in the vision. Either he was not there or had died.
I took a deep breath, "The boy, the one called Bran."
Jon tensed when he heard this.
"Bran, Meera, Hodor, and Summer made it to the Children of the Forest," I said. "Being trained by the Three-Eyed Raven. Somehow, the Night King found them."
My throat tightened.
"Bran?" Jon asked after a moment.
"Bran, Meera, and Summer managed to escape," I answered. "The Children tried to stop the wights from getting to them. Hodor died to block the dead from getting to them."
"And the Raven?" Tormund asked.
I took a deep breath, "The Night King killed the vessel."
"What does that mean?" Jon asked.
I face Jon, "It means the Three-Eyed Raven will find a new host. Either Bran or I will be the next Three-Eyed Raven."
Jon sighed, "But Bran's alive."
I did not look at him. If I had, Jon would have realized at this very moment that Bran was alive or part of the Night King's army. I last saw Meera dragging Bran with Summer while Hodor held the door. I couldn't do anything as I watched an innocent man who had no control from being warg hold the door while the wights stabbed and scratched him to death.
The swarm will overwhelm him, and the door will hold no more. I know there are woods nearby, and Meera was heading in that direction. The Night King was focused on the Three-Eyed Raven. Although he slays the vessel of Bloodraven, he knows there are two who have been exposed to the magic of the Three-Eyed Raven. Bran is the closest. And if the bond isn't complete with the Raven and Bran…then the entity will come after me.
I need to get to Boudica to check on the markings. The Children placed these markings on me to ensure I had control of my body. They knew the truth and wanted to protect me from being a pawn. I just hope they did the same to Bran. The blood bond I had with Bran would have protected him as well.
Jon must have realized the predicament his brother was in.
"We need to get to the Nightfort," I said, trying to get up. But I stumbled, and Jon caught me.
"No, we will stay another day so you can rest," he said.
I shook my head, "We don't have time. You need to convince the Council and the Lords to band together."
"She's right," Tormund agreed.
Jon sighed, knowing that was true. He stared at me with concern. I wish he had stopped worrying about me. This was to be expected. So, with nothing else to say, we made our way back, though I rode on Skadi, still weak.
By morning, the others joined.
I continued to sit on Skadi, slouching as my body was sore. Skadi whimpered, sensing my distress. If the company gallops, we can get to the Nightfort by nightfall. Or we can divide it into two groups. For I truly need to get to Boudica.
"Are you alright?"
I adjusted myself to see Sansa there.
"Rough night," I told her before coming down to lean against Skadi for support.
Sansa nodded as she looked at Skadi. She held a memory in her eyes. Jon mentioned that a direwolf came south near Winterfell, although she died. Leaving six pups, each being given to the children of Ned Stark.
"I used to have a direwolf," Sansa murmured with sorrow. "Her name was Lady."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Sansa gave a sad smile. "She was good. Her fur was silver with gold, and her eyes were like topaz. I trained her to be gentle and delicate like a lady."
I nodded, "If you don't mind me asking…what happened to her?"
Sansa took a deep, "My actions led to her death."
"Oh," I mumbled. For that is a sensitive topic.
"I was once betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon," she started.
"The previous king?" I asked to confirm. "He died at his wedding?"
Sansa nodded with a slight smirk, then got serious. "I was naive and stupid, loving the idea of being in love with a prince. We were betrothed to join our two houses. He acted kind…until our journey to King's Landing. We were in Darry en route, and he offered a stroll after I was frightened by Ser Illyn. We walked along the river, trying to get to know one another."
Sansa took a deep breath, "Until we crossed paths with my sister and the butcher's boy playing swords with sticks. Joffrey wanted to put them in their place. By threatening the boy with his sword. Arya stepped in trying to stop it, and her direwolf Nymeria bit him."
She sighed, "I was a fool. Instead of protecting my sister, I focused on the bastard. Arya, Micah, and Nymeria ran away for injuring a Crown Prince. I know what happened, and I lied, saying it happened so fast that I could appease both Joffrey and Arya. But Arya had run away, and my father, with his men, tried to search for her, yet the Lannisters found her. Nymeria was gone. King Robert questioned everyone on the incident. As he declared, children fight, and we all be disciplined."
"How does this relate to Lady?" I asked.
"Nymeria bit Joffrey," she answered. "But Nymeria was gone. So, Cersei, the Queen, demanded that Lady pay the price. She ordered Ser Illyn to kill my direwolf. I pleaded to King Robert to spare Lady, for she was good. That she did nothing. But King Robert did not listen. My father stepped in, saying he would do it."
"I hated my father for killing Lady," she murmured. "Refused to be in the same room as him and denied my Northern heritage."
I took a deep breath.
"When I learned the truth, I regretted how I treated my father," she added. "It is better for my father to give a mercy kill than a butcher from the King's Executioner. He even sent her remains back to Winterfell."
Her eyes began to water.
"As a girl, I thought I could be a princess. A queen, and birth the next king," she muttered. "And it wasn't until King Robert passed. Speared by a boar. A coup from the Lannisters slaughtered the Northerners in the Red Keep. Including my Septa. Seeing my father being labeled as a traitor and being executed."
She took several deep breaths.
I rested a hand on her shoulder. "We all have been deceived in one way or another. And it costs us something in our lives. But we stand and stay strong. Lady may be gone, but her spirit lives on."
Sansa took a deep breath and nodded.
I took Sansa's hand and placed it on Skadi. Sansa was hesitant as she petted the direwolf. She is probably wondering how big Lady would have been if she were still alive. She had questions about direwolves, and I tried to answer them.
I would have offered her a ride if I were not so sore. But I need to be full strength to hold on. Maybe later, I will let her ride. The speed of a direwolf is different from that of a horse.
"It's time to go," Jon called out.
Sansa nodded as she looked at me, "Thank you."
I nodded. Sansa made her way to Lady Brienne. Jon came over and helped her onto her horse. I faced Skadi, feeling grateful that I still had her. I don't know how I would feel if I had lost her in my youth. Skadi has been my rock through these challenging times.
Skadi nuzzled into me as I wrapped my arms around her.
"Let's go," I murmured.
Skadi bobbed her head before lowering to make it easy for me to get on. Once on top, everyone made their way to the Nightfort.
.o0o.
We arrived at the Nightfort the following day. I had sent Frigg the night before to inform them of our arrival. The once-ruined castle has improved. Although there were damaged areas from centuries of neglect, the repairs made it livable for the Free Folk, as huts were spreading out from the massive population.
At the gate stood the giants, my brothers, and Eirwen. The Priestess of White. She is a priestess to another branch of the Dire Tribe. My mother was the Lead Priestess, yet she trained many women who believed in the Old Gods and tended to those in need.
I smiled when I saw her and my brothers.
We stopped at the gate as I got off Skadi. Tormund and Jon soon joined us as we approached Eirwen.
"The Wilding Huntress," Eirwen greeted. "Tormund Giantsbane, and Lord Commander Snow…. No, no longer Lord Commander."
Jon tensed at that statement.
"Eirwen," I said.
She stared at me, seeing we were not in the mood for mind games.
"Boudica has invoked the Guest Right," Eirwen announced as she lifted a wooden platter with bread and salt. "Leave your horses and weapons at the gate."
I dipped a piece of bread in salt before eating it. I smiled, savoring the flavor of true salt. Eirwen offered the same to Tormund, who took it with ease. Jon did the same, trying to mask the saltiness. When it came to Sansa, she almost broke her composure as she took the bread and salt. Lady Brienne and Podrick did the same. Podrick looked at his lady, who mainly nodded.
Ethan and Aiden came over to collect the weapons from the Southerners. Jon complied as he handed over Longclaw to Aiden. Ethan came over to Brienne, gesturing for her sword. Brienne was hesitant, glancing at Sansa, who nodded. With caution, Brienne handed her sword to Ethan with a warning look. My spear was not confiscated since it can only be used on White Walkers and wights.
Once all was settled, Eirwen led the way into the Nightfort.
My parents and the chieftains on the other side stood in the courtyard to greet us with the Free Folk. We made our way over. Fenrir stepped forward, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, pressing our foreheads as we breathed in the same air.
"Papa," I whispered softly.
"Thank the gods," he whispered.
Fenrir nodded as he pulled away. Boudica was not wearing her mask as she came over, doing the same as she pressed her forehead against my own.
"A year," she murmured. "To have you back after a year, my cub."
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
She kissed my forehead, "You are back. And we will make things right."
I turned my attention to the Chieftains and saw Karsi and Dim Dalba there. Jon came over with Sansa, Brienne, and Podrick.
"Great Priestess Boudica and the Chieftains of the Free Folk, may I introduce you to Lady Sansa of House Stark," I introduced.
My people stare at the Stark Girl.
Boudica stared at Sansa with her green eyes, one she stared at all who was not a Dire. She glanced at the girl, sensing the trauma the young woman went through, then stared at me for confirmation. I nodded, confirming Sansa was a strong soul.
"Welcome to the Nightfort, Lady Sansa," Boudica greeted.
"Thank you," Sansa replied. "I hope we can speak about- "
Boudica raised her hand to silence her, "You all have come far, and you must rest. We will discuss it tomorrow."
Sansa was about to speak, yet Jon stepped in, "Thank you, Boudica."
Boudica nodded as she gestured to Eirwen to lead them. Jon and his company were escorted into the castle with nothing else to say. The Free Folk dispatched, knowing they needed to get back to work. Tormund saw his daughters and made his way over to them. I smiled, knowing it had been long since Tormund had seen them.
Before facing my family, I was tackled into a hug, feeling the air leaving my lungs as Aiden and Ethan embraced me.
"How does the great Wilding Huntress get captured by crows?" Ethan asked.
"Don't," I growled.
They pulled away as they patted hard on my back, and I felt a shot of pain, causing me to stand up straight with a groan. Their eyes widened.
"Sorry, we forgot," Aiden apologized.
I seethed a few deep breaths and nodded.
Boudica frowned, as did Fenrir. They can sense something has happened. We made our way to the chambers, they have claimed. One would say my mother has become the Queen Beyond the Wall. Yet my mother disapproves of such a title other than Priestess. She gathered all the Western clans and tribes to take down the Shadow Tower to claim and get her people back.
I sat down with a sigh.
"What happened?" Boudica asked. "Were you injured?"
I shook my head, "No."
"Then what happened?" Fenrir asked.
I took a deep breath and told them about the vision: how the Night King found the Children of the Forest and swarming them to death, how the Night King killed Bloodraven, and Bran's unknown whereabouts.
Boudica frowned, "So the Three-Eyed Raven is vulnerable."
"If Bran is dead, he would come after me for a host," I confirmed.
"No," Fenrir growled.
Ethan and Aiden tensed when hearing this.
"As if the feather bastard will have you," Ethan threatened.
"Not again," Aiden promised.
I smiled softly, "Thank you."
Boudica came over, "What do you need?"
"I need you to check my markings and... mend my back," I said.
Boudica nodded. Even though the children are gone, my mother can mend what has been damaged. I need to make sure the marks protect me from the Free-Eyed Raven and the Night King.
With nothing else to say, my mother held me in her arms.
.o0o.
Later that night, Boudica, with the help of Eirwen, examined my body. They were enraged to see the scars on my back, cursing Ser Alliser's soul wherever it was. With all that had happened and the limited time, they made a staining paste, staining any runes and markings that seemed to be damaged. It was temporary until Boudica could tattoo them. Afterward, I lay on my stomach as my mother redid my back to save the image.
I stayed in a room that was assigned to me near my family.
When I fell asleep, my mother hummed as she murmured a song about healing. Sleep finally claimed me.
I opened my eyes to find myself on the coast of the Red Keep on a battlement, covered in snow. My eyes widened, realizing where I was. Never have I seen this place covered in snow.
As much as I hated Bloodraven for what he had done to me….
I gave a frustrated growl and searched for him.
I ran to the Red Keep, going to the places he would be. He was not in the Throne Room, the council room, or the library. Then, I went to the Tower of the Hand.
"Brynden!" I called out.
Still, he was not there, so I ran up the stairs, checking each room. I tried to find him, wondering where else he would be. Then I thought about the godswood. I ran to the godswood, or what remains of it. Since the once godswood was torn down during the Dance of Dragons. All that was left was a stump of a weirwood tree and a garden.
I panted, going through the gardens and trying to find Bloodraven until I spotted blood in the snow. Spirits can't bleed. Panicked, I follow the trail of blood through the maze until reaching the godswood. There on the ground was Bloodraven in a pool of blood.
"Brynden!" I gasped, rushing over to him.
I knelt on the ground, rolling Bloodraven onto his back. He groaned as I saw the wound that went from his shoulder down across his chest. The wound was deep, as blood seeped. He opened his red and pink eyes, looking at me in relief. A small smile lifted his lips as the birthmark of a bird to flap.
"You made it," he breathed.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I think… you know," he murmured to the ground, placing a hand on my chest.
I stared at the wound, "Why is winter here?"
Bloodraven never liked the cold. Anytime I came into this world, it was always summer or spring.
"The Night King," he panted. "His magic…. has entered this realm."
I looked at it to explain.
"I…I don't… have much time," he panted, then cried out in pain. "Imogen."
I adjusted him so he leaned against the stump. He panted as he took my hand.
"You need to know…the truth," he said.
"What truth?" I asked.
His face became serious, "Why the Night King…is after…the…Three-Eyed Raven."
I stared at him.
"The Night King … and the…Three-Eyed Raven…are one…in the same," he announced.
My eyes widened, "I don't understand?"
"The Children…the ritual they did…. separated the First Man's soul from his body." He explained. "He was a warg…with greensight. His soul became the entity… the Raven…and his body…."
"Became the Night King," I whispered in shock.
He nodded.
I shook my head, "Why now? Why tell me this now?"
He took a deep breath, "Because he… held this …from me."
His skin became much paler. He groaned in pain as he squeezed my hand tightly.
"I don't have much time," he said. "You must listen…you must listen."
I nodded as I stared into his eyes.
"The Night King is searching for… his soul... He wants to destroy history… and the Raven. To end the cycle that the Raven had created, you must…put the soul back. Once the Night King has his soul, you must… kill him with a blade of…fire."
"Blade of fire?" I asked, confused.
"Valyrian steel," he clarified. "Dragonglass won't work on… him… for his heart is of it. You must use Dark Sister… to slay him."
"Dark Sister has been stolen," I said.
Bloodraven cursed and took a deep breath. "You will get it. It will be… a bloodbath, but you will get Dark Sister back."
I nodded.
However, another thought came to mind, "But if we joined them… together, history would be lost."
Bloodraven shook his head, "No…the Children and I ensure it… Bran…. he will be the next keeper… The spell the children taught you…the bond you two made is the first step."
"Bran's alive?" I asked to be sure.
"Yes, for now," he heaved. "The Raven will have control…. But once you see him…. you must bind the Raven's spirit to the heart tree. There… the boy…. will be free until the time is right."
He yanked me forward, landing on top of him, as he whispered the spells in the children's tongue: the spell to trap the Three-Eyed Raven, the spell to save Bran, and the spell to join the body and soul. My eyes widened as I pulled back to stare at him. He nodded in confirmation.
"I'm sorry... Imogen," he murmured as his bloody hand cradled my cheek. "I couldn't…. let you live this life…I saw two futures... Us together… as the Three-Eyed Raven that would be the end of all free will…. Or you… free… with a future of your own."
"Brynden," I murmured.
"I love you," he confessed. "I know…you hate me…. for what…I have…done…but I let you go….to save you."
I took a deep breath, for a part of me still loved him even though we could never be together. I leaned in and kissed him. Brynden was surprised before he kissed me back. When I pulled back, tears fell on both of us.
All this time, he was protecting me from a terrible fate.
"Fly to the Seven Heavens, Brynden," I murmured. "Be with your family again."
"Imo…gen," he breathed, until death claimed him.
I sobbed as I held Brynden in my arms only to turn to ash. I spent years hating him for abandoning me, thinking he denied me my true fate of being the next Three-Eyed Raven. But now I know Brynden saw a fate worse than his as the next host.
Now I know the truth.
And I will make sure Brynden and all those who suffer do not die in vain.
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