Warg Maiden

Edited by xXFallenSakuraXx52

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones

Chapter 5: The Climb

Ygritte's POV

Ygritte and Jon knew they needed to leave the cave to do the mission. Although, neither one wanted to leave the cave. They were happy. There was no need to think about the White Walkers and the Night's Watch. However, they've made a promise. So, they got dressed, securing their gear before coming out for the early hours of the morning. As promised, Skadi guarded their spring entrance to prevent another Free Folk from disturbing them. Jon was a bit embarrassed at the thought. Yet, Ygritte smiled softly, petting the giant direwolf's head, promising to get her some rabbits later.

Once done petting Skadi, she looked up to the lake for Imogen. Seeing her friend standing by the lake, her arm extended over the water while Frigg flew around the lake. No doubt she was warging, but this was not the usual warging. No, Ygritte knew Imogen's time with the Children of the Forest taught her how to connect to nature. If one is very quiet and listens carefully, they can hear the Warg speak in the language of the Children. It almost sounded like Old Tongue, yet different, almost in song.

Jon seemed to notice, "What is she doing?"

"She's trying to wake Spring," Ygritte explained.

"Spring?" Jon asked.

Ygritte nodded, listening to the song, "Long ago, there were parts of green as the trees on the valleys and fields while the mountains contained the snow."

There has been no season for them beyond the Wall. It has always been winter. Unless one lives by the springs, it has been snow and ice. Jon remained silent as he listened to the chanting while Frigg made unique motions in the sky.

"Long ago, she vanished, five years ago amongst the children," Ygritte said.

Jon looked at her to explain.

"The Children of the Forest took her along with the Three-Eyed Raven, making her one of 'em. But they no longer wanted her. Tossed her aside in the snow, marking her skin to warn us how the war for the living ends."

She thought back to a few years ago. Inside a tent when returning to Imogen's clan to be treated after being rescued from the wights. Imogen's clothes were tight and worn, no longer fitting her. The wise woman of the tribe treated any possible wounds, yet the only sign of injury was the lack of nutrition.

So, when Ygritte entered the tent, she saw Imogen's back. Seeing the blue, green, and black stains taking the shape of the artwork seen in the caves the Children of the Forest had left behind. The markings were swirling around her back, taking the form of a Weirwood tree. Ygritte had touched it, tracing along the lines of the hidden images of animals in the bark and branches. She could make out the wolf, a raven, and some sort of creature she had never seen — the war ending at a weirwood tree.

Ygritte felt sorry for Imogen. At the beginning of her return, Imogen had isolated herself; she only talks when needed and kept a distance, almost like a spearwife from another tribe being stolen by a different tribe. The fiery spearwife had to regain her friend's trust to end the silence. She was learning about what had happened in those five years.

Once the singing ended, Frigg returned to land on Imogen's arm. Ygritte came over to Imogen with caution as she stood beside her friend. Seeing the whites of her eyes return to gray, she slowly put her hand on Imogen's shoulder. The Warg sighed, resting her other hand on Ygritte's own. No words needed to be said. They had been bonded as friends, practically sisters since they were little girls.

"Once we're south, all will be well," Ygritte promised.

"It's never well, not until the Long Night is done," Imogen murmured, staring back at the lake.

.o0o.

Imogen's POV

I squeezed Ygritte's hand, appreciating her comfort. After remembering Brynden, I tried to escape the feeling by bathing in a different hotspring. It helped for a moment, along with drinking some drink that Tormund spiked before falling into a deep sleep. I tried so hard not to think about Brynden. Better to call him Bloodraven and pretend he was only a dream. Somebody who was already dead. I cursed the Three-Eyed Raven for his magical ability to connect the past, the dead, and warging into one. However, I was at fault as well. Therefore, when I woke before dawn, I went over to the lake and did a chant that Leaf taught me while warging into Frigg. A song about the return of spring.

Anyway, we joined the others for a quick breakfast before heading south. Tormund, who has experience with these parts, says it will be a day's journey before reaching the Wall. So, eating the remains of rabbits and foxes, we departed. As usual, I rode on Skadi, wanting as much time with her before we were temporarily separated.

Ygritte hopped on as well.

"So…did you succeed?" I asked.

Ygritte had a wicked grin, "A maid. He was a maid before I took him."

I snorted, shaking my head. She wrapped her arms around my waist tighter, leaning into my ear as she whispered.

"And he did things with his tongue. Kissed me on my lower lips."

I suppressed a chuckle, although the thought of Bloodraven performing the same act on me long ago. I believe the act is called cunnilingus. Either way, I merely shrugged. Usually, it's all about penetration sex for the Free Folk.

"Hopefully, you'll find someone," she assured.

I sighed, not sure if I would ever find someone. I only cared about getting the Free Folk south of the Wall and preparing for the Long Night. I may have seen the past, but I've seen a few possible futures—one of which is most definitely what the Children of the Forest stained on my skin.

Time went on as we continued south. It would be around dusk when arriving at the Wall. We kept to the forest to hide from any possible Crows on patrol. Tormund decided to rest since we would need all the strength for tomorrow's big climb. Small fires were assembled as they gathered around. Ygritte sat by Jon, both whispering to each other.

I sighed, pulling out Dark Sister and checking on the blade to ensure it was sharp. I hardly use Dark Sister except to practice and fight off Crows. The sword was so sharp that anytime I train with a partner, their weapons are split in half after a few strikes. Bloodraven once said the blade was made out of Valyrian steel. It is made out of the lightest, most durable, and sharpest material in the entire world. Once said, Valyrian steel was forged out of dragon fire. Let alone its first owner was a strong woman.

"Who did you steal that sword from?" Jon asked.

"I didn't steal it," I answered.

Jon gave a questionable look.

"And how did you steal your fancy sword?" I countered.

"It was gifted to me by Lord Commander Mormont," he replied, showing the sword. "Longclaw."

He offered to look at it as I handed over my sword.

"Dark Sister," I told him of the sword's name.

Jon's eyes widened as if I had found the most valuable treasure. "This sword vanished since Brynden River went missing almost fifty years ago. Where did you find it?"

"Under a Weirwood Tree," I replied.

Jon gave a questionable look, yet I was telling the truth. I examined Longclaw. It was slightly longer than Dark Sister. A hand and a half handle while the pommel is white, probably carved bone in the shape of a wolf with two red gems for eyes. An albino wolf. I pulled the handle a bit to see the blade being like Dark Sister of Damascus's design, resembling fire trapped in the blade.

After a moment, we switch the blades back to their rightful owners.

"You know how to use that?" he asked.

I raised a brow, and Ygritte chuckled.

"If you like 'em pretty fingers, you better not ask," she warned playfully.

I nodded before putting the sword away and leaning back against Skadi. My hands were combing through her black fur, humming a melody to a tune known by the Dires.

.o0o.

Everyone was preparing for the climb. All the men and women were securing their supplies and spiked shoes to be tightened, if not secured. Orell was helping Tormund as Ygritte, Jon, and I were getting our things together.

"Used to be you couldn't find a tree within a mile of the Wall," Tormund said. "Crows would come out every morning with axes."

Once secured, he walked off.

Orell went over to get his supplies but stopped to look at Jon, "Your flock gets smaller every year."

"Orell, go help Tormund," I warned.

"Scout the Wall," he countered before walking away.

I sighed and stared at Skadi. Once everyone is ready, we will go our separate ways. I have never physically been separated from Skadi. The longest would be at least a week during the wolf mating season. Although, any attempt at a mate for Skadi doesn't meet her expectations. She-wolves are picky in finding a suitable mate since wolves mate for life—the same with the Dires. The thought had me trace the pommel of Dark Sister. Sadly, spiritual guidance is not the same as the real world. Nor is there an absence of time when traveling through the past with the Three-Eyed Raven or learning from Bloodraven.

"You ever climbed it before?" Jon asked.

Ygritte, gathering the spikes, shook her head, "No."

I shook my head. It's been a year, maybe two, since the last time I was by the Wall when I was too late to save the small tribe and helped one of the three crows to escape from a White Walker.

"But Tormund's done it half a hundred times," Ygritte added.

"Didn't he say he fucked a she-bear on an island of bears?" I asked.

Ygritte chuckled, "I believe he has."

Jon turned pale, almost the same shade as his namesake.

Ygritte noticed this, "You're afraid."

Jon scoffed, "Aren't you?"

"Aye," Ygritte agreed. "It's a long way up and a long way down. But …I've waited my whole life to see the world from up there."

"I know," I agreed with a snort.

"Oi," as she threw a snowball at me. "Go fly up the Wall."

I chuckled, knowing it was best to double-check the Wall. I called for Frigg, who swooped down from the trees and landed on my shoulder. I patted her neck for a moment to ease comfort before warging inside her to examine the Wall in search of weak spots and any Crows on the top.

Many people forget that a warg can hear what is happening in their surroundings while in their animals. We can listen, almost like a whisper, in the background until someone shouts our name and gives a shove to snap out of the connection. It is essential to listen to any sounds of humans, for if we stay too long in the animal we inhabit, we start to lose ourselves. So, as I flew across the Wall, I could hear Ygritte and Jon having a conversation.

"Here, sit down. I brought a pair for you," Ygritte told Jon. "They're too big for you, but they're good."

"You kill someone for them?" Jon asked.

"Nah." She teased, "I didn't kill him, but I bet his balls are still bruised."

Jon chuckled.

"He wasn't good to me the way you're good to me. He didn't do that thing you do with your tongue."

"Can we not talk about that here?"

"Can we not talk about that here?" she mocked. "I'm Jon Snow. I've killed dead men and Qhorin Halfhand, but I'm scared of naked girls."

"Did I seem scared the other day?"

"You were trembling like a leaf."

"Only in the beginning."

"Only in the beginning," she chuckled, then said. "You're a proper lover, Jon Snow. And don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."

"What secret?" he asked.

"Do you think I'm as dumb as all those girls in silk dresses you knew growing up? You're loyal, and you're brave. You didn't stop being a crow the day you walked into Mance Rayder's tent."

Silence.

"But I'm your woman now, Jon Snow. You're going to be loyal to your woman. The Night's Watch doesn't care if you live or die. Mance Rayder don't care if I live or die. We're just soldiers in their armies, and there's plenty more to carry on if we go down. . . It's you and me that matters to me and you. Don't ever betray me."

"I won't," he promised.

"'Cause I'll cut your pretty cock right off and wear it 'round my neck."

Once at the top, I saw no signs of Crows, and checking the small base, there appeared to be no indication of being inhabited. If we can reach the top of the Wall by dusk, we will be clear the following day. Just as I was about to return to my body, a hand grabbed my shoulder, giving me a good shake.

I gasped with slight fright and whiplash as my spirit returned to my vessel. It was Tormund who held a pair of spiked shoes.

"Damn you," I growled. "Don't do that."

Tormund gave an amused smirk, "Put them on."

I grabbed the spikes before sitting down and putting them on. Skadi nudged my shoulder, nervous about what was to come. Tormund walked over to Jon, handing him the pickaxe handle, and Jon accepted. Tormund pulled him up onto his feet.

"Sink your metal deep and ensure it holds before taking your next step," Tormund advised. "And if you fall, don't scream. You don't want that to be the last thing she remembers."

Tormund laughs, patting Jon on the shoulder. Ygritte chuckled while I gave an amused smirk. Although Jon kept concerned, if not frightened, he looked at the Wall once more. Although I glanced at the Crow and turned my attention to Ygritte, I gave her a cautious look. If she doesn't turn, Jon Snow…Tormund, Orell, and I will kill him unless the Wall does.

Once everyone was ready and secured, we made our way to the Wall. It was seven hundred feet tall. Roughly eight thousand years old, it was built right after the end of the first Long Night. Its entire purpose is to keep the White Walkers out of Westeros. However, as centuries passed, it separated the Free folk from our ancestral home. Our ancestors went beyond the Wall to scout for a possible return of the Others, only to be betrayed by their brothers. They were known as the Sealgaireans. Now, their bloodline is nearly forgotten, and their descendants are compared to savages. It was time to regain what had been ours before the Andals plagued our ancestors' brothers' minds.

A few campfires were set at the bottom with long branches.

"What are those for?" Jon asked.

"Can't have you coming back if you fall," I replied.

"But who will light them up?" he asked.

Skadi came over, taking one end of the branches in her mouth and picking it up. Jon's eyes widen, not expecting how intelligent Direwolves are. I petted Skadi, as did Ygritte. The black wolf enjoys the attention. Although she gave a slight whimper, this would be our longest time apart. Both of us will be separated by a Wall of Ice.

"We will meet again," I assure her in the Old Tongue.

Skadi whimpered again, nudging me with her snout and giving me a lick on the cheek. I smiled softly, scratching behind her ear, before whispering to her the instructions that after two days, to take care of the fallen, travel east to join Fenrir and Valko. She nodded, giving me a gentle nip on my arm.

Pulling away from my familiar was challenging as I walked over to Tormund, who chose Orell, Ygritte, Jon, and myself to be in his group. Tormund had me as second. I gave him a questionable look, wondering why he was keeping me close, praying to the old gods because I was his friend's daughter or I had knowledge of the past that could be useful. Either way, we took the rope and tied it around our waists and hips. Dark Sister was already secured to my back; it was impossible for it to fall off. Jon did the same for Longclaw. Once we were absolutely secured, Tormund went ahead, and I followed.

I took hold of the pickaxe and struck the ice deep before climbing.

This was going to be a long day.

.o0o.

We were halfway up the Wall, the air becoming cold as the winds started to pick up. My arms and legs ached from the constant climbing, yet I kept motivating myself to keep going—and most importantly, not look down. When I Warg into Frigg, seeing the world below as small was nothing. However, as a human, it was not a pleasant feeling. Not even climbing mountains holds the same appeal as it does with the Wall.

Tormund secured another link before climbing up.

"You staring at me ass, Jon Snow?" Ygritte bellowed playfully.

Tormund struck on a weak spot causing ice to fall, "Look out!"

The cluster of ice passed me while Orell turned a bit. The cluster even missed Ygritte, except it struck Jon in the face, causing him to lose his grip and fall. Fortunately, the belay that Tormund inserted caught him.

"You all right?" Ygritte yelled.

"Just seeing if you can take a hit, lad," Tormund jest.

I rolled my eyes; this was definitely going to be a long day.

We climbed another hundred feet. A storm was passing by, and the winds howled to mask the men's communication. Everyone was yelling from the top of their lungs, except it was difficult to hear. How the men do this for supplies on a regular basis baffles me. Everything was cold, as if spending the night without shelter.

Suddenly, there was a sound of a crack. Tormund stopped, as did I, to wait for the inevitable, yet the crackling did not come our way. Instead, it went to our right from below as the crackling grew louder, causing the ice to shatter and make its way toward our comrades. An avalanche erupted, taking six of our people down before the crack's destructive path. Immediately, I stabbed my weight into the ice and held on for dear life. Ygritte's screams echoed in my ear, followed by the rope tightening around my waist in a painful constriction. I gasped, along with Orell and Tormund, as Ygritte and Jon fell. Our hold on the Wall keeps them from falling to death. Except their weights were not helping.

"We've gotta cut them loose!" Orell exclaimed.

"No!" Tormund yelled. He was trying to hold the rope.

I cried out, praying that Ygritte could grab hold of the Wall. The pain continues to tighten, making it impossible to think straight. However, Orell did not listen to Tormund's orders; he took a knife out and started cutting the rope. He was willing to let Ygritte and Jon die so the rest of us could live. Survival, no matter who it is, it is all about survival.

The storm blocked the view of what was happening. The dark masses of Ygritte and Jon swayed as if trying to get hold of a solid piece of the mountain. It happened so fast that Orell cut the rope and reduced the weight. My eyes widen, expecting to hear my best friend fall to her death along with her lover. Except for a yelp and gasp shortly followed it. Looking down, I saw Jon had managed to reach a ledge and was pulling her up.

"Take my hand!" Jon bellowed.

Ygritte managed to grab it as he pulled her up.

"I can't see them!" Tormund yelled.

"Jon secured their line!" I shouted back.

I could only imagine Tormund sighing in relief before returning to the climb again. It will be harder for Ygritte and Jon since they don't have belays to secure the rope. But knowing my fiery friend, she is one lucky spearwife. So, having faith in her, I continue to climb, dragging Orell up as well.

.o0o.

Tormund made it to the top. He climbed over, panting before pulling the rope and grabbing my arm. With a forceful yank, he pulled me over and set me aside so he could catch Orell. All three of us panted, our muscles sore and our waists and hips aching despite how thick our fur coats were. Tormund gave a laugh, patting me on the shoulder as he went to collect the rope. I stared at the sky, seeing Frigg and Orell's eagle flying about.

Orell sat up as he helped me sit and remove the rope so it was no longer constricting me. It was getting late, so it was not wise to climb down in the evening, even if it protected us from potential Crows. Tormund laughed as he rolled up the roll.

"You spent too long under a tree," Tormund joked.

I muttered some insults as I adjusted Dark Sister and my pack. A sound of hacking could be heard as a pickax stabbed the top of the Wall. Standing up, I got over to help the person up. It was Ygritte, as she desperately held onto my arms as I pulled her back. She quickly grabbed the abandoned rope the Crows left. Before I moved to help Jon, he grunted his way up. I set him next to Ygritte as the two panted, catching their breaths. Letting the two have some privacy, I went back to Orell, who was checking the supplies, although he stopped to glance at the two for a moment.

He did what any Free Folk would do. Calculating three lives against two. Even though I would have been mad at him for some time, he did what it meant to survive despite the fact that the dangers we were already in. We lost six people. Thirty people came with us, and we lost six of our comrades. More will be joining from different parts of the Wall. Hopefully, we have enough to go against possibly a thousand Crows.

I got up, ignoring the pain, and noticed Jon and Ygritte locked in a passionate kiss. I smiled slightly, not seeing Ygritte this happy in a long time. Therefore, I turned my attention to the other side of the Wall, observing the valley of green hills, forests, and mountaintops. It has been so long since I saw this view with the Three-Eyed Raven. I saw the South,, as dusk started to set.

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