Warg Maiden
Edited by xXFallenSakuraXx52
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 14: Closing In
Jon's POV
After a few days of travel, what remains of the Night's Watch volunteers returned to Castle Black. When they broke through the Haunted Forest into the field, the horns blew once to announce the rangers' return. Jon was pleased with how the mission went. Karl Tanner and his mutineers were gone. The risk of Castle Black's secrets won't be exposed to Mance Rayder.
However, Jon kept thinking about Imogen. In the beginning, he thought a warg's familiar had to be nearby in order to connect. Skadi was hundreds of miles away, yet Imogen could warg from such a distance. Ygritte mentioned that Imogen was no ordinary Warg. Now he understands why. Both had different causes for going to Craster's Keep. Yet the two worked together. The mutineers are dead, and the women are safe. But after that night, they are now enemies again.
Jon knew he needed to defeat Imogen. Mance, Tormund, and Imogen are a threat. The leader, the follower, and the mage. A chance to talk about reason was no more. The Wildlings are determined to head south. He understands why. They want to escape the White Walkers and prevent the curse from taking their dead as anyone else. Except, some tribes can't be trusted past the Wall. There's got to be another way.
They are all wasting time from a genuine threat. Yet Jon understood why the Wildlings were heading south. They believe the magic of the Wall can separate the living from the dead. There were three access points: Castle Black, The Shadow Tower, and lastly, Eastwatch-by-the-sea. The Wildlings are determined to travel through Castle Black. So, Jon needs to convince the Council to seal the tunnel. It will buy them time to figure out how to do this peacefully.
Anyway, they entered through the lone tunnel. Once on the other side, many men greeted them with open arms.
"Rangers returning!"
"Greetings."
"Didn't think I'd see you again," Sam said as he came over, giving Jon a brotherly hug.
Jon accepted it.
"Welcome back, brother," Olly said, shaking his hand.
Jon shook it back.
Ser Alliser and Lord Janos came out, taking their position at the bailey steps.
"Lord Snow," Ser Alliser called out.
Everyone turned to the temporary leader, wondering what insult he would bring.
Ghost gave a bark.
Ser Alliser turned his attention to the direwolf. No longer was the beast the size of a normal wolf. Jeor Mormont may have allowed Ghost to wonder about the castle. But Ser Alliser won't enable it.
"This is no place for wild beasts," Ser Alliser said. "Lock him away, or I'll let Hobb throw him in tonight's stew."
Jon, holding his tongue, walked over to Ghost and led him to the stables. After everything, Ser Alliser still did not see the more significant threat. Then again, Jon assumed the mutineers had killed him.
"Come on, Ghost," Jon muttered.
Ghost followed along.
.o0o.
During dinner, Jon stood up to face the Council.
"Mance's army was closing in on Craster's Keep when we left," Jon reported. "We saw their campfires from Osric's Hill. They'll reach the Wall before the next full moon."
"I'm surprised you didn't ride over and say hello," Lord Janos taunted. "The King-beyond-the-Wall is your old friend, isn't he?"
"We need to prepare," Jon warned.
"We've been preparing," Ser Alliser said.
"We should seal the tunnel," Jon advised.
This disturbed the men as they debated about it. There were pros and cons to such an idea. However, they get their meat beyond the wall. They check on the wildlings. How can they be Men of the Night's Watch if there is no tunnel to man the Wall? What purpose would they have?
"Plug it with rocks and ice," Jon continued. "Flood it and let it freeze."
"And how would we range the north?" Ser Alliser asked.
"We wouldn't," Jon answered.
"Coward!" one man yelled.
"You would cut off our legs, pluck out our eyes, leave us cowering behind the Wall, hoping for the storm to pass?" Ser Alliser sneered.
"We can't defend the gates against a hundred thousand men," Grenn countered.
"This castle has stood for thousands of years," Ser Alliser said. "The Night's Watch has defended her for thousands of years. And in all those centuries, we have never sealed the tunnel."
"Have you ever seen a giant, Ser Alliser?" Jon asked. "Or encounter a warg?"
Ser Alliser did not answer.
"I have," Jon continued. "The tunnel's gate won't stop them."
"The bars on those gates are four inches thick. Cold-rolled steel."
"They won't stop them."
"Remind me which order you belong to, Lord Snow."
"The stewards."
"Are the stewards responsible for maintaining the tunnel?"
"No."
"Who would that be?"
Jon sighed, "The builders."
"Ah, the builders," Ser Alliser repeated, then turned to his right. "First Builder Yarwyck, Lord Snow here recommends sealing the tunnel, leaving us unable to carry out our duties as sworn brothers of the Night's Watch. Do you agree?"
All eyes were on Yarwyck. The man thought about it. Jon prayed Yarwyck, being a man of reason, would agree.
"No," Yarwyck answered.
Ser Alliser nodded in approval and faced Jon, saying, "Given your deep knowledge of the wildling army, Lord Snow, you and Tarly will take night duties atop the Wall until the full moon."
Men who supported Ser Alliser cheered. Jon was about to step forward, but Sam grabbed his hand, preventing it. Why do they not understand the threat? Probably because they've never been beyond the Wall. Only the surviving rangers understand the situation as they glare at Ser Alliser on Jon's behalf. Ser Alliser was never a true ranger. He never went beyond the Wall. He was only a master-at-arm training the recruits.
"Moving on," Ser Alliser said. "First builder, we'll need one hundred barrels of pitch brought atop the Wall."
"Aye," Yarwyck agreed.
Jon sat down, slamming his fist against the table. Ser Alliser degrades him, then takes credits to prepare for the wildlings' strike. They were doomed.
.o0o.
Imogen's POV
I was eating a rabbit, feeling famished for not eating the past few days. Warging too long can make a person lose their appetite. I savor the rabbit's natural flavor, enjoying the juicy meat. Ygritte chuckled as she bit into a leg. Our company was enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. It won't be too long now.
Getting our people south of the Wall won't take too long.
That was when Tormund came over.
"How good is your warging?" he asked.
"Why do you ask?" I replied.
"I need you to find Mance and see what he wants now," He said. "We are getting tired of waiting."
I sighed. I spent three days recovering from warging an entire day. Now Tormund wants me to warg for days to find our army and report to Mance.
By the Old Gods, kill me now, I thought.
"You know it's dangerous for me to be outside my body for too long," I warned him.
"Don't worry, I'll watch over yer body," Tormund murmured.
"I trust Ygritte with my body," I muttered.
Ygritte burst out laughing, knowing that it was true.
"Still, I need to know what to do," Tormund said.
I sighed, "I'll send Frigg to get a head start. In the morning, I'll warg to find Mance."
Tormund nodded in approval. He is only asking me this since I'm the only one who can warg into multiple creatures. If Fenrir is there, he and I can connect without violating the sacred laws to communicate. So, looking at Frigg, she came over, taking a few bites of rabbit meat before taking off to the true North. Orell, who was still with us, cawed, following Frigg to ensure she made it there.
Not long after, I went to bed to get some sleep. The exhaustion prevented dreams and visions, one of which I thank the Old Gods for. The vision dreams had a side effect on me. Although I can have visions from the Three-Eyed Raven, it takes its toll, for I was not a true greenseer. I was thankful for Ygritte being there when these things happened. Usually, it has been Fenrir or Boudica when it happens.
When I woke, Ygritte and a few others guarded my body. Taking a deep breath, I warged, feeling my spirit leaving my vessel. In seconds, I was staring through Frigg's eyes. She was beyond the Wall. We were at Osric's Hill, where Mance's army was. Orell and I flew about searching for Mance.
We found him with some of the Chieftains gathered around. I swooped down, landing on Fenrir's shoulder, and he jumped, not expecting it, causing Mance to laugh.
"I was wondering when you'd show, Imogen," Mance said.
I nodded. Fenrir set me down on a pole facing everyone. Fenrir stared into my eyes as I used my ability the Three-Eyed Raven taught me. If people looked at us, they would notice one of our eyes was a darker shade of gray instead of silver. We were connected.
"What news do you bring?" Mance asked.
I gave my answer to Fenris as he spoke, "About fifty Free Folk have made it over the Wall. Styr and Tormund have joined forces. They raided a few villages, gained supplies, and challenged the Crows. However, there has been some trouble. Jon is still a crow and escaped. He has killed five of their men. Orell included. He is still with them until he can no longer."
All eyes turned to Orell, who sat on the ten, giving a caw.
Fenrir continued; he paused for a moment since he saw Bran. Yet he continued excluding the boy from the conversation. "Imogen checked on Castle Black. There are barely over a hundred crows there. Not a thousand. There was an incident at Craster's where mutineers killed Jeor Mormont. Crows came in to kill the Mutineers. Imogen helped to protect the women. The Crows spared them, as the women took refuge in an abandoned town."
Mance nodded, "I'll send some people there to help them. They should be with their people. I assume Craster is dead."
I nodded through Frigg.
"Good, the damn bastard deserves it," Mance said. "Shame about Jeor Mormont. He was a good leader."
True, Mance spent his early years under Jeor Mormont. I've never encountered the man; I only see him when spying. From what I could see, he was an honorable man. He cared for his little crows like a father and grandfather. Despite our different views on each side of the Wall, I would respect him.
"I'm assuming Tormund wants to know what's next?" Mance asked.
"He does," Fenrir answered.
"Tell Tormund and Styr that they will lead their men to Mole's Town. Crows go there to fuck the whores and get supplies. This should get the Crows to come out of their nest. Once done there, keep heading to Castle Black. When they are in sight, take cover and wait for my signal." Mance ordered.
I hesitated, for Dires don't do raids. It took a lot of convincing to keep the Free Folk from killing the children and adolescents.
"What about the women and children?" Fenrir asked on my behalf.
Mance looked at the Dire. He is aware of our customs in battle. Dires don't harm women and children. Spearwives if they attack, but not those who can't defend themselves. It was the honor of our ancestors who became White Hunters set after the Long Night.
"Kill the men. If any women attack, kill them as well," Mance allowed. "Leave the children be."
I sighed in relief.
"I'll let you two talk for a bit," Mance said, walking away.
This time, I let Fenrir enter Frigg entirely. Changing the illusion to Lunar Haven. Our sacred land is hidden in the mountains with hot springs that warm the earth. This was how our people survived for thousands of years. Protected from the other tribes. Our cultures are different, and we are near those south of the Wall. We stood before each other in our traditional clothes, not furs. The same wolf that marks my neck was on his. A memory of who our ancestors were.
The first thing we did was exchange a hug.
"I'm glad to see you are safe, Imogen," Fenrir murmured.
"Same," I said.
"You worry for the boy," Fenrir noted.
"He does not understand the consequences of his actions," I said. "What the Three-Eyed Raven will do."
"Sometimes, we must learn the truth the hard way," he said.
I nodded as we pulled away.
"All that matters now is getting our people on the other side of the Wall," he reminded.
"Has Mum and the twins joined you?" I asked.
"They are making their way as we speak. Guiding those from Lunar Haven and Frost Fang," Fenrir answered. "By the time they make it, we shall have control of Castle Black."
I nodded again.
Fenrir placed his hand on my shoulder, "The Lone Wolf dies."
"But the pack survives," I replied back.
"You can do this. Strong blood from my and your mothers lingers in your veins," he said. "I shall see you on the Full Moon."
He rested his forehead against my own, "Be strong, my she-wolf."
"Yes, Papa," I replied back.
With nothing else to say, we disconnected. I turned my attention to Orell, letting him know I was leaving. He nodded afterward, and I left Frigg's body, which Fenrir would feed her before she returned to me again. When I opened my eyes, I was back south of the Wall. I gasped the moment my soul returned to my body.
"Easy," Ygritte murmured, placing her hand on my shoulder.
I panted, taking deep breaths.
Tormund came over as he knelt before me.
"What news do you bring?" Tormund asked.
"Mance says to head east towards Mole's Town. The Crows go there to mate with the women. Raid the town, but spare the children and women who don't attack." I said. "Afterward, head to Castle Black to wait for the signal."
"Finally, some action," Tormund praised. "Get some rest. We leave tomorrow."
I nodded, staring at Ygritte, who gave me a reassuring smile. Even though I didn't tell Styr and Tormund about Jon. Mance and Fenrir need to know that our traitor Crow is still alive. Hopefully, Jon will be dead by the time we take Castle Black and open the tunnel.
What matters now is to get our people south of the Wall. The Wall holds magic. Bran the Builder and the Children cast a spell that prevents White Walkers from crossing over. The curse won't affect us if we can save the population. Also, I need to get a hold of Joruman Horn. The Crow named Sam has it. That is my main goal. Get hold of the Horn and destroy it.
Hey everyone, sorry for the short Chapter. I just wanted to get a chapter and have a scene where Imogen reports to Mance. I was asked what the Dires dress as when they are not in furs. The Dires wear furs when they are out in arctic areas. In the books, the Wildlings dress like everyone else in the North. So, my inspiration for the Dires was inspired by the History Channels show called Vikings' first season before they discovered other countries and territories, along with Gaelic and Celtic fashion.
Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!
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