A trip to the crypts

by Sidious7777

Jon Snow was betrayed by his brothers for daring to answer the Boltons' pink letter. In death he takes a trip to the crypts, the nightmare that plagued him in life. This story was removed, OA is Blackwolf2019

17. Chapter 17

Warning: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire, nor this Story.

This story deserves to be available for readers to read. This Story was removed, it deserved to be available, Original Author is Blackwolf2019 as i don't own this story or its work.

Comments and everything below is from the OA.

Chapter 17: To Rip off a Bird's Wings

Hope you all enjoy, feel free tae comment! Got it out a bit earlier because dissertation is going really well! So had time tae dae this chapter!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Harwin

Harwin was regretting asking for Lady Catelyn to be returned to life. Because Ned Stark would not have wished this fate upon his wife. But it was a mistake. Harwin knew that all too well. The monster that she was could be tolerated when they were killing Freys. But what they were planning now. No, Harwin could not do it.I won't.The brotherhood had assimilated quietly into the camp, with one of their own quietly approaching Lord Arryn to inform them they would be supporting them. They had been left mostly alone, hidden in the encampment. Away from those that would recognise Lady Stoneheart for who she once was.

Until someone had approached them, someone who Harwin had remembered to be Master of coin. The man had offered Thoros, the Lady's voice to keep herself hidden, a job for them. A trial by combat was to take place between the King in the North and Lord Arryn. If Lord Arryn was to lose, they would kill Jon. The Lady had been eager to accept the offer, to protect her daughter's claim. And now that task had made them hide in wait at the designated point where the trial would take place. Harwin would not be a part of it. He hadn't argued with the Lady, knowing her answer would still be to kill him. He was a usurper in her eyes.He's the King that avenged Robb and the North in mine.Harwin had fought with the brotherhood to help the smallfolk. He had told that to Arya Stark once. This would not help the smallfolk of the North. And not the ones that will be hurt in this war to come.

I just have to wait for the right moment, then I can stop this from happening.

Harwin hoped he could as the Brotherhood waited in the darkness for the dawn.

Val

They had fucked each other hard that night. They had filled the Moat and the Neck with their voices as they rutted like animals. They'd truly been like wolves after the meeting with the South. After meeting the prey that thought to harm the North. Thought to harm the pack as Arya had said. The two had barely got themselves back to their quarters. But the two didn't really care. He was the King in the North, and She was the Queen in the North according to Jon. A title that Val did not need, but a one Jon had insisted she take after wedding under the Heart Tree upon their return to Winterfell. Val hadn't been able to deny it as Jon gave the Lord's Kiss.If he wants me in the kneeler way as well, so be it. I've stolen him the true way.It would be another incentive for Jon to win the fight. Not that he needed it. Her Jon had been furious with Baelish and Arryn. She could see the anger that he had at the sight of Squids and Flayed Men. He wanted them dead. Maybe not as much as he had the Squids Boltons, she could see that he didn't need to make as much effort in controlling himself when the threat had been in the North. But the desire to kill those that what hurting his family was present.

They'll regret what they did today.

Val knew well enough that today Jon intended to prove a point to Baelish and the Lord Arryn. The ones that Arya believed had forced Sansa into the marriage would be learning a lesson. And a painful one Val imagined. Val turned her attention to Jon as they prepared for the ride to the meeting point. He was wearing that Northern attire he had been gifted. The only thing he had chosen not to wear of it was the Tunic. He was showing his scars, with their Weirwood branch pattern. A show of the Old Gods returning him to life. Only the Tartan banner in Stark colours covered his torso. Everywhere else was armoured, sword at hip, knife on leg and shield at the ready.

Val smiled at him as he embraced her for a moment. "I see you're showing them your scars today."

Jon's grinned like his wolf. "Aye, might as well let them think on it. Give them more harrowing tales of the North."

Val laughed, "They'll have too many by the end of this day."

Jon nodded. "Good, I'll have them know of the North. And what we do to those that threaten it."

Val smiled as she kissed him deeply.The kneelers will remember this day if they do not want it in droves.

Sansa

Sansa had never liked the way her people acted when she was young. Never truly understanding why the courts of the South were frowned upon in the North. The bluntness of the North and the lack of Southern spectacle had been one of the things that had made her yearn for the South. But to see the way Northmen acted towards the Game yesterday had made her regret her childish dreams of the South all the more. The complete hatred for the courtly games of the South had never been more apparent. It had been glorious.And watching Jon and the Northmen wipe the smirk off Baelish was worth all the hells he's put me through.Baelish had come face to face with a group of people that could not be bought or wooed by pretty words. His false promises were seen for what they are, falsities. Sansa had never been prouder of her family and to be of the North, no matter how much it put them in a dangerous position.

Sansa knew that Baelish would be plotting. To find a way to make things right should lord Arryn fail to defeat The King in the North. Sansa smiled to herself at the thought as the bannermen of the Vale and Riverlands waited for Jon.I hope you kill him, please don't die to a man who thinks he has the right to father's sword.She didn't know how this fight would end but she hoped her brother would win. Another thing that would go against Baelish, Lord Arryn being dead too soon without an heir to the Vale.I want to thank you and Arya so much Jon.Sansa thought sadly. But she wouldn't be able to do that. Sansa had to look like the enemy here.No matter how much it hurts.Both for her own protection and to keep Baelish happy.Until I can get rid of him anyway.Sansa would lose her family doing this, she knew that much when she'd seen Arya's smile. A confirmation that Arya had always been right about her. That she was no true Stark. It didn't matter, Sansa would keep the North safe from the South. She'd learnt too much of the Game to be useful in the North.I can only protect it from outside the North even if this piece of the Neck and Moat Cailin is all I ever see of it again.

"Are you alright Little Cat?" Great Uncle Brynden asked kindly.

Sansa smiled kindly at the man. "I am Uncle, just impatient for seeing the victor of the duel to come."

Brynden raised his eyebrow then smiled wryly. "I'm sure the winner will do justice for House Stark."

Sansa nodded at her Great Uncle. "I look forward to seeing justice for House Stark."

Brynden smirked as they both looked at her husband speaking with the lords and Baelish. Brynden was the only other Riverlord besides Lord Blackwood who had been aware of the will revealed earlier. He had spoken of it to her in a rare moment where they could be alone in Riverrun. Her Uncle obeyed Robb's words, even if he knew how her mother had disapproved of it then. Even now he would make sure his King's decree was upheld, just like Sansa wanted.Family, Duty, Honour, he knows them well.

The presence of Stark and Northern Banners made the Lords of the Vale and Riverlands form up. Her brother's arrival was much similar to the one yesterday. Him riding at the front with a small number of Northern Lords, Arya, soldiers and the pack of Direwolves. Seeing both Ghost and Nymeria made her melancholic for Lady. But to see the wolves alive and so big that they could eat a man whole gave her comfort. They would protect them.

Sansa's patient wait was interrupted by Harry. He was dressed in full Vale armour, proudly wearing the Arryn colours. He would have looked gallant if he wasn't an arse. Her husband came towards her and kissed her as the Northmen arrived. Sansa feigned a smile.

"Is my Lady going to give me her favour today?" Lord Arryn asked sweetly.Sweet as Sick.

Sansa smiled demurely as she offered a handkerchief with her initials and colours, also intertwined with Arryn ones.

"Of course, dear husband. I doubt that you will need it."

Lord Arryn grinned, taking another kiss. "I will make it merciful for you."

As he finished kissing her, and began to walk to the field of combat, Sansa heard the same snarling that Jon and the wolves were making the day before.Or Jon will kill you brutally.Brutal was a word that seemed to describe her brother now. There wasn't much difference between him in ghost in terms of facial expression. It screamed of wolfishness and a hardness she had only seen on the statues in the crypts. Sansa could still see pieces of the solemn boy she had known, when it softened at the sight of her. But Sansa could see the world had hardened him, had brought a savagery to him that was not likely to ever leave. Sansa imagined the Boltons, Freys and Iron Born would have been terrified at this sight.Our family's suffering has made you part wolf brother, I hope it serves you well.

Her brother was speaking with his Lords and Ladies whilst her husband stood preparing. Jon's appearance had brought shocked murmurings to the crowd. He was dressed the same as yesterday, albeit without the Tunic. Only the tartan banner adorned his torso. And the scars across his chest. Sansa could see five large scars across her brother's body. They had clearly healed, albeit in an unusual pattern, but they looked much larger than normal. And one was right over his heart, the largest one. Sansa gasped as she looked at it. Brynden put his hand to her shoulder.

"What's happened to him?" Sansa barely whispered.

"They're stab wounds Sansa." Brynden said. He was looking hard at the scars.

"He should be dead from those wounds." Edmure stated as he stood beside Brynden.

"You have the right of it, he should be dead. I've seen men die from less and never survive wounds like that."

What happened to you brother?Sansa asked to herself as she stared, transfixed at the scars. Transfixed at him. In the cold she can see that her brother was breathing. His skin a slight red from exertion. His heart must be beating. He was alive.

"The scars look familiar." Sansa realised. There was something about them that reminded her of something.

Lord Blackwood seemed to have an answer. "They have the pattern of Weirwood Branches Lady Sansa."

Another symbol of home.

"A tattoo over his scars?" Sansa asked the Rivermen.

They all seemed to shake their head.

"I'd say your Jon Snow is touched by the Old Gods. Those scars have healed to look like branches of the Weirwood. I've never seen anything like that."

Blackwood sounded almost reverent as he said it.He's of the First Men and a follower of the Old Gods. He must think those scars a sign.

"You think the Gods healed his scars?" Sansa asked him.

Blackwood looked pensively at her then shook his head. "I think they brought him back from death. He said he fulfilled his vows."

Sansa heard Edmure give a snort but Brynden looked like he was agreeing with Blackwood. "That he did Tytos."

Who did that to you Jon?Sansa wondered as she took another look at the scars as her brother spoke with his Lords. He seemed to have let them all murmur about them.He wanted us to see them, do you want us to know you died? Or do you want to show you have survived worse than Arryn can give?"

Jon finally turned his attention to the Vale and Rivermen. He was looking directly at Edmure.

"Lord Tully!" He shouted forcefully. The growl was there. Edmure looked back at her brother. He was nervous at her brother's attention.

Jon looked back towards the Lords and a woman and a young man walked slowly over the field towards her and Edmure. They were also followed by a man with blonde hair, looking out into the crowd. Sansa noticed the woman was carrying a babe. She could hear it squealing. Edmure seemed to recognise her as he almost ran to meet. He was looking right at the babe. Edmure looked almost in tears as he stared at the babe and woman.

Then Sansa heard a shout from Lord Piper in the crowd as he made his way to the front, shouting to the man.

"Son!"

The two Pipers both hugged before breaking when the King in the North spoke to Edmure again.

"Arya Stark freed your wife and child them from the Twins after executing the Freys."

Edmure looked at her brother. Sansa could see he didn't know how to respond. Instead just nodding to him as the group of rivermen re-joined the crowd. Edmure taking his place again besides Brynden. This time with his wife Roslin, child and a young lad she didn't know. Looking at the child Sansa could see the Tully look was strong in him, clearly Edmure's son.He would have made a better hostage brother. But returning the heir to the Riverlands and House Tully won't be forgotten either I imagine.

Sansa looked towards her husband, the Vale Lords and Baelish. Her husband looked confused, Lord Royce was one of the few Vale Lords to look pleased and Baelish looked annoyed. Sansa could guess why, the Rivermen were murmuring again.

Her husband decided to finally speak. "I believe it is time we begin the trial now. Are you ready Snow?"

Jon just growled at her husband, putting a shield in his left and unsheathing his sword as he made his way towards the centre of the field. Her husband strutted towards the centre proudly. Baelish had moved himself to her side among the mix of Vale and Rivermen. Much to her displeasure. The entire group of Northmen were keeping their distance, on the opposite side of the circle that was forming around Jon and Lord Arryn. Before the Trial would begin. Her husband looked confident as they waited for the bout to be announced. He was holding a part of Father's sword as if it was his by every right. Jon on the other hand looked predatory as he waited. He was wielding a Valyrian steel bastard sword as well according to Brynden.

"Quite the sight. A bastard wolf and the Falcon of Arryn." Baelish said calmly as they waited for the Septon that had joined them from the quiet isle to announce the"trial"was to begin.

"It is my Lord. Do you have confidence that my husband will win?" Sansa asked in a worried tone.

Baelish smiled and patted her shoulder as if he believed the worry was for her husband. "Of course, my lady. I believe a knight of the Vale will be more than a match for your bastard cousin. I've been thinking he relies on that pack of wolves too much than fair combat."

Sansa hoped that wasn't the case. "I'm sure you are right my Lord."

"And if you're wrong this might turn into a repeat of the duel you once had Lord Baelish." Brynden stated dryly.

Baelish's smile vanished. The Septon finally spoke. "The trial of Jon Snow on claims of oath breaking and usurping his cousins' claims will begin. May the Seven decide who lives and is innocent!"

Jon growled at mention of the seven as the wolf of House Stark and the Falcon of House Arryn began to circle each other.

"A champion of the Old Gods against a Champion of the Seven." Lord Blackwood whispered into the crowd.

The two circled shortly before her husband made the first move with Widow's Wail. He went for a thrust into Jon's chest. The part of him Jon had left unarmoured. Jon sidestepped him quickly before he could hit anything. He didn't break his stare at her husband. His Stark Grey eyes looked angry as he. Lord Arryn quickly turned, having expected a blow to strike him. Jon had done nothing. He was just staring into Lord Arryn's blue eyes with venom. Lord Arryn went to repeat himself. Making thrusts and stabs, trying to get close and do damage to her brother. Jon dodged every single one without having to use his sword or shield. His predatory look hadn't changed.

This went on for some time, with Jon not even making much effort as Lord Arryn grew more frustrated with him. Something which could be seen by her husband deciding to speak. Sansa sighed internally.

"Why do you not fight Snow? Do you already accept your fate? Or can you not fight without a wolf?"

Sansa didn't find the words charming or inflammatory. Some of Baelish's lackeys and Lords in the pocket gave a cheer though. Jon didn't make a reaction towards the word. He hadn't become more hateful and angry with Harry than he already was. He simply grunted and made another dodge as her husband made another futile physical jab with Widow's Wail.

"I wonder why he is not fighting back." Sansa wondered as the Jon continued to avoid Lord Arryn at every turn.

"I think me and your husband have the right of it. He cannot fight without his wolf." Baelish said somewhat smugly.

To her surprise both Edmure and Brynden snorted. A rare thing for the two to be in complete agreement.

"You still don't know much about combat Lord Baelish." Edmure said as he looked between his child and the fight.

"I've never seen someone as bored in a fight. Lord Arryn isn't shown much skill at all and the bastard can see that. I believe the bastard is going to prove that soon." Brynden said with a small smile.

He's waiting to do something.Sansa realised as she watched Jon dodged once again. A small smile. Aferalsmile starting to curve his lips.

Baelish's face faltered again as he returned to the fight. Her husband was growing more annoyed.

"A bastard and a craven too!" He shouted as he aimed for a quick strike at Jon.

Jon finally blocked it with his sword. The block had clearly knocked Arryn off guard as the clash of Valyrian Steel final happened. Then Jon pushed back Harry Arryn's sword firmly with force. It sent Arryn backwards. Then Jon's shield smashed into Arryn's face, knocking him off balance. There was a gasp from the Vale Lords as watched Harry Arryn almost fall. Then there was another smash as Jon hammered his sword into Arryn's shield. Sansa heard a large crack and then a scream from her husband.

"He's broken the arm!" Lord Piper exclaimed.

Jon's smile erupted into a feral grin as he smashed the shield again as Lord Arryn tried to put the shield in front of him. He screamed again as the shield broke.

The Northmen were cheering. Her sister loudest of all.

"The Jon!"

"The Jon!"

"The Jon!"

Her husband started to move away from Jon, trying to recompose himself as his shield dropped to the field. He was wielding Widow's wail shakily. Clearly in pain. Then Jon moved in, wolfish eyes looking at Arryn like a slab of meat. His bastard sword striking Widow's Wail every time. Then Jon let Arryn make an attempt at a parry. Widow's Wail met the Stark shield instead. Direwolf almost eating the sword as it lodged into the shield. Then Jon pushed the shield upwards with the sword lodged momentarily. Her husband lost his grip on the sword, falling out of his hand and into the ground. Jon smashed the shield across Arryn's face. Blood splattered everywhere as her husband's teeth were knocked out. There was a lot of blood flowing from Arryn as he frantically tried to pick up the sword with his right arm. Screaming unintelligible words as he did. Blood splattering out of his mouth.

"Your husband's bit his tongue off there." Brynden noted.

Good. About time he shut up.Sansa thought as she started to feign tears.

Jon didn't let him pick the sword up. He'd sheathed his own sword and had picked Widow's Wail up. He then kicked the Lord of the Vale and sent him to the floor. Jon grabbed him by the neck and dragged him to the centre. Sansa watched with fake tears in her eyes as he dragged him, growls of Jon and the wolves behind the Northmen. Arryn was resisting on his knees. It wasn't working. Sansa looked to the Northern group. Her sister was moving to the ring with a wooden block. The block brought her back to King's Landing on that horrible day.

"He's going to execute him!" She screamed in mock terror as she feigned an attempt at going to her husband. The Lords grabbed her to stop it. They knew a trial by combat was binding. Baelish's face looked distraught.

Jon pushed Arryn onto the block with his shield. Her husband was screaming blood out of his mouth. There was too much blood and not enough teeth for him to say yield.Not that Jon will let him. He's going to give me justice.

Jon took the shield off. Looked at Arryn angrily, then swung her Father's Valyrian Steel sword into Harry Arryn's neck. The head dropped off instantly. Jon hadn't even broken a sweat in the entire fight. It was effortless.

The crowd had turned silent. Then the Septon spoke. "The Gods declare Jon Stark, The King in the North, innocent of all crimes!"

Sansa feigned a pained wail as Baelish's face turned to a beautiful, scornful frown.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I wanted Jon tae execute him wae Widow's Wail because it is made fae Ice. Made the execution much more fitting in my mind. Was the main reason he waited as long, just dodging. He wanted tae get the sword and make it hurt.

Sansa is very focused on the fight in this but I should note that she has been plotting against Littlefinger. Harry's death helps wae that massively.

And as you can see Brynden obeys Robb tae the end. And Jon gave the Riverlords and Edmure's wife and child back as a show that the north remembers fighting with the Tullies, fir all that he has no blood ties wae them.

Next chapter will be Arya's. You will find out the aftermath of the execution.