Break The Wheel: a Song of Pain and Fury

by RhaelleStark

Rhaegar experiences an awakening, powers latent in his blood line from Valyria are reborn. Lyanna escapes in the night to follow her destiny with haunting words in her mind. Ned finds the wolf, and with it his own awakening. Dragons and Wolves come together to guard the realms of men, and form an alliance that changes the direction of Westeros forever.

27. Chapter Twenty Seven: The Abyss

Authors Note: Apologies for the break between chapters ive been caring for a sick relative and my creativity has suffered. Hoping to get more traction with thr story now and really get it jnto gear. Thank you for your patience while i get back on track. I am working on another chapter to release very soon

Chapter 27: The Abyss

The sun began to sink below the horizon, casting long dark shadows across the land surrounding Highgarden. The servants of the castle lit the torches on the battlements in unison and light sprung to life voraciously creating a spectacle for the waiting visitors below. The enormous castle loomed above a sizeable Lannister force, their crimson red coats creating the illusion of blood spilled in a sickening formation around the castle. One by one the campfires of the army were lit, and an uneasy night would begin. Olenna stood at the highest point possible where she couldn't be seen or harmed and watched with her wrinkled face in a deep frown of disapproval her face covered in shadows. The tower she stood in was dark behind her, and she dressed in black for the mourning of her son Mace who had been executed in the Capitol, falsely accused of plotting against the Crown. Some days her grief and anger threatened to send her in a maddening cycle of rage and wanting to cause pain to others, but the logical part of her always prevailed and reigned in the wild, angry side of her personality. A good leader must maintain composure or the plotting will begin.

It came as no surprise to Olenna when the first messenger arrived, a woman dressed in red with a fancy scroll and a flimsy title. Queens Justice, she remembered hearing the smug words fall from this naive maidens mouth and was unable to control a mocking laugh escaping her lips. Refusing to open the gates and submit to this ridiculous charade several days later appeared the army ready to take Highgarden by force. And still Olenna refused to yield, she would never yield especially not to Cersei. She observed this thorn in her side flitting around the camp for several more minutes before sighing and turning away from the sea of red Lannister cloaks.

Waiting patiently in the dimly lit tower stood the Tyrell army General, Willas, Sansa and Margaery all with varied expressions of anxiety and concern across their faces. She didn't have patience for anxiety though, it was useless to her now.

"General, what are their numbers?" She snapped with the little patience she retained as she gathered her skirts and stiffly lowered herself into a chair groaning as her old bones ached.

"Two thousand my Lady, and more arriving daily. Seems they will keep coming until such a time-"

Olenna cut him off by looking to her grandson, "What of our banner men Willas?"

"Some have let in their Queens Justice and we have lost the ability to speak freely with them, they are now voiceless. All communication must be approved and well their communications are heavily censored verging on propaganda. We can't trust their words."

Olenna rolled her eyes and exclaimed slamming her fist onto the armrest, "Weaklings!"

"We don't have the numbers present to withstand a prolonged attack my Lady, they're bringing machines to break our walls and we haven't prepared supplies to wait them out. Word has come from our scouts of these machines-"

"When will they arrive?"

"Two days my Lady" replied the General nervously.

Olenna had a twinkle in her eye, "They can't breach the castle by force, we have two days to decide on action. General, keep them at bay as long as possible. We need those two days" Olenna emphasised with a pointed look at the General.

The General bowed and Olenna dismissed him from the room, her grandchildren and Sansa watched him exit the room. Once they were alone Olenna beckoned them to come closer. Margaery ran to her grandmother and breathed out loudly and dramatically grasping Olenna's arm with a pained sob.

"Grandmother what will we do? Where will we go?" urgently whispered Margaery.

Olenna looked up to Sansa with a twinkle of hope in her eyes, and beckoned her closer, "My dear you are the only one with the power to do something extraordinary. Will you help us?"

Willas looked concerned and edged closer to Sansa, the anxiety in him triggered his face to pale. Olenna's eyes snapped to him and sharpened.

"What is it?" her patience was fast evaporating.

"Grandmother, you are aware I've spoken of my intentions...and well..."

"And well what? What is more important than the future of our House?!" exploded Olenna with a slap of her hand on the armrest to demonstrate her frustration.

Sansa looked to her feet and spoke quietly, "I'm with child"

She looked to Willas, "Willas' child"

Willas looked down at her vibrant blue eyes with a mixture of tenderness, desire and extreme fear. Tears welled up in Olenna's eyes and her hand shakily rose to her mouth in a surprising moment of love for her family and fear for what was to come. Hastily wiping away the tears she breathed out in slight defeat, and sunk further into her chair her mind reeling with the news and the situation at hand. Her face looked tired and haggard, but she refused to be beaten by the circumstances. She remained silent for several moments causing tense glances from the family.

"My dears please don't think I'm angered by your union. You just have very bad timing-" she rested her tired head in her hands and rubbed her temples.

"Margaery, send for the Maester and the Priest" said Olenna softly, "we have a wedding to perform..."

Willas looked confused, "But Grandmother, the Starks aren't present-"

"Father knows, we spoke in a dream several weeks ago. He gave his blessing"

"A dream? By the Gods young lady I don't know how a man can give his blessing in a dream!" exclaimed Olenna in a mixture of consternation and amusement.

Sansa smiled wryly, "Well it wasn't exactly a dream, but it was real. It's hard to explain-"

Olenna sat up, "Well we must prioritise keeping our House alive despite what awaits us out there, and joining our Houses does just that. If that's what we are presented with right now then that's what we will do"

Olenna looked directly to Sansa and held out her hand to her. Sansa obliged and grasped the wrinkled hand in her smooth young one, "My dear child, you have helped our House to grow in unimaginable ways. Our wealth has grown exponentially since you arrived, but now we don't need wealth we need to fight. Will you help us?"

Sansa bowed her head respectfully and squeezed Olenna's hand, "Of course, my Lady"

Satisfied Olenna nodded her head in response then she anxiously clutched her necklaces and fiddled with it after releasing Sanaa's hand. She preferred certainty and concrete plans, right now she was marrying her grandson and putting the future of her House in the hands of a young woman who had abilities she couldn't begin to understand. But what choice did she have than to accept the options in front of her...

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The chapel inside Highgarden was packed with servants and soldiers as none of the banner men of House Tyrell could be present. Olenna stood proudly at the front trying hard to mask the intense dissatisfaction she felt at not having the nobility from her region present. It irked her immensely to be the only House of nobility present at such a momentous occasion, but she was powerless to the circumstances and simply had to surrender. But she still wasn't entirely pleased about it, weddings weren't just about joining Houses there was much politics and tradition she was bypassing being forced into this situation which unsettled her. The murmurs around the room created an echo of noise and chatter about the army's presence outside which also didn't help reduce how prickly Olenna felt. She even heard whispers about how her inaction caused them to worry she was losing her mind, that infuriated her immensely. However she could not show her servants a show of emotion and justify their salacious whispers. So she stood straight backed and stoic, refusing to bow to the pressure she felt within. Willas stood expectantly a step below her and to her side stood the Priest, he motioned for Olenna to take her seat and gently assisted her down the stairs to sit and then returned to his place at the altar.

Suddenly the doors opened and two wolves walked side by side down the aisle, one white and one flecked with red. Willas turned slightly and his brow furrowed further in fear, where was Sansa? He turned more fully to watch the wolves approach, and just before the altar the wolves turned to face one another. The red flecked wolf bowed its head followed by the white one, then the white wolf nuzzled the red one and howled. The room fell silent in shock, awe and confusion. People clambered to look over each other and see this unusual spectacle. The white wolf slowly padded to the brides side and calmly sat watching Willas intently. Uncertain he bowed his head respectfully to the wolf also and was surprised when the wolf returned his bow. He felt a wave of happiness and pride, but he was unsure exactly why.

"Children, it is time to kneel before the Gods" began the priest.

The red wolf then gingerly stepped forth and before Willas' eyes the red wolf transformed into Sansa dressed in a long white gown decorated with Weirwood leaves and a long trailing cloak with an enormous Stark family sigil framed by falling Weirwood leaves. The fabric of her gown shimmered like it was wet and it threw flashes of light and rainbow flecks around the room creating an otherworldly and magical atmosphere. Her blue eyes glowed brightly and Willas felt his heart melt just at the sight of her. He held out his strong hand and she smiled, and obliged by placing her delicate porcelain hand into his large brown and calloused one. He gripped her tightly and pulled her to him, helping her to kneel before taking his place beside her. The crowd murmured in wonder at the wolf transformation and the beauty of Sansa's wedding attire.

"Today we join Houses Stark and Tyrell together, forever allied in love and peace. It's true we live in troubled times, but today these Houses show that no matter what is happening coming together and supporting one another is what matters for us all"

Those were the last words Sansa heard, her mind was a whirl of pressure, anxiety and fear. Not for the marriage but for everything else, she was with child, marrying into a family who was currently under attack from the Crown and she had been tasked with finding a way to save them all. Her fears and anxiety dominated her thoughts and made her doubt she was capable or strong enough to be the one chosen for such a heavy task. The only comfort was her wolf Lady, she glanced to the side and saw grey eyes staring at her from the wolf. Her heart skipped a beat, she knew those eyes and her own eyes welled with tears.

We might be far apart Sansa but we are always connected, spoke Ned's voice in her head, I am with you

A whirl of emotions threatened to overtake Sansa but at that moment Willas took her hand and looked at her expectantly. It was her turn to say her vows, she recited them perfectly without knowing how as she hadn't been listening. The ceremony finished with the exchange of their cloaks and she was proclaimed an official member of House Tyrell and Willas Tyrells wife.

The crowd cheered and Willas drew Sansa into a loving kiss, causing the crowd to cheer wildly. For a moment it didn't seem at all as if there was anxiety about the army at their doorstep, they were focused on the loving union. The priest raised his hands and motioned for quiet, after several moments of prolonged cheering the crowd obliged.

"Lady Sansa of House Tyrell has requested we also respect the Old Gods of the North who she follows and who have blessed us with bountiful crops and wealth. As a show of respect and gratitude we will now bow our heads silently and thank the Old Gods of the North"

There was a surprised murmur, the Old Gods had never been honoured in the Reach but everyone bowed their heads and the priest stood aside. Olenna's mouth gaped open as Sansa drew out her intricate staff with huge glowing emerald and stepped up beside the priest cloaked in the Tyrell cloak. Calmly Sansa placed the staff in front of her and stared across the crowd, within moments light emanated from the emerald and into the crowd followed by a beautiful melody which echoed around the room. Every single person in the room was touched emotionally by this energy and all felt uplifted and loyal to House Tyrell and now as well to House Stark. The mood in the room before the nuptials was completely transformed, even Olenna felt a fuzzy happiness she hadn't felt since she was a young girl. She even felt like conquering the army of the Crown was a certainty, all her fears simply melted away. The light streamed outwards causing rainbows to dance around the room, people started crying with happiness and hugging. Sansa asked the Old Gods to bless and protect all the people of the Reach and placed special protections over those present in Highgarden and Winterfell. Her eyes glowed otherworldly blue and she smiled knowing it was complete. Fervently she gave thanks to the Old Gods and as Willas stepped up to her with a handsome smile plastered across his face she threw herself into his arms and still holding her staff embraced him lovingly.

Olenna stiffly stood and stepped next to the newlyweds briefly hugging them before making it known she wanted to speak. The entire room was still feeling ecstatic emotions but fell silent with happiness plastered across their faces, watching Olenna expectantly.

"I wanted to thank each and every one of you for attending this most important wedding. It's no secret what's waiting for us out there, but we won't lay down and let them take what we have worked hard to build. Every one of you has toiled in the fields with our crops or committed to protecting us all, that army outside wants to attack each and every one of us. They don't care what we have built together or the work we have done. We are solely responsible for providing crops not just for our people but people all over this country, they want to disrespect our hard work and dedication! Are we going to let them take it?"

The crowd was silent for a moment before they all voraciously yelled out in disagreement, Olenna smiled in satisfaction.

"I didn't think you would let them. This union means more than love, while love is important it's about strength and being allies. Which we have with House Stark the wardens of the North. What they have no other House has and we are their biggest allies now. The North and the Reach can be unstoppable together, so remember that when anyone doubts me or us as a whole. You've witnessed the power of the Starks tonight, you've seen the power that has made our crops so fruitful and increased wealth for all of us. I will never let anyone take that from any of us. House Tyrell will still be growing strong!"

The crowd roared deafeningly, clapping and cheering to Olenna's rousing words, the sentiment toward her had changed and respect for the fearsome woman had been restored.

"We don't want those soldiers out there to know we have joined with the powerful Starks, so tonight there will be no banquets and loud celebrations-"

Suddenly the mood in the room slumped but Olenna smiled.

"So instead when each of you return home you'll find your tables laden with a feast and a barrel of ale to go with it so you can celebrate in your homes. Proper celebrations will be had when we have triumphed over those who think they can take from us"

Again the cheering erupted and the people clapped and hugged, dancing a jig on the spot in fervent happiness. Many bowed and shook Olenna's hands in gratitude and for the first time in a long time she smiled in response. And was genuinely happy that morale in the castle had been lifted to such a level. Olenna glanced to Sansa who smiled shyly, Olenna reached out and grasped Sansa's hand tightly and thrust it into the air. Causing the cheering to erupt once more and as the crowd spilled out to their homes the joy continued into the night as people celebrated the nuptials in their homes and the army sleeping in their tents outside the walls had no idea what was happening.

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Sansa lay in her marital bed, the peaceful body of her husband lay exhausted and sleeping by her side. It was an extravagant bed of gilded gold and the sigil of House Tyrell at the head and the foot. Despite being luxurious and comfortable Sansa couldn't sleep, so much had changed in her life. Would she ever go back to the snows? Part of her longed to leave the South but now she was permanently tied to it, and might never be able to return to her home. She was to become a mother in a world where war was a certainty, it was literally at their doorstep. With so many uncertainties Sansa's stomach was in a knot, and she restlessly tossed from side to side. Rolling onto her right side her gaze dropped to her staff, carved intricately and decorated with flowers, leaves and birds crowned with the large emerald she smiled. It was a source of solace for Sansa in a crazy world she held a piece of the Old Gods, wriggling away from the bulk of her husband she reached out and grasped it pulling it into her and cradling it in the enormous bed. Immediately she felt it, the pull and call to leave her bed and be with the Weirwood tree. Her body and mind were tired though, she wanted nothing more than to sink into the bed and sleep with her husband. Sleep in his arms and cradle their baby in her stomach. But the pull became stronger and stronger the longer she resisted, sighing she flung aside the blanket and exposed her naked body. Standing she glanced back at her husband blissfully asleep and smiled, she really was happy and in love with him. Holding out her hand the staff flew to her hand, and she grasped it tightly. Flinging open the windows she was gone, flying in the form of an eagle soaring over the soldiers encampment and beating her powerful wings towards the Weirwood tree in the dark of night.

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Sansa could feel the Weirwood she sought out, it's energy was more than palpable it was literally pulling her into its vortex. Even if she wanted to fight against it she couldn't because she was literally a part of it now, her wings beat rhythmically and she had eyes only for one destination. Reaching the tree felt relieving and soothing like a part of herself was being returned to her and she felt more complete.

Circling over the tree she let out an eagles cry and came to rest in front of the tree returned to her human form, red leaves lay in a thick covering that went up to above her ankles. The crinkling of the leaves under her feet, the sound of the tree waving in the wind and the smell of the forest made Sansa fall into a crouch in relief. She felt the stress and pressure leaving her and her eyes glowed again bright blue, she felt the immense power running through her body and heard Olenna's plea for help reverberate in her mind.

I must help them, she thought to herself, I just don't know how

She breathed out and silently asked for help and guidance. She opened her eyes and lifted her head, and her gaze came to rest on Asher. He stood watching her crouched down and when they locked eyes he bent down and cupped her face with his hand and smiled with a tinge of sadness. Blinking away tears she bowed in respect to the elder and he spoke.

"My young wolf, there is much pain and suffering in your heart. You have come for help, and the Old Gods will willingly help you. But their help comes at a price, a sacrifice must be made for such help to be given"

Sansa heard the words but didn't understand right away, then her heart clenched when she understood.

"No," she whispered, "anything else, please"

"This is how it must be and the Old Gods know it, otherwise what lays ahead will take it from you anyway-"

Sansa dropped her head and sobbed fiercely. Her night of happiness had taken a sharp turn.

"I can show you what lies ahead if you deny the sacrifice-"

Sansa sobbed into the leaves, her heart broken and sadness filling her.

Asher crouched down, "The hardest choices bring the greatest rewards and in this case will save many. One life for thousands of others-"

Sansa breathed raggedly into her hands wanting to scream and run away but deep down she knew he was right and it broke her heart. Her hands shakily wiped her blood shot eyes and her lips trembled when she spoke the words, "I'll do it. I accept"

Asher nodded very seriously as tears streamed down her face, and when she felt a warm eruption down her legs she sobbed loudly. Her heart was broken and hurting, she fell to her knees as she bled in gushes over the Weirwood roots until she fainted and fell onto the roots blood gushing out of her in a wide arc. The Weirwood roots slowly begin to slide and move all around Sansa's body, and they begin to encase Sansa slowly absorbing the blood which was slowly gushing from her. The roots fully encased Sansa after a short period of time and began to glow green. The light was getting brighter and brighter when it began to beat as if it was a beating heart. It beat rhythmically for several minutes before it began to fade and the beating slowly stopped. The roots held Sansa in their embrace, her eyes were glazed over and white while she was deep in a vision.

Sansa stood in a field, the wind blew and felt icy. As far as the eye could see lay dead bodies, she slowly turned and realised with shock she was standing outside Winterfell. The faces of the dead were all the people she knew and without being able to stop it her tears began to flow. Then she was high in the sky observing Westeros from above and saw a wave of death rolling through all the cities and villages of Westeros. Bodies lay everywhere and castles were laid to waste, the rivers ran thick with blood and the water was filled with rotting corpses creating a powerful stench that made her retch powerfully. Then there was a screech and the scenery changed, ice swirled all around her and she saw a silver haired man climb onto a white dragon and take off into the clouds unleashing a fiery fury on the cities trying to save them. But it was too late, the dragon was attacked and killed along with its rider. A wind raced across Westeros whipping her hair all around her face and snow storms covered everything she knew in a blanket of white. Just like that Westeros was gone.

The scene faded, and another began but this time there was warmth and laughter. A child's thin cry cut through the darkness and suddenly the vision was illuminated. Sansa was in Highgarden with her children, Willas was laughing by the fire and she looked out the window to see the rolling fertile hills covered in crops. Willas puts the children aside and goes to Sansa staring out at the hills, he turns her head and tilts her chin kissing her tenderly making her want him. He is real and warm, healthy and living. She feels little hands grabbing her thighs and looks into the chubby and cherubic faces of three toddlers. Their bright eyes shining and calling her Mama. Her heart twists in grief and hope at the same time, she melts though and kneels down pulling them into an embrace.

As quick as it started the visions end, her eyes unglazed and she startles trying to move. The weirwood roots slither away and she sits up looking around in alarm breathing in deeply and audibly. Her hands immediately go to her stomach, she feels an emptiness and begins to sob loudly reverting to curling up in a foetal position cradled in the Weirwood roots deep in grief for the child she gave up to save the lives of others.

Asher knelt by her side and took her hand in his small one. She looked at him through her tears, but said nothing. She had no words.

"It is time to master your powers young wolf, the Old Gods have gifted you handsomely for your sacrifice and you will be able to save many"

He gently tugged her hand drawing her to her knees, she knelt naked amongst the roots her long red hair trailing all around her feet.

"What do i do?" She asked with a croaking voice from crying.

"Become the Earth and you will know from there"

Sansa looked to him unsure what he meant but after a moment she focused and immediately her body disintegrated into soil coming to rest amongst the roots. Her being magnetised towards itself and the soil collected in a little pile slowly making its way deeper underground. It sought out something, and a short time later she found it. A tiny seed, too small to be seen with the human eye lay deep in the soil. Her soil granules surround it until I was cradled perfectly inside her. Another perfect seed that needed love and nurturing to grow, Sansa's mind clenched with pain and grief but not having a body meant the emotions couldn't take an effect and so she cradled the seed doing her best to come to terms with how she was experiencing life in this form. After a long time, the seed began to shake slightly and a small shoot appeared. She focused more intently and accelerated the growth causing the shoot to push upwards until it emerged from the soil and burst into the open air. The growth continued to accelerate until Sansa became the seedling, at some point she went from being the soil to being the tree and felt herself sinking roots deep into the ground entwining with the tree that towered next to her. The slender white Weirwood seedling swayed in the wind and for a while Sansa enjoyed the sensation of being a tree before growing again and pushing the roots deeper and deeper. Suddenly she reached a level that activated something unexpected, she was able to connect with every plant and Weirwood across Westeros. She had tapped into the root mass and all at once she felt a barrage of plant based emotions, visions and flickering images of what was happening all over Westeros. Drawing deeper into the trance like state she saw all the images arranged along a thread of time, and could see the past as well as future possibilities. Her consciousness expanded in ways she was unable to comprehend in her human form and she felt her mind changing and growing in new ways. The wind picked up and helpless she swayed deeply in the wind, letting everything she experienced integrate into her being. She felt the energy of her family members and could see where they were at that point in time, with confusion she felt Robb lost in the forest of the North and Arya somewhere in the Riverlands. A sudden strong gust of wind shook her tree form wildly and she was shocked a little for several moments. She knew that wind, Arya, she called out in her mind somehow trying to contact her lost sister. Sansa felt the wind return and spin around her affectionately she knew definitely it was Arya, and as quick as it came the wind was gone leaving Sansa to ponder if it was real or just a convincing vision. She spent a while longer soaking in the wonder and magic she felt, trying to learn how to use whatever she had been gifted, attempting to understand it. Slowly she pulled her roots away from the enormous tree mass and immediately felt sad, like she was leaving behind another family but she promised to return. And slowly bit by bit she brought herself back together and the slender Weirwood sapling returned back into her human form. It was a rude shock, being a human was a completely different sensation and she crumpled to her knees as she remembered how to be in a body again. Asher grasped her elbow and tried to steady her, gently he led her into the forest one step at a time until they reached a waterfall which tumbled into a rocky pool illuminated by moonlight. He produced a cup and gathered some nearby plants dropping them into the cup and filling it with water. Before he passed it to Sansa he cupped it in his hands and it glowed momentarily, he held it towards her and said simply.

"Drink"

Obediently Sansa took the cup and drank deeply, it tasted sweet and earthy immediately revitalising her. Gratefully she finished the liquid inside and for the first time smiled.

"I must impress upon you the importance of unveiling your new abilities slowly," warned Asher, "too much too soon will put you in danger"

"I mean no disrespect Asher but I've sacrificed everything I care for tonight. I wont waste a moment trying to save those I love because I had to give up something I loved deeply for this", her face became serious and hardened, her eyes intense.

Asher sighed, "I should've known you would say that. I'm aware of the army camping at your door," he reached inside his cloak and produced several large old looking weirwood leaves. He put them in Sansa's hands.

"These leaves are ancient and powerful, if you go too far you'll know it. Eat a small piece of a leaf and it's power will restore you-"

Sansa looked at the old crumpled leaves in her hands and wondered how she would store them, without thinking she pushed them up against her staff and it absorbed them completely. She laughed in awe, and Asher patted her hand.

"You will learn much about what you can do in the coming days child, but do try to pace yourself," he warned. Sansa nodded sombrely, and gripped her staff tightly feeling the anxiety wash over herself remembering everything she was responsible for.

In the distance a loud sound rumbled causing the ground beneath their feet to shake and tremble, Sansa looked down and felt the vibrations. Immediately her mind transported there and she saw Highgarden being attacked with canons, part of the castle wall was hit and soldiers were trying to breach it already.

"They've attacked at night!" She said in disbelief, "I must go!"

Without a word more she flung herself into an eagle and flew back to the castle. The sounds of the canons were overwhelming for a bird to hear, every crash of the castle sent shock waves reverberating through Sansa in eagle form. Despite her bird senses screaming at her to turn and fly away she pressed onward, until she landed back inside her window and crouched in human form for a moment. The world seemed to move in slow motion, she heard her heartbeat and Willas' face was contorted in fear trying to drag her away from the window. Suddenly the cacophony of sound crashed down on her and noise barraged her senses, canons crashing, the sound of canons hitting walls and clash of metal on metal as fighting erupted outside the castle.

"Where were you?" yelled Willas, "You could've died! Our child-"

Sansa's heart clenched in grief and she stared intently at Willas unable to shake the uncontrolled sadness that the mention of their child brought. She fell to her knees and sobbed, confused Willas knelt in front of her despite the canons rocking the castle and causing acrid smoke to fill the air.

Willas leant in front of Sansa and cupped her face.

"What happened Sansa? Where have you been?"

Sansa breathed raggedly and looked to Willas, her eyes bright red rimmed with tears.

"I had to choose," she stammered, "it was either save the whole family or just...one"

She broke down into tears and buried her face in her hands, Willas looked numb before he also fell to his knees wrapping his arms around his wife and crying into her stomach. Sansa felt comforted by his grief and presence, but the crashing sounds of the castle grew louder and the castle was shaking more and more.

Willas wiped his eyes and looked to Sansa speaking in a low voice in defeat, "We must surrender-"

Sansa placed a finger on his mouth to stop him speaking, "Take Lady Olenna, Margaery, and organise the castle to evacuate behind you. Go deep into the dungeons and find the door with an engraved Thorn. Go through it and don't look back, no matter what you hear-"

"I'm not leaving you!" protested Willas angrily, Sansa leaned down and kissed him.

"I will follow you I promise, I'm going to stop them from entering. Trust me, please"

The newlyweds gazed into each others eyes for a moment, then Willas grasped behind Sansa's head and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. A loud crash shook the castle and knocked Sansa off her feet, Willas caught her and held her like he would never see her again and kissed the top of her head fervently.

"You must go now my love or it will be too late," spoke Sansa getting to her feet and before he had a chance to respond she was gone in the form of a swirl of butterflies. Breathing raggedly he pulled himself to his feet and went in search of his grandmother and sister the castle taking hit after hit from cannon fire.

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Sansa flew around the castle in a stream of butterflies looking at the damage the attackers had inflicted, they had tried hard to breach the walls but failed. Highgarden was built from extremely hard rock not easily damaged by canons, for now the castle only sustained cosmetic damage. Dodging flying canons in a swirl of movement, Sansa sailed around the castle looking for the targets which didn't take long to find. She spotted a woman dressed in red alongside the General of the Lannister force, she swirled down towards them ready to attack directly. As she flew at breakneck speed closer she saw a figure laying on the ground in front of her with a member of House Tyrell by her side. With a sickening realisation she saw it was Margaery, bound and gagged unconscious. The stream of butterflies pulled back up into the air as Sansa regrouped, the canons still fired loudly crashing and banging into the castle filling the air with acrid smoke. Sansa had no idea if Willas was still alive, or if they had made it to the dungeons which left her little options. She decided to protect the castle and hope it was the right decision, fluttering around she ducked and weaved through the army looking for the right spot where she couldn't be attacked. Landing on a slight rise behind the army Sansa's whirl of butterflies reformed into her human form. Wasting no time she drew out her staff and thrust it into the ground and sending a powerful shockwave across the ground and causing the emerald to pulse angrily. The army cried out in surprise and the canons were mostly all toppled over, only two from the opposite side of the castle remained standing being protected from the shockwave by the castle. The soldiers scrambled to their feet in confusion and before they could act she thrust the staff into the ground once more with greater force and smiled as the ground heaved and rolled under their feet violently. She waved her staff above her head in a circular motion, the emerald glowing brightly and watched in wonder as thick, thorny vines emerged from the ground and began to entwine the walls of Highgarden. By now there was chaos and confusion, the horses of the army had fled the danger of the rolling ground. They whipped past Sansa at great speed, running around her as if she was a rock in a creek causing her hair to whip around her face wildly. She watched as the castle became completely encased in thick vines and bramble, preventing anyone entering or leaving. She hoped it was enough to give everyone inside time to escape, but how and where she didn't know. All she felt was Highgarden had to be protected, if it was breached House Tyrell would die. Several minutes of alarm and confusion reigned as the army scrambled to reconfigure their attack, some canon machines were pushed back upright and the firing began once more. To their consternation and shock not one of their attacks could damage or breach the thick vines. They tried hacking and slashing at them, several died after being spiked and impaled causing superstitious fear of going near the castle. Sansa fell to her knees in exhaustion, her gaze still on the castle relieved her plan had worked. The Tyrells could escape with their people but most of all, Cersei couldn't take the castle or the riches contained within. Satisfied Sansa fell onto the ground and fused into the soil her physical body exhausted to the point of unconscious. She fell into particles of soil in the ground immediately feeling revitalised by the energy and nurturing of the earth. Several minutes later she felt the pounding of horses hooves coming closer, obviously not every horse had been spooked away. Sansa forced herself into the form of the butterflies again and fluttered above the ground in time to see Margaery tied to the back of a horse being ridden by the red woman. And Sansa felt sick when she spotted the head of a Tyrell soldier bouncing on the side of the horse as well.

Margaery, called out Sansa in her butterfly form as she fluttered closer, Margaery opened her eyes and saw the butterflies. She tried to struggle against her binds but the woman riding turned back and punched her across the face knocking her unconscious again. Rage built up within Sansa and she returned to her human form smashing her hand on the ground to try and free Margaery but as the ground rolled towards the galloping horses the woman looked back and saw it. At the point of impact she forced the horse to jump and escaped the worst of the heaving ground. The horse shrieked a panicked neigh but the woman tightened her reigns and galloped into the thick forest out of sight. Sansa fell to the ground in defeat and exhaustion feeling with bittersweet awareness distinctly defeated. The exhaustion took over in a suffocating wave and swept Sansa into a pit of darkness as she remembered Asher's words, you'll know when you've pushed too far.

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Long after the chaos had died down the field of fighting around Highgarden was dark and quiet. The cries of the dying had since silenced and upon discovering Highgarden was completely impenetrable the surviving soldiers resolved to resuming their attempts the following day. Cersei's orders had been certain, Highgarden and everything within it must be hers. As the darkness overtook the field as fires winked out through the night a tiny figure began to make their way through the encampment. Silently they glided around the tents and extinguished fires making their way to the spot where Sansa had sunk down into the earth in absolute exhaustion. Standing in this spot he felt several emotions, pushing them aside he bent down and placed his small green hand on the earth and a light radiated outwards from his touch before sinking deep down. Lifting his hand in an upward motion specks of earth began flying upwards towards his hand and after several moments he held a large pile of earth in both hands. Once more he looked around at the encampment and at the castle encased within thick vines and in a flash he disappeared into the night. He reappeared under the large Weirwood tree almost on the exact spot where Sansa had laid cradled in grief and loss some hours prior. Still holding the pile of earth he walked to the side of the towering tree to a part of the woods where the trees didn't tower so much. Gently he bent down and placed the earth pile on the ground and watched as it sunk back into the ground. Slowly and stiffly he bent down and placed his hand on the surface of the earth and focused his energy into Sansa, and again a flash of light radiated outwards hovering across the ground before focusing into the form of a golden seed before it sunk into the earths depths. Gently he patted the ground tenderly like it was the back of one of their young.

"Rest now young one," he spoke tenderly. He heard a movement behind him and half turned to see one of their priestesses anxiously awaiting in the shadows. He beckoned her forth.

"Did you find her in time?" she whispered anxiously wringing her hands.

He nodded once and pulled her towards him and pointed to the ground at the spot where Sansa's soil granules lay snugly in the ground, "She will emerge in a day or two"

"Is it as bad as we feared?" she question looking up at him with fear lined on her face.

The Elder grimaced, "It is as we feared, the future we saw has shifted. Our young Stark will now walk a much harder path, but all hope is not lost"

He patted her hand reassuringly doing his best to hide his own anxiety.

"She will emerge and remain in resting until we deem she's healed enough to return, when she does the real work will begin"

"When she wakes, what then?" asked the priestess anxiously, her lined face creased in fear.

"She must stay with us and learn more before she leaves, once she leaves us we can't help her any longer and she will be going to the most dangerous place of all"

"Where is she going?"

The Elder grimaced again, "She must save Margaery Tyrell in Kings Landing," he shook his head, "without more knowledge there's no possibility she could survive that place or rescue her"

The Priestess looked worried but resolved, "We will give her everything she needs. And maybe it's time we returned to Kings Landing also-"

She looked up to the Elder hopeful and he looked thoughtful. He rubbed a small hand on his chin.

"My dear priestess, I believe you are right. It is time we reclaimed our place there. Do your preparations and select a guardian to go there"

Looking overjoyed but trying to hide it the Priestess smiled excitedly and clasped her hands together, for too long they had been driven from Kings Landing. And thus had no eyes or ears on the comings and goings there. That combined with the reality that the Red Keep had been built over the top of their sacred ruins had always been a sore point for their kind. But now with their new found alliance with this small group of humans maybe they could reclaim some power there and possibly discover things about their kind that had been thought lost forever.

The pair smiled together and clutched their hands and put their foreheads together looking down at the patch of dirt where Sansa lay in a regenerative sleep.

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Tyrion traversed the dark hallways barely lit by candlelight, he carried a scroll which he clutched so deeply it almost cut into his skin. The hand of the Queen pin at his breast gleamed as he passed through the sparse light, but despite it being a thing of pride to wear it felt more like a curse at this time. Especially at this moment. Reaching the Tower of the Hand he braced at the door and knocked slightly, he heard a murmur inside and furtively answered. The guards opened the creaking doors and Tyrion's anxiety deepened. Cersei sat behind the desk, his desk writing scrolls. Stepping into the room he creased his brow at what she could be doing at this hour but remembered his fathers words when he departed for this task.

Tread lightly, let her think she's in control

And so swallowing his anxiety he strolled into the room and immediately diverted to the wine pitcher, pouring a large glass he gulped it down and looked over to his sister, the Queen. By now she was glaring over at him with a mixture of disdain and disgust plastered across her face. Clearing his throat Tyrion decided to dive straight in to the contents of the scroll.

"I have word from Highgarden..." he started with more confidence than he felt. Cersei immediately lifted her head, her interest piqued and face hopeful.

"Is that wrinkled old bitch dead and the castle plundered?" She replied venomously.

"Not quite-" began Tyrion cautiously to which Cersei's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?" she said through gritted teeth.

"Olenna Tyrell and Highgarden are completely impenetrable it seems..."

Cersei slammed down her quill and leaned forward, "I don't care what it takes! I don't care if that castle gets dismantled piece by piece I want the Tyrells wiped from history! And dead...all of them dead!" She seethed with a fury that honestly scared Tyrion, and made him thankful for the time being this anger wasn't directed his way.

Again he cleared his throat, "That therein lies the problem, somehow, and I don't know how. The castle itself is completely impenetrable, it has encased itself in a thick layer of vine that cannon fire, and regular fire cannot break."

Cersei's face was stiff in rage and her cold gaze hardened towards her younger brother who brought this unwelcome news.

"What exactly are you saying Tyrion?"

"Highgarden cannot be accessed and Olenna Tyrell is still free" breathed out Tyrion all at once, glad he didnt have to tip toe around the news any longer.

Cersei immediately gripped the quill between her hands and snapped it in fury causing Tyrion to blink a startled response. He leaned forward and spoke in a quieter tone.

"Cersei if I understand exactly what you wanted I could help you, but you hide everything and sit here in shadows conducting business that nobody knows about. How can I be sure what you're planning bears any fruit?"

Cersei leaned forward and with a vicious whisper returned, "You are the last person alive I would entrust with my plans and ideas"

Tyrion pulled up a chair and sat in it with a slump, he had a twinkle in his eye. He held his arms out at the empty room all around them.

"What have you got to lose? You don't have your dithering small council around you or Jamie to talk you out of anything. It's just me, your dwarf brother who won't matter anyway when Father arrives. Who else have you truly got?"

Cersei sat back and scanned her despised little brother shrewdly, "How do I know you won't go running to Father?"

"You don't," admitted Tyrion candidly, "but he's too far away to really stop your plans don't you think?"

Cersei looked down at her hands, the broken splintered quill had drawn some blood and she sighed a little with disbelief she was in this position and considering confiding in this unlikely person. She leaned forward with her bloodied hands on the desk and began to speak.

Tyrion couldn't believe it at first, but then his Fathers voice echoed in his head.

Gain her trust and agree with whatever she has planned.

Only when the world turns against her can she be truly stopped

When Cersei was finished she sat back and felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, she looked to her brother who she thought smiled in approval.

"Very well then, I guess we have a war to plan against the North. What would you like me to do first?"

Inflated with validation, her ego growing exponentially Cersei unleashed her orders, "Seize Winterfell, kill every Stark you find"

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The sun rose several days later and the forest began to stir, birds began chirping and flitting between tree branches, mist rose from the forest floor and leaves heavy with beads of dew dropped onto the leafy ground. The Weirwood tree towered in the forest, king of the trees but off to the side another had burst through the ground. Two red leaves poked out from the ground quivering in the cool morning air, a ray of sunshine managed to penetrate the surrounding canopy and edged its way closer to the quivering leaves. As the sun continued to rise the Ray of light bathed the leaves totally in its warming, nurturing rays and the leaves emerged with greater urgency until a tall, slender sapling emerged from the ground and spread out its numerous branches and leaves sprung all along their lengths. There it remained swaying in the gentle morning breeze swaying almost rhythmically until the priestess of the Children came to check on her. The priestess bounded towards the sapling and wrapped her small arms around the slender trunk, a tear glistening in her eyes. She kneeled in front of the tree and ceremoniously poured carefully prepared potions around the base of the tree causing further growth and thickening of the trunk in front of their eyes. The priestess gazed up at the tree form of Sansa with tears gushing down her face, in awe she watched and at carefully timed intervals alternated between several different coloured liquids. Daily for several mornings they attended her and poured a collection of magic potions for Sansa's recovery, but after days of attention she remained in her tree form. On the fourth day Asher attended, his brow furrowed in concern. Carefully he moved towards her and placed his hands on the trunk, eyes closed deep in thought and prayer. Opening his eyes he looked up but still she remained in her tree form, he stepped back several paces looking up and the Priestesses crowded around him with questioning looks on their faces.

"What do we do if she doesn't wake?" whispered one.

"Without her we lose all hope!" piped up another fearfully which set the others off in worried whispers. Asher simply raised a hand for quiet and looked at their faces with stern determination.

"She will return, we just need to give her time. She lost her child to the Old Gods, went through powerful magic exhaustion and grief. We must be patient, and not resort to fear. She is with the Old Gods now, we must leave her be-" he turned to walk away and caught the gaze of his most trusted Priestess. With the slightest glance he communicated subtly to her before departing the clearing disappearing into the Weirwood roots back to their sanctuary. The other Priestesses followed him chattering amongst themselves, not noticing she dipped behind a low lying bush. They too disappeared into the earth leaving the clearing quiet once more. She turned and rested her gaze on the beautiful Weirwood sapling, it stood proudly in the ground slightly leaning to one side with two large branches curving to the sides from the central trunk and a large amount of foliage weighing down the smaller branches. She smiled slightly with a hint of nerves as she approached, knowing what had been commanded of her in that glance. Quietly she knelt in front of the tree and wrapped her arms around the tree affectionately.

"Lady Sansa, we need you to wake," she whispered placing her tiny hands on the slender white trunk she dropped her head and focused. Golden light shone from her hands and radiated throughout all of Sansa's tree form and penetrated into the earth throughout her root system. The ground rippled with golden light all around the clearing, panting from exertion the Priestess slowly withdrew her hands and tentatively looked up at the golden tree before her.

"We need you, we have to take action. I've filled you with magic of the Old Gods never bestowed on a human before, please wake-" she pleaded, looking up with hope across her face. The tree glistened with golden energy but remained in the form of the young Weirwood tree. Feeling a loss of hope she fell forward with her hands on the earth around the point Sansa's trunk emerged from the fertile soil. Tears dropped from her eyes as she remembers painfully the friends and family she lost long ago in the last fight against the dead. The pain had never left her, after several moments of feeling hopeless and despair she got to her feet and left the clearing. The tree still glistened all throughout with golden energy, sparkling and sending a golden haze around the clearing but still Sansa remained inside the Weirwood.

Deep down in the earth she lay cradled inside the particles of her energy, it was dark and warm she felt protected and safe. But suddenly she heard a voice pleading with her to wake up, and a barrage of distressing images ran through her mind of loved ones being savagely murdered, and the cold, a deep bone chilling cold that immobilised her heart momentarily jolting her eyes open. She felt the sensation of the pieces of herself nestled deep in the soil pulling back together and dragging upward. Before she knew it she lay on the forest floor shivering from the slight breeze that ruffled the leaves around her. It felt strange to be back in her body, she rubbed her hands on the bumps on her arms to regain warmth and her limbs felt odd to move. Sansa looked around her and saw a familiar figure across the clearing.

"Lady?" She smiled and she inched closer on her elbows. The direwolf trotted across the uneven terrain and nuzzled against Sansa, who ran her fingers down the dire wolves side.

"She arrived several days ago," spoke another voice and Sansa whipped her head around to see Asher standing behind her looking at her gravely. "We almost weren't sure you were coming back to us Lady Sansa. Your direwolf has remained in this clearing waiting for you, when she arrived I regained hope that you would return"

"How did I get here?" asked Sansa shakily.

"Think child, and the memories will come. But be warned, you might not like what you see" he raised one hand and pointed a finger at her head and immediately the scenes played out like a movie in her mind. All the sadness and happiness of the events leading to her collapsing into the ground as a pile of lifeless dirt. Involuntarily her body jolted forward as pain and grief overcame her, she screamed in agony for the physical and emotional pain that overtook her. The memories were painful and she felt as though an avalanche had just buried her alive. Asher patted her hand gently but Sansa still reeled as the image of her bloodstained legs burned into her mind.

"My child," She groaned in anguish, "Everyone I know...I failed them all"

"You haven't failed anyone yet, you weren't to know the attack was coming"

Still bent over her eyes tightly shut Sansa panted as she struggled to regain herself, it seemed like she was living in a nightmare.

"They're all gone aren't they? Lady Olenna? My husband?" She opened her eyes and they were slick with tears, fearfully she looked to Asher. "And it's my fault, Highgarden fell"

"Highgarden didn't fall, and the Tyrells are all safe"

Sansa crouched for a moment before slowly standing, her eyes still full of emotions, "Prove it, unless I see it I don't believe it"

Asher's mouth twitched in a slight smile and without a word he lifted his small staff so the crystal glimmering on top gleamed with glittering brilliance. The light blinded Sansa so she winced and shielded her face from the sudden flash of light, but as quick as it came it was gone. And all was dark, she could hear frightened murmurs and muffled footsteps before she heard the unmistakeable tone of Olenna.

"It's bloody useless, you've gotten us lost! Our home has fallen and we will likely die underground"

"No grandmother this is the way..." retorted Willas in a gentle tone.

Olenna scoffed in disbelief, "How can you know where we are? You've never been here!"

"I'm being shown as we go Grandmother, be patient"

"Shown? By who?" replied Olenna in surprise.

"It's Sansa but it's not her at the same time, I can't explain it-"

Olenna didn't respond but moved closer to Willas, gripping his arm and yanking him forcefully.

"You're following your dead wife?" she spoke in a harsh low voice.

Despite the darkness Willas was angered, he ripped his arm away "She's not dead!"

He turned and pushed on further, in the dark his hands reached the coldness of rock he felt his way along the wall looking for something. But he saw nothing, he had followed her faithfully then she just disappeared into nothing. Moving back across he moved where she disappeared, and felt the rock slower. It felt rough, and sharp but he couldn't figure out much else.

"We have been walking for days," said Olenna softly, "I don't know if those behind us will follow much longer..."

Willas breathed out in exasperation, "I know," he started in defeat all the while trying to find a way through. He stopped and took a breath, then using both hands together he ran his hands down the wall. He felt something sticking out of the rock, a shape. Kneeling down he ran his hand from top to bottom again and immediately he knew it, a rose. Instinctively he pushed into it with all his strength, his feet started slipping in the earth beneath him and his shoulders strained under the pressure. But he felt the shape move slightly, he stopped and then tried again this time he felt the shape click inwards and heard the groaning of rock on rock. Slowly and loudly the rock began to move and light began to filter into the passageway, Willas and Olenna shielded the light as it stung their eyes after so long underground. There were surprised shouts as a torch was passed to them inside the passage way and surprised faces came face to face with Willas and Olenna.

"My Lady, my Lord. We are glad to have found you!" exclaimed a young voice, "We almost gave up hope but Lord Hightower forbid us to return without you"

"Lord Hightower?" asked Olenna in disbelief, "Are we in Oldtown?"

The young man bowed respectfully, "Yes my Lady. You have emerged from a secret passageway long forgotten which leads directly to a cave system outside of Oldtown. We will escort you safely inside the city walls before we shut the gates to outsiders"

"Shut the gates?" asked Willas in concern.

The soldier bowed his head in confirmation, "We have been instructed to protect ourselves and your family and so the gates will be closed"

Olenna stepped forward and took the helping hand of the soldiers as she gratefully exited the passageway.

"About time someone stood up to that bitch in Kings Landing" she said dryly as she indicated the people behind her. "Ensure all are safely taken along with us"

"Of course my Lady," bowed the soldier as his comrades reached forward to assist the people of Highgarden out of the passageway to safety. The light blinded their eyes and they all put their hands up to block the light hurting their eyes as they took time to adjust. Sansa had her hands up blocking her eyes as the light blazed brightly, then the scene disappeared and she was back in the clearing with trees towering above her and a small crowd of Children of the Forest around her. Asher fixed a pointed gaze to her, "Are you satisfied of their safety?"

Sansa matched his grave gaze, "Yes, thankyou" she paused, her voice faltered before squaring her shoulders and resolutely meeting Asher's gaze. "I'm no longer afraid to become what I need to be, I'm ready to accept the path the Old Gods see for me"

Asher gazed at her momentarily, "What you must undertake will change you young wolf. I'm afraid what needs to be done is more extreme than anything we have done before. It could break you-"

"So be it," said Sansa coldly, "I'm ready to become what I need to be"

Asher contemplated her for a moment and then nodded in satisfaction, "There is much to do and a dangerous path lies ahead for you my dear. Let us begin"

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Ned and Oberyn poured over the maps and scrolls in the tent while several of his banner men snored or emptied their cups. Ned's face was strained while Oberyn looked vibrant, they discussed the papers around them until Ned sat heavily in a seat and involuntarily exhaled in exasperation. Oberyn poured him a whiskey taking a heavy gulp relishing the burning sensation in his mouth. Ned tiredly took the cup and took a smaller sip grimacing at the taste, Oberyn sat close by and looked to his ally.

"War takes its toll, and the real fighting hasn't started yet"

"It's not the war that's troubling me. I missed my daughters wedding, my wife despises me again and I'm sitting here wondering why I'm the one leading these people. To be honest I think my time is almost done as leader of the North"

Oberyn's face remained free of judgement or expression, before he smoothly replied "There's no one else in this cold, frozen land who can bring together these men and make them fight. So right now you are the right person, maybe when peace returns you can choose differently"

Ned chuckled, "The way you speak sounds like someone like me has a choice in life"

Oberyn smiled charmingly, "Ned my friend everyone has a choice in their life even if they don't feel like it"

"I wish my younger self had been told that-" returned Ned sipping his whiskey.

"Would you have chosen differently? Between your duty and something else?"

Ned raised his eyebrows and was taken back to the time he spent with Ashara, and the crushing feeling of defeat he felt leaving her to return to do his duty.

"I would've chosen the same path but a different woman"

Oberyn smiled knowingly with his gaze downcast to his cup, "She still waits for you" he spoke in very low whisper, but loud enough for Ned to hear.

Ned smiled sadly but doesn't meet Oberyn's gaze, he sinks slowly into silence as he fights to stop the tide of memories and emotions rising within himself. Downing the last of his liquor he shakily rises to his feet and looks to his ally again. His gaze averted to the ground.

"Do not mention her again," he says shortly in a low voice, desperately pushing down the painful emotions threatening to take over him.

Oberyn smirks in response and takes a long sip from his drink, Ned changes the course of the conversation.

"We must stay ready, Cersei has attacked already. I have word Highgarden was struck at night but they failed to take the castle. We can't let them breach the North either. It's my mission to humiliate Cersei" he knocks his fist on the table to illustrate his point, rattling the cups.

"Anything to humiliate that family is something I can put my support into" smirked Oberyn as he put out his hand for Ned, they briefly shook hands before Ned departed the tent as Oberyn poured another deep glass of whiskey.

The camp was quiet, fires had burned low and here and there were murmurs of northern soldiers talking in low voices. They ceased their conversations and bowed respectfully when Ned walked by, he returned with a respectful nod. His boots crunching through the snow as he walks to the highest vantage point his army has. Mists from the swamps alongside GreyWater Watch rise from the earth and encase everything within their swirling fingers making everything appear sinister. Ned surveys across the land with a grim expression before turning to enter the tower at the stronghold of House Reed. The famed castle that can move and disappear into mist. He whistles as he climbs the stairway notifying the hidden soldiers of his presence, they whistle in response and he continues trudging up with troubling thoughts swirling in his mind. His anxiety was high, he had no word on Sansa's safety or the safety of the Tyrells, not even in his dreams could he find her which perturbed him greatly. He felt fear for all of his children. The archers stirred slightly when he entered, some moving to prevent their limbs from numbing, others silently servicing their bows. The Captain comes to stand beside Ned, his eyes also scanning across the scenery.

"When will they come my Lord?"

Ned breathes in deeply before answering, "Any day now, I can smell the Southern Army on the wind, I can almost taste them. They're not far"

The men in earshot glance at each other, his words sound ludicrous but every man, woman and child knows the legendary stories of Ned Stark and so for the most part the North trusts Ned implicitly. The Captain nodded his head curtly and issued swift orders telling his men to be on guard.

"When they come they won't let us know, keep your eyes open for anything unusual"

Instinctively the men prepared, tightening their grip on their bows and steeling themselves for impending attack. Despite their tension the night was still and clear, the camp below was still and the marshes all around were shrouded in darkness and mist. Above them the sky was splattered with bright twinkling stars and a radiant moon which shone down upon the terrain they surveyed. Ned had limited the ale and whiskey rations tonight, reasoning that they can't fight their enemy drunk and despite their discontent they all grumbled in acknowledgement that Neds decision was right. They can't lose the North because they wanted to drink ale and whiskey all night.

Ned had ordered the fires put out when the moon was high in the sky, and as they winked out one by one and the soldiers lay down wrapping their swords with them as they slowly fell into an uneasy rest while the fingers of mist encased their sleeping forms as it spread amongst the camp. Several said prayers to the Old Gods as they silently shut their eyes and hoped they would live to see the sunrise. Ned gave several orders to the Generals which caused some consternation, but after very hushed explanations they complied and enacted his strict orders.

With the mist covering everything there was perfect cover for several shapes to flit through the darkness, their steps muffled by coverings to avoid alerting the Northerners of their presence. Dark red cloaks poured towards the Northern camp like the flow of blood seeking to infiltrate the tents and overrun the camp creating an easy victory. They rushed into the tents and scuffles broke out but they were silenced quickly, muffled cries stifled without raising the alarm. Blood began to trickle from underneath the carefully erected tents, as the lifeblood of soldiers was soaking into the ground in a macabre offering to the earth. Tent by tent fell with muffled desperation being sniffed out with efficient ease, some of the Lannister soldiers grinned in confidence within a few hours the North would be theirs.

Their Commanding Officer waited on a hill on the other side of the swamp, his piercing eyes waiting and seeking the signal for the remainder of the Lannister army to finish off the Northerners. His heart hammered in his chest as he remembered the threatening tone his Queen had given, the cold menace in her voice. Then in the darkness the signal flares, a single flaming torch held high illuminating the darkness, signalling his victory. It seemed his plan for a quick, resounding defeat was a success he smiled grimly as he urged his men forward to claim victory over the North. His nose recoiled as the swampy mist engulfed them all, blocking a clear view of their path ahead. Uneasily the horses shied away, but he pressed them into a noisy canter as their tack jingled loudly in the night. There was no need for stealth now that Ned Starks army had fallen, he couldn't wait to be the one to take the head of Cersei's enemy through Kings Landing. He would carry it proudly back to the Queen, and receive her warm blessings and favour. Victory was so close he could taste it, and as he pushed closer he could smell blood in dirt a characteristic smell of battle and death. Crashing through the forest noisily they cantered through the camp, setting fire to any tents still standing and the soldiers on foot looking for any survivors to kill with ease. He noted with unease his soldiers were quiet, despite being victorious the swamp was silent. The destroyed camp rose out of the mist, broken and bloody but laying across the ground were hundreds of red cloaks and a single Northern soldier holding the torch grinning malevolently in the darkness. Before he had time to react enormous towers rose from under the swamp, roaring so loudly as they emerged towering above them they sprang to life, archers stood up from the boughs of the sturdiest trees. Instinctively the Captain tried to wheel his horse around but all he heard was the twang as hundreds of arrows were released and the sounds of men dying behind him. The archers in the trees aimed straight at him and fired, reaching the weak points in his armour, with a loud exhale of air he felt the arrows wedge deeply in his side. His horse lurched underneath him as he fell limply to the ground, the horse rearing in terror with hooves flailing over his crumpled form. The men behind desperately tried to fight off their attackers but the northerners were well hidden in the canopies and had the advantage of the terrain. The mist obscured the Lannister soldiers view and the trees towered over them like dark skeletons, it was here the northerners hid picking them off at leisure. When the last man fell Oberyn signalled for the attack to cease, a malicious smile glinting in his eyes. Cautiously the northerners approached the fallen soldiers, finishing those still alive with a quick knife thrust. The Captain was hauled to his knees, barely alive, with several arrow bolts protruding from all directions. Dazed he looked around, feeling death at his shoulder. He could barely lift his head for long, but he could hear the ominous sound of heavy footsteps approaching. Internally he lamented his foolishness, and the faces of his loved ones floated in his mind, memories of better peaceful times. Then he felt the coldness of a sword underneath his chin, it lifted his bloodied face as he coughed and spluttered blood. He was looking up a long, wide sword into the eyes of Ned Stark who glared down at him coldly.

"Seems only your head will be going to Kings Landing Captain," spoke Ned with a menacing tone. "Although none live to take it"

He gestured behind the Captain who realised with a sinking feeling every single one of his men lay dead, he wanted to cry but the arrows in his side prevented anything other than pain. He looked back up into Ned's eyes as the sword was swung to the side, and swiftly back taking the Captains head cleanly from his shoulders in the process. It flung through the air in a wide bloody arc, spraying blood across the dirt before landing with a sickening thud and rolling before coming to rest. Ned gestured for it to be gathered, then a shout came from the tower and Ned saw soldiers pointing and realised there were more Lannisters approaching. Ned gave several sharp orders, grab the horses still alive and begin to cut down the decoy camp, bury all the dead. Then he turned and disappeared into the thick tendrils of mist.

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The horses clattered over the bridge connecting the north to the Riverlands, underneath the swamp lay hidden in mists and the trees rose from the mist like ominous demons trying to reach the sky. The mysterious North lay ahead of them clouded in mist and the horses began to rear and backtrack despite all their riders strength. In confusion the soldiers spurred them harder forcing some with brute strength and the pain of their spurred boots. Several bucked so wildly they threw their riders from their saddle and bolted into the mist alone. Unnerved some wanted to call retreat but their commanding officer was struggling to control his own horse and couldn't give the command. Several horses simply turned and fled back to the Riverlands with their riders clinging uselessly to their reins. Chaos erupted on the bridge with some horses throwing their riders and running towards the mists and others retreating back to the Riverlands. The Lannister soldiers tried to stare into the mist at what caused them to be so scared, ominously the mists parted and standing on the northern end of the bridge stood a lone man. Ned Stark.

"Seems your horses are wiser than all of you combined," shouted Ned at the soldiers with a sneer, "Your comrades weren't so lucky"

The soldiers spotted something in his hand, Ned suddenly threw it to them. It hit the paved bridge with a sickening sound and rolled to the feet of the commanding officer, who now stood without his horse as it had bolted towards Ned. The head of his comrade rolled towards him, his eyes sickeningly open wide and staring. Without a thought he gave the order.

"Attack!"

The only men still on their horses drew their arrows and shot straight for Ned, they perfectly curved straight towards him but almost at the point of impact the arrows turned and returned back to the hand that has shot them lodging sharply in their throats. Their bodies slid lifelessly from their saddles hitting the bridge with bone cracking thuds. Their horses bolted towards Ned, and they ran by him straight into the mists, disappearing. Ned smiled grimly.

"Even your rides seek to abandon you"

Most of the Lannister soldiers now stood on the bridge without mounts, unsure of what to do several broke ranks and ran back but others maintained a look of determination. They drew their swords and marched forward. Suddenly out of the forest behind them came a larger Lannister force, mostly mounted with their red cloaks flapping as the cantered towards the bridge. The men on the bridge didn't hesitate knowing they would be put to death anyway if they deserted so they broke into a run seeking to kill Ned and take the North. Ned calmly watched them come, he could see their distorted, determined faces bent on victory. He waited until they almost had reached him, thundering along the bridge before he made sure he was standing on northern soil. He raised his hands and clapped them tightly together. The faces of the men determined for victory turned to horror as the bridge crumbled beneath their feet, Ned was so close he could see their despairing looks as they were thrown into an abyss as the ground opened up beneath them. The earth groaned defeaningly drowning out the cries of dying men and horses as the bridge crumbled to nothing and fell into darkness. The entire section of the Neck has been torn apart from the mainland, the swamps which had been there prior were simply gone forming an impassable gap between the North and the rest of Westeros rendering the North impossible to breach by land. The rush of sea water filled the darkness flowed in filling the gap below and drowning any who might have survived. Ned regretted that so many horses had fallen, he raised his gaze and spotted some straggling Lannister soldiers across the gap. He stared them down defiantly before turning to return into the mists but as he turned Roose Bolton strode from the mists and plunged a blade deep in Ned's side.

"You shouldn't have brought me back from the dead," he spoke menacingly his cold eyes glaring into Ned's, "Cersei Lannister sends her regards"

Ned felt the cold blade lodged in his side, he stared in dismay at Roose and gasped for a breath with difficulty. Lyarra howled close by and Ned could hear her rage, Ned called to her in his mind.

"You still failed..." was all Ned could say through the pain as blood spilled from his side.

Roose smiled coldly, "I don't think so..."

As Roose spoke his last word an arrow burst through the back of his head showering Ned in blood. Immediately Roose's body disintegrated into ashes and Ned fell to his knees heavily. Darkness fell around him as he felt Lyarra's furry form by his side and heard Oberyn issuing terse orders but that was all drowned out by a defeaning rushing sound and the sensation of falling.

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Ned groaned and moved his head which felt full and heavy, he winces in agony at the sharp pain in his side hearing a low whine which tells him Lyarra is near. His hand falls from the side of his bed and feels the fur of his wolf which comforts him. In his mind he sees the cold face of Roose again before he disintegrates into ashes, he groans in agony knowing the betrayal could destroy the North.

He's gone though, he hears the calming voice of Lyarra in his mind.

Leaving chaos behind him, replies Ned in his thoughts.

Oberyn has settled the traitors, said Lyarra without emotion. These were the people sworn to her husband when she was alive. But now as an instrument of the Old Gods she can see what no other human can.

Ned winced again in pain, She will attack us again. From the sea next time.

Happen she won't, you humiliated her in this victory

That's exactly why she will attack, and harder next time. You know what type she is, he spoke grimly wondering how they will hold off the might of Cersei's army. He also wondered what Tywin thought of this, his ally had been attacked but he hadn't heard anything from him. He resolved himself to being betrayed on that front also.

You should speak with him, don't assume anything spoke Lyarra wisely, and Ned flushed slightly remembering the wolf can read his thoughts.

Need to survive this first, he indicated the wounds on his body. He was bound but he'd been bleeding through his stitches and bandages. He tried to move his body slightly on the bed to soothe his aching back but it sent a shooting pain through his body causing him to cry out. He heard footsteps approaching and then the door flung open and Oberyn stood in the doorway with the Maester and Lord Manderly.

"The patient awakes!" exclaimed Oberyn excitedly causing Ned to wince from the sound.

"Not so loud!" scolded the Maester bustling to Ned's side with steaming herbs to lay as a poultice against his wounds. He sliced away the dressings and placed the steaming hot herbs against Ned's wounded and bruised skin binding it in place with fresh dressings. He forced Ned to swallow more medicines and concoctions than he wanted fussing over him breathlessly the whole time.

"The state you arrived here in was disastrous! Warden of the North grievously injured so far from anyone useful! It's a travesty my Lord! Luckily you're here with us at White Harbour now. We will get you back on your feet!"

Ned meekly complied with the Maester knowing better than to protest and swallowed all manner of bitter and nasty herbal medicines. He welcomed a fresh glass of ice cold spring water to wash it all away, afterward he felt much refreshed and managed to sit up with some assistance.

"How long have I been here?" He winced as he spoke, acutely aware of how dry his mouth is despite just drinking water.

"Half a turn of the moon my Lord" replied Lord Manderly.

"Half a turn?" He looked around sharply, trying to fling his bed covers off and swing his legs out. "I've wasted too much time"

Firm but gentle hands pushed him back to bed, "No sir you must rest! We only managed to catch the fever in time and heal the infection. He didn't stab you with the cleanest blade around. Softly, softly we must tread. Rest is the only medicine you can't refuse I'm afraid"

Ned barely complied, "We will be attacked here I'm sure of it"

"We have stationed lookouts on every headland..." spoke Lord Manderly.

"And we have instructed them to light bon fires when they see enemy ships" continued Oberyn to Lord Manderly's chagrin.

"There has been no sighting of them" finished Lord Manderly gently, "It is an honour to have you here my Lord after such a spectacular victory. A decoy camp was a wise tactic"

"It was Oberyn's idea actually" said Ned with a pointed look to Oberyn.

"But you are the one who opened the ground," grinned Oberyn, "nobody thought to cut us off from the mainland. Defensively it was genius"

"I just did what came to me in the moment," shrugged Ned, "Did GreyWater Watch fare well?"

Oberyn shrugged a little, "No damage and it drifted back into the mist after we left. It has lost a lot of swampland around it"

Ned grimaced slightly, "I didn't mean to do that you know, I only meant to make a ravine"

"It's protected us immensely Lord Stark, we cannot be breached by land" said Lord Manderly decisively with a proud look on his face.

Ned nodded in response getting lost in thoughts before sighing, "We have traitors though. That could cause a war within that we don't need"

Lord Manderly shifted unhappily, "Yes my Lord, that is regrettable. We have them detained"

Ned looked up, "How many? And from what Houses?"

"Umber, Glover, Karstark"

"And Bolton" added Oberyn.

Ned nodded though his shoulders slumped, "More than half my Kingdom is against me"

"We will get to the bottom of it my Lord. Deal with the outside enemies first before we look to ourselves"

"Do we even have enough men to fight for us? With four Houses marked as traitors their men might not follow us. They might demand war for their Lords"

Oberyn rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "There's been no rebellion since our victory, we did our best to keep the whole situation quiet"

"We told the soldiers the Lannisters attacked you"

"The rot of treachery might only stand with the heads of those Houses, only way to know is to talk to them"

"They're all here?"

Oberyn shook his head, "We separated them from their men to not arouse suspicion. Told the soldiers we were scouting the ravine for Lannisters."

"Where are they?"

This time Oberyn shifted uneasily, "The Dreadfort"

Ned looked alarmed, "The Dreadfort?"

"We found it empty of fighting men, only servants and women inside. We took the castle and raised the Stark flag, it's now yours"

Ned's mind reeled, where was Ramsay? Fingers of cold ice clenched his heart, he looked up in alarm.

"Winterfell only has women and servants with a scant group of soldiers, was Ramsay Bolton found?"

Silence fell over the room, Ned swore and struggled to his feet. "We need to get back to Winterfell! My wife and son are there!"

There was a clatter of footsteps outside causing Ned to look up, a soldier burst through the door.

"Fires lit on the headlands! The Queens ships approach!"

Ned swore bitterly and the Maester began to fuss over him again to which Ned testily replied, "Leave me man! Either find a way to prop me up so I can walk or find someone who can!"

After a short while soldiers came running with uncomfortable wooden crutches which allowed Ned to limp out to the castle walls, he took a long swig of milk of the poppy and shakily got to his feet.

The wind blew icily across the harbour and heavy rain fell making vsibility difficult out to sea. But their eyes weren't deceiving them when regarding the fire, they could be seen clearly for miles meaning a sizeable force was approaching. After several minutes the rain naturally eased and through the easing rain emerged a large force of Lannister ships flying the queens golden lion insignia on a blood red flag.

"We can't withstand that many ships," muttered Ned to Oberyn.

"Can you open the earth underwater? And change the shape of the water to stop them being able to sail?"

Ned considered it for a few moments as more ships came into view but then he shook his head, "No I can't, to change the water might create a wave that would destroy the docks below us. I can't control water and I don't know which way it will go. I can only do something when they come on land but then that will destroy the city of White Harbour. I can probably damage the ships themselves but I'm too far away up here"

An idea flashed into his mind, he turned to Oberyn "Do not let the castle fall"

"Where are you going?" He asked, brows knitted in concern as Ned hobbled away.

"To the docks with ten of my best men!" he shouted over his shoulder as he painfully hobbled away signalling to men around him to join in his haste.

Oberyn wanted to chase Ned down but he knew they needed to hold the castle so with a fervent wish of protection for his comrade Oberyn and Lord Manderly began protecting the castle. Soldiers clattered along the battlements and archers readied in the best positions for attack. All eyes stared out to the ocean at the large force emerging out of the grey horizon.

Ned made his way to the docks with some difficulty, the pain in his side becoming more than an aching annoyance. The milk of the poppy had started to wear out and his limp became more pronounced. He prayed as he walked because it was the only thing that calmed his mind enough from the reality of defeat. Behind him trudged his best men, trained to pick up his sword if he falls in battle and defend the North with their lives and to hand the great sword Ice to his heir. It felt like it took a long time to reach the docks and when he did the great ships were filling his vision advancing on the docks menacingly with canons and archers pointing at him and his men. Wind whipped his hair wildly and a light rain lashed their faces, the weather matched perfectly with Ned's face, grim and cloudy. His heart sank, if he couldn't stop the ships the North was lost. He waited until the canons prepared to fire, he watched them spin around to face the harbourcity and when they locked into place he raised his hands. At the moment he was to clap his hands together and destroy the ship he heard a screech, an unearthly screech that reverberated around the bay and penetrated into Ned's bones. He paused, was that real? His hands faltered as he squinted to locate the source of the sound.

Right before his eyes he witnessed several enormous tentacles emerge from the seas in a mass of sea spray and wrap around the ship pulling and constricting the ship until it splintered and crumbled into the rolling ocean. Ned's mouth opened in amazement as the ship sunk below the waves the sounds of screaming men heard across the bay, his gaze went to the other ships and he saw with astonishment they too were under attack. Everyone on the docks stood stunned and watched as the ocean came to life. Enormous sea serpents had risen from the depths, ridden by beings seemingly made of water. The soldiers on the ships were caught by surprise and their cries of alarm and frenzied orders were heard on shore. But it was in vain and soon the sound of clashing could be heard to the astonishment to anyone close enough to see and hear. Clash of steel on steel, shouting, the occasional firing of canons filling the air with smoke and the sound of dying men filled the air echoing around the bay. The serpents coiled themselves around the ships and cracked them sending men to a watery grave and filling the harbour with debris. The riders of the serpents attacked them with poisoned darts dropping any soldier that sought to attack the sea serpents they rode on. Twenty ships had sought to take White Harbour and systematically they were torn down into debris in the sea, their men drowning with them. The men by Ned's side clustered closer to their leader, swords drawn watching with mouths open in amazement. The entire royal fleet had been fantastically decimated in mere moments, Ned watched on white faced as the pain from his wounds became more and more uncomfortable. Several more screeches sounded before the sea serpents sunk below the depths once more. The bay was quiet once more except where they had been a fleet of ships before now there was only splintered nothingness spread across the waters surface. Suddenly a burst of water breached the surface, it appeared as something of great size was swimming at a fast pace under water towards Ned and his men. They steeled themselves and Ned ordered them to move closer to him as he knew in combat he couldn't fight with his wound. Before his eyes the water near the docks rippled and a shape burst from the surface up into the sky, Ned's gaze and that of his men's followed it but it simply appeared to be an indiscernible watery shape. It twisted in the air and landed on the docks metres in front of them, immediately Ned's men formed a protective formation around him especially as they all knew he was injured. The water form rose up appearing to be standing and features began to form of a young woman, from behind her more shapes emerged and moved past her and stood at attention in a kind of guard. Slowly the watery woman walked through the soldier's formation and stood several metres away from Ned.

"Greetings Ned Stark," spoke the woman in a sweet, young voice that was edged with steel. Ned was shocked and unsure what to say.

"Greetings..." he began, then faltered as he felt faint.

"I can see you are injured gravely, but I must speak with you"

The men around Ned still appeared to menace the watery woman, unsure what would happen next.

"Please, tell your men to lower their arms so I may transform into my land shape in order to speak with you better"

"I will do that but first tell me who you are and why you destroyed my enemy's fleet"

The woman looked back across the waves to the floating devastation and held out her hand showing her watery form.

"I represent the people of the Drowned God, we have come for our Prince and ask that he be restored to us"

"Your Prince?" asked Ned confused.

The woman bowed her head respectfully, "Yes Lord Stark, for too long we have lived as two civilisations, water dwelling and land dwelling. My Father, who speaks with the Drowned God has been instructed to unite us once again. And our Prince from the land has been chosen for this task by the Drowned God. We understand he is your ward but it is now time for him to travel his own pathway back to restore his people"

Ned raised an eyebrow at her words and indicated the ships, "And the ships?"

"We cannot have our Prince or those protecting him in danger, he is quite precious to us" the woman spoke with a tone that caused Ned to be trusting.

Ned indicated to his men to lower their weapons, some protested but Ned insisted, so intrigued he was by the woman's words. Slowly the men all sheathed their weapons and held up their hands, and before their eyes the watery woman changed into her land shape taking all of their breaths away. She stood tall and proud with a feminine curve to her and dancing green eyes framed by long yellow blonde hair that fell to behind her knees. She wore an iridescent white fitted gown that accentuated the gills that fluttered at her neck and the fins that ran from her elbows to her wrists and down behind her knees along her calves. Her unearthly beauty was stunning to all who laid eyes on her. Around her neck hung numerous seaweed necklaces of shells, diamonds and aquamarine that lead the eye to her bust which was visible due to the low slashes of her dress revealing milky white iridescent skin with a pearlescent sheen. Cautiously she stepped forward and Ned offered her his hand which she graciously took, he kissed her hand respectfully noting how soft and smooth it was despite not being truly human.

"May I ask your name?" He spoke kindly to her.

"My true name cannot be pronounced with a human tongue however you may call me Corylle" she spoke respectfully and kindly but her manner showed her pride. Her sea green eyes emanated a power that Ned knew was nothing short of regal.

Ned bowed his head respectfully, "Pleased to meet you Corylle, I am Ned from House Stark and I welcome you to the North"

Corylle accepted Ned's welcoming and they were escorted back to the Merman's Court inside New Castle where all of Ned's astonished court heard Corylle speak for the first time.

"Long ago, my people from the sea withdrew from those on the surface. Wars and famine depleted our race so greatly that we almost died out. We are the people dedicated to the Drowned God of the Sea, but as we recovered from our losses we soon understood that the key to our survival was to find a bridge between the surface and our watery depths. Hence we sought out humans with which to breed and keep our culture alive. Our descendants decided they preferred to live on land and so the lines we bred with stayed ashore seeking us out only to choose a representative of the Drowned God to lead them. For a long time we allowed them to seek out their lives apart from us, but one day my Father was given a dreadful vision from the Drowned God that showed our water kind dying out because our blood relatives on the surface were no longer breeding with us. Combine that with the threat to us all North of the Wall and humans being wiped out. And the resulting change in temperature to the oceans we live in meant we can no longer fish, hunt and live in our waters. The sacred waters of the Drowned God and the sacred sea life we share our waters with exist in a fine balance which is now under threat. My father was shown a vision of a boy, living in a castle far away and told he was chosen to rejoin the two sides of his people. Those who dwell on the land and those who dwell in the sea, that is the true purpose of the leader of those you call Iron born."

The men all listened entranced, not because of the beauty of Corylle when she spoke or how passionately she spoke but because she spoke of a side of the iron born none knew of. They had been their bitterest enemies for so long but now they looked at them with new respect.

"Theon is in Winterfell, and we believe Winterfell may be under attack. We can't be sure" said Ned when she finished speaking, his voice low and uncertain.

Corylle's face became fearful, "We cannot let Theon be harmed in any way! He has a destiny to fulfill and in turn we will pledge our support in the coming war"

Several of the men laughed and one said loudly, "Look around you pretty girl, we are already at war"

Corylle looked him straight in the eyes and said gravely, "We do not get involved with human wars, we are pledging allegiance against the Night King"

Her words sent a ripple of rumours across the room, and the room was buzzing with speculation. Ned merely ignored it and his gaze met Corylle's and he nodded in acceptance.

"I apologise for not knowing the history of your people and how closely they are linked to the Iron Born, I hope you can forgive us for any previous enmity we had with them. I will send for Theon at haste but I fear if Winterfell has been breached I dread what we might find. The men who we are against aren't known for their kindness and grace"

"Who are these men?" questioned Corylle, "I apologise for my ignorance but as I mentioned we do not become involved in the wars of men but we do follow affairs of the land to ensure our kind aren't affected"

Ned explained about the conflict with the Bolton's and how bitter their rivalry has become. Corylle listened respectfully until he had finished, her cheeks were flushed and she looked thoughtful.

"It seems your enmity has now ensnared our Prince, and thus we must intervene"

She simply clicked her fingers and several of her soldiers rose up through the surface of the castle floor, assuming their land shapes and encircling Corylle with menacing looking spears made of mother of pearl and sharp looking barnacles tipped with diamond. Their sudden appearance caused alarmed murmurs to travel around the room.

She issued several orders in a lilting unintelligible language and as fast as they appeared they had disappeared. Ned couldn't help but appear astonished.

"What just happened?" He asked failing to hide his surprise.

Corylle fixed a steady, fearless gaze to Ned, "My best men will breach Winterfell and take back our Prince Theon. They will report back the status of Winterfell for you. Once I have Theon here is a declaration from my father the King of our people of his support against the Night King. We will pledge to fight with you, but in return we must ask for the fighting between the North and the Iron Born to cease"

"Can i ask, how do your kind know of the Night King?"

Corylle's face became full of emotion, which was unexpected to Ned. "Our kind have been going missing North of the Wall for some time, we used to send foragers on land to find herbs for our medicine. Some we could only find in the snows, many stopped returning and there was a time-" her voice broke harshly causing her to stop to compose herself.

"Please excuse me," she apologised softly, "we stopped sending our kind to the snows when my brothers foraging party were wiped out. They tried to return to the sea, but drowned. Our kind do not drown, and when we recovered them their eyes were bright blue, lifeless, cold. We had to kill them again when they-" she covered her mouth in distress causing Ned to lean forward and place a reassuring hand on her.

"I know," he said gently, "you dont need to tell me, I know"

Corylle shook her head as if to shake away the sadness, "When my Father lost his son North of the Wall he fell into a despair, traditionally a woman cannot lead our people and he had no other children. He consulted the Elders of our kind and the Drowned God, he was given instruction to hand our people over...to me. It caused a stir, and several wars broke out. Many have died because of one fateful trip above the surface but the Drowned God was clear, I must lead and so i accepted my fate and our kind eventually accepted"

Ned leaned heavily on the table his face white, "We never knew you existed and we have been at war with your land dwelling kind for as long as i can remember"

"Not any longer Lord Stark, it must end here" her gaze was resolute and unyielding, but courageous.

Ned looked uneasy, "We have been fighting for a long time, the last time we clashed it ripped apart the Greyjoy family. And we have never been able to productively discuss terms of peace. They have always slaughtered our messengers-"

Corylle interrupted Ned with simple words, "Well it is time for a change. I will make sure of it"

She lifted her chin as if signalling the conversation was over and stood proudly, her seaweed necklaces clattering as she stood.

"I must return to the sea for now as we get sick if we are out of water for too long. When my men return with Theon we will report back to you. I am pleased we were able to help you today Lord Stark, I look forward to a new alliance with the North"

Corylle held out her hand which Ned took and gently kissed as he looked into her deep sea green eyes. Her beauty truly was breathtaking almost as much as Ashara's which gave Ned a twinge in his heart. Corylle's gaze sharpened and he quickly averted his gaze and bowed his head respectfully. She disappeared in her watery shape beneath the floor leaving behind the Northern Lords looking amongst themselves in shock and wonder. Ned sighed and signalled for whiskey as he rubbed his head hoping the pain of his wounds would melt away.

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