25. Winter Is Coming

"Remember when I said I found my master dead as well as the men who killed him?" I look at Ned, who just nods in confirmation.

"That part was a lie. I did indeed find my master murdered, but he didn't kill that group, I did." I drop the bomb. Making their attention completely on me.

"I saw my master lying down, totally destroyed by countless injuries of various kinds. I was filled with rage, I could barely control myself. Taking my master's sword, I went after that group.

They were camped next to a farm, and I didn't know whose it was, or if they were there to attack, I just invaded their camp. I started the dance of death, where either they or I would come out alive, not both.

Unfortunately for them, I made it out alive, but it looks like one of those bastards was too, and somehow, my name was heard. Doom was what I was called on my travels with my master.

The bane of my enemies. That's it. The 16 people I once claimed to have killed were that group, but in fact, I killed many more. so much so that it is not worth telling. But it was always thugs, rapists, it was never someone I believed to be innocent." I finish, looking at Ned.

It was important to look him in the eye, to let him know it wasn't a lie, even though it was. A life of lies is always the hardest to live, even if time passes, another lie needs to cover the first one.

I just did it on impulse. I wanted Doom to be called upon again by people who would know, by finding me my enemy, they would be meeting their own doom.

Another important thing, that night, I had my story told and retold, in people's minds, and that was spreading much faster than I imagined over the days.

Especially with the help of a certain spider, and no, I'm not talking about Peter, but Varys. He, with his little birds, helped me immensely.

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Today we were leaving as we were informed that a man of the Night's Watch was found very far from his post, saying nonsense things.

Finally the moment of truth approached, and I hadn't chosen how I was going to do my thing yet. If it's going to be in love, or if it's going to be in pain.

In love, it would be just convincing Ned that his going south was a mistake, in pain, it would be going south, bringing the old man back safe and sound. Even if he had to do carnage, and even kill important characters.

Leaving these thoughts aside for now...

We found two soldiers from the north waiting with a man in black. He looked young, desperate and with a fear in his eyes that almost made him look crazy.

"They say the truth will set you free, but it doesn't say how much fear and despair it carries." I say next to Ned, who looks at me worriedly.

"Explain." his voice wasn't loud, but it still got Jon and Robb's attention.

"Those eyes are not those who just ran away, but those who saw something much worse than their worst nightmares. Even a bad dream can make us afraid of the day, but those eyes, are those who saw a dark truth." I do the best I can.

Ned just continues to stare at the man. After a while, his eyes seemed to contemplate something, widening in surprise. "You two, take this man back to the Night's Watch, ask your commander to come to Winterfel with at least 10 of his men.

Most importantly, tell him to increase his vigilance and, if possible, not to antagonize everyone beyond the Wall, just the cannibals. We need to prepare, Winter is Coming."

He then dispatches the two men, along with the prisoner. We then started our way back. Ned wore a serious, worried expression, one that did not escape Robb's eyes.

"Dad, what do you think about all this?" he tries to understand the actions taken by his father.

He turns to answer his son, but his eyes capture something else. In the forest, a large animal lay slaughtered. A large deer, with ridiculously large wounds.

Getting off the horse quickly, he heads towards the animal, and abruptly he stops, taking in the entire scene.

Knowing what was going on, I approached slowly. "I hope this warning is more than enough, Lord Stark. The protectors of the North await you right there." I point to a corner.

On the fallen body of a ferocious wolf were small cubs, trying to nurse from their mother's body. Quickly the boys went there, and found the puppies.

"What to do with these cuties?" Robb jokes, but his smile breaks when he sees his father's face.

I glare at Ned, who looks conflicted. He then looks directly into my eyes, and I continue to stare at him. He then lets out a defeated sigh.

"Take them to Winterfell, one for each of my children." he declares, making Robb look strangely at his father and then at me.

I let my eyes stare at him for a moment and return to my mount while I wait for the trio to return.

But it wasn't just a call to Ned and his family at that moment. I also felt the power of magic calling me somewhere in the forest. There was no way I could get in on horseback, so I could only dismount.

I find them walking back to the horses.

"Where are you going, Professor?" Jon looks at my face, and concern is visible.

"My time in this world is up. But I can do one last thing before I go. Both of you, kneel." not understanding anything, they do it. I draw my sword, and make them rightful knights.

I did that because now, Jon, who knows the truth about his past, has much more freedom to decide his future, even if that future was already pre-decided for him.

"Jon, you are my legacy, when you are in action, your words will be mine, I pass to you, my sword, as a demonstration of that legacy." I hand you the sword. "Robb, you are the guardian of the North, with all the duties and responsibilities that that entails.

The future burden is heavy, and only the two of you can carry it. I hope I've taught you that together, you'll be unstoppable, separate, ordinary individuals." I say seriously, then turn to Ned.

"Your decisions from now on will decide the future of this world. It's the heaviest burden anyone can carry, but look at these two boys and know that they can help you.

A man alone is weak, a man with friends, allies, and help is unbeatable. I wish you all the luck in the world." As soon as my words were out of my mouth, I felt my body melt away.

(Imagine the scene of Odin dying in the Thor movie Ragnarok.)