Chapter 12: When The Wild Wind Blows

Jon

He ran with his pack brother through lion territory hunting deer and other prey. It felt good to be able to run free again. After the battle where the soul mate had been hurt, he had been unwilling to leave the campsite where the men of the soul mate were. There was talk that the soul mate might be too grievously wounded to continue fighting, but he knew that that was a lie, the soul mate would continue fighting until the pack sister's soul mate, and the soul mate were reunited. For the soul mate loved the pack sister's soul mate fiercely. It was not the same sort of love that the souls mate for the pack brother's soul mate, but something more primal more complex. But he knew that the soul mate would live and would fight again, until the Lion's den had fallen.

Above him the soul mate's black winged creature flew high and proud in the Lion's sky, the black wing flew high and blew black fire from his throat bringing creatures down to the ground to eat and for him to kill. He liked the black wing, they understood each other and the soul mate innately in a way that not even the pack brother did. The men of the soul mate's camp were scared of him and the black wing, they said that the creatures were signs from the gods that the soul mate and his pack were meant to rule the man kingdom, that those who stood in their way would pay the ultimate price. He was not sure whether or not that was true for he knew that the soul mate and the pack had pure hearts, of course they would they came from an old and noble lineage, much more honourable than the lions and the dragons. Though the black wing refused to accept that sort of judgement from him, for he insisted that the lions were all traitors and that the dragons had been shamed by their last known king before the stag had rightly come to power. The black wing also talked most fervently about two other dragons on the other side of the running water, and how they would come together to help the soul mate defend the realm against the upcoming darkness. Though the black wing often spoke of the darkness that was beginning to creep into these other two dragons, due to their soul mate's conflicting desires.

The black wing was growing each and every day, for the past few weeks that they had been camped in the lion's gold den, the black wing had become the size of a full grown aurochs, and could swallow one whole in that great big gullet of his. The black wing would be important in the upcoming battle, he knew that for certain.

High above the wolf, he soared, his rider had named him Serrax, it was a fitting name though in his past life he had been known as something else something more dragon. Though he found it fitting that he had been tasked by the gods to look after one of his own blood, though his rider knew his old name only through the stories they told the children of the Dragons made flesh, and how he had conquered Westeros with his sisters all those years ago. In his rider he saw the future of the realm, his rider was the one who would restore Westeros to its former glory and undo the stain that the lions and stags had wrought upon the great nation.

He knew his rider yearned for the she wolf with the auburn hair, he could feel it even now when his rider slept. He wished to help his rider, though when they had fought the battle against the lions at the gold den known as Castamere, his rider had been severly injured by the lion looking man, though the white wolf had torn the man's throat out before he could do any serious damage to the rider. The men in his blood's camp talked about marching onto the seat of the Lion's power, Casterly Rock. In all the years that he had lived as a mortal on the planet the Rock had never fallen, but then again it had never had to face dragon fire before, for old Loren had come and fought him at the Field of Fire and had been badly wounded, so there had been no need to burn the Rock. But now, there was a need. He had grown as big as a full grown aurochs, not as big as Balerion had been when the Field of Fire had happened, but he still continued to grow, and soon enough his blood would be able to ride him and take the Rock and then they would be able to return to the auburn haired she wolf.

Jon dreamed, he dreamed of home, he dreamed of Winterfell and Bran and Rickon, he dreamed of play fighting with Robb and Theon, and of Arya running along behind them trying to join in. Most of all though he dreamed of Sansa. Of her rosy cheeks, her Tully blue eyes and her auburn hair, and how it would feel between his fingers as he stroked it, and how her eyes would light up whenever she saw him. He thought of the words she had said to him before she had rode south with the king all those years ago. He thought of her now all alone in King's Landing left at the mercy of that prick Joffrey, oh how he wanted to throttle that bastard.

He dreamed of wedding Sansa, had dreamed of doing so since they were both old enough to understand that the love between them was more than just sibling love. He dreamed of how beautiful she would look in her wedding dress, and how her lips would feel against his as he kissed her and of the life they could have together. If only he could see her now, he would tell her all of this, if only he could see her now he would hold her and never let her go.

Jon woke with a start, sitting up startled sweat pouring down his face. He could have sworn Sansa had been within touching distance when he dreamed. But as he looked around his surroundings he realised that he was in a tent, his tent. In his bed, alone.

"Ah good, your awake. I was beginning to wonder when you would." Jon turned and saw Robb sitting in a chair not too far from the bed, a wry grin on his face.

Jon tried to hide his embarrassment and asked "What happened Robb, how long have I been here?"

Robb looked at him and then said softly "Two weeks Jon. You were wounded pretty badly fighting Devan Lannister. What you were thinking going up against him on your own when you were already badly injured I don't know. You're lucky Ghost jumped on the man, otherwise you'd be dead."

Jon winced as he moved to the right, looking down he saw that his chest and arms were bandaged pretty heavily. He said "I was trying to prevent any more deaths."

Robb snorted and said "Of course you were Jon, and you nearly got yourself killed doing so. What would I have told Sansa, Arya and mother if you had died hmmm?"

Jon winced again and then noticed what Robb had said "Did you say Sansa? What have you heard from Riverrun?"

Robb smiled then and said "Sansa escaped from King's Landing Jon. She was helped by two people claiming loyalty to our cause. She's in Riverrun with mother and Arya now as we speak."

Jon smiled then but then remembered something else "Have we had any word from the Crag about Theon?"

Robb's smile disappeared then as he said solemnly "We received a raven a few days ago. Jeyne writes that he's gotten better, but he's still bad and is in and out of sleep."

Jon nodded then asked "And news of the north, whats happening there?"

Robb looked solemn again as he replied "They still hold Deepwood Motte and Moat Cailin. They tried raiding the Stoney Shore but a party led by Benfred Tallhart butchered the raiding party. They don't seem to be making any moves for Winterfell, at least not yet, though we have received news that Balon Greyjoy has finally set sail from Pyke himself what he means to do we know not."

Jon nodded again that was grim news in deed if the old Greyjoy had sailed from Pyke himself. He then asked a question that had been nagging at him for some time now "When we left the Crag I noticed that Lady Jeyne seemed to be rather well acquainted with you Robb. She seemed almost crying with sadness to see you go. What's going on there?"

Robb had the good sense to look embarrassed as he spluttered "Nothing's going on there. She, I, we."

Jon burst out laughing "I'm only teasing you Robb. Jeez so long as you don't marry her I don't care what you do. We have to wed you to a Frey Girl, and Arya to Elmar Frey, though unless Old Walder wants to taste dragon fire he'll agree to have Edmure marry one of his daughters instead of Arya marrying that Elmar fellow."

Robb looked visibly relieved before saying " Ah well let's see what Old Walder has to say, I'm sure he'd be happy about that though the pickings would be slim. Roose Bolton married his daughter, Fat Walda before marching on south."

They were silent for a little while after that then Jon cleared his throat and said "So what have you been doing since the battle?"

Robb replied "Well the Lannister host we fought here was the last host apart from the one at King's Landing that the Lannisters have, and we destroyed it so the way to Casterly Rock is clear. Myself and the northern lords have been trying to discuss what to do. We received word that Stannis Baratheon attacked King's Landing, but was crushed by the combined Lannister- Tyrell army, and now seems to be sitting on his behind at Dragonstone."

Jon sighed "He's still not willing to bend the knee?"

Robb shook his head "No he's not, I think its that red woman of his. Rumour has it that she's the one whispering in his ear, controlling his every moment. They say she's his queen not Lady Selyse."

Jon said nothing for a moment before saying "Well I suppose we should call a council meeting. I think it would be best if we took the Rock before Old Tywin decides to march again."

Tyrion

Lord Tywin was seated beneath the window, writing by the glow of an oil lamp. He raised his eyes at the sound of the latch. "Tyrion." Calmly he laid his quill aside.

"I'm pleased you remember me, my lord." Tyrion released his grip on pod, leaned his weight on the stick, and waddled closer. Something is wrong, he knew at once.

"Ser Bronn," Lord Tywin said, "Podrick. Perhaps you had best wait without until we are done."

The look Bronn gave the hand was little less than insolent; nonetheless, he bowed and withdrew, with Pod on his heels. The heavy door swung shut behind them, and Tyrion Lannister was alone with his father. Even with the windows of the solar shuttered against the night, the chill in the room palpable. What sort of lies has Cersei been telling him?

The Lord of Casterly Rock was as lean as a man twenty years younger, even handsome in his austere way. Stiff blond whiskers covered his cheeks, framing a stern face, a bald head, a hard mouth. About his throat he wore a chain of golden hands, the fingers of each clasping the wrist of the next. "That's a handsome chain," Tyrion said. Though it looked better on me.

Lord Tywin ignored the sally. "You had best be seated. Is it wise for you to be out of your sickbed?"

"I am sick of my sickbed." Tyrion knew how much his father despised weakness. He claimed the nearest chair. "Such pleasant chambers you have. Would you believe it, while I was dying, someone moved me to a dark little cell in Maegor's?"

"The Red Keep is overcrowded with wedding guests. Once they depart, we will find you more suitable accommodations."

"I rather liked these accommodations. Have you set a date for this great wedding?"

"Joffrey and Margaery shall marry on the first day of the new year, which as it happens is also the first day of the new century. The ceremony will herald a dawn of a new era."

If King Jon lets us have it then yes, otherwise we won't be alive to see it, any of us, thought Tyrion. "Oh bother, I fear I've made other plans for that day."

"Did you come here just to complain of your bedchamber and make your lame japes? I have important letters to write."

"Important letters. To be sure."

"Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens. Spare me these coy reproaches, Tyrion. I visited your sickbed as often as Maester Ballabar would allow it, when you seemed like to die." He steepled his fingers under his chin. "Why did you dismiss Ballabar?"

Tyrion shrugged. "Maester Frenken is not so determined to keep me insensate."

"Ballabar came to the city in Lord Redwyne's retinue. A gifted healer, it's said. It was kind of Cersei to ask him to look after you. She feared for your life."

Feared that I might keep it you mean. "Doubtless that's why she's never once left my bedside."

"Don't be impertinent. Cersei has a royal wedding to plan, I am waging war, and you have been out of danger for at least a fortnight."

Lord Tywin studied his son's disfigured face, his pale green eyes unflinching. "Though the wound is ghastly enough, I'll grant you. What madness possessed you?"

"The foe was at the gates with a battering ram. If Jaime had led the sortie, you'd call it valor."

"Jaime would never be so foolish as to remove his helm in battle. I trust you killed the man who cut you?"

"Oh, the wretch is dead enough." Though it had been Podrick Payne who'd killed Ser Mandon, shoving him into the river to drown beneath the weight of his armour. "A dead enemy is a joy forever," Tyrion said blithely, though Ser Mandon was not his true enemy. The man had no reason to want him dead. He was only a catspaw, and I believe I know the cat. Though without proof Lord Tywin would never listen to such a charge. "Why are you here in the city father?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be off fighting Lord Stannis or Jon Targaryen or someone?" And the sooner the better.

"Until Lord Redwyne brings his fleet up, we lack the ships to assail Dragonstone. It makes no matter. Stannis Baratheon's sun set on the Blackwater. As for the Targaryen boy, he is still in the west; he defeated the host led by Ser Devan at Castamere."

Tyrion was shocked by how calmly his father said that the host Ser Devan had been raising was the last amount of troops in the west, if they were defeated then the road to the Rock was open. "How are you so calm about this father?"

Lord Tywin made an expression that on any other man would have been called a smile "Because the boy was grievously wounded during the battle. Varys reports that his little birds say that the boy has not yet woken up, and even when he does will be in no condition to fight. His men grow restless both in the West and in Riverrun and Harrenhal."

"That is good." Said Tyrion.

Lord Tywin replied "It should not concern you now. Your face is as pale as death and there is blood seeping through your bandages. Say what you want and take yourself back to bed."

"What I want," Tyrion began. "Pod tells me that Littlefinger's been made Lord of Harrenhal."

"An empty title so long as Bronze Yohn Royce holds the castle for Jon Targaryen, yet Lord Baelish was desirous of the honour. He did us good service in the matter of the Tyrell marriage. A Lannister pays his debts."

The Tyrell marriage had been Tyrion's notion, in point of fact, but it would seem churlish to try to claim that now. "That title may not be as empty as you think," he warned. "Littlefinger does nothing without good reason. But be that as it may. You said something about paying debts I believe?"

"And you want your own reward is that it? Very well. What is it you would have of me? Lands, Castle, some office?"

" A little bloody gratitude would make a nice start."

Lord Tywin stared at him, unblinking "Mummers and monkeys require applause. So did Aerys for that matter. You did as you were commanded, though not to the best of your ability."

"What do you mean?" Tyrion stuttered "I did all that was asked of me and more. I held the city for you. No mean feat with Joffrey and Cersei trying to undermine my every move!"

Lord Tywin stared at him for a moment before saying in a cold voice "You allowed Ser Barristan and Arya Stark to reach Riverrun; I was told by your sister that you did not even bother to find the girl." Tyrion was about to complain and say that he had tried, but Lord Tywin ploughed on "And you allowed Sansa Stark to escape right under your nose. Tell me Tyrion why should I reward you now? The Targaryen boy has no reason to keep Jaime alive now with his cousins both back in his care."

Tyrion was speechless, he knew not what to say nor could he think of a way to pin the blame on Cersei and make his father believe him, so he remained silent.

Lord Tywin continued "Cersei has told me how you have turned the Tower of the Hand into your own whorehouse. I told you strictly no whores in the city, I will not have the Lannister name shamed by your sins or actions. I told you to hold the city till I came, and you allowed two of our hostages escape under your nose, or what is left of it. And you wish for me to reward you? No I say I will make you Master of Coin simply because we cannot have too many Tyrells on the small council but I shall give you nothing more. Now leave my sight and do not speak of anymore rewards."

Sansa

After the fear of being watched and followed in the Red Keep and King's Landing, Sansa found Riverrun much nicer and much more peaceful. She supposed it helped that her mother and Arya were both here as well. When her mother had led her to the room she would be staying in, she had found Arya sitting down staring out of the window, Arya had turned around and looked wide eyed and shocked when she saw Sansa standing there, and it had been a long moment before the two of them had embraced, Arya running into Sansa's arms.

Both of them had murmured apologies for wrongs done so many years ago, and then had laughed and talked with their mother for what seemed like days. They spent the time talking about all they had seen and done since the last time they had seen each other, and Arya's tale of how she had been standing on the statue of Baelor The Blessed and had watched father's dying declaration and execution before Ser Barristan had pulled her from the statue and had shaved her hair and had then proceeded to ride out with her of the city, had enthralled Sansa and had made her see her sister in a new light after hearing of the ways in which Arya had had to learn how to survive in the wild before reaching Riverrun, it made her appreciate her sister all the more. It had also slightly restored Sansa's faith in knights and that they were not all horrible and bad, Ser Barristan had truly lived up to his name the bold.

Of her own time in King's Landing Sansa tried to avoid saying as much as possible. She did not truly wish to discuss the horror she had witnessed at Joffrey's court in front of her little sister. Though their mother had seen the scars on her back and chest when she had helped Sansa get changed that first day, and Sansa had tearfully told her mother about it all. The beatings, the torment and the fear. Her mother had held her as she spoke and cried and at the end of it, had promised her that she would never let Sansa experience something like that ever again.

Of the war they spoke little, Sansa did not truly wish to have her time with her family ruined by constantly fearing for her family's safety not after having just been reunited with some of them. Though she knew that the Ironborn had invaded the north from what Arya had told her late at night, and that some of the northern lords who were at Riverrun wished to see Theon executed to pay for his father's crimes. Sansa did not know whether or not it was right that Theon should suffer for something that his father had chosen to do but she did not voice her opinion either for fear of reprisal from one of the northern lords. Lord Bolton especially scared her with his cold pale eyes and pale skin, something Arya told her came from his constant leeching of skin. Sansa also learnt from her mother that Jon, Robb, Theon and the rest of the northmen had invaded the West and had defeated a Lannister host at Oxcross, had taken Ashemark, and the Crag where Theon had been grievously wounded and Robb had picked up a small wound. The last anyone at Riverrun had heard of from Jon or Robb had been after the battle in the ruins of Castamere where they had gone up against the last remaining Lannister host in the Westerlands and destroyed them. When she had heard that news she had been happy for it meant that Jon and Robb were one step closer to returning to them, though that happiness had been slightly dented and replaced by worry when she had learnt that Jon had been seriously injured during the fight himself and had yet to wake up.

Sansa, Arya and their lady mother were in Sansa and Arya's room sewing and talking when Sansa finally learned about what Jon had done.

"You know, how you and Jon were always very close?" Arya asked.

Sansa had to keep from blushing, had her feelings for Jon always been that obvious? "Yes, what of it?" she asked.

She could hear the smile in Arya's voice when she said "Well before he and Robb marched west. He asked Robb if he would give him permission to marry you."

Sansa felt her heart do a back flip in joy, and had to work hard to keep her face composed and calm even though her heart was thundering in her ears "Oh that's good. I do so hope to see him soon."

She looked up to see both Arya and her mother grinning at her, Arya said "Oh it'll be so nice Sansa. Jon'll finally be part of the family and you'll be queen."

Before she could reply, Maester Vyman Riverrun's maester appeared in the doorway. "Begging your pardons my ladies, but we have just received raven from the west. I thought you might like to read it."

Sansa felt like she was looking at her body from the outside as she heard her mother say "Thank you maester Vyman." And as her mother opened the letter and she and Arya looked over her mother's shoulders to read what it had to say, she felt the thundering of her heart increase. Jon had woken up and was preparing to march on Casterly Rock. Once it had fallen he and Robb and the other northmen would return to Riverrun.

Jon was coming back; he was coming back to her. Oh she felt she could sing with happiness as she read the words again and again to make sure she had not misread them. Jon was coming back home soon, oh she couldn't wait to see him, to hug him, to kiss him and tell him yes, a thousand times yes she would marry him of course she would.

Bran

Autumn had hit Winterfell and the north hard. The last harvests were being brought in around the kingdom, and the lords had all gathered in Winterfell for the harvest feast a few weeks past. Since Robb was still fighting in the south, Bran had had to play lord, he had done so and not really enjoyed it, and he would rather have spent the time riding on his horse, or playing with Rickon, or talking with the Reed Children. Though since the two Walders had come to Winterfell, Rickon had been spending less and less time with him, something which coupled with his already ingrained dislike of the two Walders made Bran like them even less.

He found some comfort in spending time with the Reed children, especially Meera. She always made him feel like he was older than his years and not just a boy of eight. Her brother Jojen on the other hand seemed a bit odd to Bran, he seemed more curious in the wolf dreams that Bran had at night and of the dreams he had of the three eyed crow. He kept on insisting that Bran had to go north, past the wall to find the three eyed crow and find out the meaning behind his dreams. Bran had told Maester Luwin this and Luwin had told him that he would find nothing beyond the wall except snow and wildlings, and that perhaps Jojen had merely been teasing him.

When Bran had mentioned his dreams to Osha and what Jojen had said, Osha had told him that he did not want to go north of the wall, not now. When he had asked why she had said that there things coming to live beyond the wall and coming south that had not been seen for many thousands of years, and it would be best if he remained in Winterfell. Besides, Osha had said it was not likely that he would even be able to make it north of the wall with the Ironborn having captured Deepwood Motte and Moat Cailin both.

When news had reached Winterfell of the iron born raids of the Stony Shore, Ser Rodrik had dispatched Benfred Tallhart and his group the Wild Hares to deal with them. They had arrived at Winterfell to announce their success in killing all of the raiders on the Stony Shore and had even brought a man called Aeron back with them. The man Bran had learnt was brother to Theon's father Balon, and Theon's uncle. Other than that the man had refused to say much else and was being held in a cell deep within Winterfell.

Ser Rodrik had then amassed a host of some 1000 men to march south and rid Moat Cailin of the Ironborn that held it, along the way Maester Luwin had told him that Ser Rodrik would be joined by men from White Harbour and men from the Twins who would attack the Moat from the south, to honour their oaths to Robb and Jon, Luwin said. To gain glory for House Frey big Walder said. Bran cared not all he knew was that he wished he could go with Ser Rodrik and fight. He wondered what would happen to Theon though, once news of the Ironborn invasion of the north reached Jon and Robb wherever they were now. Bran knew Theon had been brought to Winterfell as a hostage for his father's good behaviour by Bran's father Lord Eddard. Lord Eddard had explained to Bran when he had been six that Theon's life depended on Balon's good behaviour and should Balon ever decided to rebel again, Theon's life would be forfeit.

Bran wondered though whether or not his life would still be forfeit now that father was dead and it was Robb who was Lord of Winterfell and Jon who had declared himself King. Both had grown up with Theon, and Theon had become a part of the Stark family so Bran did not truly understand why Theon should have to pay the price for his father's sins. When he had asked Maester Luwin this, Luwin had merely replied that "Balon Greyjoy knew what he was agreeing to when he sent Theon with your Lord Father. Theon knew what would happen to him should his father ever rebel again. It is up to Lord Robb and his Grace King Jon now what happens to Theon."

Bran still believed that because Robb and Jon had rebelled against the Iron Throne, and Jon had declared himself King, they couldn't really execute Theon for his father's own rebellion. And besides they had grown up with Theon, and Theon had fought beside them throughout the war so surely they could not just ignore all of that to simple execute him for something his father had done?

Bran's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knocking at the door, calling for whoever it was to come in Bran found himself looking at Hodor. The big stable boy bent down to help Bran up and then carried him to his lord father's solar, where he found Maester Luwin waiting for him with a anxious look on his face. Wondering what the problem could be Bran asked "What's the matter Maester Luwin, is it news of Robb and Jon or my mother? Has something happened to them?"

Luwin shook his head and said "No child nothing like that. We received two ravens just now. The first one came from Riverrun. Your mother writes that Lady Sansa and Lady Arya have arrived safely there and are both well and healthy."

Bran smiled then and was about to say something when Luwin continued "Pardons my lord but the second letter was from Lord Robb, it would appear that his Grace King Jon was seriously wounded fighting in the Westerlands and has only just woken up."

Bran did not know what the matter was then both letters contained good news but before he could ask, Luwin continued "That is not what troubles me though child. Today some of the watchers on the walls saw banners approaching Winterfell a mile away."

"Banners?" Bran asked "Whose banners?"

Luwin replied "Greyjoy Banners, the crowned Kraken the sigil Balon Greyjoy has taken as his own, as King of the Iron Islands and the north. He has marched on Winterfell and means to lay siege to us."