[Chapter Size: 3000 Words.]
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Third Person POV
Winterfell, 298 AC.
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A huge shadow began to pass over the villages of Skagos, while the people looked on in surprise as the shadow moved above them, believing that the shadow had a rather peculiar shape.
They swore they could see it with wings resembling a flying creature as it passed through the middle of the village. Their eyes lifted to the sky, searching for the source, but they didn't understand. They found nothing, thinking it might be one of the clouds around the sun in a strange shape.
No one cared much about it anymore, while in the sky, enormous black wings beat thousands of meters above the ground, and the huge black dragon soared through the air.
Above him was Jon Arctic, who was once again in Skagos, coming south of the Wall. Today, in particular, he was with Vezofēdrur, flying with the dragon with the intention of improving his bond with the enormous beast that, until a few weeks ago, had tried to kill him.
Jon needed to strengthen this Warg bond with the beast in the same way he would with any of his other main connections tied to him.
He needed to create this bond, since control would be better and Vezofēdrur could become dissatisfied. Obviously, the dragon wanted Jon to give him attention in recent days.
He had never had a master before, so he seemed to compete for everything through strength while harboring a certain jealousy of the other bonds Jon shared, and it didn't take many days before he began to cause problems: flying over the city, frightening the people of Arctic without warning, and even threatening to land in the middle of the castle. Only Jon's effort prevented him from doing such things, after all, he was far too large a dragon for that.
So Jon, with little choice, began spending more time with the dragon in recent days, flying over the North and checking the situation around Arctic.
The dragon enjoyed flying with him, and despite Eragon's jealousy, Jon had to set his son aside while he relaxed with Vezofēdrur.
He had finally descended south of the Wall to also check how things were going. Jon was not at all happy with the course of events. He was furious while reading Arya's letter.
He knew the queen was a psychopathic bitch, but he hadn't imagined she would be so brazen as to simply want to kill Arya in her very homeland.
'How can that woman act so foolishly? And how did they do nothing about what she did!?' Jon thought with such rage. She ended up escaping without any punishment, even though it had obviously been orchestrated by her.
If Arya hadn't really fought back, it would have been Jon who had done something. Jon was in a state of wrath at the idea of someone trying to kill his Arya without him being there to protect her.
His dragon let out a roar, reacting to Jon's anger as he lost himself in his thoughts about the events while flying over the island.
Surely this would draw the attention of the entire region, so Jon guided Vezofēdrur to land in his old refuge, entering the crater of the dormant volcano and stopping at the entrance of the dragon's former nest.
Vezofēdrur looked into the darkness of the cave, thinking Jon would take him inside, but he only asked the dragon to stop with his thoughts.
Jon took a scroll from his pocket, along with a special quill that didn't need to be dipped in ink, as it already contained ink inside it — an Arctican invention. It was only necessary to protect the tip so it wouldn't stain whatever it touched, but it was much more practical, since it didn't need to be dipped constantly. It wrote until the entire inner container was exhausted.
Jon quickly opened the scroll and began writing atop the black dragon, scribbling three letters while his eyes went to one of the walls of the crater while inside the volcano without lava.
He was seeing through it, searching for some animal on the island with his mind being cast behind the place he sought.
Soon he found a northern eagle flying alone in the forest below the mountain, being the fastest animal he could find.
First, he checked if the eagle had any family to care for in its nest. Seeing it did not, he quickly took control of it after forming a bond, and it came to him, taking a few minutes before appearing and entering the crater.
The bird landed without fear as it approached the enormous dragon, while Vezofēdrur only observed the small animal attentively.
Jon tied the scrolls securely to its claw with a firm ribbon in a knot, but he could not send the bird to Winterfell on its own since it would take days to arrive there. The solution was to carry it atop Vezofēdrur.
He leaned his body, placing the eagle upon his arms, keeping it restrained and calm, while commanding his black-winged partner. Vezofēdrur's wings began to spread once more, before shooting through the sky, leaving his old nest behind and flying directly southwest, to the heart of the North.
He continued on for some time. Vezofēdrur was extremely fast due to the strength and size of his wings, pushing the wind behind as he gained momentum with each movement as he glided through the air. He was only not so quick at climbing, but he was surpassed only by Eragon, who could still be much more agile using those special abilities.
The dragon might not have such gifts, but Jon was very satisfied with him. Surely he was a far greater addition than any number of warriors could offer against the dead.
Finally, Winterfell was in sight, while the eagle did not stir in Jon's arms. He was still a little distant, seeing Winterfell only as a point below them and Wintertown, a bit larger, as a blot, since the city was the largest in the North.
Jon took the eagle and stroked its back.
"I believe from here you can reach it easily," he said.
The eagle did not react, only remained calm as Jon simply cast it to the side. Vezofēdrur stopped flapping his wings for a moment so that it would not be harmed by the movement. The eagle was tossed and blown by the wind, tumbling through the air in several pirouettes, but quickly recovered and began to dive downward at high speed.
Now it was only a matter of waiting, while Jon searched for a place to land with Vezofēdrur in the Wolfswood, preparing for the meeting described in the letter, needing to hear everything that had happened in Winterfell in recent days.
The eagle reached Winterfell, gliding. Some guards on the wall, who were still quite agitated from the confusion that had just occurred in the courtyard, saw it approaching and immediately frowned, worried by the sight of yet another animal coming from the sky resembling the one that attacked the queen.
Jon had no idea how they would react, with them fearing any bird with enormous talons. Otherwise, he might not have sent the eagle. But the bird was quick to enter Winterfell before anyone could shoot it with a bow.
The bird flew to the maester's tower, where it landed.
The place was still full of Arcticans in the courtyard. Arya was entering the castle with her family, preparing to leave, while Trinsmy stood in the yard, watching for any possible threat, whether from Robert's men or from the Lannisters.
His presence made any potential enemy hesitate to retaliate, for the Arcticans were far more numerous than the king's men now.
And after what they had seen that Kingsguard do to Jaime Lannister, Tywin's favorite son — mutilating the child of the most feared man in Westeros — everyone choked, and no one wanted to face that monster in Valyrian steel armor.
Some even whispered that perhaps the Mountain would be sent north with the intention of taking revenge, but the state of that man was pitiful. The very King of Arctic had already turned Gregor Clegane into nothing more than a tool of torture for Tywin in the end.
Missing an arm, an eye, and with his manhood cut off, condemned to an unhappy and wretched life after facing the Arctican king who reminded everyone that he was as terrifying and cruel in battle as his men.
In the end, from Tywin's hunting dog, Gregor was reduced to a doormat, called only for certain specific tasks, since his brutality was still of some use, but there was nothing important left, nothing that could prove his skill again — he had already been defeated a few times in his missions. And the Mountain could no longer vent his frustrations through raping when his tool had been cut away.
Tywin was more and more tempted to get rid of the Mountain. However, he did not, because Sandor, who should have taken his place, refused. Cursing that castle.
In any case, Jon's letters reached the hands of the Stark men, who were cautious when taking the eagle, but upon seeing the seal and the symbol, and even the recipient, they quickly ran through the castle to the entrance, approaching the Arctican royal guards in the courtyard and delivering the letters.
"Our king sent this," Trinsmy murmured, gaining everyone's full attention.
"Yes... it came in a strange way. The eagle landed and is still at the window. I'm afraid it might attack me," the Stark man said, still uneasy.
"Let me see that. Well... one letter for me, one for the princess, and another for Lord Stark. Very well," Trinsmy stated, separating only his and handing over the other two. "Deliver this to Lord Stark and Princess Arya."
The Stark man quickly left the place and ran into the castle, where the two were.
In Trinsmy's letter, there was a request regarding the journey and also Jon's instructions: he would come to Winterfell to meet the princess alone, but guards were needed to escort her back, avoiding any ambush as much as possible. Jon wanted to keep her as safe as he could.
Arya was surprised by the letter when the man came asking her two guards to knock on her door. She quickly took it while packing her things, with Mearin helping as well.
"A letter from the king..." Mearin could not help but show her surprise, while Arya sat on the bed, already opening it to read.
It was quite simple:
[- Meet me in the Wolfswood. I will be heading there right now. The animals will do the rest for you to find me. Arya, no further information is needed.]
Jon could not put anything in detail, but he made it clear about their meeting when she saw the impeccable handwriting he had.
"Mearin, you can take care of my things. I'm going to the Wolfswood. Right now!" Arya said immediately.
Mearin looked at her in surprise, but nodded, imagining that the king must have something important to discuss. He should already be nearby or even there waiting. And as much as she did not like the idea of Arya going back to that place, how could she question the king's request?
Arya grabbed a cloak, put it on, and left the room, finding Bari and Jill. She showed them the letter.
"I'll leave some Unsullied guarding the door with Mearin inside. Meanwhile, I'm going to the Wolfswood. I want you two to accompany me. I'm sure Trinsmy will want to come as well, without a doubt. Jon wants to know what happened, so I'll meet him," Arya said in a rather excited tone, while the two followed her.
She soon ended up encountering none other than her father at the entrance of the castle, while he also held an open letter in his hand, with Arctic's seal now broken, showing he had already read it.
"Arya..." he answered in a tone difficult to swallow.
"Father, I'm going to the Wolfswood," she said, showing the letter and ignoring the surprised looks around her, for no one could deny what was written.
Ned frowned, but upon reading it he only sighed, imagining that if Jon was here in the South again and had made this request, it meant he would take care of Arya.
"What did he write to you, Father?" she asked curiously, seeing the open letter in his hand.
"He is quite displeased with the trial. He said you are not to blame for what happened with the queen. And if they wish to retaliate, they will pay. Even if you leave Winterfell and there are no Arcticans here, he threatened the king and the queen, saying he would always be watching. No matter how busy Arctic might be, they will watch the South. If anything happens to the Stark family, they will pay by receiving Arctic's fury when the northern war ends." Ned explained it as a direct threat to the king's power.
Lord Stark not only received this but also looked toward the wagons the Arcticans had brought, with supplies for the journey.
He walked over to them, Arya right behind. Approaching one of the royal guards, Ned stared at him, with the letter still in his hand.
"I have something in the wagons that is directly for me," Lord Stark said to the royal guard. Arya realized it was what Jon had offered in the last letter for her.
"Ah, of course, take the wolf," replied the royal guard, signaling to one of the men.
Soon after, a Stark saw what appeared to be a small wolf appear in the arms of an Arctican, who carried it to them wrapped in cloth.
"That is... a direwolf!" Arya gasped, while Ned observed with a stunned expression.
"A direwolf... for me?" he murmured, surprised, as he touched the pup's fur. The little beast opened its eyes for the first time, staring at him.
"It's a female, Father," Arya said with an excited tone, while Ned took her fully, carrying her in his arms. The small wolf blinked a few times, staring at him.
"She has been sleeping the whole trip, but she is very healthy. This is a gift from my king to you, Lord Stark. I hope you make good use of it. From what I saw from some men of House Cerwyn's lands, all of your children have direwolves, and now you as well. It seems there are no more Starks without one in Winterfell," said Trinsmy, while Lord Stark still stared at the wolf, astonished and amazed.
"It's time you learned something from Robb, Father. Why don't you ask him how to take care of her? We've already gone through this," Arya laughed more calmly after all the commotion, seeing Jon was improving her mood, while Lord Stark nodded, bringing the wolf into an embrace. She was gray, with white patches, mottled, and female.
"What will you name her?" Arya asked beside him, while he looked at her for a moment.
"Winter seems a good name," he concluded with a smile.
"Winter is a great name. Now you can say that winter truly is coming anywhere with her following you!" Arya laughed, while Lord Stark could not help but display an even wider smile, fascinated by the animal before him.
Deep down, like a child's wish, he too longed to have a direwolf like his children, but he had never complained about not having one. Now that he had the chance to have one, why would he refuse?
He liked animals and how they were companions to his children. Arya was the perfect example of how an adult direwolf could protect, obey, and live peacefully, without harming anyone who wasn't a threat. It had already been more than a year since she had brought one to Winterfell, and that direwolf had always behaved.
"Anyway, I'm leaving now, Father," Arya stepped forward, while Ned looked at her and sighed.
"Just be careful, Arya. I know that if he is there, you are safe... but still I can't help worrying," he said, while Arya moved toward Trinsmy, showing him the letter.
The man quickly raised his voice: "Our king has already informed us of your situation." He spoke and turned to the guards. "Men, I want fifty of you with me! We, the royal guards, are six and will stay with the princess. I am sure we can deal with any threat that tries to harm the princess!" — he said at the end, taking command, while a group was selected among the Arcticans.
Arya took her horse, along with another free one, since Jon had requested one to mount and meet them as soon as she entered the forest.
"Arya, where are you going?" her brother's childish voice rang out, while she was already mounting the horse with the royal guards. It was Bran, who came running toward her, looking anxious to know what his sister would do.
She needed to think before answering, but looking at Bran at that moment, she couldn't deny him.
Bran and Jon did not have a bad relationship. So why not take him along? Arya bit her lip and made a decision, extending her arm to him.
"How about you come with me? Father won't complain," she said.
Bran was a little surprised, but seeing Arya's hand extended, he nodded. She then pulled him up, placing him in front of her on the horse.
"Where are we going?" he asked, while Arya gave a mysterious smile.
"You'll see. Now we're going to the Wolfswood first," she said quickly, spurring the horse into a gallop and leaving together with the royal guards — six of them — and dozens of Arcticans right behind.
Meanwhile, in the Wolfswood, a sound of of people echoed, with wood breaking as if in an earthquake. Entire trees were crushed, for there was not enough space for a dragon more than a hundred meters long to land. Surely this would raise many questions for anyone who entered that region, but by the time they arrived, Jon would already be gone.
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