Snow Ghost [Jaime Lannister]

Chapter II. DireWolves

In Hilltop, I, Robb, Jon, Bran, Daeron, Ned, and Theon. We are standing with our horses, Lord Ned Stark is accompanied by a dozen members of the household guard, all on horseback. Over our heads flaps the Stark banner: a gray dire wolf racing across an ice-white field. South of the Wall the grass is still green and the sun is shining, but the air is cold enough to cloud the breath of four guardsmen as they escort Will toward the stump of a massive oak tree.

We see Will be taken to the block. He seems to have aged years, his eyes bloodshot and weary, his face haggard, his clothes filthy and torn. My brothers and I sit on our horses. Bran sits very still, watching the doomed man. Bran has never seen an execution before. The prospect of it terrifies him, but he tries hard to imitate his father's solemn expression.

The Guardsmen force Will's head onto the stump as Ned dismounts. Will mutters "White Walkers. I saw the White Walkers. White Walkers. The White Walkers, I saw them"

I stare at him; I know it's stories only.

Will and Ned face each other "I know I broke my oath. And I know I'm a deserter. I should have gone back to the Wall and warned them. But I saw what I saw. I saw the White Walkers. People need to know. If you can get word to my family, tell them I'm no coward. Tell them I'm sorry" Ned nods yes, and Will is positioned on the tree limb that serves as a block. Ned draws ice from a scabbard held by Theon. Will whispering "Forgive me, lord"

Theon hands over Ned's sword: Ice, a beautiful weapon, centuries old. Theon is the only man in the party wearing a Kraken sigil instead of a dire wolf.

Ned peels off his gloves and hands them to Jory, Ned walks to the stump. He speaks in low tones to Will, who responds.

Will's final words clearly trouble Ned, who studies the condemned man's face, judging his honesty. Bran watches from afar, his head slightly cocked, trying to make out what Will is saying.

There is a great weariness in Ned's eyes as he places both hands on the hilt of his greatsword. Ned bows his head over Ice "In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, first of his name__"

Jon to Bran "Don't look away"

"King of the Andals and the First Men ... "

"Father will know if you do"

"Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, I, Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North, sentence you to die"