Game of Thrones: Short stories.

Only the strong survive - Part 3 - Tormund x Reader

"Ya a Lannister? Ya must be tha youngest of old Tywin's then?" The old woman asked as she led (Y/n) into her room. Closing the door behind the pair.

"Y-y-yes. Tywin was my father." (Y/n) replied as she took a seat on the bed. Suddenly, and strangely missing her father for a moment, as she spoke. (Y/n) knowing that no matter how detached her father could be. No matter how cruel he had been to Tyrion all those years. She had still always loved him. And she knew that despite how distant he had been with the others, that he had always loved her too.

"Well. I never thought that I'd see tha day I would have a lion in ere. Starks, yes. But never a Lannister. It's an honour, milady. My name is Neesa. Tha proprietor a this humble establishment." The old woman chuckled. Curtsying respectfully.

"Now, why don't ya tell me why a lady, such as yaself, would journey all tha way ere. Try to disguise herself as a lad, and want ta join tha Nights Watch of all things?" Neesa asked, as she took a seat next to (Y/n) on the simple bed. The older woman taking the lioness's hand, as (Y/n) cast her eyes to the floor.

"I.........I don't know. Cutting my hair, and dressing as a man, just made things a lot easier. It stopped people from asking too many questions as I travelled. But.....but I never meant to come here. This was the last place that I ever wanted to see. I had every intention of travelling to Essos. To see Slavers Bay and the pyramids in Meereen. I even had passage waiting for me on a ship. Yet something happened. The night before I was due to travel. In a tavern very much like this. I overheard a couple of rough looking men talking about journeying to the Wall to join up with the Watch, and the exiled Lord Commander. That the Commander had been different since he had returned from the war. After losing.......... So, despite myself. Despite standing next to the ship that would take me over the water. I turned and left. I can't really remember making my way here. It all seems like a blur. But before I knew it, I was outside your tavern. And now.......and now I don't know what to do. I want to leave. To journey back south. But....... but....... I....... can't. And I don't know why." (Y/n) explained. Brushing the tears away from her eyes.

"Ya fought with tha Commander in tha war?" Neesa asked, placing her hand under (Y/n)'s chin and raising her head up so that the two women were looking at one another.

"Yes. I fought with him in the war. I even fought by his side at some points. But I had met Jon.....I mean, the Lord Commander, before that. He was a friend. Well, I thought that he was. In truth, I always hoped that he'd be............"

"Ya in love with tha lad. That's why ya ere?"

"No, no, no. I'm not. Really, I'm not. I just.........."

"Milady. I've had many a girl want ta join tha Watch, fa many a reason. Some have come ta escape a marriage. Some ta escape their fathers. Some because they're bastards with no other prospects. Others because they think that they are gonna have some kinda adventure. But few have come ere because they are in love with one a tha men. In truth, most of em are an unsavoury lot. Some have done bad things, but the Lord Commander ain't one of them. From what I know, he's a good man. A man worth following. And if I may say, they're a lot worse men that you could love." Neesa interrupted. Gripping the lioness' hand tighter as (Y/n) shook her head.

"No! I don't love him. And anyway, even if I did, he could never love me in return. I am more than sure that he is still in love with.............." (Y/n) exclaimed. The tears now rolling down her cheeks stopping her from finishing her explanation. Neesa placing a reassuring arm around her as (Y/n) sobbed on her shoulder.

"Men. More trouble than tha worth most a tha time, if ya ask me. Always falling fa tha wrong women. Now, now, me dear. Don't cry so. Why don't I get my husband ta sort ya out a hot bath? I'll bring ya some wine, and we can get ya outta those silly clothes, and into something more appropriate. I am sure I have something that we can make fit ya. It won't be anything as elaborate as what ya used to, but its better than those things ya have on now." Neesa told her as she got to her feet and made her way to the door.

"Don't worry. It will all work out fa tha best." The old woman smiled. Closing the door to the room behind her and leaving (Y/n) with her thoughts.

                                                       >>-------------------------------<<

A cold gust of cold air rushed into the tavern as two large men dressed all in black, made their way inside. The pair brushing the snow from their shoulders as they looked around the few patron that had already taken their seats for the day. The old man behind the bar watching them, as the duo spoke quietly to one another.

"And what can I do fa you boys?" The old man enquired, as he began to clean some of the dirty tankards from the night before. Still not taking his eyes from the two unsavoury looking members of the Nights Watch.

"We're ere lookin fa a young woman." One man huffed, as he made his way to the bar. The other moving to stand by the front door. Looking as though he was going to stop anyone from either exiting or entering the tavern.

"Aren't we all, boys. I've been lookin fa a young woman fa years. But I'm still stuck with tha wife." The old man chuckled. Smiling at Neesa moved to his side.

"Aye, and he's bloody lucky that he is. Now, what young lady are ya lookin fa. And why would ya think that she would be in er?" Neesa asked, despite knowing that they had probably come to find the still slumbering lioness.

"Never mind that, woman. Just answer tha question. Have ya had any young women in er? A lady with pale hair." The man at the bar growled. Neesa lookin at her husband, both of them shrugging their shoulders. Neither having any intention of telling the two men that the woman that they were looking for was upstairs. Not wanting to let the lady leave, with such unpleasant men.

"You will answer her question." A voice suddenly called out. All eyes turning to look at the figure that was slowly making their way down the stairs. A sword firmly gripped in its hand.

"And who do ya think ya are ta tell us what ta do?" The crow asked. His eyes growing wide as the figure came into the light. The man unable to believe the beauty that stood defiantly before him.

"I'll tell ya who she is." A loud voice declared as the door flew open. A large figure seeming to fill the doorway. A figure so big that it even prevented the cold wind from entering the tavern.

"That is a lioness. And if ya ain't careful, she'll show ya her claws. And believe me, that one bites." A chuckle came. (Y/n) smiling in the first time in a long time, as Tormund made his way into the tavern. The big red man laughing out loud as (Y/n) dropped her sword and flew into his arms.