Game of Thrones: Short stories.

Only the strong survive - Part 5 - Tormund x Jon x Reader

"Why you big red headed.........if you don't let me down off this damn horse, I'll......... And when you do let me off this horse, I will still............."

"Its fa ya own good, (Y/n). Even though I'd like ta think ya came all this way ta see me. Ya know ya came ere ta see Jon. So, stop protestin and wriggling. We'll be there soon." Tormund chuckled, as (Y/n) gave out an exasperated sigh.

"I will not be taken to Castle Black looking like an old saddle bag. At least let me sit up, Tormund." (Y/n) replied, knowing that despite the fact that she wished to protest more. That she would prefer it if Tormund returned her to the tavern, and just pretended that they had never found her, she knew that it was pointless. That the big red man wouldn't let her out of his sight until they were stood in front of Jon. (Y/n) hoping that Jon would be happy with just laying eyes on her, and then let her on her way. The lioness also hoping that when she did see Jon again, that she wouldn't make a complete and utter fool of herself by telling him something completely ridiculous, like she loved him. That she had always loved him, and always would.

"Ya promise you'll behave?" Tormund questioned, as he pulled his horse to a stop.

"Yes. I promise. You have my word. Now get me off this donkey's backside. It smells like it's been eating one of your stews." (Y/n) told him. The lioness cracking all her aching bones back into place, as Tormund let her slowly drop to the floor. (Y/n) straightening out the old gown that Neesa had given her.

"That better?" Tormund asked, as he looked the uncomfortable looking (Y/n) up and down.

"Yes. Thank you. And as much as I love you, Tormund, I do not appreciate being manhandled like that. I was about to beat those two idiots that you brought with you. You could at least have let me win before you grabbed me." (Y/n) huffed, before kissing the big man softly on the cheek.

"And I will have you know; that maybe I did come to see you. So, lets show the Lord Commander that I am well, then I can enjoy some time with you and the others. Kings Landing was so boring without you. I swear that even Bronn is settling down, now that he has the castle he always wanted." The lioness continued, as Tormund helped her up into the saddle. The Wilding carefully cocooning her in his arms as he climbed up behind her. Tormund knowing that if anything happened to (Y/n) before he got her back to Castle Black, he would never hear the last of it from Jon.

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Jon made his way out into the courtyard. His heart pounding faster than he believed it had ever beat before. (Y/n) was on her way. (Y/n) was actually on her way to Castle Black. He would be able to see her again. After all this time, he would get to lay eyes on the last lioness.

Tormund had sent one of the fool crows on ahead, to inform Jon that they had indeed found the runaway Lannister. And that the Wildling would be returning with (Y/n) as quickly as possible. Jon doing his best to stop from smiling as the man had arrived looking battered and bruised. The crow not having to tell him that he had faced the lioness and come off second best. Jon happy to see that (Y/n) had lost none of her fierce nature, or tenacious spirit.

"Did she look well?" Jon nervously asked the man, as he waited to hear the trumpet ring out. Telling all those at the Wall of an arrival.

"Aye, my lord. She.......she is in rude health." The man replied. Appearing a little uncomfortable as Jon turned to look at him.

"Don't be embarrassed, Daris. The Lady Lannister has bested many men. Most, better with a sword than either you or I." Jon informed him. The man nodding as he thought back to the tavern. And about how the lady had been keeping he and the other crow, easily at bay.

Suddenly the horn sounded. Jon's breath catching in his throat as he knew that at any moment he and (Y/n) would once again be face to face. That he would be able to sink into her perfect eyes. Hoping that she would allow him to swim in them forever. Yet what was he to say to her? He had practiced so many times, during the long dark nights at the Wall. Every time he thought about her, he would wonder what he would tell her if he ever got to see her again. Would he say thank you for having defended him? For saying that she was willing to fight the entire Unsullied army if it meant that he could stay. Should he tell her that he had missed her? That he was glad she was safe, that she was there? Should he tell her that he loved her?

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(Y/n) gripped onto Tormund's arms as they rode into the courtyard. The lioness desperately swallowing at the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat as she saw Jon waiting.

"It's him." (Y/n) said. Her voice barely above a whisper.

"A course its him. Who else did ya expect?" Tormund chuckled as he dismounted the horse. Holding out his arms to help the lady down. (Y/n) finding herself unable to move, as Jon came further into the light.

He seemed to have lost a little weight since they had last seen one another. And he was certainly paler. Both conditions (Y/n) harshly putting down to his continued grieving for the dragon he had lost. But despite everything, she had to admit that he was no less beautiful. No less brooding. No less Jon.

"Come on, (Y/n). Ya can't stay up there all day." Tormund suddenly said, as he took hold of her waist and carefully helped her down from the saddle. (Y/n) laying her head against the big man's chest in hopes of some kind of reassurance. Her mind filled with all the things that she had wanted to say to Jon since he had had to leave Kings Landing. She wanted to tell him that she hated him. That she wished she had never met him. That everything would have been better if she had never laid eyes on him. That she could have been happy staying in Kings Landing with her brother, if not for the fact that every time she looked around another corner, she would see his ghost along with all the others that filled the great castle. But most of all she wanted to tell him that she had missed him. That she loved him.

"Why is it that ya can face tha crows. The Night King and his hoards. All manner a foe's, like tha lioness ya are. Yet ya come before tha pretty one, and ya like a kitten. Just go say hello." Tormund whispered into the lady's ear, before turning her around and pushing her in the direction of the waiting Jon.

"Lord Commander." (Y/n) said simply. Trying to hold herself up straight and serious as Jon stood before her, despite her knees feeling that they would buckle at any moment. And her heart telling her to throw herself into his arms.

"Lady Lannister." Jonreplied, as he took (Y/n)'s hand and kissed it softly.