End Game// Tormund Giantsbane (3)

41. The North Is Yours

"Caro just talk to me-"

' Gather round. Come here.' Jon requested

"Not now Tormund." Caro murmured. "Do you got Jon?" He held it out.  "Tyrion?"

'You think it's really Tyrion? It could be someone trying to lure you into a trap.' Sansa told jon "Read the last bit."

"All dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes." Caro read off and felt a wave of sorrow for Tyrion. His father truly never loved tyrion.

"What does that mean?'

'It's something he said to me the first night we met. You two know him better than any of us. What do you think?' Jon questioned

"He killed his father. Hes a smart ass but he was funny when I didnt want to bash his head in." Caro offered. "Also drunk a lot but thats when he was funnier."

'Tyrion's not like the other Lannisters. He was always kind to me, but it's too great a risk.' Sansa agreed.

"The Seven Kingdoms will bleed as long as Cersei sits on the Iron Throne. Join us. Together, we can end her tyranny... Sounds like a charmer.' Caro told them.

'Of course, the casual mention of a Dothraki horde, a legion of Unsullied, and three dragons... a bit less charming.' Tormund remarked.

'What? Fire kills wights, you told me. What breathes fire?' Jon countered.

'You're not suggesting Jon meet with her?'

'- No, too dangerous.' Caro declared.

' -But?'

'But if the Army of the Dead makes it past the Wall, do we have enough men to fight them? If the Mad King's daughter takes the Iron Throne, she'll destroy the realm as we know it. Some of you are bannermen of House Tyrell. "

"But House Tyrell is in open rebellion against the crown. With their help, the Mad King's daughter has ferried an army of savages to our shores... mindless Unsullied soldiers who will destroy your castles and your holdfasts, Dothraki heathens who will burn your villages to the ground, rape and enslave your women, and butcher your children without a second thought.' Tormund declared.

+

"Auntie?" Caro glanced to the door as she put her book down. "Hello Tumi..." Sansa added. 

"Hi," Tumi answered.

"Can you find Rickon his rooms a few doors over do you remember?" Caro whispered.

"I remember." Tumi agreed

"Can you ask him to help you pick out another book for tonight?" Caro pondered. Tumi nodded running past Sansa.

"Auntie can we talk?" Sansa questioned and Caro nodded. "I know we-"

"Ive been moody. You did nothing wrong Sansa. Im sorry. Im just... being back here brought back memories emotions... I over reacted."

"You didnt. Its just been a while since father and... its hard to remember the good sometimes." Sansa remarked. "But I love you and Im sorry if I dont say that enough. Im sorry I left you Im sorry I didnt believe in you. Im sorry-"

"Im sorry I was a shit aunt." Caro declared hugging her tight. "Im sorry I didnt do a better job of protecting you. Im sorry I fell for the villain. Im going to do better. Be better-"

"You are already great." Sansa assured.

"We can try to be better for each other." Caro offered and sansa nodded. "Im focusing on you and jon and rickon. I wont be distracted again."

"Dont block yourself off to love." Sansa countered.

"Im not-"

"Tormund is strange. Loud and weird but he loves you."

"Not enough to stay." Caro countered. "Im focusing on you kids."

"You are too young to be alone forever."

"Im not alone."

+

'A raven, my king, from the Citadel.'

'This message was sent to me by Samwell Tarly. He was my brother at the Night's Watch, a man I trust as much as anyone in this world. He's discovered proof that Dragonstone sits on a mountain of dragon glass.' Jon exclaimed reading it out loud. There was a murmured excitement. 'I received this a few days ago from Dragonstone. It was sent to me by Tyrion Lannister.' Jon went on 'He is now Hand of the Queen to Daenerys Targaryen. She intends to take the Iron Throne from Cersei Lannister. She has a powerful army at her back and, if this message is to be believed, three dragons.'

'Lord Tyrion has invited me to Dragonstone to meet with Daenerys. And I'm going to accept.' Jon told them and there was an out rage from his people.

'Accept?!'

"Jon maybe we talk about this-" caro began.

'We need this dragon glass, my lords! We know that dragon glass can destroy both white walkers and their army. We need to mine it and turn it into weapon. But more importantly, we need allies! The Night King's army grows larger by the day. We can't defeat them on our own. We don't have the numbers. Daenerys has her own army and she has dragon fire. I need to try and persuade her to fight with us. Ser Davos and I will ride for White Harbor tomorrow, then sail for Dragonstone.' Jon told them

"Jon!" Caro begged.  'Have you forgotten what happened to my father, your grandfather?' Caro pleaded desperately. 'The Mad King invited him to King's Landing –'

'and roasted him alive!'

'- I know that. She is here to reclaim the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms. The North is one of those seven kingdoms.' Jon told her.

'This isn't an invitation; it's a trap.' Tormund declared.

"My brother and my father were roasted. I lost them. I lost my family. I wont lose you too. Not to another Targaryen mad woman." Caro begged grabbing his hand.

'It could be a trap, but I don't believe Tyrion would do that. You know him. He's a good man.' Jon told them

"I never said. I said funny." Caro corrected.

'Your Grace, with respect, I must agree with Lady Carolina. I remember the Mad King all too well. A Targaryen cannot be trusted.'

'- Nor can a Lannister.'

'Yeah!'

'Aye!'

"Thank you thank you. Jon listen to them." Caro begged.

'We called your brother king. And then he rode south and lost his kingdom. Winter is here, Your Grace. We need the King in the North in the North.'

'Aye!' they agreed and started pounding their fists on the table

'You all crowned me your king. I never wanted it. I never asked for it. But I accepted it because the North is my home. It's part of me, and I will never stop fighting for it, no matter the odds. But the odds are against us. None of you have seen the Army of the Dead. None of you. We can never hope to defeat them alone. We need allies, powerful allies. I know it's a risk. But I have to take it.' Jon told them confidently.

'Then send an emissary. Don't go yourself.'

'Daenerys is a queen. Only a king can convince her to help us. It has to be me.' Jon told them

'You're abandoning your people! You're abandoning your home.'

'I'm leaving both in good hands.' Jon assured.

' Whose?' Sansa questioned. Jon locked eyes with Caro.

'You Caro. You are my aunt. You're the eldest and most responsible Stark in Winterfell. Until I return, the North is yours.' Jon told Caro.

"Responsible." Caro laughed out. "Oh you were serious."