The Lost Stag

The Long Night

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                    The moon shines over Winterfell as Tyrion walks somberly through the busy courtyard. He picks up a bag and slings it over his shoulder. Bran rolls by, pushed by Theon and accompanied by Robb, Grey Wind, Alys, and some Ironborn soldiers. They walk through the courtyard on their way to the godswood. Valen escorts Sansa, Talisa, Rickon, and their babies to the crypt. Since her last armor had been badly damaged during the battle of Highgarden, she had a new set made. She wore dragonglass scale mail chest armor and scale mail gauntlets and carried a dragonglass helm. She kisses her wife and then Tommen on the head. Rickon grips the hilt of his sword so tightly his knuckles are white. Valen places a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looks up at her with fear in his eyes. "It's ok to be scared. We all are. Just know courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear," she explained.

                    "I... I'll keep them safe," he vowed, trying to put on a brave face.

                    "I know you will. You're a Stark," Valen said, ruffling his hair.

                    Minutes later, men stand in anticipation on the ramparts, warmed by their fires, eyes scanning the darkness. Davos delivers a bucket of arrows. Valen and Arya stare into the darkness. Her eyes turn upwards in response to Drogon's screech. Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal fly overhead. Outside the walls, a company of Unsullied warriors marches to join the other Unsullied company, which stands at attention in disciplined rows and columns. Ahead of them stands a line of catapults, with stones and braziers by their sides. In front of the siege weapons, the entire Dothraki horde is mounted and waiting, swords drawn. The Northmen and Southern men also stand at the ready, led by Jaime and Brienne. Grey Worm stands in command of the Unsullied. Tormund and Beric helm the motley wilding force. The Hound and Gendry push their way to the front to join them and Eddison. A nervous Sam arrives, jostling Edd. "Oh, for fuck's sake. You took your time," Edd said in annoyance. Horses snort and whine as Jorah waits on his horse. He looked determined yet also nervous. Jon's snow-white direwolf Ghost stands nearby. The wind blows, and the darkness reveals nothing. Jon walks by Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal on a nearby mountaintop as they growl. He joins Daenerys to survey the great army that waits before Winterfell. The moon shines through the clouds above them.

                    Back on the ramparts, Arya and Valen look out in the distance as the wind whistles. A lone rider approaches slowly amidst the darkness, catching the eye of Davos. The rider is Melisandre, who silently leads her mount to stop in front of Jorah. She looked at the Dothraki. "Do you speak their tongue?" she asked. Jorah nodded his head, "Tell them to lift their swords," she ordered. Jorah and Melisandre take measure of one another. Then he turns to the mounted horde and speaks in Dothraki. They respond by raising their weapons. Jorah returns his apprehensive gaze to Melisandre. She nudges her horse forward and stops next to Qhono, the nearest Dothraki. She clasps his curved weapon in her left hand, her index finger pressed against the cutting edge. She concentrates as she offers an incantation in Valyrian. Suddenly the blade ignites in flame. The other raised weapons quickly set a blaze, surprising the Dothraki who held them. They yell in celebration of the magic. On the ramparts, Arya and Valen look on in amazement. The flames travel in a wave through the entire Dothraki force, lighting up the night. Davos watches cautiously. Brienne, Grey Worm, Tormund, Beric, Sam, and Edd marvel at the sea of fire and the cheers of the Dothraki. Jorah nods in approval to Melisandre. She rides quietly past the Dothraki forces. Jorah turns his mount and draws Heartsbane with renewed vigor. Melisandre reaches the last of the Dothraki and turns to ride past them. She passes by Grey Worm. "Valar morghulis," she said.