A Jon Snow sequel: Beyond the North (GAME OF THRONES)

XVI. Run Rabbit, Run

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING CONTENT: Coarse language, mentions of assault/abuse, and violence.

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Lilith ran so fast through the trees she could hardly breathe. Her feet were all torn and her back was still bleeding, it was a miracle she hadn't passed out from loss of blood. She was acting purely off of adrenaline at this point, no way of knowing where she was going. She paused, suddenly feeling a wave of exhaustion, and leaned against a tree. Ghost had run off at some point, probably searching for Jon.  The neigh of a horse echoed through the pines along with a voice calling her name.

A rumble of thunder erupted through the sky and rain fell freely. The cold sticky water coated Lilith and she looked up at the sky. It felt so good against her cuts. 

"Lilith!" The voice called again. She recognized that voice.

"Jon... Jon!" Lilith cried out, her shaken voice carrying. Jon could hear her, searching all around for his girl.  He was close, he could feel it. 

Daemon had followed after her blood trail and heard her cries. He came up behind her and grabbed her. She screamed and kicked but his hold was far superior. Jon heard her screams and moved as fast as he could.

"Come with me," Daemon growled lowly into her ear, he pulled her with him.  The two had come to a clearing, a field in the middle of the woods, almost forming a perfect circle. The rain fell diagonally with lightning flashing in the distance.  Daemon dragged the girl to the other side well aware that Jon would appear any moment.

"Keep calling his name, whore." He whispered into her ear. His voice like venom, causing her to scream and cry out as loud as she could through the sharp sounds of rain.

Soon, Jon and Tormund found the prince who'd taken her with three of his guards behind him.  Jon felt a sort of happiness nestle within him upon seeing the maiden he'd thought he lost. Even from a yard away, he could see every detail of her beautiful face.

"So, you're the man responsible for planting your seed inside my bride!" Daemon called. Jon stared at the flower helpless in the demon's grasp.  He furrowed his brows towards her with curiosity of what she told Daemon swirling in his mind. 

Jon didn't respond to him, his eyes stayed on his girl, "Don't worry, princess. I'll get you." He shouted.  Lilith smiled softly, the rain blending in with her tears. 

Daemon continued, "I'm not a bad guy here, I just want what's mine."  His eyes darted to Lilith quickly, then returned to Jon.

Jon shouted back, "Let her go.  She isn't yours to keep.  You don't need her." He rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.

Daemon laughed, and Lilith trembled. "You're right.  I don't need her... Let's play a game. If you win, you can take this whore and her bastard child. And if I win.. I get to enjoy her every night." He ran his tongue across her cheek. Lilith flinched and cried out.

Jon was about to lose it. Seeing her being touched like that, his blood boiled, he wanted to kill him. He wanted to skin him, rip off his long limbs, and feed him to Ghost. He had never felt anger like this.

From behind Daemon, one of the guards walked up holding a bow and arrow canister.  Jon stared in disbelief.  He'd seen this before, history was repeating itself. 

The prince whispered, "Run rabbit, run," before shoving Lilith onto the ground. The girl scrambled to her feet and ran as fast as she could. Daemon loaded the bow.

Jon charged forward on his steed and headed for her. The first arrow shot. Jon watched in horror as his memory of Rickon was repeated. Lilith looked over her shoulder, watching Daemon fire the bow, she took a hard right to avoid the arrow. 

Daemon's eyes shifted to Jon who was getting too close, the prince laughed and shot another arrow. This time, the arrow hit Jon's horse through the jugular, sending the animal to the ground. Lilith stopped running and yelled Jon's name as he fell from the horse. Daemon readied another arrow.

Jon got to his feet quickly, running towards her. Lilith headed for him again, continuing to watch over her shoulder for another arrow. This time, she took a hard left and then a right. Another shot, another miss.

Jon smiled, she was so smart. He knew he'd get to her, he knew this time he'd win the game. Daemon loaded another arrow.  Jon extended his arm out and grabbed Lilith's linen shirt, pulling her close to his chest. He instinctively turned his body so his back was to Daemon, and just in time for one last arrow to pierce through his right shoulder, the tip of the arrow poked out through the other side nearly missing Lilith.  He fell to his knees with the princess wrapped in his embrace and they sat in silence.

The rain was falling harder now and the clouds had thickened creating a black cloak over the valley. With a huff, Daemon snapped his bow on his thigh and gathered his men.

"We will return to the castle. Send a carrier to the kingdoms," he ordered as they headed back to the palace.

Lilith was catching her breath, she snaked her arm around his torso and touched the arrow impaled through his skin.

"You're.. you're hurt," Lilith spoke softly, her heart rate started to slow and the exhaustion was setting in. The wound on her back throbbed, the loss of blood causing her to slowly slip out of consciousness.

Jon pulled his face away to look into her familiar grey eyes, he had missed them. He smiled softly, touching her face in his large hands.

"I'm fine, Lilith.. Are you?" His rough voice spoke gently through the sounds of rain, his expression growing into worry.

Lilith smiled in his hold, "I've missed you.. my-" She lifted her hand and caressed his cheek, her thumb brushed over his lips.

Jon hummed softly, "You're not allowed to leave me again."  He leaned forward, planting a kiss on her lips.  A rush of happiness came over the girl, her skin turning bright red.  She kissed him back passionately with all of the energy left in her bones.  Exhaustion and loss of blood took over, she closed her eyes and her hand fell.

Jon pulled his lips away and examined her limp face, "No, no stay with me."  Jon shook his head, he stood and lifted her into his arms, "Tormund! Hurry!"