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

XVII. Demons of Our Past

Sorry for a late upload, lots going on in life but here's another chapter :-)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Jon could barely see through the blizzard, snow pelted his skin like tiny knives.  He was following the soft glow of a fire in the distance still unsure of how he got here or where he was. 

The journey felt like hours, but soon the small flame grew into a fire nestled comfortably in a brick fireplace.  He was suddenly in Winterfell, in a room of the castle with a figure seated beside the fire.  Hair as white as moon glow, her head moved and her eyes met his. 

Jon stood in shock, Daenerys standing from her chair, "You can't protect her forever you know."  Her voice brought back so many memories.

Jon swallowed, "I can't protect who?" His eyes followed as she moved closer to him.

"I know you love her, I know you want to be with her... and you're going to get her killed," Daenerys smiled softly.  Jon's eyes quickly jerked down to the blood stain on her abdomen. 

Jon shook his head, "I won't, it's different now.  She's different than you."

"What about me?" A voice called from the shadows.  Sunset hair emerged into the light, pale skin and angry eyes sending Jon into a spiral of his past.  Jon felt his heart breaking, seeing Ygritte there with arrows still pierced through her body.

She stood in front of Jon, bow and arrow in hand, "Ya promised me, Snow.  You wouldn't love anotha'.  Yet here you are, moving on while I'm stuck here watchin'."

Jon held her cheek, tears brimming his eyes, "I shouldn't have promised that.  It's not something I could keep." 

Ygritte backed away from him, "She's gonna die.  You're gonna end up alone again.  There's no point in even tryin'."  She turned from him, disappearing in the shadows.  In an instant, Jon was back in the blizzard running nowhere and unable to leave.  Trapped in an endless snowstorm and everything went black.

Jon's eyes fluttered open, the smell of fresh lavender filling his nose. With this consciousness brought the throbbing pain in his shoulder. He met the eyes of Honora who smiled down at him, in her hands a thick paste covered her fingers.

She spoke softly, applying the paste to his shoulder, "Calendula. It will help prevent infection." Jon winced at the initial touch, but the paste released a soothing sensation through his wound.

He came to the realization of what happened last night, his eyebrows raising; he grabbed Honora's wrist, "Lilith?" Snow sat up rather quickly with the rush of adrenaline surging through him.

Honora shook her head, "Jon, please, lay down. She's in Arthur's medical tent. She's alright-"

Jon shot up from his bed ignoring the woman. He bolted from the tent with the poor mother following behind. Eyes followed him making his way through the camp. He found Arthur's tent, without hesitation he threw open the flap.

His eyes landed on Lilith, laying on her stomach. Her shirt was off showcasing the long slice through her back and some bruising near her rib cage. 

"Jon, you shouldn't see this..." Arthur tried, but the man wouldn't hear it. 

"How bad?" He asked, the image of her back burning into his mind.

"She has bruising on her ribs, her feet are cut up, her lip had been busted open, the wound on her back, and..." Arthur's eyes darted to Honora who gave a worried nod, "She was bleeding.. between her legs." 

Death.  He will die, slowly and painfully.  Jon spoke through gritted teeth, "I'll be back-"  Determined to go out and find that demon, he attempted to exit the camp but froze. 

"Jon?" A weak voice called.  Everyone's attention moved to the girl on the bed, her head turned to the side with her grey eyes half open. Honora and Arthur left the tent for a moment, avoiding any personal conversation.

"I'm so sorry," Snow knelt beside her, she released a small smile.

"They gave me milk of the poppy for the pain... How bad is it?" She slurred her words.

Jon brushed the hair from her brow, "It'll leave a nasty scar, but you're strong." 

Lilith gently grabbed his hand and giggled, "I can have a battle scar like you." 

Jon nodded, "What did he do to you?" Lilith's frown returned.

"I don't.. I don't want to talk about it," she sighed just wishing she could forget. 

Jon continued, "I need to know." 

Lilith shook her head, pulling her hand away from his, "I think you should leave."  Without another word, Jon stood and walked out not wishing to push further. 

•••

The eight Kings and Queen filed into the room with their respected parties, taking a seat in their assigned chair. A raven had been sent out to each kingdom briefly stating the fate of King Ares. All of the royals awaited nervously for Daemon to enter.

The man stepped forth, beginning the meeting, "Esteemed council, I, Daemon Petra, have taken helm of my father's kingdom. He died of heart failure unfortunately." The royals bowed in silence to honor the late king.

"I traveled to Ram Valley to fulfill my duties and marry princess Lilith, but upon arrival we found the entire castle burned to the ground and the bodies of Ares and his children dead in the garden. As most of you know, we have an outsider from Westeros here with his foreign men. I believe they murdered king Ares and his children, and kidnapped Lilith," Daemon lied through his teeth.

Everyone whispered amongst themselves for a very brief moment, then King Paramenti stood, "Is this your true word? Ares is dead?"

Daemon simply nodded, "I have called you all today to put out an order to find these devil men and kill them.  I also wished to grant rule over both The Blacklands and Ram Valley as I am the closest heir."  Half of the kings gave a nod in approval while the other half exchanged worried glances.

King Mare stood next, "You have called us all here to take hold of two territories when we have not even seen the state of Ram Valley or the bodies of King Ignis and his children!"  Daemon's eye twitched and the prince slammed Ares's crown onto the table silencing the voices around him.  Speckles of blood painted the ram horns not leaving much to the imagination of what had occurred. 

"Does anyone else wish to question my legitimacy?" He folded his hands behind his back. 

Mare took his seat, but Queen Frutta took a stand, "Daemon, How do you know it was the traveler from other worlds? Why would these men, being far outnumbered by Ares's men, even dare try to murder him and his family? As I recall, Ares gave them a pardon and told them they could use his resources."

Daemon's daggers for eyes aimed at Frutta, "Your Grace, when I attended the feast Ares threw for these mongrels I noticed one of them eyeing my beloved.  He wanted her, and he couldn't have her so they came and took her.  I mean really, is it hard to believe? These people are savages!"

The queen wasn't convinced, she sensed something off about the situation, "This is a treasonous assumption, Daemon.  If what you're saying is true, then you wish to slaughter men, women, and children." 

Daemon nodded, "These people threaten our perfect balance.  These people threaten THE GODS WAY! We can not just sit here and let them live freely amongst us.  We have to end them!"

King Paramenti stood, "We stand with you! We will get justice for Ares Ignis!" Four other kings stood in agreement. Queen Frutta stared between the two other kings seated near her knowing a war was coming.