the Powerful stark

34.oathkeeper

The last rays of sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a pale glow over Castle Black. The cold, unforgiving wind swept across the Wall, biting through even the thickest furs. Nyssa Stark pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, trying to fend off the chill as she sat on the roof of one of the lower buildings. Beside her, Hael Greyjoy reclined against the chimney, his usual brooding expression softened by the fading light.From their vantage point, they could see the courtyard below, where the men of the Night's Watch were gathered. Some trained with their swords, the sound of steel clashing against steel echoing through the evening air. Others stood in small groups, deep in conversation, their faces etched with worry. The threat from beyond the Wall loomed large, and every man here knew that the battle to come would test them like never before.Nyssa's eyes found Jon Snow among the crowd. He stood near the training yard, speaking with Samwell Tarly and Grenn, his expression serious. The weight of leadership rested heavily on his shoulders, and Nyssa could see the tension in his stance, the way his brow furrowed as he listened to his friends. He looked up then, as if sensing her gaze, and their eyes met.She raised a hand and waved, a small, simple gesture. Jon's face softened as he gave a slight nod in return, a fleeting smile crossing his lips before he turned back to his conversation. Nyssa watched him for a moment longer, her heart aching with a mixture of pride and concern. Jon was strong, but the challenges ahead were unlike anything they had faced before."He's carrying the weight of the world," Hael observed, his voice low and thoughtful.Nyssa turned to look at him, studying his profile in the dimming light. Hael Greyjoy was a man of contradictions—a reaver from the Iron Islands, raised in the shadow of Pyke, but now sworn to the Night's Watch. His dark hair fell in loose strands across his forehead, and his grey eyes were sharp, always watchful. There was a roughness to him, a sense of danger that lingered beneath the surface, but Nyssa had come to trust him. They had both been thrust into this frozen hell by circumstances beyond their control, and in that, they had found common ground."He is," Nyssa agreed, her voice tinged with sadness. "But he's stronger than he knows. He'll do what needs to be done."Hael was silent for a moment, his gaze following hers back to Jon. "He's a Snow, through and through. But this place... it changes people. Even the best of them."Nyssa nodded, understanding all too well. The Wall had a way of hardening those who lived within its shadow, of stripping away everything but the will to survive. She had felt it herself—the creeping numbness that settled into her bones, the growing sense of detachment as the days bled into one another. But she refused to let it consume her. She was a Stark of Winterfell, and the blood of the North ran strong in her veins."And what about you, Hael?" Nyssa asked, turning the conversation away from Jon. "How have you changed?"Hael let out a dry chuckle, though there was little humor in it. "I've traded one cold, unforgiving place for another. But at least here, I know what I'm fighting for."Nyssa arched an eyebrow, intrigued by his answer. "And what is that?"Hael met her gaze, his eyes intense. "Redemption, maybe. Or something like it. I've done things I'm not proud of, Nyssa. We all have. But up here, on the Wall, we get a chance to start over. To be something more than what we were."Nyssa held his gaze, searching for the truth in his words. She had heard tales of Hael Greyjoy—of the raids he had led, the blood he had spilled in the name of his ironborn heritage. But the man sitting beside her was different. There was a depth to him, a quiet strength that she had come to respect."You're not the only one looking for redemption," Nyssa said softly. "We all carry our burdens. But it's what we do with them that matters."Hael looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded, a small gesture that spoke volumes. "Aye. You're right about that."The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, watching the men below as they continued their training. The air was thick with tension, a palpable sense of anticipation that hung over Castle Black like a storm cloud. The wildlings were out there, gathering in greater numbers than ever before, and it was only a matter of time before they attacked."Do you ever wonder," Nyssa began, her voice barely above a whisper, "what it would be like if things had been different? If we hadn't ended up here?"Hael glanced at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Sometimes. But then I remember that thinking like that gets you killed. You have to live in the now, Nyssa. The past is gone, and the future... well, it's not ours to see."Nyssa nodded, knowing he was right. But still, she couldn't help but think of the life she had left behind—the warmth of Winterfell, the faces of her family, the sense of belonging that had been ripped away from her. Here, at the edge of the world, everything felt so far away, like a dream she could barely remember."We fight for what's left," Hael added, his tone firm. "For the people who are still here. Like Jon."Nyssa smiled faintly, her heart swelling with affection for her brother. "Yes. For Jon, and for all the others who stand with us. We fight for them, and for the hope that one day, this will all be worth it."Hael nodded again, his expression serious. "Then let's make sure it is."As the light continued to fade, the cold growing more intense with each passing minute, Nyssa and Hael remained on the roof, watching the men of the Night's Watch below. They were two figures silhouetted against the twilight, bound by duty, by honor, and by the unspoken understanding that in this place, at this time, i looked next too me and saw a faded version of a wolf and fox andi smiled