Stormbringer | Jon Snow

Chapter 19

Winter had come.

In more ways than one, it seemed that their long summer was finally over. First, there had been a white raven from the Citadel. The maesters confirmed that winter had come at last, expected to be the coldest in a thousand years.

Second, there had arrived a raven from Riverrun. The Blackfish informed them of the sudden fall of House Frey, a letter sent to Riverrun bearing the words, 'The North Remembers. Winter came for House Frey,' in the shaky scrawl of someone who barely must have known how to write. Lord Frey, his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons were all dead. The girls had been spared, likely one having written the letter.

Third, they'd heard from Sansa about her quick work in sending men down to seize the Twins. Her uncle Edmure had been freed along with his young pregnant wife, the Blackfish's supplies had been replenished, and Lord Umber had given a nephew to keep the Crossing under the Stark name.

The greatest announcement came at the end of her letter, where she said simply, 'Jon, our little sister is home and eager to see you. She's told me some of what befell House Frey... I'm not entirely sure I understand it, but I know you will. Rickon and I were pleased to see her. I reckon when you return, your heart will stop.'

"Arya is home." Jon repeated it three times, looking down at the scroll. He smiled wide, tears sprang in his eyes. A fourth time, "Arya is home."

Melyse stood in front of him, the two of them still in the cave of dragonglass while their men toiled behind. She clasped her hands together under her chin, grinning from ear to ear, so very glad for him. She felt like crying, too. Without caring that they weren't alone, he went to her, picking her up in a tight hug. Her head swept forward as he lifted her off the ground, setting her back quickly if only for efficiency. The men paid them no mind; only Gendry smiled knowingly.

This solved a great problem for them. The Knights of the Vale could safely pass through the Twins and return whenever they were ready, if the sea was not entirely favorable. Aid could move between the Riverlands and the North, their uncle Edmure taking his rightful seat at Riverrun with an heir on the way.

It would be the end of House Frey as they knew it; Sansa would see to all the girls being married off. Many Northern, Riverlands, and Vale men, old and young, had need of wives and Lord Frey had been reproducing for so long that there was an abundance of women to go around.

For now, it made it easier to tally how many of each weapon they'd need to make. Gendry had an idea in mind for crafting, but so far all they'd been doing was cutting and cutting, big pieces and small pieces. With the Riverlands free, Sansa could make them a list of how many swords, spears, hammers, axes, arrows, and maces would need to be made. Then, they could send the shipments directly to each house without having everyone travel to Winterfell to fetch these weapons. Jon hoped it wouldn't take too long for everyone to adjust to using them.

When the first batch begun to brew, a week into their mining, Gendry promised three weapons as prototypes: a sword for Stannis, a spear for Melyse, and a hammer for himself. Melyse had added to his sketch, wanting her spear to resemble the one the White Walker had had that day at Hardhome. Given the build of dragonglass, it should be easy enough for it to have the same layered icy look about it. She hoped it to cut just as well.

"Give her a whirl, then," said Gendry when the spear had been made. The steel of the shaft was good, better crafted than the one her uncle Erren had made for her. It was smooth, allowing her to adjust her hold with ease. The head of it was long and pointed as she'd sketched it, the glass still sharp to the touch.

She twirled it around her head, behind her back, in place on her side, then practiced a few thrusts into the air. "She's lighter than Stormbringer. I like her for this, I'll need a lighter weapon to go at so many wights and Walkers. Not preferable for long-term... the balance isn't what I prefer for throwing, but she's a beauty."