"A fighter that's all I ever wanted to be."
A warrior is a brave or experienced fighter.
That's what Jaidyn Mormont was raised to be.
Father and daughter separated by the Narrow Sea, she is thrown into the game of thrones.
Can she strive to be...
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"Ned Stark rides for Bear island to sentence you for your crimes." Maege Mormont spoke. She saw her nephew shift under her stare.
He avoided eye contact as his eyes were focused on the child swinging a wooden sword. They both knew the dishonor the Lord's actions brought their house. Her eyes turned to the child who was too focused on her sword than the tension between the adults. Maege knew that Jorah would lose his head for what he had done. She did not want the child to end up with Lynesse.
"Leave the child. Take Lynesse and run. Jaidyn will stay in the North where she will grow strong."
Jorah considered her words carefully and he knew that was the better decision. He knew that he could not stay at Bear Island. He knew that his father was beyond disappointed and if it wasn't for Jaidyn, Jeor would have taken his head himself.
Looking back at his life, Jorah regretted taking Lynesse as a wife but she had blessed him with the greatest gift. His daughter was everything to him. He wanted her to be a strong warrior. He wanted to watch her grow, marry and have babes, but instead he would need to leave her. Lynesse never spent time with her daughter so that left Jaidyn wanting to fight rather than sew.
His aunt's words echoed in his mind. He knew her words were true, a life on the run was no life for a child. But he still feared for Jaidyn's sake. He wanted to protect her from all harm and teach her everything she would need to fight.
Jorah sighed heavily, "Teach her to fight like a true bear. Teach her every weapon. Tell her to fight with heart for those she loves. Let her grow to be a warrior." As he spoke his eyes trained on Jaidyn memorizing all details he could.
He approached Jaidyn, who paused and stared at her father. He bend down on a knee, placed a kiss on her forehead, and left the room.
Jaidyn dropped her wooden sword as she tried to run to her father, but Maege grabbed her before she got close. A small cry left Jaidyn's mouth but Jorah did not dare turn around.
Several days later...
"Lord Stark, welcome to Bear Island. I hope your trip was no trouble." Maege Mormont spoke.
"It was well, my lady. I trust you know the reason for my visit." Lord Stark stated getting right to the point.
"Aye." She spoke, " I hate to inform you, Lord Stark, but it seems my nephew and his wife slipped away under the cover of night."
Before Ned could muster a reply the doors opened and in ran a little girl with dried tears on her cheek. Her knees were scraped and her pants covered in mud. Maege picked up the girl and placed her on her lap. She wiped tears away and whispered comforting words in Jaidyn's ear.
"Is she yours, my lady?" Ned spoke as he eyed the child in Maege's arms. Maege was hesitant to answer, "Afraid not. She is Jaidyn Mormont, Jorah's daughter."
He nodded his head once as a remembered the ward he had back in Winterfell. A child taken away from home due to their father's crimes. He did not want to separate this cub from her home, but Jorah needed to answer for his crime. "My lady, I may not have taken Jorah's head but I am purposing to take Jaidyn as my ward."
Maege's face paled as she processed the words she just heard. She did not want Jaidyn leaving Bear Island with her father in the first place. But she knew that this was a better alternative than what could have happened.
Maege reluctantly agreed. "Very well Lord Stark, but you must promise that Jaidyn will grow to be a warrior of all traits. You must promise me her safety while under your care."
Eddard Stark say the look in Maege's eyes and he spoke, "Jaidyn will train among my best. I will see to it that Jaidyn is looked after and I will ensure her safety."
Maege turned to a handmaiden in the room and relayed the instructions. Jaidyn was ready to leave in the morning for Winterfell.
As the sun creeped out the next morning, Maege held Jaidyn close to her. She placed a kiss to her forehead and whispered in her ear. "Grow little Jai. Become a warrior who fights for the just. Do not let anyone take what your hold dear."
Jaidyn had a sense of what was coming as she was lifted onto Eddard Stark's horse. But this time she promised herself that she would not cry. She would not show weakness. She would be the warrior that would live in stories forever.
