The Queen of Flames (Sequel to 'The Demon of Winterfell') (On Hold)

Chapter Twelve: Ice Water

It had begun to snow again, and everyone had begun to slow down. Emmelyne's stomach kept twisting painfully, and she leaned heavily against Sandor, trying to keep her breathing normal. He held her tightly around the waist, and his grip was nearly the only thing keeping her standing. They all were ducked low, trying to see through the haze of white. The wind slapped against Emmelyne's face, stinging her skin and turning her cheeks a bright red. Everyone was clustered together, trying to maintain at least some warmth. Even Emmelyne's core heat had started to wear away, leaving her shaking madly beneath her furs.

Tormund pointed at something in the distance, something near hidden by the snow. Jon looked at Tormund, shaking his head. "Look!" the wildlings urged, still pointing.

Jon raised his hand against the snow, staring out at the shape. Emmelyne looked as well, vaguely able to make out that it was a bear. "A bear," she said, though her voice was barely audible.

Sandor repeated this for everyone to hear.

One of their wildling companions stopped, looking back at them all. "Big fucker," Sandor said.

It stopped walking, and Emmelyne could see that it was turning to face the group. It's eyes glowed bright blue. "Do bears have blue eyes?" Gendry asked hesitantly.

The bear let out a grunt, leaping forward towards them. The wildling ahead turned, breaking into a run back for the group. The men drew their swords, and Emmelyne started to nock an arrow.

The wildling was almost to the group, when the giant bear leaped onto him, it's jaws closing around his middle. A horrible scream echoed around them. Jon lurched into action, hurrying forward. There was no body, however. Only spattered blood and the wildlings spear. The wight bear continued to roar, but no one could label exactly where the sound was coming from.

The group formed into a circle, trying to see from all around. They held their weapons tightly, waiting for an attack. Emmelyne squinted, trying to find the shape of the bear.

There was a sudden roar, and another wilding was ripped away from the group, screaming horribly as the bear thrashed him back and forth. Jon ran forward, trying to distract the bear. This only angered it, and the beast threw Jon back. Sandor quickly helped him back to his feet. Beside Emmelyne, Thoros and Beric's swords ignited. They ran ahead, coming right in front of the bear. It towered over them on it's hind legs, letting out another roar before knocking Thoros to the ground. It dropped on top of him, clawing at his back. "Thoros!" Emmelyne screamed.

Beric charged the bear, which threw Thoros into the air. He hit the ground hard, and it advanced on him once more, Beric following. The bear lit up with fire as Beric managed a hit, and it stepped toward Emmelyne and Sandor. But Sandor was frozen. He stared at the flaming animal, his dark eyes wide and horrified. It lumbered toward them, leaping forward. Thoros jumped into it's path, falling once more to the ground. He held his sword with both hands between the bear's jaws, shouting as it fought against the metal.

Tormund was next to attempt a fight with the bear. He charged forward, hitting it hard in the side with his axe. But the bear knocked him away just as quickly. It continued it's fight with Thoros, managing to throw his sword aside. There was a tearing of flesh and a loud scream as it tore into Thoros's chest. It thrashed him side to side, Thoros screaming all the while. Sandor's shock finally seemed to wear away, but before he could do anything, Emmelyne fired an arrow into it's eye. It let out a final roar before falling dead. Gendry and Beric hurried up, pulling Thoros away from the burning carcass. Emmelyne slowly stepped forward, freeing her arrow from the eye socket. She looked back, searching for Sandor. But he had left his place, moving to look at Thoros. Beric and Gendry pulled away his layers of clothes, revealing long, deep claw marks in his chest. With each breath more blood dripped from the wound. "We have to get him back to Eastwatch," Jorah said.