B L O O M

Break Them

Rose couldn't help the broad smile that stretched across her face, their group currently occupied in the meeting with the wildling leaders in the middle of their encampment. Jon, Sansa, Robb, Davos, Tormund, Rose, and Wun Wun were arguing with the leaders, but Rose was too busy making faces at Wun Wun to care. The big Giant smiling at her from across the fire pit, until the leader raised his voice.

"We said we'd fight with you, King Crow, when the time comes and we meant it, but this isn't what we agreed to. These aren't White Walkers. This isn't an army of the dead. This isn't our fight." Tormund was less than pleased by his response.

"If it weren't for him, none of us would be here. All of you would be meat in the Night King's army. And I'd be a pile of charred bones just like Mance." Rose looked up to see the leaders' reaction, but Tormund's words did little to sway them.

"Remember Mance's camp? It stretched all the way to the horizon. And look at us now. Look what's left of us. And if we lose this, we're gone. Dozens of tribes, hundreds of generations. Be like we were never there at all. We'll be the last of the free folk." Robb furrowed his brows and stood to defend his brother, all eyes on him as he spoke.

"That's what'll happen to you if we lose. The Boltons, the Karstarks, the Umbers, they know you're here. They know that more than half of you are women and children. After they finish with us, they'll come for you." Robb shook his head in shame, "You're right. This isn't your fight. You shouldn't have to come to Winterfell with me. My brother shouldn't be asking you. It's not the deal you made. We need you with us if we're gonna beat them, and we need to beat them if you're going to survive."

"The crows killed him because he spoke for the free folk when no other southerners would. He died for us. If we are not willing to do the same for him, we're cowards. And if that's what we are, we deserve to be the last of the free folk." Tormund's words made Wun Wun stand, his stern face firm in determination.

"Snow." After that, he walked to Rose and patted her on the head gently before walking out. Leaving the other leaders to look at each other before seemingly coming to a decision. Dim Dalba, the leader of all, walked to Jon and proceeded to shake his hand before returning to his men. Jon turned to Tormund, uncertain about the outcome of this deal.

Are you sure they'll come?"

"We're not clever like you southerners. When we say we'll do something, we do it." Jon exhaled, pleased at the thought of aid. Rose smiled before speaking up.

"One down, only a little more to go."

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Jon, Robb, Sansa, Davos, and Rose entered the room to face Lady Lyanna Mormont who was flanked by her commander and maester, her eyes sweeping over them all with a hard stare.

"Lady Mormont." Jon spoke polietly, offering the young girl a smile that she didn't react to.

"Welcome to Bear Island." She spoke, making Jon look back at Rose who shrugged before looking at Sansa for help.

"I remember when you were born, my lady. You were named for my Aunt Lyanna. It was said she was a great beauty. I'm sure you will be, too." Sansa smiled charmingly, in her perfect lady way that Rose didn't use. Though Lyanna harshly stopped her soothing words.

"I doubt it. My mother wasn't a great beauty or any other kind of beauty. She was a great warrior, though. She died fighting for you, Lord Robb." Her eyes glared at the man in question, who winced before meeting her eyes with a sad frown.

"I knew her, my Lady. She was fiercer than the Greatjon, with twice the nerve." Robb's words made Lyanna nod her head in respect, her eyes turning to Jon who spoke up to ease the tension.