Northern Conqueror

Chapter 6: His Watch Is Ended

Chapter 6: His Watch Is Ended

"Why have you come to Winterfell, Lord Umber?"

Small Jon stepped forward. "The Bastard Jon Snow let an army of wildlings past the Wall. We're farther north than any of you fuckers. Wildings come down, we always have to fight them first. I like fighting wildlings, been doing it all my life, but there are too many for us to beat back alone."

"So now you've come seeking help?"

"We need to help each other." Small Jon pointed to the northern window. "The colder it gets, the father south those goat fuckers will roam. Won't take them long to get here."

"You think a horde of wildlings can take Winterfell?" asked Harald.

"If they get Jon Snow leading them, maybe. He knows this place better than we ever will."

Ramsay looked from Karstark to Umber. "Pledge your banners to House Bolton. Swear your loyalty to me as Warden of the North and we will fight together to destroy the bastard and his wildling friends."

"I'm not kissing your fucking hand."

"Traditionally a bannerman kneels before his lord," said Ramsay.

"I'm not doing that either," said Small Jon.

"Why would I trust a man who won't honor tradition?"

Small Jon stepped forward, pressing his gloved knuckles to the table. "You father honored tradition. Knelt to Robb Stark. Called him King in the North. Was Robb Stark right to trust your father?"

"Then it appears we're at a bit of an impasse."

"Fuck kneeling and fuck oaths." Small Jon backed away and nodded to the man at the door. "I've got a gift for you."

"A girl, I hope." Ramsay grinned, glancing at his good father before watching Small Jon. "I prefer redheads."

"A girl, aye. A wild one." Small Jon laughed, pulling the sack from the woman's head, letting her look around frantically.

Ramsay got to his feet. "I like them wild."

"And the boy, nice and young. The way Karstark likes them."

Harald rose and Ramsay looked back, stopping him while Small Jon took off the boy's hood.

"Who is this?" Ramsay asked walking forward.

"Rickon Stark."

Ramsay stopped in front of the boy, bringing his hands together as he leaned forward with a slight smile. "How do I know that's Rickon Stark?"

Small Jon backed away, returning a moment later with a direwolf head impaled on a hook. Dropping it on the table, he turned to Ramsay, who smiled as he looked to Rickon. The boy's gaze had fallen upon Reek, who looked terrified in the corner. As though he'd seen a ghost.

"Welcome home, Lord Stark."

*~*~*

Sansa watched Jon look over the bloodied jerkin full of thin dagger holes until there was a knock at the door and Edd entered. "It's time."

Jon got to his feet, tossing the jerkin on the table and taking Longclaw. Sansa followed him, joining Brienne and Podrick outside, following them to stand in the crowd with the others, watching Jon make his way up the platform before the four men in nooses.

Standing beside Bowen Marsh, Jon told them, "If you have any last words, now is the time."

"You shouldn't be alive," declared Marsh, "It's not right."