Her Name Isn't Snow

Chapter 28

Part 2 

I couldn't remember how long we had been walking for. We had been walking for quite a while though, and we were moving a bit slower because of Thoro's injury. But everyone seemed to be thankful for the change of pace — everyone except Jon of course. Jon remained at the front of the group a couple of feet ahead of everyone else.

I was walking next to Gendry, who in my opinion seemed to be the least offensive person here. Clegane was a harsh, foul man who liked to be left alone. Beric who was helping Thoro's kept looking at me like I was a god. Jorah kept trying to give me advice to get me to reconcile with my sister and Jon. Jon and I hadn't spoken since our fight earlier if it could even be considered a fight.

I was starting to feel like Jon didn't see me as an equal. I was losing who I was. When I was with Jon, I wasn't Rhaella Targaryen, the future queen. I was Emelya Snow, the moon-eyed stubborn girl from Winterfell, now Jon's woman. Maybe a part of me would always be Emelya Snow, but out here I needed to be the warrior princess Rhaella.

We continued walking, some of the men murmuring amongst themselves until Clegane told us all to shut up. We stopped walking and turned to look at Clegane as he gave a confused look.

"Do you hear that?" he asks, slowly turning his head to look around. A faint clanking sound could be heard in the distance. I followed Jon and Tormund up a nearby hill overlooking the next pass. Jon peaked over the top of the snowy mound and watched for a few seconds before hiding back behind the snow.

"There aren't very many of them," he remarks as Tormund, and I peak over the hill as well.

I stay silent as I see the boney creatures trudge along. I don't know why I thought the army of the dead would look more pleasant. I had assumed it would be ordinary people, dead of course with blue eyes. But not these things with skin hanging off and protruding bones with rags for clothes.

"Well then, let's not waste any time" I mumbled as I move back behind the snowy hill. 

"We need to lure them somewhere first, somewhere they can't escape and get the others," Jon says.

"We'll get ahead of them and light a fire to draw them out," Tormund says, causing Jon to nod in agreement.

We make our way back down the small hill and tell our plan to the others. Immediately we begin moving in the direction the Wights appeared to be heading in. We stop at the opening of the narrowing path and get into position while Beric starts the fire. Jon moves to hide next to me while we wait.

"Are you going to ask me to sit this one out too?" I ask as I pull out my sword.

"No, I'm not" he states. We sit in silence for a few awkward moments while Jon pulls out his sword.  

"I'm sorry, about earlier. I shouldn't have asked you not to fight. I just wanted to keep you safe." he says softly. I sigh and turn so that my body is facing his. 

"I understand why you asked me. But I had hoped that you would see me differently now. I'm not that girl anymore. I've changed."

He places his free hand on top of mine and looks into my eyes. 

"I know. But there is always going to be a part of me that will see you as the girl I left in Winterfell" he admits with a heavy sigh. I smile softly at him and lean forward to give him a quick kiss. 

"I forgive you," I whisper as I pull away to look back into his eyes. He smiles, but the smile instantly disappears at the sound of crunching snow. They were here. I kept my eyes on Jon as we got our swords into the ready position. He was looking up as if he could see the white walkers out of the back of his head. I waited for his signal, and once he gave it, we all leaped into action.