Cold Hands

6

Izzy woke at first light and slipped stealthily from the bed, letting Benjen sleep. Dressing quietly for the day, she gazed upon the direwolf still laying near the door. The eyes of the seemingly otherworldly animal were still closed, but his ears followed her movements back and forth. Finally, she knelt before the beast.

"Did Jon tell your that your eyes haunt me? Is that why your eyes are closed, hmm?"

Ghost huffed and lifted his head, his eyes still closed.

"It's alright," she whispered. "If you're that close to Jon, then I know you mean Benjen or me no harm..."

Ghost's eyes opened instantly, his crimson-colored orbs piercing her lavender-colored ones. No harm to mother...

She gasped at hearing Jon's soft yet husky voice in her head. "You've got it wrong Darling. I really am your aunt."

Moments later, a knock was heard at her door. Ghost's ears swiveled back behind him and he stood, easily moving toward the woman, as if to guard her.

"Auntie, are you awake?"

"Tee?"

"Yes."

She moved past Ghost and opened the door to view her disheveled nephew. Ghost approached the dwarf and sniffed hard. Dogs...

"You've been with the dogs? Isn't that a bit beneath you?"

"No jokes please? It's far too early."

She giggled. "I didn't mean it like that, but it is funny...admit it."

Tyrion rolled his eyes.

"Come in, please. But be quiet, Ben's still sleeping."

Tyrion nodded and scooted in, eyeing the huge wolf that towered over him. "This is Snow's beast, isn't it?"

"Yes. Isn't he beautiful?"

"Oh yes...I'm sure you would find him so. You can see the top of his head..."

She shook her head and sighed as she reached her satchel and withdrew the book. "I hope you don't have it...it's a good read and quite apropos for the current times."

"'Songs of The Wall'...No, I don't have this..."

"You're playing with me..."

He looked into her eyes. "No, really I don't. I'll be riding with you today...did you know?"

"Why..."

"I want to visit the wall."

"I said he could ride with us," Benjen said sleepily. "Wants to piss of it!"

Startled, Izzy turned on her heel. "Oh you're awake!"

Benjen smiled. "Only just..."

Tyrion smiled warmly. "Then, I'll leave you two to it. Thank you, Auntie. I'll start on this immediately!" He reached up his hand and she knelt down and he tenderly kissed her cheek. "One day, you'll have to tell me how you two met..."

"It's quite the tale," she whispered.