Podrick swings his sword, the loud clang of your own rings loud as it come into contact. You slide yours out from under him and move to swing at him, but he is quicker, the blunt edge hitting your shoulder.

“God dammit.” You throw your sword down and take a deep breath.

“You need to steady yourself on your feet more, it gives you more stability to move quicker.” Brienne advises. She has been watching Podrick try and train you for half the day now and you were still struggling.

“It’s okay, you’ll get there. Let’s work on foot placement for a bit. Brienne is right.” He tosses his own on the ground and walks towards you. He lightly kicks your foot, moving it to where he directs. “Now, unlock your knees… you’re a bit tense.”

Tense indeed you think, but shove the thought down. This is a matter of life and death, and it is looking like death will be coming sooner than later.

“Right. Now, swing without the sword.” You swing and he catches your arms and holds it in position. “Your goal is to keep a good grip on the sword, but have your arms be ready to bend and turn at a moments notice.”

With his hands still on his arms, you twist. He tells you to try it with a sword now and you bend down and pick yours up. Using the blunt side, you do a few practice swings towards him. He smiles brightly at you and picks his own up.

“Let’s try this again.” He says, no sign of annoyance towards still having you show you the basics. This sparring session goes better than the last but it still doesn’t take long for Podrick to land a hit towards your head.

You groan. “You’re even better than me at stopping before impact. I think i would have taken your head clean off.” Brienne chuckled from behind you but straightens her face when you look at her. “I already know I would die here and now if I tried to practice you with.”

“There’s no shame in going into the Stark crypts, you’ll be with Sansa and Tyrion.” Podrick says softly. “You’ll be way safer down there.”

“I want to fight though.” You say and rub your face with your hands. “I can’t just sit around and wait for people around us to die. I need to do something,”

“Y/N, I fear you would die up here… this is bigger than we are ready for.” Brienne says, giving you the honest truth. Before she or Podrick can say anything else, you turn around and stomp off towards your bed chambers. You slam the heavy door behind you and plop onto your bed as you begin to cry.

Growing up, you knew you would never be as powerful as your cousins but you wanted to be so much like them. After your widowed father, Catelyn’s brother, died of a high fever when you were just a babe, she and Ned took you in. You always knew who your true parents were and that Ned and Catelyn loved you - you were nothing like that children they shared. You noticed that Catelyn treated you way better than she did Jon and it was never like she treated you less than… you just knew it was a different kind of love. Your siblings never treated you any different but you and Jon had more of an understanding for each other. A knock brings you out of your own head and towards the door.

"Y/N, We did not mean to upset you... I am sorry." Podrick says from out side of your room.

"Leave me alone." You yell and pull the blanket over you. It does not take long before you have drifted off to sleep.

You are woken up with a start. "Brienne? What are you doing in here?" You ask once you are able to see the figure on the end of your bed.

"I gave you the night to sleep away your anger, but today I want Podrick to work with you more. If you still struggle... I will force you into the crypt myself." She glares at you as much as she can manage seeing she truly wasn't angry at you. "Pod is ready for you in the yard with sparring sticks."

"What? Like I am a child?" You ask.

"Well, you are training at the level of one." She admits. "But this will allow you two to actually hit each other. You both were overcompensating not hitting the other with the sharp points. Now I want you to actually hit that boy... maybe you will know some sense into him." She gives you a slight smile at that and walks out of the room to give you some privacy to get ready.

Once you are ready, you step outside and just like Brienne said, Podrick was standing in the middle of the courtyard with some sparring sticks laid around him. He is talking with another soldier and does not notice when you walk up behind him and hit him in the side with one of the sticks.

"I am very good with stealth move." You give Podrick a large smile at his confused look. It breaks into a smile when he realizes it was you that hit him and why. The solider breaks away, offering both of you the pleasantly of luck on your training.

"Stealth won't really be your saving grace for this, Y/N." Podrick admits and gets his stance ready. He waits for you to do the same. You can tell he goes easy on you but you put up a decent fight, landing a few hits on his sides when you have the opportunity. "Now imagine you hate me and really want to see me get defeated."

That catches you off guard and he lands a "fatal" blow towards your head.

"Hey, no fair. The white walkers are not going to speak so that deserves a re-do." You pout. "And besides, I could never feel hate when I am looking at you so that's out of the question."

He blushes and gets into his starting position again. "You ready?" When you nod, the two of you begin sparing again. This time lasts longer than before and with you landing the fatal blow.

"See, your strength is in there, you just need to focus on fighting and the posture will come to you." Podrick gives you a large smile and you send one back to him. "Now again."

He still goes a tad bit easy on you, but you are able to beat him 5 out of 7 times that the two of you spar.

"Alright, now me." Brienne says, Podrick stands away from you and looks at her with a face you can't figure out.

"I don't know if that will be for the best?" He says but it comes out as a question.

"No, its fine. I need to be able to fight... Brienne will be a good test to see how well I have gotten today... or at all." You say the last part to yourself and blush when Podrick looks at you. He totally heard that you think to yourself but get ready all the same. Brienne nods at you, signaling to begin.

Sparing with her lasted around 5 seconds. "What the fuck." You ask, turning around to see Podrick holding up the sparing stick that hit you in the back.

"You aren't going to only come across just one all the time." You turn around and look at Brienne. The woman has a smile across her face like you and Podrick have never seen.

"I hate that you are right." You grumble.

"I thought you said you could not feel hate when it comes to him, Y/N." Brienne asks. Your mouth drops open.

"Really Brienne? I thought you were on my side." You fake sadness but swing your sparring stick at her, pointing the would be pointy end at up at her throat. You turn around on your heel and do the same to Podrick. "I came back from the dead and killed you both."

Podrick laughs. "I, for one, hope you don't die, but that would be funny to see."

"Okay, Brienne lets do this for real." You put your feet into place again and offer up a decent defensive spar before she lands a hard hit to your arm. "Again." You say and hours pass as you and Brienne work towards you getting better.

"We should take a break. You need to eat and get some water in you." Brienne grabs the stick from your hands and motions for you to go to the dining hall.

The two of you make your way there and each grab a plate and a goblet of water. He sits in front of you on the table and you begin to eat, falling into a silence.

"Podrick?" You ask, he stops eating and looks to you. "Should I just go into the crypt with Sansa?"

He looks away and back towards his food. "I am serious Podrick.... I only won against you those times because you were going easy - ... dont even try to lie and say you weren't. I think I would be safer being with her and Tyrion than I would here. It just makes the most sense."

He looks back at you. "You want my honest opinion?" You nod. "Go with Tyrion... I think I would do a lot better fighting if I knew you were safe."

Your heart drops knowing that he was right, you would just be a distraction for him if he had to break focus away from fighting the white walkers.

"I will go there then."

There was not much sound that could be heard from the crypt. You can imagine it through, the screams of so many people, the dying wails... you knew it was happening right above you and there was nothing that you could do. You sit away from everyone, in your own little bubble but in an instant, your place is crowded from those that are running away from the dead. They climb out of the walls, each a Winterfell ancestor back from the dead. Someone's elbow makes contact with your forehead, knocking you down and then its all black.

"Y/N! Y/N. Oh gods, please wake up. I can't lose her." Am I dreaming? Everything is black and the voice sounds so far away. Hands stroke your hair as everything starts to become more clear. A pounding in your head also starts, but all you can focus on is that when you open your eyes, Podrick is cradling you in his arms. Tears are falling down his face as he tries to wake you up. He is so focused on waking you up, he almost doesn't see that your eyes are open and you are giving him a smile that is just barely there.

"Podrick, you are alright." You whisper. The pounding in your head gets harsher and harsher but you push yourself up until you are laying your head into Podrick's neck. "You are alright."

"I thought you were dead. I told you to go into these crypts... you could have died down here."

"Podrick, but I didn't." You put your hand over his cheek, wiping under his eye with your thumb as you look at him... you always knew he was handsome but sitting there with your face so close to his and nothing else around you mattering. He was the most handsome man you had ever seen. "I am safe. I am alive. Podrick -"

He cuts you off by smashing his lips into yours, with a hunger of exactly what he was feelings. Almost losing you gave him the confidence he needed.

"I should have told you so long ago but I am so in love with you Y/N... I will regret the time I could have had next to you if I just gained the courage to tell you... but almost losing you made me realize that we need to live in the moment and I love you." He begins to ramble on but you stop him this time with a kiss. You pull away and just stare at him.

It has been years since you last saw any of your siblings – the Starks having been separated when your father was marked as the King’s Hand by Robert Baratheon. Now, you and your siblings have lost your father, mother, eldest, and youngest brother. A lie from Queen Cersei started so much death, hatred and scattered your already separated family. Your heart hurting as you thought about what all the years have brought to your family. Now, back in Winterfell, it does not even seem real at points.

Podrick sits down next to you, startling you away from your own head. “Sorry, I did not mean to scare you.” He hands you a cup filled with wine. “Figured you would want something.”

“You would not believe.” You breathe out a small laugh. The two of you sit in a comfortable silence, knowing what the upcoming hours are going to bring with the threat of white walkers now a definite as so many came to Winterfell, bracing what was once your home as a battleground. A door creaking open causes Podrick and you to look towards the people walking into the room. Jamie, Tyrion, Tormond, Davos and Brienne all found a spot in the room around the fire that was no match to the cold of the area. Even though the group of you all were nervous and uncomfortable with the complete unknown of what will come any minute now, you all have conversations about anything and everything to not have the silence bring unwanted thoughts. Tyrion, hands Podrick and I another pitcher of wine.

“We are going to need as much as we can manage it seems.” Tyrion takes it back once we fill our cups. “You know what I think I regret the most?” Tyrion asks about the room.

“What is that?” I ask, taking a large drink of my wine.

“Never finding out what Pod did with those women back at King’s Landing.” Heads whip towards the man sitting next to me, who chokes on his wine.

“That is not a conversation I would like to have in front of two ladies.” He blushes, looking at Brienne and you.

“Oh, come on, how many people can say that they had prostitutes not take the money for the services?” Your jaw drops, not having heard about this at all.

“Again, I would rather not talk about this.”

“I think I want to know.” You say, smiling at him and taking another drink.

“Yes, because you want to know what he can do.” Tormund says, grinning at the two of you. Now it is your turn to blush.

“Leave them be, they don’t want to talk about each other… even if they should do something about the tension the two of them have had since we found Y/N at the tavern years ago.” Brienne smirks at you.

Your mouth drops open at your friends’ words. “Brienne, you wound me.” You say making the group laugh.

Conversations stray away and more wine is drunk. “It’s strange isn’t it – we all once fought against your family Y/N… at one time or another and now here we are, in their castle, ready to defend it together.”

“At least we will die with honor.” Brienne chimes in.

“I think we will live.” Davos snorts at Tyrion’s comment. Podrick looks at you and the two of you smile. “I do. How many battles have we survived?”

Tyrion lists off the battles and fights the group have encountered. Your head whips towards Brienne when Tyrion talks about hers, calling her Sir then correcting himself.

“Why the fuck can’t you be a night?” Tormund asks after she says she can’t be a Knight.

“I never actually wanted to be a knight.” She makes eye contact with Podrick.

“I am not King, but I would Knight you 10 times over.”

“You do not need a king; any Knight can knight someone. IU will prove it,” Jamie takes out his sword and tells Brienne to kneel.

“Do it.” Y/N whispers towards her. The woman smiles and slowly walks towards Jamie, kneeling in front of him.

“In the name of the warrior, I charge you to be brace. In the name of the father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the mother, I charge you to defend the innocent. Arise Brienne of the Tarth, I knight of the seven kingdoms.” Brienne stands up, you notice her fighting back the tears that threaten to leave her eyes. You begin the claps, and everyone joins in.

Tyrion cheers for her. “Ser Brienne of Tarth. Knight of the Seven kingdoms.!” Brienne smiles and you give her a large smile.

She walks up to you and Podrick. “Knighthood looks great on you.” You tell her. She smiles and grabs her cup, taking a drink.

Conversations die down a little after, you stare at the flames in the fireplace, letting your mind be empty for a few moments.

“We are out of wine.” Davos says, you turn your head away from the heat and look around the group. Everyone looks tired but no one wants to leave just yet.

“How about a song? Ser Davos?”

“You’ll pray for a quick death.”

“Ser Brienne?” She shakes her head. Tormund grunts at Tyrion before the man can even ask.

Podrick begins to sing, catching you all off guard. As he sings, memories of what lead you here begin to make their way to the front of your mind.

High in the halls of the kings who are gone, Jenny would dance with her ghost.

Years ago, you remember your father showing you the crypts of your family. Telling you the history of the Stark family, something he wanted all his children to learn and remember. Giving each of you a history lesson on making a name for yourself through being good and true. You remember trying to confess your crush on Theon, but he only responded back with anger. When you went and cried to your older brother Robb, he wanted to hurt the boy. You stopped him, reminding him of the lessons your father taught both of you. Instead of fighting Theon, you and your brother distanced from him. That came to a stop when King Robert Baratheon visited Winterfell and asked your father to be the Hand of the King. Once avoiding Theon, you changed courses once your father told you that you would accompany him alongside your sisters to King’s Landing. After he broke the news, you ran to the stables looking for Theon and you found him. Once he realizes you are standing behind him, he wiped the tears away from his eyes trying to hide that he was crying.

“Please don’t let me go.” You plead with him.

“Your father will never allow this, and you know it.” He says his voice is nothing but a whisper.

“I wish you cared about me the way I care about you.” You sobbed, the cries breaking through.

“I do… it’s why I pushed you away. You deserve someone who is better than just a Ward.”

“I do not want anything more than you.”

“You are the eldest Stark daughter. That does not matter. You deserve a prince, not a prisoner.”

“I have loved you since I was a child Theon, my father has raised us to be good… I do not want to give my heart to someone else when it belongs to you.”

“Do not say that.” Theon begins to cry, not caring now about the tears that now fall down his face.

“Y/N.” Robb yells into the stables. “Father is waiting on you. Sansa and Arya are ready.” You and Theon hear his footsteps get closer but neither of you do anything. He stops in his tracks when he sees the two of you.

“I do not want to go.” You look at your brother. Theon chokes back a sob and you fight to not let your cries out either.

“I know.” He rushes forward and engulfs you into his arms. It is then that your cries come out, guttural sobs as you realize for certain – Theon and you will not work and never would have. You do not let yourself look at Theon as he leaves you and Robb in the stables.

Hours later in the carriage, being driven away from the only place that you have known as home, you keep your mind busy by committing what your family looks like to memories, unsure of the next time you will see them again.

The ones she had lost and the ones she had found.

Years later you find yourself working at the Tavern, a few days journey north of King’s Landing, having been hidden and rushed away after the public beheading of your father. Arya and you disappeared from King’s Landing, not getting a chance to see each other or Sansa before the Stark daughters were split up. When you heard the news of the murder of Bran and Rickon from the hands of Theon, you could have died on the spot. Some random travelers breaking the news of just how heart breaking it was that the Stark family should see so much death in just a few short years. They had no idea that they were speaking to the now eldest Stark of course, as they ordered their food right after talking about the charred remains of the two young boys. Not much longer after did you hear about the death of your mother, your brother Robb, his wife and their unborn child at the wedding of your uncle. You remember the nights when you cried so hard you threw up. You now knew that you only had Jon, Arya and Sansa linked to you.

Everything came crashing down for you after a while, just as you once feared, when two people ordered food and drinks along their journey. Brienne, paying more attention than Podrick, noticed the way your hands shook after the two discussed how Sansa would not come with them under her now dead mother’s wishes. Brienne watched as you worked for hours and you tried your hardest to not give any reason for her to realize just who you were, but it was in vain as on your way home, she followed you with Podrick. She cornered you and told you all she knew – Sansa was with Littlefinger, Arya had run away from the Hound. It took much convincing but in the end you agreed to go with Brienne and Podrick. Knowing that your mother wanted her to find you and your sisters was the main reason but it took you awhile to open up to either of them about anything.  

And the ones who loved her the most.

Podrick sat next to you in front of a small fire, having been riding for days on the back of his horse was not one bit comfortable but you held back complaints, knowing there was nothing that could be done due to the nature of why the three of you were traveling. Every time the three of you stopped for rest, Podrick made sure that you were comfortable and warm before worrying about anything to do with himself. Brienne never said anything, but her watchful eyes noticed that every time you all stopped, You and Podrick would sit closer and closer around the fire or at taverns. She even did not say anything when Podrick took his cloak off during a very chilly night and laid it on top of you. She felt bad watching Podrick scoot closer to the fire as he was cold himself, but there was nothing to be done. At the next town, Brienne traded for more blankets for all of you, but it still became a habit for Podrick to give you his cloak, even when you were not cold. Not before long, you realized that you had a smile on your face anytime you and Podrick were having a conversation. You were getting closer with Brienne, but it was nothing on the way that Podrick brought out the Y/N that was long thought to be gone. You could have cried when word reached the three of you that Jon was going to go against Ramsay Bolton at Winterfell. You knew there was so much more that you had missed being away from home. There was the bittersweet reunion between Jon, Sansa and yourself. When the group of you watched as Ramsay brought out Rickon, you rode your horse as fast as you could towards your baby brother, but it was all in vain as the arrow that Ramsay fired at him, pierced him in the heart just feet in front of you. Jon, having been close behind you, had to hold you up on your horse as you went into shock. After Sansa killed Ramsay and the Starks took back Winterfell for the first time in years, you forced Jon to get Rickon’s body into the Stark family crypt, spending much of your time there because you were unable to come to terms with the true loss of your baby brother. You went down with Podrick a few times, telling him stories of when you babysat Rickon and Bran all those years ago. You had an inkling that Bran was somewhere because with the news that Theon was lying about the boys deaths, it meant that there was a chance Bran survived in the north. You ignored Theon at every turn, unable to face the boy you once loved because even though he did not kill your brothers, he killed two young boys. Podrick was there to pick up the pieces as you came to terms with Theon having broke every ounce of trust you had at every turn after you had left Winterfell.

The ones who’d been gone for so very long, she couldn’t remember their names.

Your thoughts came true when you laid eyes on Bran and Arya after so long away from them. While you had so much love for your siblings, it was not lost on any of you just how awkward it was at first to be with them again. With Bran, it took the longest due to his behavior and the new attitude of the three-eyed raven. Nothing like the young, funny boy he used to be, he was now cryptic and blunt at every turn. You focused instead on training with Arya and Podrick as word of Daenerys’ arrival to come sooner than later with the threats of the white walkers that were once only believed to be only a story of legend. Over time, it became rare to see you without Podrick at your side, a friendship having grown into something more but neither of you acted on it, causing some much-needed humor in people’s days. It also became rare to see the two of you going into the crypts, but instead you two would walk around Winterfell at any time of day.

They spun her around on the damp old stones, spun away from her sorrow and pain.

Podrick realized sooner than you what the feelings he had for you meant but he refused to bring it up to anyone for fear of you not feeling the same and hating you for it. He instead focused all his attention on making you smile.

“Come on Y/N, you can walk faster than that.” Podrick smiles, waiting for you to catch up.

“Yes, but I would rather save my energy so I can walk further. Speed doesn’t matter to me.”

“But I would like to get back to my bed before tomorrow afternoon.”

“How rude Pod! I am not THAT slow.” You laugh and once you reach his side, he loops your arm in between his and the two of you walk in silence towards the gates. You knew of your own feelings for a bit, not as long as Podrick, but it was truly that day where you thought of Love for the first time.

You stood next to him as Daenerys and her armies made their way into Winterfell. Podrick joked after how your hitting him on the arm after watching the appearance of Daenerys’s dragon must have left his largest bruise yet. You hit him again in the same spot due to his teasing and his only response then was to smile and laugh with you.

Now, the night where the white walkers could show up at any point, you were truly sure of your love for Podrick. A part of you wanted to come clean and express your feelings, but most of you did not want to ruin your friendship right before the possibility of your deaths. You vowed to keep it to yourself; more content on keeping it hidden and dying with Podrick as your friend than you are to tell him and die with him hating you.

And She never wanted to leave.

Never wanted to leave

Never wanted to leave

Never wanted to leave

Never wanted to leave

Never wanted to leave

Podrick ends the song and meets your eyes, a light blush making his way onto his cheeks having just sung in front of people. You smile at him, pulling yourself away from the memories his song choice brought to you. You had almost forgotten about waking up that cold night with Podrick’s cloak on you until the song reminded you.

An hour or so later, the group of you had scattered, finding people to talk to or things to do to keep their thoughts away from the upcoming battle. Podrick and you had settled in the dining hall at a shared table with two people from Daenerys’ side. Your head began feeling heavy as the weight of the day started to hit. Podrick noticed how truly tired you were when you lost the fight of staying away and your head landed on his shoulder. He smiled to himself and readjusted so that he could pick you up and carry you to bed. Once he got you settled, he turned around and started to walk away but something stopped him. He bent down and laid a soft kiss on the hair just above your forehead.

“I love you, Y/N.” He whispers. Even in your state, you heard him and your eyes flutter open. You catch sight of him opening your bedroom door to exit and you softly say his name.

“Podrick, will you lie down with me?” His hand stops pushing open the door and he turns his head towards you. You give him a sleepy smile and he returns it. He makes his way back towards your bed, but stops right before his knees tough the blanket. "Podrick, please lie with me. I do not want to be alone right now."

Hearing your admission, he removes his armor and weapons before he climbs into bed next to you.

"I am so scared." You admit, turning your head into his so he can hear your voice. You speak in nothing louder than a whisper.

"I am as well Y/N." He says, staring into your eyes.

"Do you think we will survive this?" You ask him, your eyes leaving his and looking down at his lips. You don't miss the blush that begins to creep onto his skin as he looks at your lips as well.

"I really hope so... I would hate if I died without getting a change to love you." He says, the words coming out quick, like he did not expect to admit it. He turns his head away but you saying his name makes him look towards you again.

"I feel the same way." You smile and soon a large grin shows on his face. "We are so stupid... waiting until our deaths to admit our love."

"I think we are smart for admitting it know. Now we truly have something to live for." He moves his head towards yours, his lips meeting yours. Pulling away, the two of you start to drift off to sleep, the anxieties the two of you had been feeling, shoved away now that you truly had eachother.

Your bedroom door slams open, waking both of. Brienne stands tall in the doorway.

The commotion during the week after your cousin's death was something you hadn’t seen since the former King Baratheon died and the ‘usurper’ Ned Stark was beheaded. They were questioning you, you knew they would—you had been working for Sansa Stark ever since she arrived in King’s Landing, of course, her ladies' maid would know something of her disappearance as well as her new husbands. You and Shae had been asked to testify against Tyrion in the trial, you knew you couldn't testify against your uncle without revealing your true lineage. Not many knew of it, but your uncle was one of them.

You'd been waiting in your chambers silently for days, sneaking out only to steal food from the kitchens. When your door busted open suddenly you thought the worst, Cersei had found you out, or even worse Lord Tywin, he wouldn't think for a second before killing you. A bastard in his family. How shameful.

"My daughter, come with me now," you were shocked to see your father, he didn't engage with you unless absolutely necessary. As devastating as it was that you hardly ever saw him, you knew it was for your safety. You glance down to his now golden hand, having only heard from the other maids and squires of what happened to him. "Come, quickly now, pack a sack we don't have much time." what were his plans now though? He'd only just gotten back.

"What are we doing?" you began to slowly gather a couple of dresses and slips, but Jamie was clearly in much more of a rush, tearing a long, grey cloak from your cabinet before unbuckling a golden, lion-pommeled dagger and tossing them in a bag.

"You mustn't use this unless you need to. And we aren't doing anything you are going away."

"But you told me it was safer here, where you are!" you picked up the pace, tying your bag together as your father draped your cloak and hood over you, nearly completely concealing your face, "I can't see anything! Can't you just tell me what's happening?"

"Keep your voice down please," he whispered grabbing your hand before tearing into the hallway. "I'll explain in a moment I promise." You huffed quietly—annoyed—but following him anyway. What else could you do but trust him? You had no one else to trust.

Winding through the halls you came to an abrupt stop outside the back entrance of the Keep. And there stood a woman you'd never seen before, she was beautiful in a way you'd never expect, tall, impressive, mighty, her eyes a striking blue. This had to be Brienne of Tarth, the woman you had heard brought your father back to King's Landing.

"Brienne please," you had never once heard your father plead. "This is the one favor I'll ask of you," he speaks to Brienne as you walk to the edge of the forest where there are three horses and two men waiting. "And here he is, your last gift," he says smiling as he pulls one of the men next to him. You knew his face. Podrick Payne. He was your uncle's squire. You two had often seen each other in passing once Tyrion and Sansa had gotten married, he was a quiet boy, but always spared a smile and a nod towards you. And you had noticed just how gorgeous his smile was. You pull your hood over your face a tad more, not knowing if you could really trust him yet.

"I don't need a squire. She'll slow me down enough already," Brienne scoffed and nodded her head in your direction.

"I won't slow you down ser-... my lady," Podrick quickly fixed his mistake before promising to serve Brienne well. The other man, Bronn you think his name was, a friend of Lord Tyrion's handed Podrick an axe before rushing him off to ready the horses.

"I trusted you to get me back to the Keep, and now I'm trusting you with my daughter. She's safest outside of King's Landing." your father glances at you and then back at Brienne, "she's been found out. If not yet then at tomorrow's trial. I can't have her killed." You look at him before grabbing his golden hand.

"Please don't. She said it herself, I'll slow her down! I can find a better place here, in the city so you can keep an eye on me!" You beg.

"You know I can't darling," he brings his hand to your face stroking your falling hair away from your eyes, "You know how jealous your aunt can get, and how protective your grandfather can get of our family. They'll find you here." you may not have known him well enough but he was your father, the only family you'd had for years. Tears welled in your eyes before you wrapped your arms around him. He held you tight, it was the first you'd been held in years, and you relished the moment. "I trust Brienne, and if you trust me, you'll trust her, Podrick's a good lad too! You know him, they keep you safe." you pulled away from him and sniffed, wiping your tears away.

"The horses are ready my lady," Podrick walked back towards you and Brienne.

"Very well. Get the lady on her horse and we'll be off soon."

"Yes, my lady."

"I'm not a lady, get her on the horse," she says sharply. You gave one more look to your father before walking with Podrick, leaving your father and Brienne to talk.

"Have you ever been North, my lady?" Podrick strikes up a conversation as he ties your bag to the back of the horse, securing the saddle before kneeling before you and setting his hand out to help you on the horse. You hadn't seen him his close before, freckles scattered his cheeks and his warm chocolate eyes stared into yours as he recognized who you were. His brows furrowed but he didn't ask questions. The loyalty of a squire.

"Never, I don't suppose I'll like it though. I'm not fond of the cold," you answer, smiling slightly to try and lighten the mood. Your hand rests on his broad shoulder as he lifts you to the horse. You let out a small yelp as you went, not expecting the strength he had, you quickly tried to play it off "Gods I hate horses, haven't ridden one in years, and last time I did I nearly got stepped on." He chuckles at you as he adjusts the stirrups for you.

"Well I'm sure he could teach you to ride," Bronn comes from the other side of the horse, patting Podrick on the back roughly as Podrick glared at him. Giving you the impression that he was often teased by the older man.

"Not sure I'd help, I haven't ridden in a while either," he turns back to you, giving you a shy smile as Brienne and Jamie start back towards you.

"Wasn't talking about horses," Bronn smirks and ruffles the top of Podrick's head, the younger man trying to push him away. "See, this lad's got a magic cock, all the girls in King's landing want him now, three whores turned away a load of gold 'cause he was that good."

"Shut up!" Podrick growls as he walks away to mount his horse, redness growing on his cheeks. You knew your face was growing hot too at the image. You'd heard plenty of stories from the other ladies' maids about what intimacy was like, and hardly ever did you hear of it being good, let alone good enough to turn away money. You adjust yourself on your saddle, a warmth quickly settling in your belly.

"Better make sure your daughter watches herself around that lad!" Bronn walks past your father patting him on the back. Your father's eyes now stare darkly at the squire who looked absolutely humiliated.

"I hear anything about you touching my daughter I'll have Brienne chop that 'magic cock' off in your sleep," Podrick looked utterly shocked, his daughter? But it was quickly replaced but fear. "You hear me, boy?" Your father's hand moved to hold the handle of the sword at his side.

"O-of course, Ser! I would never, I-I'm a gentleman, I've always respected your daughter." A blush begins to form at the tips of your ears, respect. You look to him to give him a reassuring smile and nod, just like the ones he'd give you every time you saw each other.

"Keep her safe, Brienne. Keep your oath." and that was the last you saw of your father for quite some time.

----------------------

Traveling with Brienne and Podrick had actually been somewhat enjoyable. Minus sleeping outside every night and enduring Brienne's constant grumpiness you were actually getting used to it. You and Podrick just grew closer and closer, each telling one another stories of your squiring and maid days.

Once, he questioned your lineage, and you gave him the truth. "My mother died when I was young, she was a Lady of the Court, Jamie didn't know I was his child until right before she passed. And well... you know the rumors about him and the Queen...she wouldn't have taken well to knowing he had a child that wasn't hers. Foul of them both honestly..."

"What happened after that?" Podrick urged on gently, looking at you from where he rode next to you on his horse, you could tell he was trying his best not to pry but was too curious.

"Well, he had me raised in the Keep. I worked since I could walk, in kitchens, wait staff, whatever you could think of. He always made sure I knew who he was, hardly ever saw him though."

"Does anyone else know?"

"My septa, I'm sure Varys knows because Tyrion found out recently and who else would he hear it from?" you laugh at the absurdity of the thought that your uncle had a whole other niece living under his roof and he of all people didn't know. He smiles at your story, not a single bit of judgment in his eyes.

You too had learned so much more about the sweet man that squired your uncle, even hearing of the time he and Bronn had forced Podrick to tell them everything that had happened in Littlefinger's brothel the night the women turned away the gold. That story had been told after one evening you three had spent quite a while in a tavern, seeking the warmth from the rain with fire, and probably too much ale. He had been so embarrassed the next morning when Brienne told him to stop bragging about how good he was in the bedroom.

"What are you talking about? I didn't brag about anything!" He'd said defensively as he readied your horses the next day, his face already going red. That was also the first time you heard Brienne laugh.

"If I recall, you said word for word," she said before deepening her voice to imitate Pod "'Oh Y/N, they just wouldn't stop asking! How many times am I supposed to say that I'm just good, it's all about receiving and giving.'" Podrick's mouth dropped open as he shook his head looking between the two of you.

"I-I, no I didn't say that!" he looked at you for a response and all you could do was shrug and give him an awkward smile that confirmed his fears. He looked down at his feet, ashamed, "Never let me drink that much ale again." and he was silent most of the day's ride.

As embarrassed as he was you were even more aroused. The man had grown on you, he was sweet, and always looked after you and Brienne before doing anything for himself. It didn't help that one evening he was without a tunic for a while as you washed it in the creek. He sparred with Brienne, he was getting stronger from his training, you could see it as you watched the muscles in his chest and abdomen ripple as the swords clanged together, or his arms tensing as he held defense against Brienne. He had caught your eye as you were looking at him, but you swiftly turned away in embarrassment, practically drooling. Then it had been you that didn't talk for most of the next day's ride.

Some weeks after that, you sat by a fire after the longest day you'd had. Sansa rejecting Brienne's protection, and her not trusting you for one second after she found out who you were. You'd been chased by some of Littlefinger's men, losing both Brienne and Podrick for some time. It was the first time you'd been in that much danger since Brienne defeated the Hound. Brienne slept a ways away, claiming she was too irritated with Pod to stand the sight of him. Your legs were tucked underneath you and you held your hands close to the fire.

"Are you cold, my lady?" his voice held a teasing tone, you'd told him many a time you weren't a lady, but he didn't stop, and you knew he called you that just to tease you. You were in no mood for it though, the girl you'd known and cared for for years now didn't trust you. Littlefinger had gotten into her head. You were angry, at her, at Baelish, at your father for leaving you, your mother for dying, at Brienne for picking on Podrick, and even at Podrick himself for running off without you and leaving you.

"Of course I'm cold, we're in the North now Podrick," You spat out at him. You know you'd regret your harsh tone later but right now, fuck it.

"Have I upset you?" he says softly, just the sound of his voice melting your heart. You close your eyes, all the anger and heartbreak you've had today began to swim in your eyes. "Y/N..." gods his voice couldn't be more perfect, it broke you. A sob left your lips and they didn't stop. "Whoa, woah, what's going on?" you didn't hear him stand up from his side of the fire and make his way to you before he put an arm around you. You fell right into him, he was too warm to resist, too gentle. He shushed you and rocked you in his arms until the crying stopped.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Podrick," your voice nasally from crying "I shouldn't be mad but I am. I cared for Sansa, she became a sister to me and now she doesn't trust me. I cared for my father and he sent me off, I cared for my mother and she died before I could even speak, I care for you and you left me, I know it wasn't on purpose but I was so afraid without you. I'm sorry, I don't want to be mad but I can't help it!" you choked out another sob before he looked at you and wrapped his arms around you again.

"No, no, don't say sorry, it's alright, it was a hard day, you can be mad. I-I hate that I left you...I promise I d-didn't mean to but the horse..." he trailed off pulling back to look you in the eyes. Gods you loved those damned eyes, his brows were pulled together as you stared each other in the eye, not a look of pity, just sympathy. You lean forward to rest your head against his chest, so worn from the long day. He smelt of fire smoke and evergreens. It felt so right you didn't even realize this was the closest you two had been to one another. His strong arms held you close and he rested his chin atop your head. You wondered if this felt just as right to him as it did to you.

"Pod?" you break the peaceful silence and he hums an answer in response not wanting to let go of you, "Do you care for me too?" these words made him let go, looking at you with a mixture of confusion and nerves.

"W-what?"

"I-um, said before that I cared for you, do you care for me too?" his mouth closed and opened like a fish out of the water as he searched for words, always so unsure of himself.

"Of-of course I do! I'm here to protect you." those weren't the words you'd wanted him to say.

"No, Podrick, do you care for me?"

What little remaining confidence he had left his body, he closed his eyes tightly gathering whatever courage might be inside of him before opening them and looking you in the eye, moving quietly to grab the side of your face, still wet with tears. "Yes. Very much." the tension left your body and a smile grew on your face. Your hands moved to grab behind his neck and pull his forehead to yours.

"Please, kiss me Pod, I want to know how you feel."

And he didn't even hesitate to smash his lips to yours and practically swallowing you whole. This Podrick was different, he was moved by passion and love and lust. He wasn't the clumsy boy right now, this was the broad-shouldered man you saw sparring (of course they were both just as good, they were both your Podrick). He took hold of your body and didn't let go, one of his hands was entangled in your hair holding the back of your head to pull you closer, and the other gripped your hips tightly, he was feral. You held the sides of his face and gently pushed him away so you could come up for air. You made eye contact and began to giggle at him, he let out a huff of a laugh before resting his forehead on yours.

"Sorry," he mumbled becoming the shy Pod again, "I've been wanting to do that for so long now."

"Me too."

----------------------

More weeks had passed and more things had changed. You and Podrick would sneak hidden hugs in the mornings and quiet kisses in the night when the dark had fallen. As much as you'd both like to believe you were keeping a good secret, Brienne could feel the change, she could see it in the glances and little smiles you gave each other. You'd continued to follow Sansa so Brienne could fulfill her oath. But when you came upon the aftermath of the battle between the Boltons and Stannis things went downhill. Everything was all over the place, and when you finally found Sansa she and the Greyjoy boy were being attacked by men from Ramsey's army. As Brienne and Pod went to take down the men you rushed to Sansa, you jumped off your horse and pulled her up from the ground. You watched from afar, the dagger your father gave you at your side. Your heart raced in your chest as you followed Podrick with your eyes, watching from every angle to ensure he was safe. He ended up on his back—swordless—with a man about to kill him, your body betrayed you, and standing from your safety you rushed right to him, "Podrick!" you screamed as you ran, hoping to reach him before the man struck. Your breath was stuck in your lungs but released when Theon struck the man from behind. The two men nodded at each other, Podrick's a sign of thanks.

"Oh gods," you rush to him the rest of the way and throw yourself on top of him, "I almost lost you!" you cried into his cloak.

"You won't lose me, my lady," he shoved you off of him and stood to help you up, "not now." he pressed a kiss to your forehead, not giving a flying fuck Brienne was watching. You made eye contact with her, looking away shyly and burying your face in Podrick's chest. You didn't see the small smile that graced her lips.

A few more days passed and you came to Castle Black, Sansa had apologized for not trusting you, and you gave your own apology for not telling her the whole truth. She was stubborn, it would be a slow rebuild of trust, but you could already see the young girl you first knew peeking through. Just before you reached the castle you and Sansa rode on one horse behind the two others. Podrick had looked back at you and you gave each other a shy smile. As confident as he could be sometimes, usually his nervousness won out, but so did yours.

"You love him don't you?" Sansa's voice rang behind you quietly.

"I really do," your voice sounded dreamy, something it never did. Perhaps something good might come out of this.

Jon and Sansa had reunited and things were calm for a moment. You were able to bathe, eat, and sleep in a bed covered with furs. The North was cold, you hated it just as much as you thought.

"My lady," Podrick came to sit next to you in the hall where you tried to keep warm by the fire. You immediately pull him closer trying to gather any warmth you could, "Why aren't you in bed?" he asks as he takes off his cloak to drape it around you.

"My room is freezing! I can't sleep in there! Thought in here I could at least sit by the fire."

"I don't like the thought of you here alone, the men of the Night's Watch, lots of them are dangerous...why haven't you just lit the fire in your room? That should warm you." he rubbed slow circles on your back, but your quick turn to look at him startled him back an inch.

"There is no fire in my room, don't you think I'd have lit it by now?!" the cold made you intensely irritable but you still snuggled closer to him. "Wait... Pod? You have a fire in your room?"

"Uhm...yes? You don't?"

"NO! I just said so! Ohh that is so unfair! I bet it's because I'm a woman, the fuckers."

"Hey it's alright," He says trying to calm you, "You can um, you can stay in my room if you'd like." He looks you in the eye and your gaze softens.

"Really?"

"'Course, the fire's already going, should be nice n' warm already."

"Take me there m'lord oh the chill has seeped into my bones! I need a big strong man to help me!" you faint into him dramatically. He laughs at your bad attempt at acting and helps you to your feet.

"Let's go then, my lady."

He was right the room was already warm and cozy, filled with his scent from the worn leather tunic resting over the chair. You immediately took off both of the cloaks that now rested on you and kicked off your boots, flopping into the bed and under the furs, kicking your feet as you inhaled his scent. From the door he smiled gently at you, seven hells he was head over heels.

"Goodnight then, my lady," He moved to open the door, his cheeks red as he watched you cuddling into the bed.

"Podrick? You're not staying?" the thought of him leaving had you on your feet and straight to him before he can set his hand on the knob. You pull his arm away and bring it to you.

"I don't think we should..." He looks away from you clearly very nervous about something.

"Do you not want to? I can just go back to my room, I just thought... maybe you'd want to be together, while we have the chance," you look up at him through your lashes, confused at why he'd want to leave.

"No, no, I-Just. I really don't think I could...is all," your brows pull together trying to understand, he sees the confusion and continues to explain as he moves to hold your face in his hands, "You. Lying next to me. In bed? I-I don't think I could control myself if I wanted to."

Realization flooded your expression and then you began to think. You. Him. All those stories he'd so stupidly bragged about, the thoughts of his naked chest consumed you. You'd wondered what he looked like below that too. You hadn't been with a man, not like that. A few kisses here and there but this? Something different entirely. And you wanted it. You wanted him to make you feel good, just as he'd said. So you plucked up the courage.

"Then don't," you stepped closer to him taking his hands and moving them from your face to your waist, "please Podrick? I trust you."

Every ounce of his self-control was now gone in the wind as you all but pleaded for him. "Fuck." he cursed pulling you into him and pressing his lips to yours. The Podrick you saw the night by the fire was here again, and he was hungry. You didn't hear him curse often but this, his raspy, needy voice felt like fire in your veins. You didn't think it was possible for him to hold you any closer as his face buried into your neck and his lips trailed down, nipping and licking and sucking. You'd never felt anything so heavenly.

"Pod, I... I want to see you," you pant out, beginning to pull at the strings of the thin under-tunic he was left in after he'd given you his cloak in the hall. He helped, finally pulling the top over his head and leaving his chest bare. You immediately began to trail your hands down him, feeling every single inch as you had so often dreamed of doing. "So perfect," you whisper, beginning to place feather-light kisses across the span of his chest.

"Y/N, you um, you need to tell me if you really want this, I don't want to take something from you if you value it," he spoke quietly and shyly as you continued running your hand all over him, feeling the strength of his arms, the broadness of his shoulders, the smoothness of his chest. How could you not want this?

"I want this, it is important to me, and I want you to have it," you look him in the eye, speaking your truth, "Show me, Podrick, I want it." You take your hands away from him and begin to undo the ties of your dress, wanting him to see you for all you are. He watches you intensely. Short, quick breaths leave him as he feels himself growing harder and harder within the confines of his breeches. You were magnificent, your dress slowly fell down your body and pooled on the ground by your feet. Podrick couldn't help but stare and stare and stare. The longer he did the more nervous you grew, slowly moving your hands to cover yourself.

"No," his voice was low, full of desire, "don't cover yourself, you're fucking breathtaking," he gasped out. He sounded confident, and dominant, but not in a demeaning way, in a way that made you feel loved and cared for. He reached out, grabbing your breasts in his hands and plucking softly at your hardening peaks. A soft gasp left you and he covered your mouth with his, slipping his tongue inside as he continued caressing you. His hands went lower and lower, reaching around to your backside and giving it a quick squeeze making you moan into his mouth. "You trust me, yes?" he asks, and you nod continuing to kiss him, moving to his neck like he had done to you. Shit. He tasted so good. "I want to hear you say it," he speaks, pulling your head away with the hand he now held on your cheek.

"I trust you. I love you. Do whatever you want to me," the desperation was evident in your voice and your actions as you couldn't take your hands off of him.

"Go lay down," he kissed your forehead softly before pushing you gently towards the bed. The back of your legs hit the bed and you fell back, leaving your legs hanging down. A stroke of confidence befell you and you opened your legs slightly, showing him your pussy on full display. He walked towards you excruciatingly slow and when he finally reached you he touched you so very lightly. He traced his fingers across your hip-bones, across the tops of your thighs and right down in-between, so close to where you needed him. "You've uh, have you touched yourself before?" a tremor of anxiety running through him. You meet his gaze as his hands grow closer to your center, you nod at him shyly, should you be ashamed? He quickly answers your question. "Yeah? Good." Then it happens, his rough, calloused fingers finally meet where you most need him. He's so slow it almost kills you, dragging his fingers up and down gathering your arousal on his fingertips before bringing them to your throbbing bud. He elicits the most desperate sound out of your throat. "Is that where you touch? Is that where it feels good?"

"Yes, yesyes. It feels so good," you didn't recognize your own voice so desperate and wanton. Your head falls back against the furs on the bed as he continues his work, then OH gods. You feel his soft, wet tongue touch your center. Your head whips up and you look him straight in the eye from where his mouth connects to you, as his eyes meet yours he lets out a groan, and his eye slip shut fully enamored with the taste of your pussy. You hadn't ever felt anything so perfect, but maybe he'd change your mind later. His fingers massage the insides of your thighs as he laps and sucks at you. For the sake of the Night's Watch, you try your hardest to contain your noises but when a finger slips up and starts circling around your entrance you lose it, slapping a hand to your mouth to muffle your moans. His finger slips in slowly—too slowly—and you buck your hips forward aching for more.

"Be patient, I want to make sure you're comfortable," Podrick mumbles against your pussy, you can barely hear him but listen anyway as he works you open. A second finger joins soon and he sucks and licks your clit while his fingers move in and out of you, steadily building up a pace.

"Oh Pod, please don't stop, it feels so, so, good," your hand moves down slowly working its way into his hair and holding firmly as he does as you say, not stopping for a second. You can see his torso rhythmically jutting forward, trying to grind himself against something—anything. That brings you so close to the edge thinking of him, just as desperate as you are. A couple more laps of his tongue against your clit and a single groan into your pussy and you're falling over the edge. You pant and squirm as his motions don't let up. "Podrick, Pod, I can't 's too much," He finally pulls away from you, taking his slick-covered fingers and sticking them in his mouth, sucking away your juices. A down-right sultry moan leaves your lips at the sight and you slap your hand to your mouth before falling back against the bed again.

"Was that alright?" he asks, his hair is tousled and he slowly kisses up your body stopping to lick across your nipples, tugging one with his teeth slightly.

"Alright? You're a god Podrick," you pull his face to yours kissing him deeply. "Does it feel that good for you too? Can I make you feel like that?" He chuckles at your eagerness and kisses you again.

"I imagine it would with your mouth, but I want you to feel good tonight," now laying beside you, you see the evident tent in his breeches. You reach your hand down and grip him through his pants, moving up and down against the hard length experimentally.

"Please, Pod? It's only fair," you grin at him and he nods quickly at you, the pleasure too intense for him to just ignore. You shuffle down the furs and untie his breeches, letting your fingers drag down the curls on his lower belly and groin as you do so. You remove his pants quickly, you are just as desperate to taste him as he is to feel you. You move your hand up and down his length, leaning down to suck the drops of him from his tip.

"Gods, fuck, Y/N."

"Tell me what to do," you look up at him, he was so needy and desperate to feel you around his cock, but he'd let you have your fun first.

"Spit on it," and you do just as he says, you let the spit dribble down your chin and fall right on his cock, "now keep going up and down." following his directions you stroke him at a steady pace. "You can use your mouth too," more of a suggestion than direction but you dive right in taking his length in your mouth, doing just what felt right taking him deeper and deeper, and rubbing what you couldn't fit in your mouth. Woah. Now that you had your mouth and hand around him you realized just how large he was, would he fit? Thoughts coursed through your head as you continued your ministrations. So caught up you didn't hear his voice till he pulled your head off of him with the hand that was weaved through your hair. "Stop, stop," you heard the gasps and immediately grew worried.

"Was it not good?"

"It was too good," he huffed, out of breath, "I want to fuck you before I finish." his words brought you to reality a small fear settling deep in your gut. Your expression must've betrayed you because his hand moved to cradle your face. "We-we don't have to, whatever you want to do, I won't make you, my lady," he pecks your cheek and looks you in the eye waiting for a response.

"I-just...do you think you're going to fit?" genuine worry laced in your voice. He tried his best not to giggle at you, this version of you was so different from your normal snarky self.

"I got you nice and ready for me, if it hurts too much you say the word and I'll stop, I promise," how could one man be so utterly perfect? He shuffled out from underneath you and in one swoop you were now beneath him. His shining eyes stare down at you in adoration. His hand moves down to mess with your pussy again, moving your slick all around to make sure you were nice and wet for him, all the while keeping eye contact and watching your face contort in pleasure. “you want me to fuck you?” his voice was laced with lust but also a genuine concern for you. You nod vigorously, not being able to wait another second. His hand drifted away from your cunt causing a whine to leave your mouth. Taking his cock in his hand he pumps it a few times before taking the head and rubbing it all through your slick.

“Please, please,” you moan out reaching for his shoulders to pull him into you, your nails desperately scraping down his back.

“Please what?” his voice was teasing and you could tell this was his way of taking back every time he had been teased, flipping it around to make you a frustrated, whiny mess under him.

“Ugh, please Podrick, I want you to fuck me! I want to feel you inside of me, please,” you’d never been so desperate for anything in your life.

“‘Course love, whatever you want, I’m gonna go slow, ‘right?” you silently thank him for his consideration, he knew you were nervous, but you knew he would take care of you, just as he always did. The stretch was magnificent. He slid into you, taking his time and watching your reactions. A small wince at the dull pain that made you feel so achingly full, and an open-mouthed look of pure pleasure as he fully sheathed himself inside of you. “this good?” he asked, you could tell he was trying his hardest to hold himself back for your sake.

“‘S good Pod, please keep going,” your hands were still in his back practically digging your claws into him. Then he pulled out and pushed back inside in one motion, a loud moan left your lips as he groaned out a curse. You were squeezing him so nicely. His pace slowly formed as he kept moving in and out, his forehead falling against yours and your hot breaths mingling together as you panted and moaned. He rutted into you as he held you close, closer than anything you’d felt, you were one.

“That’s it, love,” this new name had you keening your head back. “knew you could take it, take me.” his words were barely coherent and he kept thrusting into you. You felt so full, so good, it was everything you could've hoped for.

"Love you, love you so much," your words made him groan out a "fuck" and he picked up his pace, fucking into you like a madman.

"Love you so much, you're—oh gods, fuck—doing so, so well," you could feel the sweat dripping down his back from where you held and you knew he was holding himself back as best as he could. Podrick was a sweet man, probably the kindest you'd ever met, but what you felt now wasn't kindness, it was desperation, fierce desperation to fuck you and fuck you good and hard. You knew men got like this, so eager for sex, you'd heard the stories about how violent they could get, but you'd never thought about Podrick having the same needs. He wouldn't escalate to violence, not ever, but you could feel the hunger in his thrusts as he gripped your hips tightly. The warmth from before started growing in your belly again, winding up and ready to break; and it got even more intense when he moved a hand from your hip back closer to your center, putting his calloused thumb right on your aching bud and rubbing it in circles. Your needy whines grew more desperate and your nails dug harder into his back—undoubtedly leaving marks. "Feel good?" he asked yet again, constantly making sure everywhere he touched you brought intense pleasure. You nod against his shoulder and move your legs to wrap around him. "There you go, m' getting close love," he grunted out, his thrusts growing sloppier. You cry out as the intense feeling washes over you again and he continues rubbing your clit to work you through it. As soon as it's finished he pulls out of you quickly, spilling himself all over your stomach and tugging on his cock as his spend continues to leak out of him before grunting once more and flopping next to you. Both of you pant hard, trying to recover from the intense feelings. His seed pooled on your stomach stickily and you reached a hand to run your fingers through it before moving them to your mouth and sucking his flavor off of them. You wouldn't lie and say it tasted good, but it was his essence and that alone aroused you again. He looked over at you and smiled cheekily before kissing your forehead.

"Could you, uhm..." you say nodding downwards to where his seed lay cooling on you.

"Oh-oh, 'course, sorry," He jumped up from the bed, the shy Pod returning with a rag and cleaning you off. His face was red, all of a sudden nervous as he realized what you two had just done. "That was good, right? I didn't hurt you or anything?" he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand as he used the other to stroke up and down your thigh, comforting you.

"It was amazing," you smile at him, trying to be reassuring before a smirk grows on your face. "Glad I was able to feel that 'magic cock' after all," you poked his ribs.

"Gods, I wish Bronn had never said anything, I wish I had never said anything!" he whined, moving off the bed to put his breeches back on, turning his face away from you.

"Come on Pod! I'm just teasing, you know I love it," you sit up and cover yourself with the furs, your body growing cold again as your sweat dries. "Come lay with me please," you beg, "just be with me." He turns his head back to you his brows curving down in adoration, your braids became messy and your lips were flushed pink from all the kissing. You'd never have any idea of how much he truly did love you. He walked back to the bed and rolled under the furs, pulling you into him and holding you tight.

"Sleep. You should be warm enough now, my lady," you giggled as you nuzzled your head into his neck and fell into a dreamless sleep.

When you woke the next morning Podrick was gone. Your heart dropped as you thought of countless reasons as to why he would leave. Was he done with you now? Was he ashamed of you? You got dressed quickly and tried your best to fix the mess your hair was without undoing the braids you had from yesterday. You opened the door slowly, looking both ways making sure no one would see you leaving Pod's chambers. You made your way to the hall for breakfast, still seeing no sign of Podrick. You sat beside Sansa with your bowl of oats and pushed it around with your spoon.

"You, uh—you haven't seen Podrick have you?" you asked her quietly, still worried he had just up and left.

"Don't worry, I saw him walking with Brienne to go train," she gave you a cheeky smile. "he had quite the smile on his face too." you blush at the thought of seeing him so happy because of you. You hurry to finish your breakfast so you can make your way out to see him.

You stood on the upper level, looking down on the yard where Podrick was sparring against a new member of the Night's Watch, Brienne watched from afar, occasionally shouting directions out to Podrick. Even though his skills were improving he still had a long way to go to match Brienne's level, that being said you had never seen him win a match against her. But sparring against this boy, someone more his size and skill level, he was doing amazing. He'd knocked the sword out of the boy's hand and walked closer to him, pointing his sword directly at his chest and smirking at him. Wow. You really must've given him the stroke of confidence that he needed. A steady smile sat on your face and you looked around only to see Brienne already staring at you. Her gaze was hard and your smile fell, she moved her head in one short movement to signal you to come down to the lower level. You walked towards her gradually, slightly worried about what she might want to speak to you about. As you reach her side, Podrick begins another round against the boy, catching your eye and giving a sweet smile (for luck he would tell himself, but really it just distracted him).

"Podrick seems happy this morning," Brienne states, eyeing you sideways.

"Suppose he does yes," you feign innocently.

"You weren't in your room this morning," your face falls and a blush grows rapidly on your face.

"I-I was in the kitchens.."

"Oh don't play coy, I know very well what happened," she looks you in the eye, very clearly feeding off your nervousness. "Just be careful, and don't let your father know or he'd have me chop off his 'magic cock' just like he said before we left. And as much as I'd like to do just that sometimes..." she trails off and looks back to Pod fighting before smiling softly at you, "he really makes you happy?"

꒰ ୨୧ ─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ꒱꒱

After you and Podrick’s heated reunion in the snow behind the walls of Castle Black, you and Podrick attempt to resume your duties as normal. He attended his training, and you continued to pester the old Maester. 

However you came together again in your chambers that night. Now that you were near, Podrick would waste no time. Any moment he had he gave it to you. So naturally he and you coupled again. But that night he told you of what happened in the RiverLands. The dead black fish you saw in your dream was not only a black fish but the BlackFish, Brynden Tully. And that was not the end of your dreams.

That night, you dreamt of an old friend. Margaery. You thought of her long hair, the pale auburn of her hair. Only in your dream, she looked far different than how you remembered. Her hair was uncurled, her clothes were modest and dull, and her crown hung heavy at the top of her head. Her smile was gone and left was an expression of anger. 

And suddenly a flash of green, bright blinding green. And a siring, burning, all too vivid pain ripped through your skin. You saw the bricks of a great and tall building crumbling, and seven pointed stars falling with it. The green grew, and burnt through it all, through your skin, through your bone, until you finally broke free from your dream.

You woke up with your eyes still closed, screaming from the pain.  

Your screaming naturally woke up your lover sleeping beside you. He instinctively wrapped his arm around you pulling you in closer. His other hand came to your face, holding it firmly, “(Y/N)!” He shouted waking you from your dream. As soon as your eyes opened, your screaming ceased. Your eyes wide, darted around the droll room until they finally settled on Podricks face. He looked at you with his sleepy, scared, and watery eyes “What is it?” He asked in a hush tone, “What’s wrong?” He asked as he brushed your cheek with his thumb.

“Green, green, green fire…” You whispered, muttering incoherently, you felt the remnants of the pain you felt in the dream. Your eyes began to water, and you began to pant and shake as your mind began to understand your dream.

He held you closer, your face nuzzled into his neck, “It’s alright, it’s alright…” He whispered as he ran his hand up and down your side soothing you.

As you catched your breath in his arms, your dreams' meaning came clear to you. 

You knew that Margaery’s life was in danger, that she was going to die a terrible death. A terrible and undeserved death. 

So you peeled yourself away from your lover's arms. Stumbling around the cold room, beginning to dress yourself. 

“What’re you doing?” Podrick asked as you dressed in haste. “The sun is hardly out.”

“I have to leave here.” You said lacing your corset quickly. 

Podrick sat up in your bed, looking at you suddenly wide awake “Leave where?”

You looked back at him as you quickly shoved your feet into a pair of boots, “Leave here, Castle Black.” 

He threw the blankets off of himself and stood as you fastened your baldric holding your sword around your waist. “You can’t-“ He asserted. 

“Podrick, I have to.” You asserted back, you felt rotten with guilt but you knew you’d no choice. 

Podrick came close, putting his hand on the back of your neck, “What did you see?” He asked earnestly.

You took a breath, “Destruction. The Sept, in the Capitol. It erupted into a wildfire.” You said with fear in your eyes.

Podrick shook his head in confusion, “Why go then?” He wasn’t angry with you of course, but he couldn’t understand why you would put yourself in such danger.

“Margaery is there.” You said with a tilt of your head.

“You could die!” He said as you moved away from him, grabbing hold of your cloak and slinging it over your shoulders.

“She will! If I don’t go, she will.” You insisted desperately attempting for him to understand. Though of course a man would not understand the connection you and another woman would have. You continued to dress yourself, shoving your hands into your leather gloves.

Podrick, knowing he’d exhausted all his options, stood in front of the door. “I won’t let you.” 

You shoved your hand into your leather gloves. You stopped and stared, completely still once he said those words, “What?” you asked with narrow eyes.

“I said I won’t let you.” He asserted with a false confidence. 

You finished placing your hands into your gloves. Then stepped in front of Podrick, staring him down, “Say that one more time.” You said softly but intensely. 

He swallowed hard, and attempted to puff out his chest, “I won’t let you leave. I refuse to allow you to try to kill yourself.” He shook his head. Attempting to dominate the situation. 

“You won’t let me leave?” You asked with a raised brow.

He nodded, “That’s right.” As soon as he said those words you turned around and opened the window shutters of your chamber, beginning to climb out of it. He must have forgotten your chamber was on the ground level. “He-“ He began before rushing over to the window that you were jumping out of, “(Y/N)!” He shouted out the window as you landed on the ground. 

“I’ll return!” You shouted back to him as he watched you run towards the stables. 

Podrick, still half naked from waking up beside you, stumbled around the room attempting to dress himself quickly enough to catch you before you left the gates. 

However by the time he was dressed and running outside, the gates were closed. And your brown horse is now gone. 

Podrick stood there for a moment just staring at the gates. Unsure of what to do next. When he looked beside him, he noticed the tall lady knight he served. Brienne was entering the courtyard for Podricks training, as they did each morning. She looked upon his helpless expression with confusion.

“She’s gone.” He said breathless and defeated.

“Gone where?” She asked, irritated with a furrowed brow. 

“Kings Landing.” Podrick said in a huff.

Brienne scrunched her face, “Hm, She seemed strange but not stupid.”

“She’s not stupid.” Podrick nearly snapped, which was very out of character, especially towards her. “She’s strong wielded.” He said more calmly. 

“Then go.” Brienne said as if it were the obvious answer… which it was. 

“What?” Podrick asked, he never thought of himself capable of it. 

Brienne rolled her eyes, “Gods- Podrick, if you fear for her then help her.” She huffed, “Honestly you thinking you’d be able to stop her was pathetically idiotic.” 

꒰ ୨୧ ─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ꒱꒱

Your journey south was pitifully uneventful. You knew now where to avoid in the roads and what Inns would throw out day-old food. It was getting into the capital that proved to be a challenge. And you knew that getting into the castle walls would be even harder. However it wasn’t long after arriving that you had heard enough murmurs among the smallfolk that Margaery was not in the walls of the castle at all, no she was in the Sept. 

You knew then that your time was running thin. But at least in the sept there was a way in. You snuck in through the Septa’s quarters. Hiding your sword and cloak there. You dressed in the gray humble smock, and a matching gray headdress to conceal your hair. 

Soon after stumbling through the sept long enough you found where they were keeping her. 

As you looked in through the small crack in the door, you could see her curled up in a corner of the room. 

“You there!” A voice called out, 

You were startled, and jumped slightly as you looked over to the voice who called out. You saw it was a younger boy holding a tray of food. 

“Are you giving the Queen her supper?” He asked innocently. 

You nodded, and took the tray from the boy. “Can you open the door?” You asked, “I seemed to have forgotten my keys in my quarters." 

The boy rolled his eyes in annoyance, but did as you asked. 

As you entered the room you made sure that the boy closed the door behind him, and waited to hear his footsteps fade. Then you approached Margaery. 

She was curled up in the corner of the room facing away from you. You walked closer to her, placing the tray of food by her feet. 

She looked nothing like herself. Her feet were dirty, almost black, and she was dressed in a gray rag. 

“Leave it and go.” She said defiantly. It was nothing like the Margaery you knew. 

“Margaery-“ You whispered. 

She turned to face you, recognizing your voice. She pulled your headdress down, looking at your hair as it fell out of it, “What are you doing here?” She asked terrified of you. You coming here was a dangerous choice. She knew the risk you were taking was great. Not only for you but for her as well.

“I’ve come to take you away from this pious shit.” You said quickly, knowing your time had run thin, and it was now or never for her to leave this place. 

She looked at you with narrow eyes, “This pious shit is going to let me stay queen.” 

You looked at her with confusion. Not understanding how she could possibly wish to remain prisoner. “It’s going to kill you. I saw it.” You grabbed her by her shoulders, “They’ll never listen to you and it will kill you.” 

She shook her head, looking at you with the same confusion you looked at her with, “You don’t know that.” She stood, 

You stood with her, “I do, I dreamt it.” You said with a nod. 

She stifled a laugh, “You didn’t come all the way here for a dream I should have hoped for.”

“They come true.” You said pleading with her to understand, “I dreamt of a dead black fish and Podrick-“ You began explaining but were cut off but a scoff, 

“Oh! Podrick, I am glad he indulges your fantasies. What a doting suitor he is.” Margaery said, rolling her eyes. 

“I know you’re upset with me-“

“Upset?” She asked, her eyes welling up, “You left me.” She said quietly, “Left me, for someone you loved. Someone else.” She said walking across the room, frustrated. 

You felt helpless, you couldn’t give her what she wanted, “Come with me.” You asked in a soft voice, she turned to you with heartbreak in her eyes, “Please.” You begged. 

She breathed hitched as she breathed in. She held back her emotion, closing her eyes for a moment, then finally looking at you with her head held high, “I am the Queen.” She said with teary eyes, “A Queen does not abandon her people.” 

“You are my friend.” You said softly. 

“That’s the problem, that is what I am to you.” She said, lowering her head. “That is not all you are to me.” 

You knew what she meant by it, and so did she. You always knew. And if Podrick had not come along, who knows perhaps you would have. But with him, there was only him. 

You let out a sharp exhale, “Margaery-” You began stepping towards her, 

“Go.” She said heartbroken once again, “Go with your dreams and your lover.” She said sitting back down. 

You stood there in silence for a moment not knowing what to say, “That’s it then?” You said defeatedly, fighting back tears.

She huffed, angrily, “That’s it.” She whispered in a hiss. 

Defeated, and now already mourning the friend you loved. You nodded, wiped your cheek, and headed for the door. 

As your hand touched the handle of the door, Margaery stopped you. Grabbing hold of your hand. Startled you turned around to face her, 

“Your hair.” She said as she handed you the gray headdress. Before you could take it from her hands she began putting it on herself. Tucking your hair into the headdress, you stared at her face. She was holding back tears as she smoothed out the fabric for you. 

You couldn’t help it, you wrapped your arms around her, hugging her close. Her arms did not embrace you for a moment. Hesitant to give into your gesture. Until she heard your quiet sobs in her ear, she finally embraced you, closer and harder than you did to her. 

You wanted to hold her forever, your dearest friend, who you knew would soon parish. But who you knew you had no sway over any longer, and you were unsure you ever did have any sway.  

Before you could pull away, Margaery, while still embracing you, opened the door behind you and pushed you out of the room, closing the door behind you. 

No goodbye.

꒰ ୨୧ ─ 

You managed to find your way back to the Septa’s chambers, gathering your things, and leaving the same way you snuck in. 

As you walked through the streets of the capital, you couldn’t help it but let your tears fall down your face. Knowing that you’d failed and that your dearest friend would soon be dead. You felt even more guilty for leaving Podrick, and even more ashamed to face him again. You knew that you would be dreading it your whole journey back to Castle Black. 

Only what you didn’t know is that you wouldn’t have to wait the whole journey to see him. 

As you walked in the streets, a hand grabbed your arm from behind and pulled you into an alleyway. You yanked your arm loose, and pinned the man against the wall with your dagger. 

With your dagger pressed against his throat, “It’s me!” Podrick said

As soon as you registered it was Podrick, you dropped the dagger. “Oh-“ You said shocked, you held his face, “I’m sorry-I’m so sorry- I was stupid-“

He grabbed your face, “You’re not stupid.” asserting. 

You shook your head, “I’m sorry.” You said, beginning to cry again. Though he did not wish to hear apologies, because he did not need them. He pulled you in close and pressed his lips to yours. The kiss was passionate, and desperate. 

Your kiss was an apology, and a proclamation of devotion. 

As you pulled away, you looked around and noticed that the crowds around you were paying more attention to you. “We’d better move.” Podrick said, taking your hand and pulling you along. 

꒰ ୨୧ ─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ꒱꒱

You and Podrick we're now on the rode together for the first time. You aimed your bow and arrow at a rabbit, far into the woods. 

“Sh- If you’re too loud you’ll scare it.” You said as Podrick kneeled beside you as you tried to get your aim perfect. 

Podrick looked out into the woods, “Think we might be too far-” before he could continue, you let your arrow loose, and it flew across the woods. Piercing through the rabbit's skull, “How’d you get so good at that?” Podrick asked in astonishment.

You shrugged, “Time… Lots of it. Boredom.” You said standing and approaching the rabbit. 

Podrick shuffled to stand, and followed you into the woods, “I had time, and lots of boredom. Never had anyone to teach me.”

“My father taught me some before he up and left and then my brother taught me some before he up and left too. Then my aunt.” You continued, holding your skirts as you walked further and further into the woods. 

“Most girls get taught how to sew, needle point-” 

You took his hand, “I can do some of that. Sewing up wounds and all that.” You said as you turned his palm over, showing him his scar of the wound you stitched up. Making him smile. You kept holding his hand as you continued, “My mother was a young bride. From what I hear she would have taught me to make dresses and embroider silks. But…I killed her when I came out of her.” Before Podrick could respond to what you had said, you got to the dead rabbit in the woods. You picked it up, holding it up by its legs, “Do you know how to skin a rabbit?” 

That night, Podrick, somewhat in an attempt to impress you, built you a fire, and cooked you that rabbit. However much he had improved he was not much of a cook. Though you appreciated the gesture all the same. 

As you ate it, you attempted not to grimace, “It’s not bad.” You said to Podrick, who knew you were being polite. “I like mine burnt anyway.” You shrugged and he smiled at you softly, “You don’t need to know how to cook to be a knight.”

“Suppose not.” He smiled, taking another bite of his burnt rabbit. 

“You came for me?” You looked back at him.

He looked back to you, “Course I did.” 

You placed the burnt rabbit down, and snuggled up closer to him. “I am sorry.”  You placed a hand on top of his, “I should have listened to you.” 

“People usually don’t.” He shrugged, genuinely not seeing the issue.

“I should.” You asserted, you leaned in closer to him “Your words mean a great deal to me.” You looked down in shame, “I don’t understand this thing. If I cannot change its course, then all it does is torment me.” You said somberly. 

He took your hand, “I want to help you understand your gift. Whatever it may be.” He brought your knuckles to his lips.

You smiled at him as he kissed your hand, “And I want to help become a Knight.”

“You do?” He asked with a giddy smile.

You nodded, “Of course, as long as you’re not a KingsGuard. I can’t have you swearing to chastity. It’d be a great waste of your talents.” You jested.

“Talents?” He stifled a laugh, 

“Your talents that are renowned around all the brothels in westeros.” You teased, and he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you on top of him, “Ah!” you giggled,

As you settled on top of him he looked up at you with adoration and warmth, “You’re the only woman I’ll ever touch.” He said earnestly. 

You smiled and stifled a laugh as you ran your hand through his hair. “Well, I am sure all the whores in the realm will be quite disappointed.” He did not say anything, just continued to look up at you with loving eyes, “What?” you asked innocently. 

His smile tugged on the corners of his mouth slightly, making him smile wider for a moment. “Would you take me as your husband?” He asked you, his grip around your waist tightening ever so slightly. 

You smiled warmly, placed your hands on his cheeks, now covered in an unfamiliar stubble. “Of course, you imbecile.” You thought it was obvious. You abandoned him once, and now we’re determined never again. You pressed his forehead against your own, “You and me.” You whispered. 

His hand that caressed your back, trailed up to hold the back of your neck. Pressing his lips against yours. You rocked your hips teasingly against him, and his hand tangled into your hair. Your hands roamed his chest, and his arms, admiring how strong they’d gotten. He did the same, his hand pawing at the neckline of your gown. 

You were content on ridding him of his pants, and riding him, but you were interrupted by the sounds of twigs snapping under the weight of a person's feet.

You pulled away from him, looking out into the woods. “Sh-“ You hushed him before he could even speak.

“What?” He asked quietly.

“Footsteps.” You replied. You got off of him, and pulled him up to stand. 

Soon the footsteps grew louder as they approached. And soon, a man appeared on a great black horse. A man in Bolton colors, with a Bolton sigil on his horse.  

“Hello there.” The man said with a disingenuous smile.

It was silent for a moment. You were unwilling to respond, simply glaring at the man who spoke to you. Podrick however did, “Hello.” he said in an attempt to ease the tension. 

The man, noticing your glare, smirked, “My Lady.” He said in greeting to you, once again.

“Can I help you?” Podrick asked, attempting to get some of the attention away from you.

The man still looking at you said, “She your lady?” 

Podrick looked at you, noticing your hostile glare, he let out a small sigh before saying “Aye.” 

“Not much of a talker is she?” The man’s eyes still did not leave you, you rolled your eyes at his comment. 

Podrick looked back at the man, “She can choose when she speaks. Can I help you with something?” Podrick asked, trying to understand what the man wanted. 

“No. But maybe, I could help you. Where are you traveling.” The man still holding up his pleasant facade.

“You can’t help us.” You interjected, knowing the man was “Will make our own way.” 

“Not a polite birdie, are you?” The man asked, grinning at you. 

“He asked what you wanted.” You said, your eyes hard and narrowed at the man. 

The man bit his lip, and stifled a laugh. He shrugged, “I want to know what you’re doing here.” “Then we can’t help you. Now fuck off.”  You said with a tilt of your head. Podrick felt a dread growing inside of him. 

Your words riled up the man, he huffed and began to speak again “Listen-” 

“Stop talking.” You commanded, 

The man was thrown off by your words, it angered him, “I will not stop talking, woman. If I have something to say-” 

You aimed your bow and arrow at the man, “I said stop talking. Leave.” 

“You let your woman speak for you?” The man asked mockingly, looking at Podrick. 

“He’s one of Bolton’s men.” You said to Podrick, in a low tone.

“And I take it you two aren’t?” The man said with a crooked grin.

“She told you to leave.” Podrick said, reaching for the hilt of his sword.

In return, the man pulled out his own sword, and pointed it towards Podrick. 

Your eyes narrowed, “I don’t like men who don’t listen.” You just released your arrow. It flew and hit the man in his eye, killing him just like the rabbit you killed earlier that night. 

You looked at Podrick, who looked at you in awe. Never having seen you kill another person. “We’d best keep going then.” 

꒰ ୨୧ ─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ꒱꒱

By the time you had arrived back to Castle Black, tensions between the Starks and the Boltons had risen. As soon as you set foot within the walls of Castle Black Jon summoned you. He handed you a letter written by Ramsay Bolton. A letter threatening killing, pillaging, raping, burning, and varies forms of torture to all tratorus houses. 

“Like bad poetry.” You said as you finished the letter. 

“We’ve been threatened with war. If we are to take back Winterfell we will need an army, an army we don’t have.” Jon said with a brooding face. 

“You want the Mormont army? You’ll find it to be lacking in numbers, no doubt. Though our men and women fight harder than any other army.” You said proudly. 

“So you’ll give us the men?” Jon asked, you could sense the desperation in his voice.

You shook your head, “I have no sway. Lyanna is the Lady of Bear Island, not I.” 

“You are the eldest living inherited Mormont, you have claim-”

“Out of the question.” You interrupted him, “Lyanna stepped into her role admirably in place of my aunt. She’s served the house well. I will not return just to take it from her. I do not want it.” You asserted adamantly.  

“Convince her then.” Jon pleaded with you, “Lyanna Mormont has been unwilling to provide aid to anyone.” He said as he handed you another letter. 

As you unscrolled the letter you read the words, “Bear Island knows no king but the King in the North, whose name is Stark." In your cousin's writing. 

You smiled at her writing, “She is just like her mother.” You rolled the scroll back up and handed it back to Job, “I’ll go. Though I am not sure it will help you. Mormont’s hold grudges, and I left them holding a rather large one.”

꒰ ୨୧ ─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ꒱꒱

And so you did. You got on a ship with Davos Seaworth, Jon Snow, Sansa Stark, and of course her sworn sword Brienne, and her squire Podrick. Who was now your intended. 

As your ship approached the docks of Bear Island, you looked out the front of the ship at the giant green island you were approaching. You felt uneasy, like your stomach aches. Nervous for what the people of the island would say. But you’d never let that show.

Podrick, who stood behind you, leaned forward to hold your hand, but was interrupted by Jon’s voice. 

“Any… advice?” He asked, unsure if you would be able to help at all. 

“Don’t rely on flattery or small talk. She might be young but being called pretty will not soften her judgment.” You spoke plainly as you looked at the green mountains of the island, “Infact do not attempt small talk with anyone on the Island. Be blunt, and harsh with your words. It is the only way to get their attention.” 

“You suggest we walk in and demand their army?” He asked, displeased with your answer.

“Essentially, yes.” You nodded and looked back to Jon, “You remember how to handle my father?” You asked with a raised brow,

Jon scoffed, “You believe the girl of ten and three is as hard as he is?”

“Harder.” You asserted, looking back to the ship's port. You noticed someone as your ship docked. A man by the name of Dareon. Ser Dareon, a man who once loved you, who fucked you only once when you and he were both quite drunk. However you did not love him back. Since that day he and you shared a mutual disdain for one another. “Fuck…” You murmured under your breath.

Podrick, hearing what you said, leaned in close to you, “You know him?” You looked at him with an uncomfortable and concerned expression. 

Unable to explain it to him, and he unable to prod you for more information, your ship docked into the port. As you stepped off the boat, you looked at the knight with irritation. Irritated simply by his presence. “Hello, Ser Dareon.”

“Fuck is she doing ‘ere?” Dareon asked Jon, angry that he had brought you.

“This is my home, Ser Dareon.” You said irritated. 

“It’s your home when it suits you?” He said mockingly, he turned to some of the other men beside him, “Tell Lady Mormont, the deserter has returned.”

“I’ll see my cousin now.” You said, not willing to wait. 

“Aye, she’ll see you. Not them.” A guard from the house said. Your arrival must have been announced already. “The Lady wishes to speak with her kin, then she’ll speak to the rest of you.” He said looking at Jon, Sansa, Davos, and Podrick. 

“He comes with me.” You said linking your arm with Podrick’s. After all, if you were going to marry him, he would soon become her kin as well. 

“Who the fucks he?” Ser Dareon spat, his tone oozed with thinly veiled jealousy.

“My betrothed, Podrick Payne.” You said with your head held high, it made Podrick smirk to himself. “Now get the fuck out of my way.” You said with venom dripping from your voice as you pushed past him with Podrick’s arm linked to yours.

꒰ ୨୧ ─ 

As you entered the great hall of your home. You looked around, the familiar interior seemingly offering you no comfort as you stood in front of your younger cousin, Lyanna. You bowed your head respectfully to her, as did Podrick. 

“And who is this?” Lyanna asked, already exhausted by the situation. She sat at a large table in the great hall, the same chair your Father used to sit. 

“Some westernmen by the name of Podrick Payne, My Lady.” Ser Dareon said, intentionally wanting to get under your skin. 

“My Intended.” You added, proudly. 

“Payne?” Your young cousin said, “Of House Payne?” Her voice dripped with disdain, “The same house which raised Illyn Payne? The same Illyn Payne that took Ned Stark's head?” She attacked with her words.

“His name isn’t Illyn, is it?” You defended. Podrick stood unsure of how or when to interject. This was your home, and he desperately wished to be accepted, even if you yourself hardly were.

Lyanna’s small, and beady eyes landed on you again, “You leave us to travel across the seven kingdoms, become the Queen’s handmaiden, and return with a westerman for a husband?” She questioned you hard. 

Though her words were hard, you spoke softly. “I left, that's true. I left after I had nothing left here. I was kidnapped by the Lannisters and forced into their service. Once I was able to escape, I did.”

“Once my mother was killed.” She added. 

“No.” You asserted emphatically. 

“You want to be head of house now? Now that you’re the eldest Mormont. Eldest inherited Mormont.” She was accused. 

You shook your head. “No. Truth is I would hate to be in your position.” You spoke plainly, “And you seem to be better suited to the role.” You said earnestly.

“She is.” Ser Dareon interjected, 

“Enough out of you.” Lyanna snapped at Ser Dareon, and then turned her attention to Podrick once again, “Let’s hear from him then. What house do you fight for?”

“My Lady,” Podrick said respectfully, stepping forward, “I squire for Brienne of Tarth, the sworn sword to Lady Sansa Stark.”

“House Stark then?” Lyanna asked, attempting to get to the point.

“No, my Lady.” He shook his head, “I fight for (Y/N).” He looked at you, “My house is (Y/N).”

NOTE: I am so sorry this sucks lmao, I have the worst brain fog from covid it is insane.

Y/N: I don’t be giving no fucks. I say whatever I want I do whatever I want. I’m counting up-

Podrick: Money for fun! ☝️😜

Bambi