#youngwolfed

It has taken him longer than he’d like, but Jojen had finally arrived. Travelling by himself was a more difficult affair and it showed; he’d resorted to using the walking staff that had seen him beyond the wall and back. As he made his slow way to present himself to his King, Jojen noticed the looks his garb attracted, as well as some sneers; the Crannogmen would likely never have the respect they deserved but he was unbothered, and didn’t spar them a look. 

Taking a moment to compose himself slightly, Jojen stepped into what appeared to be a large meeting room and made his slow, slightly laboured way towards the head of the room and, more important Robb Stark. reaching him, Jojen bent the knee and softly, sincerely, spoke the words of loyalty his father had taught him:

“To Winterfell we pledge the faith of Greywater. Hearth and heart and harvest we yield up to you, my king. Our swords and spears and arrows are yours to command. Grant mercy to our weak, help to our helpless, and justice to all, and we shall never fail you. I swear it by earth and water. I swear it by bronze and iron. I swear it by ice and fire.”

Having pledged his loyalty and respect to his king, Jojen turned slightly, raising his head only enough for his gaze to land on Grey Wind. As he had offered Robb words, he raised a hand, palm upwards with fingers slightly curled (though they shook a little from fatigue) and he quietly spoke, “Lord Grey Wind.” and awaited the Dire Wolf’s judgement, hoping he’d be considered worthy.

last night i woke the fuck up                                 ( gasp )                                               i realized i need you here as desperate as that sounds                                                                        we live in an age where everything is staged where all we do is fake our feelings               i’ve been scared to put myself so out there         time is running out      yeah                                                                need to let you know that        last night i woke the fuck up

                                                                          i realized i need you here as desperate as that sounds  

“I had five older brothers, you Grace. They refused to leave their sister helpless in the world.”

Heart felt heavy at his words as it filled with leaden regret that she had been so powerless to help him when he had been imprisoned by the Lannisters. Somehow it was always Aethan who was saving their family, making sure they had the means to preserve their legacy. It was he who had taken their waste of a father out of the picture and it was he who had secured safe passage for her daughters and her to the North. 

( Aethan, Aethan, Aethan. How she could have envied how he was far more able than she to defend their family and yet their bond was so tight it held no allowance for such cynicism )

Instead she chose to damn the society that had always attempted to cage woman through marriage and vow that she will not allow her standing to make her powerless once again. “You will not have to.” Words flow firmly as her violet eye lock onto his. “Let me help you in this, I am a child no longer.” Long years had passed and in her eyes she no longer saw the need for her to be protected as perhaps had been needed in the past. This time she was ready to rise to meet his level and show the whole of Westeros that the might of the Velaryons still existed. “Together we will be unstoppable.”

couGH millie and for dom’s wc mayBE loud shrug

Theon secured another roughly crafted arrowhead to his next shaft, far preferring the clean cut iron to the jagged dragonglass, but knowing by now they would be useless in a fight with their looming enemies. After their latest strike--seemingly appearing out of thin air like one of his nightmares come to life--Theon was keen to follow all advice given by those that had already done battle with them. 

“Of course they are, you’re their king.” It almost felt like they were back at Winterfell, Robb muttering his concerns and Theon easing them with words of confidence. He wouldn’t forward advice like he used to however, knowing it would likely overstep those layers of boundaries and barriers in place against him. “But, you won’t be alone when forces start sweeping through the north, and I’m curious to see how well these do.” He lifted the completed arrow in acknowledgement, rolling it between his fingers as he observed the overall alignment. There was a small self-satisfied smirk on his lips, but it faded as his gaze transitioned from his arrow to the stoic young king. 

Theon eyed his Uncle at the words, something close to determination and reluctance in his gaze. “I’m not afraid.” He said sternly, but even his own voice betrayed the lie. Whether it felt like a weakness or wisdom to acknowledge the fear coursing through him, he had not yet decided. Perhaps it was the accusation that drove Theon to deny it--the confidence in those words an annoyance only because his assumptions were correct. Had it been Maron to speak those words, Theon would have easily admitted to them, but not all of his blood was met with the same trust. “Leave me be.”