This had to be the most entertaining afternoon Tyrion had experienced in months.
Watching Jaime gawk at everything around him was priceless. His brother—always so composed—looked like a man trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
"Not the frozen wasteland you were expecting?" Tyrion asked, unable to keep the amusement from his voice as Jaime nearly walked into a cart while staring at a group of Tyroshi traders.
Jaime recovered with his usual speed, flashing that practiced smile. "I'm just surprised you haven't taken me to all the whorehouses yet."
"Ah, we have plenty of time for that later," Tyrion chuckled.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Jaime had to open his mouth and spoil it.
"So... Father's been telling me you've stopped writing to him," Jaime mentioned casually.
Tyrion waved dismissively, not even trying to hide his irritation. "Bah, the spies he's sent are probably doing that anyway. Why should I waste my time with such redundant work?"
"You don't have to tell me, I just had to ask," Jaime shrugged.
When they got close to the clinic, Jaime stopped in his tracks.
"Is that the mage's direwolf?" Jaime asked in a low voice.
"Oh, you've seen Fenrir before?"
"Yes… he's gotten a lot bigger. I didn't think that was possible."
"I've had the same thought so many times."
"So where are we going now?" Jaime asked, relieved they were moving away from the giant wolf.
"My new office. You have no idea how much work opening a new bank is going to be."
"Why?" Jaime interrupted. "Why work for him? You could do anything now. I'm sure Father would reinstate you as heir any day."
Tyrion couldn't help it—he burst out laughing. "Wow, you are delusional. Are you sure the Kingsguard haven't been hitting you in the head too much?"
Jaime opened his mouth to speak, but Tyrion wasn't finished. "And to answer your question, I get paid quite well now since I'm in charge of the gold." He couldn't keep the smugness out of his voice.
"And that gold in turn means I don't have to grovel to our dear father for coin to spend," he added, opening the door to the new building that had been bought across from the clinic.
"Ah, that makes sen—" Jaime began, before his expression shifted to complete bewilderment. "There's a donkey in your office."
Tyrion followed his gaze and grinned. "Donkey, what are you doing here?"
"Shh! Those little direwolves were chasing me all through town and no one was helping me! I'm too handsome to die!" Donkey replied frantically before noticing Jamie.
"Ooh, who's this? He looks like prince charming. I don't like him," Donkey continued, studying Jaime with distaste.
Tyrion watched as Jaime took a step back as his hand moved instinctively to his sword. "Did… did that donkey just talk?"
"Of course I did! I can sing too!" Donkey announced proudly, then began singing completely off key:
"No matter what they take away from me, they can't take away my dignity!"
Tyrion doubled over laughing as his brother gaped at the sight.
"Your face..." Tyrion wheezed, trying not to fall over.
-----------------
Freya wasn't used to having a lot of free time, but she had been freed up considerably lately since the early days when El first started disappearing into the forest and put her in charge of all the patients.
For a stretch of time, she had to do that alone, and now even though teaching and learning herself took up most of the time, things had become more manageable.
And with Emilia living in the clinic, she had basically become her assistant.
That girl was adorable, always happy to help and learn, not a single complaint. She was ashamed to say she had been slightly suspicious at first, but she was sure now that the girl wouldn't hurt a fly.
And it wasn't just Emilia that helped her.
Most of the students now knew the basics of first aid and could identify the common symptoms and deal with the stitches, which were most of the work. All under her supervision, of course.
For injuries that weren't immediately fatal, she let her students diagnose them and explain their reasoning for how to treat them.
It was quite fun. She could see what El used to smile about when he was quizzing her. It was quite a proud feeling seeing your students figuring out why things work the way they do.
She kind of missed it herself.
It felt like she used to get that feeling almost every day when she had first met El.
She should get him to teach her something new somehow.
So far he had only taught one class, and that was unacceptable. He was busy with other important things now, but she should be able to convince him.
Currently she was busy watching over all of her students as they attended to easy patients currently waiting in the hospice. Since the delegations from King's Landing and all over the North had arrived, it had led to lots of small fights involving sharp objects. Thankfully the most fatal injury she had to deal with today was a man with a few missing fingers.
She had done everything she could for him and would have to call El to do the rest, but she had at least managed to salvage the fingers.
Now the rest of her students were cleaning, stitching, and bandaging everyone with minor wounds.
Her good mood soured slightly as she remembered that there would be a feast today, and if El came back, then she too would be roped into going.
She hoped he would forget again just so she wouldn't have to go.
He had been spending more time in his lab ever since he returned from the Wall. She really needed to ask him to show her those basement tunnels he'd been using—it would be useful to know all the ways in and out of the clinic.
Of course, he chose that exact moment to emerge from the basement, looking slightly disheveled.
"You look disappointed. Did I forget something again?" El asked, catching her expression.
Freya sighed. "No—well, yes—but that's not why I'm disappointed you're back."
"I'm confused," he said, tilting his head.
"The king arrived today, and most of the northern lords are here too. There's going to be a feast tonight." She gestured helplessly. "Which means if you're here, I have to go."
"Ah." Understanding dawned on his face. "I can leave if you want?"
"No, it's important. You need to be there," she said firmly, then brightened. "But you can make it up to me by teaching the students something new tomorrow."
"Deal," he agreed without hesitation. "How are things going here?"
"We've been busy. The number of people in the city seems to have doubled overnight with all the visitors. Lots of minor injuries—cuts, scrapes, the occasional broken bones from tavern brawls. Nothing complicated, thankfully."
"Thats good, how are the students handling it?" El asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Better than I expected. They remember what I've taught them and ask good questions. Emilia's caught up remarkably fast for joining late—she's practically my assistant now, and they deal with all the disinfecting, suturing and bandaging so it saves me a lot of time."
"They're not allowed to do anything without my approval, but it saves time."
"Sounds like you have everything under control," El said approvingly. "Let me know if you need anything."
"We'll need a bigger classroom soon."
"I will see what I can do," he replied.
"And can you tell me how you keep showing up from the basement?"
"Oh, I haven't told you? I'll show you tonight. It's more fun that way," El said with a playful smile.
Before she could respond, Sansa hurried over.
"El, you're back!" she said, relief evident in her voice. "Father wanted me to tell you—the moment you returned, you should come to the castle. He's going to tell everyone about... you know." She whispered the last part.
"Thanks for letting me know, Sansa. I'll be on my way soon."
----------------------
The great hall felt cramped.
Everyone with an identifiable last name was packed inside. The tension was thick.
It looked like a war council, and in some ways… it was one.
Ned sat at the head table, Robert beside him looking tired and grim. He had hoped El would be here as well, but he wasn't back yet and this couldn't be held off any longer.
His bannermen sat stiffly in their seats. They greeted each other solemnly and sat in uncomfortable silence.
All of them knew this wasn't a normal gathering—he had implied as much in their summons.
"My lords," Ned began, his voice carrying across the packed room. "I've called you here because the North faces a threat unlike any we've seen before."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lord Umber leaned forward, his massive frame creaking in his chair.
"Tell us who we are at war with, Lord Stark," Umber rumbled.
Ned understood that there was no better way to answer that question with anything but the blunt truth.
"The Others…"
The silence that followed was expected.
"My lord, I may have misheard, but did you say the Others—" Manderly said carefully.
"You heard me right, Lord Manderly."
Then all of them started speaking at once.
"My lord, surely—"
"Is this some kind of—"
"What—"
Ned let them voice their confusion, and for the shock to pass before he spoke again.
"I would like to finish what I was saying," he said firmly. The hall slowly quieted, though muttering continued. "My brother, the First Ranger, and El recently went beyond the Wall to investigate certain disturbing events that have been happening for some time now… They returned with grave news."
"The stories we were all raised on, about the Others and the long night, are not just stories."
The words shut everyone up momentarily.
"I don't mean to doubt the mage—he has been helping the North greatly," Umber said carefully. "But surely... he might be mistaken?"
Benjen's voice cut through the murmurs, "So you're calling me a liar as well?"
"It is quite a bold claim. Surely you can understand our doubts," Bolton replied smoothly.
From the back, the Kingslayer's voice carried with disdain. "Well, this is rich. The honorable Stark, reduced to believing in children's stories. What's next? Do these Others come riding dragons made of ice as well?"
That seemed to break the dam and everyone started yelling over each other again.
"Enough!" Robert bellowed, slamming his fist on the table. The hall fell silent. "Seven hells, you lot sound like a bunch of bickering children!"
Robert stood. "Now listen here, you stubborn goats. I've known Ned Stark since we were boys. He's never lied to me, never led me astray, and he sure as hell wouldn't start now." His voice boomed across the hall.
The king's support surprised many of those in attendance.
"I can understand your disbelief," Ned continued, "but ask yourselves this question—why would our ancestors build a wall so large that it cuts across the continent? Was it just to keep out the wildlings?"
The room took a silent moment to digest that unsettling fact, he was relieved to see at least a few faces grow thoughtful.
"I am not asking you to take my word for it. But even if there is a very small chance this is real, we can't afford to wave it off and go home. What I am proposing is we send a small group to investigate. I will be going myself, along with anyone who wishes to volunteer."
"As will I," Robert said, ignoring the horrified looks from everyone.
"Your Grace, surely—"
"Don't try to talk me out of this, Selmy. I haven't had a proper fight since the Rebellion."
Tyrion raised his cup from the corner. "Well, count me in. When do we leave for this delightful adventure?"
"Brother, you cannot be serious." The Kingslayer stared at him in surprise.
Tyrion grinned, "Oh I wouldn't miss this for the world. I've always wanted to take a piss off the edge of the Wall."
"You can count me in as well, Stark." Oberyn said from where he was casually lounging. "Let it never be said that Oberyn Martell said no to an adventure."
He let out a breath of relief at the fact that no one had called him crazy and stormed out already before he heard a familiar voice "Wow. This sounds like the beginning of a horrible idea."
Everyone turned to look as El stepped out of the shadows as if he'd been standing there the whole time.
"None of you have any idea what you're volunteering for, do you?" The smile he usually wore was gone.
"If you're going, you need to understand something. This isn't a hunting trip or a chance for glory. It's a scouting mission against an enemy that can kill you in ways you can't imagine."
The room had gone deathly silent.
"So make your decisions carefully." He let the words settle. "Because some of you might not come back."
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A/N: Hey everyone… I'm alive. Shocking, I know. I am only going to place about half the blame on my ADHD and the depressing state of the world right now, the rest is on me. I am a lazy piece of shit.
Holy shit I just noticed that it's almost been a year. My bad guys, it feels like I've been living the same day over and over again.
Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter.