[North]
A cool wind blew through the halls of Winterfell as Rob Stark stood over the war table. The room was filled with tension. The banners of the great Northern houses had already begun to arrive. Rob had called for a war council, ready to march south and bring justice for his father's capture.
Catelyn watched her son closely. She saw the weight on his shoulders. He was young, way too young for this, but already trying to act like a lord. He had to — with no word from Ned Stark for so long, Rob had no choice but to take charge.
Almost all the lords of the North had gathered and soon the council was about to begin, however that was when a rider came in through the gates, holding a sealed letter.
Catelyn didn't like it. Lately, all the news she had gotten had just broken her family apart.
The guard handed it straight to Catelyn though; between her and Rob, she would still prefer to take the first look at those letters, anything she could do to lift some weight from her son's shoulders. She broke the seal with shaking fingers. Her eyes moved quickly over the words, and then she gasped.
"It's from Ned," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Rob's head snapped at her faster than Robert Baratheon made bastards.
"Father? Wh...what does it say?"
Catelyn smiled for the first time in many days. "He's alive. He's safe. He escaped King's Landing, and he's with Lord Tully now. He's coming home."
Rob let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Relief spread across his face. "Thank the old gods..."
"What about the girls?" Rob asked in a hurry.
"Yes, yes, they as well," Catelyn added. "Lord Tully has sent men to guard him and the girls on their journey back. They'll be here soon."
Rob sighed in relief. It was like he found his source of power at this moment, such was the presence of a parent standing alongside you. He quickly turned around at the guard who brought the letter. "Delay the council," he told his bannermen. "We'll wait for Father."
He turned to his mother. "When he returns, we'll decide together what happens next."
"Yes... by the old gods and the new. They are coming back home." Catelyn Stark almost felt like her legs would give up at this moment.
---
I have to say that it was a long journey. Too much happened, and everything under my control, but hey, that's life for us, even for a god.
Hard experience shapes a man and I believe I am a better and more capable man since the time I left this ancient castle few moons back. I mean few months back.
Have to say the language and habits of this world are growing onto me, slowly and steadily, but it is happening.
The journey from Riverlands to Winterfell was far less remarkable and adventurous, and that's exactly what most of us liked. Perhaps only Arya might be looking for something big in our path.
I could see though, the girl's eyes shining, tears almost threatening to spill and beyond anything, the big smile on their faces when they saw their home in front of them.
I might have been the same if I went back to Earth, even if that meant I had to leave Thor's powers and this otherwise incredible experience to live the fantasy myself. I would definitely have acted like them. Though after all this time, if someone had asked me to choose this adventure over my life back on Earth, then perhaps I couldn't.
From the girls, I shifted my attention to Stark. He too looked relieved, more eager than anything to meet his family.
He has been brooding extra hard after our conversation with Lord Tully. It was about time someone told the man his honor gonna get him killed.
Surprisingly, it wasn't me who brought it up to him, it was Lord Tully. He completely agreed with my estimations. Especially after learning what could be lingering behind the Wall. Without proof, of course, he only gave us the benefit of the doubt.
Stark though hasn't spoken much on the topic after that. Knowing him, I can easily say the man hasn't changed his mind. And I fully intend to bring this topic back, in front of the Lords of the North if I must, to make sure he remembers.
At last, the gates opened. Horses rode in slowly. Ned Stark led the group. Sansa and Arya rode beside him, both looking weary from the road but safe and alive. Finally, it was me, and surprisingly, I attract attention even in times doing so was not my intent.
Odin knows I was grateful to him and Frigga to make me this handsome, but Surtur's Tails, I can't keep a low profile even if my life depended on it. Thankfully, there are not many times that happens, so it was more of a general complaint over a complete annoyance and grievance.
The moment they entered, Rob ran to his father. The two embraced tightly.
"I thought I lost you," Rob said, his voice thick with emotion.
"You almost did," Ned replied, holding his son close. "But the old gods were kind."
'I assure you they had no hand in your survival, it's the god in front of you who did the heavy lifting.' A knowing irritation spread inside me. Like my hard work being credited to someone else.
Catelyn moved to hug her husband, tears already in her eyes. She pulled Sansa and Arya into her arms next. The girls cried softly, finally home, finally safe.
While this emotional scene was playing out, I looked around the old castle and noticed something odd. I saw banners. Many unknown banners.
Any man with half a wit to his brain could tell whose banners they were, the Northern lords of course. My eyes all but shone at this.
'Are they here?' I pondered. If so, then this was the perfect time to act. Well, sooner or later they have to gather in a meeting, right? I definitely can't miss it.
After the warmth of the reunion, Ned raised his voice for all to hear.
"I owe my life," he said, "and the lives of my daughters, to you." He finally opened his mouth after looking at me. This was not him saying it to me, but making a statement in front of others.
"If not for Thor, I would still be in chains in King's Landing, or worse. He helped us escape. He protected us on the road. I cannot say more—but know that we owe him everything."
I stood silently. I understand the man was paying credit where credit was due, however, I can't do shit with credit. If he had done this in the presence of other Lords of the North then that recognition could have been a good leverage. Sigh... a little uncomfortable from the attention, I smiled back at him.
"You think too highly of me, Lord Stark. It's the old gods and the new who brought you back to your family. I was just a mere instrument." It pained me to say it, but appearance has to be kept. I just hope I don't hear another voice calling me out about whatever I saw.
Please let there be no mystical power in my voice for this sentence.
Rob stepped forward and offered his hand. "I owe you... you have done a great service to us," he said. "You have the North's gratitude."
Catelyn nodded, looking at me with soft eyes. "You will always be welcome here. The Salt and Bread of Winterfell is yours for as long as you desire, my lord." Catelyn said with almost teary eyes. Maybe almost forgetting that I was no lord.
Well, I got the title of Knight but she wouldn't know it, would she?
"Come in, the hospitality of Winterfell is yours..."
xxx
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