Eddard Snow's Story

Liloon Aquata

Liloon stood slightly nervous as she was not sure what Khal would pick up on or not. He quickly grunted a reply “I’m fine.” With that Liloon gave a quick curtsey and promptly exited the room.

She sped down the stairs as fast as her feet could carry her. She happened to walk past the area that was occupied by the woman from Anasai and the South Atlantic gentleman once more. This time there seemed to be another young man there with them. Liloon rolled her eyes and huffed when examining the dark haired princess. “Gosh each time I see that woman she’s surrounded with male attention. She’s surely not from the South Atlantic Kingdom. If that is the case it would be best for me to figure out where she’s from and why she’s here. It could serve as useful information to my lord.”

With that train of thought she stepped a bit closer to the group. Taking cover behind a large stone column she listened carefully. "This, is the Princess Tenanye Ananse of Anansai." The older gentleman introduced the curvy woman to the younger man.

Liloon’s focus honed in on the princess. “So she’s from that far away… What is she doing here? Could her nation be planning on opposing Drake City as well? I can’t believe that silver headed witch managed to enlist two nations against Drake so easily! Moloch will not be pleased at all to hear this.” Liloon hated having to bring back such negative news, especially when she thought she could cheer her lord up not bring him down further. She decided to listen a little further.

"This is my son, Princes. Robb is my eldest." Eddard Snow said proudly.

Liloon looked the young man up and down from her post behind the column. She thought him to be handsome but she still preferred the looks of her lord Moloch much more. “So these men are definitely important people to the South Atlantic. I suppose Moloch can expect them to play a part on the battlefield. I should probably go now. I’m not sure if there is much more information to be gained here.” Liloon whispered to herself and soon continued down the corridor and out of a service exit. One of the maids pondered who Liloon was as she exited the castle. She didn’t recognize Liloon yet she did not stop her either.

Liloon headed toward a river passage that lead out to the sea and noticed two men wading in the water. Liloon stopped and stared at them inquisitively. She knew they had to be mermen. Why they were there she had no clue. Not only were they mermen but they didn’t look like they came from any pod native to the South Atlantic region. One looked like he was a native of the Wa region, Wa pod mermaids and mermen had very distinctive features. The other looked like he was from the Australian Sea. They were a very curious sight. As soon as they noticed Liloon’s staring at them, they ducked downward, submerging themselves in the river water. Liloon also hurried off to the docks to make her escape.

Moon Jae Shin

"I hope you are right, Moon-dono...I just...I do not want to see her hurt. Tenanye is indeed strong but matters of the heart is as foreign to her as this place." Soo-Min said.

“I see. However as much as you’d want to protect her from the world, you’ll find that you simply can’t. I’ve had to learn that lesson myself. I guess I’m still learning that lesson.” Moon replied. He smiled a little thinking about his past love.

"Moon, do you have someone you love but couldn't have?" Soo-Min asked almost like a saddened child.

Moon looked up at Soo-Min in surprise. It was a most rare thing for anyone to ask him about his personal life. Most people saw him solely as a True Rune bearer and not much more. It was as if his personal life had faded into the not often read pages of history.

Moon replied with a smile, “I have. I used to be a pirate many many years ago. This was before I encountered the man with the rune. I rescued a merman from my captain’s ship one day. I had known mermen to be dangerous and murderous. However this one was different. He was timid and afraid. I just couldn’t let him get slaughtered for the sake of some noblemen’s desire to become immortal. So I snuck him away. He was scared of me and I was a little nervous of him as well. But eventually when it came time for me to set him free, he didn’t want to go.” Moon paused in thought, a gentle smile crept across his face.

“I was on my own at that point. But he stuck with me. We talked daily and explored things together. I was falling in love and it scared me. I had never thought I’d feel that way for another man, and even worse one that was not even of the same species as me technically. I figured that we could only be friends and only get as close as friends could get. He was the exact opposite apparently. Mermen live together and form partnerships with each other. So men being with one another closely wasn’t a strange thing for Rumil. I felt I couldn’t have him the way I wanted to for a long time. Then one day it happened. My desire to be as close to the one that gave me happiness got the better of me. We were physically intimate only once, of course he had legs at the time.” Moon snickered a bit before continuing.

“I was at my happiest. I let go of my doubts. Then the Sword and Shield War exploded into everyone’s lives. Wa was involved in the war. They had a large draft and I was forced into battle. The merpeople of the Lake Japan region mostly fled to the Mildorian region, apparently it was the safest place to be at the time. We had to separate. His brothers wouldn’t allow him to stay by my side and I wouldn’t have him in danger either. We parted ways and I thought I’d never see the one person that made me feel happy ever again. When I acquired the True water rune, I found that I had ageless life. But then I was confined by the Wa kingdom for safekeeping of the rune. I was unable to look for Rumil and I didn’t even know if he was still alive. Believe it or not that was a little over 100 years ago. Each day I longed for him and fate denied me.” Moon looked quite sad.

He placed his hands on Soo-Min’s shoulder’s. “I know how you feel. Wanting to protect your love from the world’s fire but in the end everyone is consumed. I realized that he needed to go through his trials as well no matter how hard it was for me to stand by and let it happen. That’s fate’s way. But there is hope. I was blessed enough on this very journey to encounter Rumil on the ship carrying up to the South Atlantic. Rumil is alive. Although our time was brief I feel like I’ve received a thousand healings for my hearts wounds.”

Robb stared at the woman before him, his eyes slowly coming looking shining the light on his mind that had been fogged with time. A smile began to dawn on his face as his memories began rushing back to him, he reached both hands and took the princess's dainty golden brown hands in his.

"The spider girl, yes I remember you.... You... You led me to that grove of fruit trees. We had just begun to dine on them when my father came."

With a laugh Robb put his hand to his forehead as he took a step back in disbelief.

"Gods, that was ages ago! You have grown more beautiful than I could have ever imagined."

The son of Lord Snow said as he looked at the princess again as if needing a scond look to truly take in all of her beauty. Eddard just shook his head with a chuckle.

"Careful son, you'll fall all over yourself."

Never taking his eyes off the princess Robb only smiled.

"It's too late for that father. I think I have already fallen."

It was then that Robb extended his arm to the princess.

"Might I escort you to the feast tonight my lady?"

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Eddard could not help but look on with pride at his charming eldest son as he wooed the princess. After Robb offered his arm to the daughter of the Anansai king Eddard decided now was a fine time to take his leave.

"You're in fine hands here princess, it was an honor meeting you. I look forward to speaking with you again."

He said with a short bow before giving his son a quick pat on the shoulder and heading off down the hall to attend to last minute business before the feast was to begin.

Moon Jae Shin

"You have your second chance, Moon-dono." Soo-Min said softly, looking up at him as if he were family. "Fate brought you two together again, I am happy for you." She said with a smile that did not reach her eyes.

Moon was glad to hear Soo-Min’s encouraging words. Not many people in Wa outside the emperor, empress, and the rest of the immediate royal family. However he knew that Soo-Min was still far from hopeful. What she needed was to start living for herself some. Tenanye was far too much the center of Soo-Min’s world. Moon didn’t wan’t Soo-Min to spend her life in unhappiness and an unrequited love. That was too tragic a fate for the sweet young woman.

"You should go to him. You are together once more. You should be with your beloved instead of listening to me wallow in my own self-pity." She said with a somewhat rueful laugh.

Moon looked saddened. If he could break a portion of his happiness off and give it to Soo-Min he would. He gave a somewhat sad smile to the rueful young woman. “I think you should keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to endless possibilities. You never know if you’ll run into a man or woman that sends your heart soaring. I want to help you find that someone if I can.” Moon stepped closer to Soo-Min and gently embraced her. He hugged her as if she was his little sister. It was a warm embrace that very few received from Moon Jae Shin, who was most always regarded as distant and constantly in solemn solitude.

Moon stepped back with a bright smile. “If I go to see Rumil, I’d like you to come as well. Have you ever met a merman before? They’re quite interesting people. He seemed to have another with him earlier perhaps we can meet his friend as well. What do you say? Maybe there’s a handsome merman that might tickle your fancy. Come now, I’m sure these sturdy horses will be just fine.” Moon extended his hand and looked up at Soo-Min with his head still tilted downward, giving her a cool smile.


Liloon Aquata

Meanwhile the servant girl who saw Liloon leaving the castle minutes later stood gossiping with some of the other servant women about the mysterious young woman she witnessed leaving the castle for the docks. The young servant girl, Abigail, talked rather loud, and excitedly. Something she knew better not to do and could get in trouble for but she was so excited it slipped her mind. Eira was not too far off. And could hear the women’s banter.

“You lot wouldn’t believe what I just saw!! It was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen that wasn’t a royal! I mean, the gods have mercy on my soul for saying this but, there was a servant girl that looked almost as pretty as our Queen Amelia!!” Abigail exclaimed.

“Abigail child!! What nonsense are you spouting about this time girl?!” an older woman questioned in annoyance. Abigail often proved to be quite easily excitable.

“It’s true!! I’ve never seen the likes of her before! She was poking about the castle not really seeming to do no work. But she dressed like us. Madam she was sooo pretty! You’d almost think she was one of Lord Snow’s children!? His family is so pretty she’d fit in with the looks of them!” Abigail continued.

The older maid et out and exhausted sigh, “Well child if this young woman was that pretty why haven’t I seem her about? Hmm? You’d think a face like that would stick out like a sore thumb among us chickens and hens! Well child spit it out already! Where is this dream girl you keep prattling about now?!” The older maid was quite tired of Abigail’s tall tale.

“Well… Miss I saw her leaving out the servant’s quarter’s exit not too long ago. She was headed toward the docks.” Abigail informed.

“What?! Now why would any decent young girl be trotting off to the docks in the middle of the night!? And not to mention she’s supposed to be one of the service staff. I can’t afford to lose not a single set of helping hands tonight with this feast going on!! I need her found and brought back immediately! And you get back to work Abigail. You’ve stood around gossiping long enough child, go make yourself useful spit spot girl off with you now!!” The older maid fussed. Abby went scurrying back to work and the maid stood with her hands on her hips shaking her head in disbelief.

Eira Gunvald

Eira returned Eddard’s greeting as he and the Anansai princess approached her, giving a small bow of her head as she recognised the young woman, it was quite possibly the first time Eira had seen the princess up close but she had spent many days in the shadows around many royals in her time. The life of the spy was hardly a sociable one but that was always a bonus for Eira.

Eira turned herself around as the pair left, her gaze wandering after them. They made an unusual pairing, she decided the young and beautiful princess of Ananse and the old and troubled Lord Snow. It was almost the beginning of a fairytale that would only lead towards romancing of the Lord’s son, Robb Snow.

"Hello."

“Right on cue.” Eira thought to herself with a smile.

Pulling herself away from watching the group Eira started back towards her tower; if she really had to go to the feast then she may as well bring Meredith. At least then it would keep people’s eyes away from her lack of food or drink. Nobles could be annoyingly inquisitive.

“You lot wouldn’t believe what I just saw!! It was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen that wasn’t a royal! I mean, the gods have mercy on my soul for saying this but, there was a servant girl that looked almost as pretty as our Queen Amelia!!”

This caught Eira’s attention. Such a statement was obviously false, she had lived for well over three lifetimes and as yet she’d never anyone more beautiful than Amelia, the Queen even made the lump of ice that constituted as the vampire’s heart flutter.

Continuing to listen, Eira’s attention became more captivated on this girl’s description. “It’s true!! I’ve never seen the likes of her before! She was poking about the castle not really seeming to do no work.” Abigail continued.

This wasn’t good, the maids knew everyone in the palace just as Eira did, if this ‘maid’ was truly unknown then it meant something was awry. Approaching the maids Eira put her hand on Abigail’s shoulder. “Where did she go?!” she asked quickly but not unkindly.

“Well… Miss I saw her leaving out the servant’s quarter’s exit not too long ago. She was headed toward the docks.” Abigail informed her.

Eira moved quickly, not even hearing half of the matron’s fussing as she tore through the servants quarters and down towards the docks. The sun had finally gone down which meant she could easily move around again without having to bother with her hood.

It didn’t take long for Eira to reach the docks of the great city; un-death had its advantages of course. As she walked out across the wooden platform she quickly began searching amongst the few people still around at this time for anyone who seemed out of place, her highly attuned eyes easily seeing through the darkness.

Continuing out towards the water Eira spotted the girl; she drew her sword and ran to head her off. It was odd really, she couldn’t work out which ship the girl was actually headed towards. “Stop! You are under arrest!” she called out drawing her sword. Approaching the girl Eira grabbed her roughly by the shoulder, forcing her to turn almost instantly recognising the familiar beauty of the Duchess of Drake City.

A smile broke across the vampire’s face as she lay on eyes on the woman whom she had once known long before Moloch had even been born.

“Good evening your grace. I had not expected to see you again so soon.” Eira’s fangs were in full view of the woman but it did not matter, their secrets had been shared long ago. “It has been far too long since we last spent an evening under the moon like this. Though I must say I wish it were under different circumstances.” She said gripping the woman’s wrists knowing full well that strength was not a strong point of the merfolk.

Lord Snow's legs burned as he pushed himself faster and faster. The brisk walk was in a way, harder on his aging body than a full out sprint would have been. Trying to move as swiftly as possible all the while trying to keep some level of decorum and refrain from running like a fool through the halls of the castle. At his side his wife moved just as fast, struggling even more than he was for she had a flowing night blue gown to contend with. Even in the mad dash Ned could not help but marvel at his wife's beauty. An older woman for sure, not the young flowers dancing around the castle that so many credit as beautiful but hers was a beauty that came with time, history and love between two souls.

Both parents had a child in tow, Eddard rushed with Bran holding the boy by the hand while Catelyn did the same with the couples youngest Rickon. Arya ran ahead, darting from cover to cover playing that she was an assassin on a mission despite her mothers scoldings to come back by their side. The Snow family was incredibly late to the feast thanks in large part due to that same little girl. She and her brother had gotten into a fight resulting in Bran being tossed in the mud. In return Bran threw mud at his sister resulting in both of them needing to be washed and changed last minute. So now they ran, the whole family minus Robb who was already in attendance escorting a princess on his arm.

Arya could not care less about the feast, being late, any of it. She was on assignment, hired by her king to slay an evil wizard. She crept through the darkness, ready to skewer her target with her imaginary dagger. She turned back to see her family rushing after her but her eyes only saw the warlock's zombie guards coming to consume her flesh. She darted forward, ready to break into a mad dash to flee the undead horde when she ran into a wall of muscle.

She bounced back and looked up to see a giant. His dark eyes looking down at her curiously. His body, larger than any man's she'd ever seen. He wore no armor or jerkin which she'd found odd. Instead his shoulders and chest had blue stripes on them that made him kind of look like a tiger. He had long, long hair that was braided down his back. Arya had never seen a man with hair that long before.

"Are you a giant?"

She asked boldly.

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Jinn arched an eyebrow at the curious young girl looking up at him.

"What?"

He asked, as if unsure he'd heard her correctly. The girl put her hand on her hip with sass far beyond her years.

"A giant, you do know what a giant is don't you?"

Jinn could not help but smirk.

"I do."

"So.... are you?"

She asked again, unphased by the mountain of a man before her.

"Not that I know of."

Jinn replied. The little girl just grunted under her breath as she shrugged her shoulders.

"You look like one."

The Khal chuckled as he looked down at the brazen little child just as the child's parents came rushing up. A pale older man and his wife, both pale of skin and lacking the look of the locals. He wore dark colors and had a closely shaved beard that was dotted with white, showing his age. He grabbed hold of the girl and pulled her back, pushing her to her mother who promptly scolded her.

"My apologies Khal Jinn, my daughter can be a bit forward."

He said in breathless apology. Jinn waved the apology away with a smile.

"No need, your young one was just curious whether or not I was a giant."

Lord Snow sighed with a laugh and turned to look back at Arya who just shrugged at him as if to ask 'what?' Eddard turned back around to offer his hand to the Khal in respect.

"Lord Eddard Snow."

Jinn shook the man's hand firmly as the name rung out in his mind with familiarity.

"Snow? I've heard the name before."

"My father was to be king once. Fought a war and everything. Except he lost."

Arya offered smartly. Her mother promptly pinched her elbow silencing her. Eddard sighed and nodded to the Khal confirming his daughters words. Jinn nodded in recollection as the tale of the fabled King of the South began to flood into his mind. The honorable king of the wolves had been the first legitimate chance of a unified South Pacific in centuries yet from the legend the King of the South was defeated not by blade but by pen, he'd lost his kingdom due to the corruption of the nobility. Something Jinn did not allow to happen when he conquered the kingdom years later for honeyed words mean little when the fire rises.

"The King of the South. I know your tale well, do you know they have a song about you?"

Eddard just shook his head in embarrassment.

"I'm sure it's not very good."

The two men shared a short laugh before Eddard beckoned to his wife.

"Apologies, this is my wife Catelyn..."

The woman, red of hair curtsied regally to the Khal who nodded respectfully.

"My youngest Rickon, then Bran.... and you've met Arya."

Arya smirked boldly as her father said her name. Jinn only smiled and gave her a firm nod.

"Three children? You don't make it easy on yourself Lord Snow."

"Four actually, my eldest is around here somewhere. And no I don't."

The adults all shared a short laugh as the sounds and smells from the dinning hall reached them.

"It looks like the feast is beginning husband."

Catelyn said, obvious she still felt ashamed they were so late.

"Walk with me then, I'm sure you're queen will forgive you if you were only entertaining her guests."

Jinn offered. Eddard smiled and nodded.

"I'm sure she would, it would be an honor Khal."

Jinn turned and lead the family into the feasting hall where Dothraki and noble alike had already began pouring in to the delictable feast where every delight imaginable could be found. Roast boar and venison, quail and duck, poached salmon, trout and swordfish were all laid out spectacularly. Wines, ales and mead of every kind were set up in great kegs with mugs nearby for easy access to the swill. Then finally there was what the Snow children had their eye on, the deserts. Sweet cakes and pies, creme delights and sugar coated chilled fruits. Truly this was a feast of special magnificence. The two men continued to talk casually as they walked into the hall, Jinn was fast beginning to take a liking to this older man from his home land.

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The first of the Snow children walked now beside the princess from Anansai. The battle still fresh in his mind, he wondered how he'd fare against the beast of a man from the west. Yet the beauty at his side took his mind from the beast. He looked at her and noticed her eyes were out of focus as if she was drifting away. He nudged her gently and gave her a soft smile as the pair slowly made their way towards the feasting hall.

"Is everything well princess? You seem troubled."

Amelia now stood within the large dining hall as she and the knights of the Queensguard helped to seat people as quickly as possible so that the food could be brought out. The Silver Queen hadn't eaten anything all day and was famished so she was more than ready to get the feasting underway. She assumed that most of her guests had been seated seeing as the seats were really filling up in the hall. She instructed the knights of the Queensguard to go take their seats as it was always time for the food to be served.

She was starting to think that none of the Snow family members would be in attendance when she spotted Robb with the Princess that had come with Khal Jinn linked together. There was a unusual look plastered on Robb's face that told her that something was going on there but she didn't have to the time to figure that out now. Both the Khal and the other foreigners that had come with him would be leaving the day after the feast so she was not concerned about it. Amelia was fine with the knight associating the royal just as long as Robb did nothing to upset the Princess or anything of that nature. With the Khal resigning his support to the Drake King she didn't want any other nations having a reason to fill the now vacant slot.

When Khal Jinn entered the dining hall she was surprised and yet happy to see the other members of the Snow family walking along with him. "Aunt Catelyn!" Amelia said happy when she came into arms reach and she could embrace her aunt who she hadn't seen in far to long. While her uncle Ned did keep her informed and up to date on the family and the shenanigans of the kids it did not compare to actually being with them. As the embrace fell she smiled "It has been far to long since the last time I've seen you all." Shifting her gaze to look at Lord Eddard, "Better late than never." she said with a lighthearted head shake and eye roll of disapproval. The Snow family was a pretty large family and she understood especially giving the rowdiness of the Snow children how it could take a while for them to get ready.

"We should all get to our seats as am sure people are more than ready for the feast to commence." Amelia herself was more than ready to eat for she feared if she didn't eat something soon people would be able to hear the rumbling coming from her empty stomach. She lead the way to the table reserved for the Khal and Queen, members of the Dothraki such as Qotho and there was room for the Snow family at the table. Taking her seat at the center of the table she ordered for the food to be served and the servants came out and started carving the meat and doing other such task.

Robb nodded slowly with an understanding that only came from experience. He knew all too well the stinging bite of longing for home. Robb had only been a boy when he left the cold south of the South Pacific. Fleeing for their lives and seeking a better future across the sea the entire Snow family had been uprooted and moved. Yet it was Robb who remembered, the only Snow child who did remember.

"Ah yes... I feel for you princess. I know the pain well. I left home when I was very young and came to this place. My siblings grew up here so they don't know anything else but me?..Oh I remember home just fine. I miss it."

Then he turned to Tenanye and gave her a reassuring smile as the two entered the dining hall.

"But you, you shall see home again. Fret not my lady."

As the pair entered the feast delicacies of every kind were being brought out to the hungry patrons that were now filling the hall. Attendants quickly collected Robb and Tenanye and brought them to the long head table where the Snow family was seated along with one or two of the Dothraki, their Khal and the Queen whom were seated next to each other. Robb greeted his mother, kissed his sisters and tousled the hair of his younger brothers before taking his seat.

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Eddard and the family began to bow as the Queen approached but quickly stopped as Amelia embraced Catelyn. Eddard could not help but chuckle warmly, she was not one for formalities when it came to the family. It did make him happy to see her so relaxed, the worries of rule seemed to be lifted, even if it was just for a night. Eddard's eyes flicked to the massive Khal Jinn standing beside him who seemed uncharacteristically tired. He had not had a chance to ask him how the conversation between him and his Queen had gone but if Amelia was in this good of a mood he assumed it went well.

Dare he give into hope and think that Jinn had changed his mind? The fearsome ruler of the west, brought to mercy by the Silver Queen? This Jinn was unlike any ruler Eddard had ever met. Truly a mystery, a man of many natures. Savage yet kind, fearsome yet noble. If Eddard's guess was right then Khal Jinn had earned Eddard Snow's respect for certain.

The family was led to their seats as the food was brought out and it was there they were reunited with their eldest son, Robb who came in with the princess from Anansai on his arm. Eddard smiled and greeted his son before taking his seat. The feast was about to begin.

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Jinn watched as the moon Queen approached, a smile that could shine out the sun on her face. She truly was a beautiful creature. She hugged Lord Snow's wife before taking a moment to playfully chide the Lord himself. Jinn caught himself staring at her and had to blink and turn away to collect himself. He growled under his breath as he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. To anyone watching it would have appeared as nothing more than tiredness plaguing the Khal.

The Queen then led them all to the head table that overlooked the entire feast. Here the entire Snow family had seats along with some of Jinn's top riders. Qotho was there enjoying the fine honeyed wine as the food was brought to him. Jinn passed by and was brought to the seat directly beside the Queen and the two were seated. Jinn grunted as he shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He would have much rather preferred eating alone at the moment, in the darkness of a quiet room where he could think in peace. A trait he'd picked up from prison and never been able to shake. He felt the most comfortable in the dark, in his domain. For the shadows belonged to him.

Now he sat in all the brightness and light of a land not his own, with people not his own and all the while a vision of beauty sat beside him whose emerald eyes seemed to entrance him so. Jinn turned his head to look upon her. The one that fire did not touch was seated beside him, the key to his destiny. The one person he'd spent his life searching for and here she was. Yet now that he'd found her he had not the slightest notion of what to do. The whole business was beginning to wear on Jinn's nerves. Simply returning home tomorrow did not feel like the correct course of action, it felt like abandoning what he'd found yet warring with her was not the option either.

Jinn sighed and put his elbow on the table as he rubbed his temples middle finger and thumb in frustration. He was so lost yet he saw not the path to travel to find the light again. So wrapped up in his minds turning Jinn did not even notice the food that was placed before him.