Chapter 40 — "The Wolf and The Prince"
The morning was cold and clear in the way of norththat had decided to remind everyone what was coming.
Alaric found Jon in the yard with Ghost.
The white direwolf was the size of a small dog still but carrying itself with the specific self-possession of something that knew exactly what it was going to become and was patient about the process. It sat beside Jon with the stillness of a creature that had found its person and considered the matter settled.
The other pups were nearby — Grey Wind chasing something near the stables that didn't want to be caught, Nymeria sitting with Arya who was sitting on a fence post, Summer beside Bran, Shaggydog living up to his name near the kitchen entrance doing something that was going to cause problems shortly.
Lady was with Sansa somewhere inside. Indoors suited Lady.
Alaric sat beside Jon on the bench.
"So it was really the truth and not some stories made by drunken men," he said. Obviously suprised seeing the Direwolves in front of his eyes
Jon looked at him and laughed at Alacric for looking like a child showing excitement of a 4 year old
"The letters didn't mention direwolves," Alaric said ignoring Jon laugh.
"It happened after the last letter," Jon said clarifying. He paused. "We rode out for the deserter's execution. We found them afterwards a mother direwolf, dead but left Six pups. ."
Alacric nodded "Six huh. Seven present in South of the Wall. That's really a miracle"
"Aye," Jon confirmed. "Which shouldn't happen. Direwolves haven't been seen this far south in two hundred years." He looked at Ghost. "Father wanted to leave them. I argued for keeping them. Five Stark children, five pups. It seemed — significant."
"You said six," Alaric said.
"There were six, one was hiding at that time, runt of the litter Ghost." Jon said looking at Ghost.
He said it simply. The sixth pup's story in those words.
Alaric looked at Ghost.
Ghost looked back at him with the red eyes that says something. As if he remembering something.
"Actually there are seven South of the Wall," Jon said.
Alaric looked at him.
"Not from the litter," Jon said. "Or — we don't know. It was there when we found the body. Older than the others. Not by much but enough to notice." He paused. "It wouldn't come near anyone. Wouldn't stay inside the castle. We've seen it three or four times since — it comes back to be near the pups and then disappears again." He looked toward the inner wall. "Father thinks it's just a wild wolf that happened to be nearby when the mother died. Robb thinks it's from an earlier litter."
"What do you think," Alaric said.
"I think it it's big brother of the pups," Jon said. "And I think it'll make up its mind eventually. Especially with you here."
Alacric looked at him like what do you mean.
Jon shrugged" I don't think it's a coincidence that's it. I think that is for you."
Alacric laughed at him . "You are thinking too much." Didn't believing this. Although secretly wanting a Direwolf for himself. As it would be proof and pride of Stark blood running in his veins .
But Jon words came true sooner than later.
It appeared an hour later to check on the pups.
Runt Moving along the inner wall with the careful unhurried movement of an animal that had been here before and knew the ground and was not particularly concerned about the people on it.
Larger than the pups. Darker — grey with something almost black along the spine. Moving with the specific ease of something that had been living by its own judgment for a while and had developed confidence in that judgment.
The pups reacted immediately — Grey Wind abandoning whatever he had been chasing, Nymeria off the fence, Shaggydog materialising from wherever Shaggydog had been. The reunion of siblings who had been separated — chaotic, physical, completely genuine.
The grey wolf moved through it with the patient tolerance of an older sibling who found the enthusiasm a bit much but wasn't going to say so.
Alaric watched from the bench , really watching the wolf . Feeling something.
The wolf's path through the reuniting pups brought it across the yard.
It stopped.
Looked at Alaric.
Alaric looked back.
He didn't move toward it. Didn't make a sound. Just looked at it with the same quality of attention he gave everything
The wolf took three steps toward him.
Stopped again.
Looked at him.
Took the remaining steps.
Sat beside the bench.
Jon watched this from across the yard without speaking and laughed." I said so brother."
Alacric shook his head not believing the situation. But as he started going close to it.
The wolf ran away. With a grin on his face as if mocking Alacric. Leaving him flabbergasted.
Jon on the side immediately shoots into laughter. " Looks it didn't like you brother." Obviously japing and mocking Alacric.
Alacric sighs " Fuck you, you little cunt. " Both to Jon and Wolf .
When this was happening. One more person was there noticing the situation Prince Jofferey Baratheon.
He was arrogant and full of confidence with the Infamous Hound behind him.
Prince Jofferey saw the Direwolves and they immediately attracted him especially the biggest one.
He saw the wolf beside Alaric's bench immediately.
His eyes moved to the Hound.
"Dog go and bring me that Wolf. I will tame it, bring me the biggest one. Maybe I would use it in my hunts." Joffrey said with arrogance.
The Hound looked at the wolf. At the yard. At the four direwolf pups who had enjoying their reunion and understand the relevance of them for the Starks
"Your Grace," the Hound take a pause of a man assessing the situation and finding it more complicated than the order assumed knowing it would led to annoying situations.
"I said take it," Joffrey said.
Hound sighs and shrugged. Gone to follow the orders of the Prince.
Hound gone to pick up the wolf .
Alacric and Jon saw this and immediately stood up to intervene.
Alacric" Back off Hound " Alacric spoke with authority."
Hound heard it and saw Alacric shouting at him ." Snow , it's the Prince's orders. He wants the wolf."
Alacric annoyed " It's not a simple wolf you fool. It's a Direwolf. It's the symbol for the Starks be careful unless " he left it incomplete.
At Robb Stark standing twenty feet away who is coming here relaxed but saw the confrontation.
"That's not a good idea," Robb muttered.
Joffrey looked at him.
Robb looked back with the level gaze of a fifteen year old lord on his own ground who had decided exactly where he stood on this and was not moving.
"These are direwolves Ser," Jon said to the Hound. Quiet. From the other side of the yard. "They don't take well to being handled by people they don't know."
Robb comes and intervenes with his authority as a Hier of the Castle they all are standing in " What's the matter here. "
Hound annoyed spoke " Prince wants the wolf and I am going to take it. But Bastards are getting in my way "
Robb glares at the Hound . Alacric also clutched his sword for the worst.
Robb trying to control the situation." Ser, I don't think it's an appropriate. We don't take this lightly."
Jofferey is now annoyed at them and himself comes closer and shouted " What's the matter dog. Why are you not taking it."
But Instead of the Hound , Robb spoke " Your Grace , It's not a right decision to take . It's disrespectful to the Starks . "
But Jofferey didn't let Robb complete "It's an animal, i am your Prince and you will obey it. You understand. Now give me that damm pup" Joffrey shouted.
Annoying the hell out of everyone but everyone kept quiet out of respect for Royal family.
Robb tries to pacify the situation" Your Grace, Direwolves are pride and family to the Starks . So please try to understand the situation here. "
Jofferey annoyed and more arrogantly spoke and pulled his sword " Hound take the wolf . I had enough of the disrespect shown for me and my royal blood."
Alacric listening to this bullshit almost lose his temper with sword in his hands, just any more and he will cut the prince even if he had to die after.
Listening to the threat Ghost had appeared from somewhere and was sitting near Jon.
Grey Wind was beside Robb.
The grey wolf beside Alaric's. He is looking very dangerous right now as if looking for a pretty.
The Hound looked at the assembled direwolves and the assembled Stark children and made the quiet professional assessment of a man who had been in difficult situations.
He did not move toward the wolf.
The Direwolves snarled at the Royal prince and his party
Joffrey looked at the yard and now feeling scared.
Direwolves snarled at the prince Scaring him and almost jumped at him . Atleast made a motion for it.
It scared the shit out of Prince who started running away.
"This isn't finished," Joffrey shouting as he run.
Hound sighs and started Following the Royal Prince.
Robb sighs " Fuck, i need to talk to Father about this. "
Alacric smiles and trying to control himself to not to burst his anger. But Grey Wolf came started rubbing onto Alacric leg calming him.