memshare | Father's watching

[king_inthenorth]

[The memory being broadcast.

The memory is in the courtyard of a stone keep, still surrounded by green and not yet covered by the snow of the coming winter. Jon stands in the courtyard with two of his brothers, Robb and Bran. Bran is practicing his archery. "Father's watching. And your mother," Jon tells him.

Bran's shot goes wide, which prompts laughter from Robb and Jon.

"And which one of you was a marksman at ten?" This from their father.

Some advice from them this time -- not to think too hard from Jon, and to relax his bow arm from Robb -- and this time there's an arrow hitting the center of the target. Only it wasn't fired by Bran; it was their sister Arya who hit the target. This gets more laughter from Robb and Jon as Bran chases Arya.

As their father leaves to tend to some business, Robb collects stray arrows, and Jon returns the arrows to where they belong, the memory ends with Jon looking up to see his father's wife staring down at him.

Comments

[king_inthenorth]

It's not that big. It's bigger than some, but there are plenty that are bigger.

[The bigger the family, the more potential heirs there are.]

[unknownmoirai]

I don't have a very big family. It's just me and my sister and... it's complicated.

[Maria hates her.]

Do you mind telling me more about your family? I'd love to hear about them.

[king_inthenorth]

I don't think complicated is that uncommon.

I don't know where to start. A few days after that, Bran fell from the tower and now he'll never walk again. Robb and Rickon are both dead now.

[He hadn't been able to save Rickon.]

Father and Lady Stark, too. I don't even know where Arya was during the years she we were apart, and Sansa's story is hers to tell.

[unknownmoirai]

[Her lips tug into a frown.]

Oh. I'm so sorry Jon. I hadn't realized they were dead...

You don't need to talk about them if you don't want too.

I'm sorry.

[king_inthenorth]

There's hardly a family who hasn't lost someone. Or everyone, in some cases. Bran's the last of the male line of the Starks, and he can't have children.

I wouldn't be surprised if Arya is better with a sword than I am by now.

[unknownmoirai]

I don't know a lot about family. I'm not sure I've really had one or... not those of a blood relation. [The social structure of her home world makes it difficult for her to explain or understand but she knows how much it hurts to lose someone you love.]

Your family, they sound amazing.

And... it's probably silly but, I believe that in our memories, the people we love become immortal. The love we feel for them, will never die.

[king_inthenorth]

Family doesn't have to be blood. When a man joins the Night's Watch, he renounces his previous family and any claims he may have, and the men of the Watch become his brothers.

[It might not be the best example. Those brothers had turned on him.]

I can't say it was perfect, but we had a lot of good moments.

[unknownmoirai]

Oh?

What is the nights watch? I don't thin I've heard of anything like that.

[king_inthenorth]

The watchers on the Wall. The last defense between the lands of Westeros and the threat that lies on the other side of the Wall. We watch, and we wait, and hopefully we save all of Westeros before it's too late.

[unknownmoirai]

That's very admirable of you. It sounds like a very dangerous job.

[She smiles.]

You are a good man.

[king_inthenorth]

It is.

[It killed him once already, and there's a good chance it will again, if he can't get any help in fighting the Night King and his wights. Even if he doesn't consider himself a brother of the Night's Watch anymore.]

My father was. I suppose I was bound to be too.

[unknownmoirai]

Oh? I never met my father.

What was your father like? Did he protect others like you?

[king_inthenorth]

He did. The Lord of Winterfell is the Warden of the North.

[Which he supposes he is now too, for as long as he remains the King in the North, anyway, which from what Sansa told him apparently won't be much longer.]

He was an honorable man. One of the few I've met.

[unknownmoirai]

I wish I could have met him.

[She smiles.]

I think I would have liked him very much.

[king_inthenorth]

People show up here sometimes, right? Like we did. Maybe he'll be one of them.

[unknownmoirai]

Yes! I hope so.

[This place isn't ideal but it isn't awful either and Jon deserves to have his family with him.]

[king_inthenorth]

I would like to see him again.

[He has some Things to talk to Ned about.]

[unknownmoirai]

Would you introduce me to him?

[king_inthenorth]

Of course. Why wouldn't I?

[unknownmoirai]

Well, in case you wanted to keep him all to yourself I suppose but... [She thoughtfully muses.] -that doesn't make much sense, does it?

I'd be excited to meet your father.

[king_inthenorth]

[So would he.]

Here's to hoping then.

[unknownmoirai]

Yes.

I suppose I've taken up enough of your time. Thank you for speaking with me though.

[king_inthenorth]

I was glad to do it.

[unknownmoirai]

Me too.

Until later Jon.

[After a brief pause she hangs up and is left with the solidarity of her thoughts.]