the-alys-karstark:
Alys remained silent, observing Ygritte’s every move. Se was confused and scared. She wondered what the wildling might do or want with her. She doubted that she had helped her by pure kindness, she must be wanting something in return. Everything came with a price and she was afraid by the one she might have to pay. Surely it wouldn’t be golden dragons, she had heard that her folk wasn’t interested in money.
She watched her take care of the rabbit, a disgusted look on her face. She had never done such a thing or witness it, back at Karhold she had servants who would do the cooking. She might be disgusted but her stomach growled loudly, remembering her how hungry she was. She couldn’t recall the last time she had eaten and now that the rabbit was roasting over the fire, it produced the most marvellous smell. She could feel her mouth water and prayed that the redhead woman would let her have a bite of it.
Alys face froze in pure terror and she tried to stand up but she was too weak for that. Her head was spinning, her vision blurred and she fell back on her behind with a loud pop. She couldn’t escape, she would die north of the Wall, eaten by some savages and Arnolf would have won. He would be Lord of Karhold, it was over. When she understood that the other woman had only be messing with her, she felt very stupid and her face flushed in embarrassment. The more the wildling talked, the more ashamed she felt. That woman had saved her life and hadn’t threatening her in the slightest since her waking and all she had been repaid with had been hardly covert insults . Alys had been raised better than that, her attitude had been highly impolite and her septa would be ashamed of her. “I am sorry that was rude of me.” She paused, trying to find the right words. “I thank you for your kindness and I am grateful that you saved my life."
--Ygritte faintly smiled when the girl apologized. That was followed by a slight shake of her head. ❝ No need to fer any o' that. I see where ya could've been confused. I know the stories they tell of us-- and even some of us Wildlin's hold true t' those tales... I jus' ain't one of 'em. Eatin' a livin' man? Killin' for no reason? I don't see anythin' good in that. Ah'm a free woman, and as a free woman I don' have t'do anythin' that I don't want; an' I sure don' want t' eat you when I can hunt perfectly fine and eat one of them there,❞ she said gesturing to the small pile of three or four rabbits she had accumulated and were laying on a piece of cloth next the fire.
The red-haired Wilding stood up and walked over to the fire. She picked up the stick that had the now-cooked rabbit on it and she walked it over to the girl and handed it to her before she wobbled back to the fire to prepare another for herself. Once that was all done, she sat back down and turned to the girl. ❝ 'ave ya ever heard tha tale of Tha Man in tha Moon?❞ she asked, before clearing her throat. Without waiting for an answer, she shakily began to sing,
❝ Man in tha moon, stands an' strides; On his boatfork his burden he bears. It is great wonder that he down does not slide; For fear, lest he fall, he shudders an' veers. When tha frost freezes, much chill he bides. There's no one in tha world who knows 'ow he feels. Where, think ya, has this lad gone? He had set one foot in front'a tha other, In any height 'e's reached, I have neva' seen 'im shaken; He is tha bravest man that was eva' born.❞
She then looked up into the sky, as the daylight was beginning to fade. Her arm extended and she pointed to the moon. ❝ If ya look real closely, ya can kind'a seem 'im.❞ She turned to face the girl. ❝ He's a real strong man, he is. Stayin' up there, day an' night. Even when we can't see 'im, he's there..❞ she stared out into the sky as she added ❝ --watchin' us.❞
She exhaled deeply before standing back up to retrieve her meal from atop the fire. Her behind met the log of wood she had been sitting on once more as she took a bite of her freshly hot meat. She closed her eyes for a moment as she savored the taste before she opened them once more to meet the girl's gaze. ❝ I would ask ya if you were tired, but seein' as how you've been sleeping for such'a long time, I wouldn't dare.❞
