_____ ❞ No worries, lady. ❞ Finan stood up to retrieve the long knife from his saddle bag. He put it into her extended hand, so she could test weight. ❞ Those days are long behind me. I'm a honest man now, loyal to me partner. I swear. ❞ He smiled sincerely.

____ ❞ I can give you a knife. ❞ Finan looked at her. ❞ If you don't plan to stab me in my sleep. ❞

___ ❞ They look like big wolves, lots of fur and teeth. Sihtric almost shat himself when that thing came out of the woods.❞ Finan laughed again. ❞ But they're like dogs. If you raise them since they're puppies, they'll be loyal to you. . . that one we had to kill though."

____ ❞ That surely is a funny sight.❞ Finan leaned back a little to sit more comfortably. ❞ No I have never seen a dragon. The Iron Islands are quite remote and there are no dragons in the North either. I've seen a direwolf though.❞ He grinned at the memory.

___ ❞ You're so small. How do you get on a dragon? ❞ Finan poked the fire with a stick to keep it alive. He felt the eyes of the woman on him. In moments like this he missed Sihtric even more; he was usually the one to attract the eyes of women—not Finan.

___ Finan set to build a small fire next to a fallen tree where he laid out his fur. ❞ That's a mighty name. I've heard of dragons but never seen one me entire life. Why choose a horse if ye could fly? ❞ He patted the spot next to himself on the fur, so the lady could sit there.

______ ❞ If that Stark does not have my. . .𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹, I will be very displeased. ❞

❞ That woman was beautiful... and they rarely are in the North. ❞ Finan fell silent for a moment. That woman Uhtred was helping could very well be the lady's mother. If so, then it could bring them trouble for their journey to Winterfell. Not that Uhtred ever had cared about a Stark's opinion.

_____ ❞ My my, ye have eager thirst today, lord. ❞ 》 Finan laughed again, taking a sip of his own ale. 《 ❞ What has you so riled up? ❞

____ Finan eyes the king for a moment. He knew that Aethelstan was hiding something. "The baby monk went with Sihtric earlier this day... maybe they're ogling women ate the alehouse." Finan shrugged, trying to seem indifferent at the thought of that. "Why???"

____ ❞ I cannot deny the king his pleasantries, can i? ❞ 》 Finan chuckled amused and pointed at the seat across from him. He was alone at the table; his usual companions no where to be seen. 《

____ ❞ Another day, another opportunity to drink. ❞

____ ❞ He is. ❞ Finan didn't have to think long about this. ❞ He saved my life and doesn't care where I come from. If it was your mother we met earlier, you can be certain that Uhtred is helping her. ❞

_____ ❞ Don't say more, fair lady. My sword is yours ❞ He helped her up her horse. But before he climbed into his own saddle, he looked around over his shoulder. ((Should he be leaving without a word's notice to Uhtred?))

_____ 》Showed her his sword 《 ❞ I am a warrior if that pleases you. ❞ 》 He said it with a grin and flexed his muscles as if trying to prove his point. 《

⠀ ◜⟣𓂃 𝓣𝙷𝙸𝓢 𝐕𝓘𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚂 𝓛𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝓐𝓢𝐇𝐄𝓢 ‧ ✧ ◞ ⠀

︡ 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓬𝓮

_____ ❞ Let me think. The port shouldn't be too far, maybe a day's ride? ❞ I took a bite of his own bread. ❞ And I am no Lord. not anymore. Call me Finan. ❞ He tried to give her his friendliest smile.

_____ He retracted his hand and offered her another piece of his food. ❞ My brother accused me of treason and he sensed an opportunity to get rid of me without murdering me. That's how Uhtred found me. And saved me. He doesn't care for bloodlines. ❞ He hoped the story would reassure her a little.

_____ Finan could only watch her, unsure what to do. He remembered Osferth when they first met him, skittish and scared just like the young lady. He reached out to carefully place a hand on her shoulder. ❞ Please don't cry. I'm just like ya—in enemy territory. I am ironborn, ya see❞

ᅠᅠᅠᅠ ᅠᅠᅠᅠ

______ Finan furrowed his eyebrows at the uneasiness of the woman. He was largely aware of the ongoing conflict down in the South, but his Uhtred had avoided most of it; even considering to ignore the call to arms of House Stark. ❞ I mean no harm, my lady. ❞

_____ ❞ Fret not, dear lady. My Lord is not the most agreeable man with Lord Stark. ❞ He thought for a moment about the woman they had encountered earlier, the one Uhtred was helping right now. ❞ Say, does your mother have your hair and eyes? ❞

_____ ❞ I get good ale, a soft bed and I am not freezing my balls off. It's not bad here, my lady. ❞

⸻ 𝗝𝗮𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳 𝗔𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗜 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗲𝗻.

_____ I need a drink

༒︎ 𝐒𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐭𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫

_____ ❞ Aside from the shit and the piss? The people talk funny here, much different than on the Iron Islands. ❞

_____ ❞ I am not knight, my lady. No need to call me ser.❞ 》 He gave her a wink. 《

____ 》 He huffed. Amused. 《 ❞ I was once. It's long time ago when someone last called me a lord. Now I am a sworn sword, nothing more. ❞

____ 》 He grinned《 ❞ Call me Finan, Lady Ren. ❞ 》 He attempted a curtsy bow and looked rather stiff, not used to the polite gestures 《

____ ❞ I was given leave by my Lord to see the city while peace lasts. ❞

_____ ❞ I'm no knight or ser, just an outcast. ❞ 》 He chuckled 《 ❞ What does my aura tell you ? ❞ 》 He quickly looks behind himself before returning his gaze to the strange woman. 《

____ ❞ I hope your night was just as restful, fair lady. ❞

"Nenyë." twin sister of Legolas daughter of Thranduil OC crafted for the LOTR verse and crossovers into the #TARDIS

_____ Cursed you say, yet you're here. What are you doing so far form your sheltered home? ""

___ 》 Finan took a step back under the stare of the woman 《 ❞ Can I help you ? ❞

____ I have not seen her yet; I have not left the North in ages it feels like.

______ Finan looked at the young king, barely a man. In the low morning sun, shivering from the cold of the night, he looked still like a boy. Finan did not envy him for the heavy burdens on his shoulders. "Nightmares still? Ya wanna talk about it?"

____ "It is true. I serve no one but my Lord. He is of House Vettr from Sea Dragon Point, they're vassals to House Stark... though, my lord is not quite agreeable with Lord Stark most of the time." Finan's face twisted into a grimace at the memory of Uhtred's last dispute with Lord Stark.

______ You come to the North and wonder?

____ It is indeed, my lady. The flowers could rival your beauty.

____ Finan regarded her for a moment before he put away his sword. " Then I shall wait with you until my lord returns. " He stood up to fetch a waterskin from his horse. " My lord is down the road, helping a woman. With luck it is your mother; she was as pretty as you, at least. "

"I don't need your help!" a blind witch from A Discovery of Witches sees folks via their energy/magic weaver - maker of spells fiercely independent sassy into the #TARDIS

____ I am all fine. where does your road lead you today?

____ Good lady, how fare you?

____ My god is of no concern to you, ρɾɩᥒᥴᥱ. Besides, I am of the North now. You wish to challenge me?

______ The night has been oddly calm. Good Morrow!