"My honor is my life, both grow in one; Take honor from me and my life is done."

William Shakespeare

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The echo of steps was heard in the halls of the Tower of the Hand as if it were the low rhythm of a distant and forgotten melody. Three figures walked solemnly but with a austere and quiet bearing, the fierceness of the North were engraved on their faces.  The man who was marching on front from the others two kept his expression in a deathly neutrality.  His broad and strong complexion was covered in leather clothes and a long fur cloak was placed on his shoulders with some elegance, worthy of a high lord from the North. His shaved hair on the sides with tattoos replacing the void of hair, only a few braids on the crown falling into a long ponytail was the mark to recognize him. Lord Ragnar Lothbrok of Skagos Island. 

Many whispers about him were carried to other places, about his island; as well of his leadership.  The southerners said the Skagosi were more wilder than the North itself and the northerners maintained a respect for the loyal House Lothbrok. The rumors about their ferocity and a suppose cannibalism were only bedtales to children, so they can behave while the experienced warrior only says something sarcastic and made fun of it. He knows his home, Ragnar drink and blessed the old gods and didn't mind what some dickheads of southerners who ate in their gold dishes could say about him and his people. His eyes, like the blue ocean; watched warily his surroundings. He really hate the south, especially the Capital.

"Ragnar, are you sure the old goat of Twyn will accept the deal ?" Floki questioned, full of incredulity. The northern man wanting to scare those of the Citadel, placed black paint around his eyes to give a more wild aura to his appearance; even though his wife asked him to not do it.

"It's true, Ragnar.  If Lord Stark's daughters don't return, this will tip the scale further. The Young Wolf has almost gathered half of the houses in the north." Torstein seconded the motion, watching cautiously.

"Even I manage to bring the girls to North, war is already at the door. The psychotic twat that will call king started it when he decapitated Ned." Anger invaded him when he remembered reading about his friend's sentence and death, delivered by one of Varys birds. Ragnar's gaze looked emptyly at the hall in front of him.  His thoughts were placed in the last conversation with the man he considered his brother, friend and sword partner.

The evening breeze caressed the silk curtains of the room located in the tower of the king's hand.  Two figures seemed to reflect on the silence until Ned Stark who was standing, looked at his companion and old friend; who made a grumpy sound.

"I keep saying it's a complete stupidity that you want to tell the queen your discovery. I thought better of you, Ned." Ragnar spoke as he brought the glass of wine to his mouth.  His deep blue eyes like the ocean, looked closely to the lord of Winterfell.

"It's not a matter of wanting or not, Ragnar. It is a duty, the kingdom has been deceived and I as the Hand of the King, I must act.  It is a matter of honor." Ned's voice made Ragnar lightly roll his eyes.

"What will your honor do if you end up dead?"

" It's right choice."

"I will tell you what would have been the right choice, Ned.  You should have told to the piece of boar that Robert has become, to put his precious king's hand where the sun would not reach; far in his fat arse. Accepting his order was very stupid.  The men of the north, especially the Starks; don't do very well in the South." He was frustrated. "You didn't think about Catelyn ? Your children ?  Even about the damn North ?"

"Cat will understand and my sons too, they will have to grow up in any moment. Life is tough and besides, the north has survived long before me and will do so much later. I appreciate your concern, my friend but my desicion it's already made."

"Sometimes I would like to punch you."

"I've had that same thought since you convinced me to steal the old Nana's pigeon pie. I still don't forgive you for the good hits she gave us."

"It was a good pie."

"Yes, it was."

Ragnar snorted with a mixture of amusement and frustration, knowing that he could never convince his friend of not commit that big and naive mistake. He was very stubborn.

"Alright, then I will go home. I don't think my poor nose need to suffer more with this awful smell of King's Landing and besides, my wife will put my balls in a stack if I don't come back." Ned just suspire resigned about the vocabulary of his friend.

"Ragnar, I need you to promise me something." the other stop taking his cloak and look at Ned with interrogation.

"About what ?"

"If something bad happen to me here, I need you to take my daughters and bring them home. Not matter the cost, keep them safe. You're the only one I trust for this." Ned was serious and determined but Ragnar was surprised about the request. It felt like the Lord of Winterfell was preparing himself to die very soon. He know they can't trust to anyone, not when the Lannister around.

"What are you talking about, Ned ? Nothing will happen to you." The skagosi tried to put the bad thoughts very far from his reach, but deep down he know. Death is always around. That bitch.

"Death is always around the corner but I need this, Ragnar." Ned spoke like he read the thoughts of his friend. "If Im going to talk to the queen and Robert about this, I need some deliverance that my daughters will be safe if something bad happen here. I don't trust the Lannister, we know that since the last war." Ned words make Ragnar do a despective sound when he heard the lions house.

"I know, I know ..." he mumbled but raise his serious gaze. "I will regret this in some part of my life but ... I swear by the old gods and my ancestors that I will take care of your daughters and take them to north. Not matter the costs." Ragnar swears and feel the weight of the oath in his bones and watch how his friend exhales more calmly.

"Thank you, Ragnar ... Remember, Winter is Coming." Ned extended his right arm

"I know old friend, but Fear Is Our Prey."

He owed it to him, Ragnar Lothbrok might not be as honorable as Ned Stark; but he did honor the promises.  He had history written in blood, along with the guardian family of the North.  He still remembered his father's stern look when he handed him to Rickard Stark, to train him to be his ward. He thought that he would be displaced and rejected outside from his island, but without knowing; he found the warmth and affection of a pack.  A raven raised by wolves.  The proud look of Lord Rickard seeing the progress made by the Lothbrok child, Lady Lyarra's loving smile when she placed a good night kiss.  The teachings of Rodrik and Brandon and the pranks he made in the company of Ned, Benjen and Lyanna. Oh Lyanna, his sweet Lyanna.  Delicate as a winter rose but with the fierceness of a northern wolf.  He smiled with hidden nostalgia as he remembered the passing crush he had about her, until he realized that family ties burned more than any fire. The Dorne's bitter memory wasn't the only thing that stalked him in his nightmares. The secrets too. Narrowing his eyes with resolution, he kept walking. He must fulfill his oath. The dead needs to rest. Only a few minutes walking through the hall when they reached their goal. Two guards clothed with their golden armors, were posted beside each side of the door. Ragnar listened the amused sound made by Floki. Making a slight smirk, he hope to find trouble when he finish to talk with the goat of Twyn.

"Hello, boys. I have something to discuss with Lord Twyn." his word sound sarcastically fluided but he don't care. He will not bow to a lion, at final; ravens eats their meat.

"The King's Hand is waiting for you, Lord Ragnar." one of the guards spoke stoically. Rolling his eyes, Ragnar sigh heavily; looking his two friend with a warning but mocking glare for them to behave, he opened the door. The room that was previously of his friend, now looked totally different.  A lion had claimed the territory.  Green eyes fixed on him and the Lord of Kattegat wanted to snort with mockery.

"Regards, Twyn ..."

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Finally !!!!!! I finish this ... I will crawl to my corner and die.

Forgive any mistakes in the grammatic.

I hope you have like it and please, leave your love.

Chao