04-19-2015, 01:49 PM
The concrete wall of his cell was beginning to become a bit of a boring sight for Jon.
His gaze hadn't moved from it since he'd made the conscious decision to give up bashing against his cell door. He'd layed down, but sleep was something that he refused quite outright. His pallid, droopy eyes did not flinch away from the spot on the wall he'd chosen to glare at all night. He'd stayed in the same position on the bed, mostly, with his back turned to the cell door and arms hugging around his chest, his head resting against the thin, uncomfortable pillow they'd so graciously provided for him.
"Almost three-thousand of the North's men were at that wedding... and not one could save my brother" Jon mumbled to himself as a bitter reminder. He'd heard the tales of what they'd done to Robb far too many times for his liking, and now he remembered them. Roose Bolton had plunged a dagger in his heart, and when the deed was done, they'd decaptitated his brothers corpse and stitched the head of his direwolf to his lifeless, sunken body. Then they'd paraded him around the Twins on horseback, calling for all the people to see their king. "The King in the North!" they yelled, over and over as they pulled him along the streets. What a mockery.
Jon had felt only hatred toward the men who'd failed to rescue him from the clutches of death and betrayal, until Jon realised that he was just as guilty as any bannerman of House Stark. Where was he when Robb was off fighting for the North's freedom? Beyond the Wall, a world apart. He had done his duty to the Watch and his sworn brothers by not breaking his vows and running off down South. But in that same sense he'd betrayed his blood family. If he was there, Jon questioned himself, could he have saved his half-brothers life?
When you join the Nights Watch, you leave your old family behind, and make a new one... Jon remembered. His uncle Benjen had first told him this when he'd rode south for the feast at Winterfell, held in celebration for the king and his family visting the North's capital. Jon hadn't believed his uncles words at first. When he first arrived at Castle Black, his fellow recruits were more intent on beating him bloody in the training yard than actually learning how to swing a sword and what stance one should hold when fighting. But Jon eventually decided that it was better to stand with his future brothers than against them, and when the time came for him to take his oaths and become a man of the Nights Watch, Jon found a place of acceptance amongst his sworn brothers which he had never truly back at Winterfell.
Jon Snow's true place was at the Wall, there was no denying that fact. As a bastard, he could never be a piece nor a player in the endless cycle of politics and shifts of power. His life and wellbeing was of little significance to the high, proud and might lords of Westeros. He was forever condemned to be an outsider, and the Wall was the only place that would take him in a more or less of an equal. He remembered why he had chosen to take the black in the first place - to win himself a shred of glory, and exert his skills as a leader and martial commander. He felt content knowing he had achieved that much.
Jon smiled slightly as his doubts and anxieties were put at ease...
Only to snap back to reality as the quiet sounds of footsteps became audible, coming from outside his cell...
"Get it open" a grizzly and somewhat familiar voice commanded. In a few moments, the cell doors parted, a red-helmed man entering. One Stormtrooper flanked his side, and the other stood vigil outside, armed and alert. Jon spun around and sat up on the bed, facing those who entered...
Jon gulped, recognising the helmed man in an instant. DREDD.
"Ser..." Jon addressed the Judge, biting down hard on his lower lip as he glanced away. This prompted a snigger from the Stormtrooper at his side. "You'll address the Judge by his proper title." he spoke up. This caused Jon's rather neutral expression to drop, as he shot a glare toward the soldier. "It's quite alright..." the Judge lamented in response, Jon's brow perking upward at his calmness. Dredd turned his head to look at the trooper next to him. "Wait outside" he ordered in a notably firmer tone. "Hrmmph..." the trooper grunted in response, turning around and taking himself out at the Judges' whim.
The Judge waited until the Stormtrooper was gone before talking to Jon again. "Sleep well?" he inquired. Jon's eyes narrowed. He didn't even respond, rather just stared at him, letting the dark, heavy bags under his eyes answer for him. Had the Judge really come to him to make small talk?
"Do you want me to explain all that happened, or would you grant me back my weapons so that I may leave?" Jon inquired in a monotone, dull voice. "We're already aware of what happened" the Judge retorted, taking a few small steps closer to Jon. "We've spoke with the other two we caught already. A child was in danger, and you stepped in to help." Dredd continued and concluded. Jon's eyes widened a tad at that. Crona... was he alive?
The Judge must have noted Jon's slight change in expression, for his shifted a bit in a similar fashion, lips twisting and curling. "The charges of assault and battery, destruction of property and disturbing the peace are on you, all the same... he sighed. Jon looked away, still not breathing a word.
"What is your name?" the Judge finally asked. Jon brought his gaze up to meet with his, though it was hard to tell where he was truly looking due to the helm he adorned. He was cautious of giving the man his identity, but denying him would do him little justice is presenting his case, either. "Jon Snow..." he answered quickly. "Jon... Snow..." Dredd repeated the name he had just given out, letting the sound of it roll on the tip of his tongue. "Well hear me out, Jon Snow, will you?" he asked. Jon's brow raised slightly. "I'm listening" Jon affirmed. The Judges' question was clearly a rhetorical one, as Jon obviously didn't have much of a choice but to listen to him, but Jon felt the need to say it, still.
The Judge gave a single nod, drawing a sharp breath inward before beginning his speech. "I'd like to consider myself a fair and just man, Jon Snow. My role here is to merely make sure the law is upheld and adhered to, not to brutalise criminals or kick beat dogs" Dredd began to pace slightly as he spoke. Jon watched him all the while, listening intently to what he had to say.
"I can give you two options here, I can work with both" Dredd's pacing ceased, gazing through his helmet at Jon. "The first is that we release you, and restore you with your weapons. My men will guide you down to the lower tiers of the city, where you'll meet with Arnold Hammond, one of my appointed commanders. You'll take orders from him until the debts of your crimes are... repaid in full." Jon squinted. "And the other option?"
The Judge's expression dropped a tad at this, exhaling through his nostrils.
"The second is that you may go, but not without my men giving chase... you might escape the city. Might. That's if you know your way around well enough." the Judge spoke with a blunt harshness and seriousness in his voice. Jon's expression twisted into one of slight fear, eyes snapping wider with concern. "You might even make it to the gate, but you won't go any further than the Nexus. We have men posted just about everywhere. And if they see, then you'd best pray for a quick and clean death..." the seriousness in his voice became more apparent as his drilled on. The Judge let out a sigh, lips curling into a slight frown. "But... that's not what I want, here. You could prove yourself useful to us, Jon Snow. Continue working with us, and your co-operation wouldn't be without self-reward." Jon blinked a few times, studying the Judge well and hard. Perhaps Dredd was right about himself, he did seem a fair and even, to a point, honourable man. The sort Jon could trust.
"I... I understand..." Jon spoke after some contemplating, looking back up at the Judge. "I will not run. I'll complete whatever tasks you set out for me" Jon stated firmly, and with a certain resolute. Dredd let out a slight chuckle at that. "It's not I who'll be deciding what's in store for you. Your co-operation is dutifully noted, still" the Judge nodded, before turning on his heel, heading out.
Before leaving, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder at Jon.
"I'll send some men to retrieve you in due time, but you'll stay here for now. Be ready." he stated before making an exit, the Stormtroopers posted at the door following quickly behind him. The cell doors closed behind they as they went, barring Jon once more on the inside.
Jon just sat mulling on what had momentarily transpired for some brief time, before swinging his legs back up onto the bed, turning his body to face up at the ceiling. He gently closed his eyes, He figured he'd need all the strength he could get for later, so catching up on sleep was probably a better idea than any right now, since he was still locked up in this cell for now.
He would do the Empire's bidding, but only temporarily. The true goal of his stayed at the back of his mind...
He would find a way back home, no matter the cost.
His gaze hadn't moved from it since he'd made the conscious decision to give up bashing against his cell door. He'd layed down, but sleep was something that he refused quite outright. His pallid, droopy eyes did not flinch away from the spot on the wall he'd chosen to glare at all night. He'd stayed in the same position on the bed, mostly, with his back turned to the cell door and arms hugging around his chest, his head resting against the thin, uncomfortable pillow they'd so graciously provided for him.
"Almost three-thousand of the North's men were at that wedding... and not one could save my brother" Jon mumbled to himself as a bitter reminder. He'd heard the tales of what they'd done to Robb far too many times for his liking, and now he remembered them. Roose Bolton had plunged a dagger in his heart, and when the deed was done, they'd decaptitated his brothers corpse and stitched the head of his direwolf to his lifeless, sunken body. Then they'd paraded him around the Twins on horseback, calling for all the people to see their king. "The King in the North!" they yelled, over and over as they pulled him along the streets. What a mockery.
Jon had felt only hatred toward the men who'd failed to rescue him from the clutches of death and betrayal, until Jon realised that he was just as guilty as any bannerman of House Stark. Where was he when Robb was off fighting for the North's freedom? Beyond the Wall, a world apart. He had done his duty to the Watch and his sworn brothers by not breaking his vows and running off down South. But in that same sense he'd betrayed his blood family. If he was there, Jon questioned himself, could he have saved his half-brothers life?
When you join the Nights Watch, you leave your old family behind, and make a new one... Jon remembered. His uncle Benjen had first told him this when he'd rode south for the feast at Winterfell, held in celebration for the king and his family visting the North's capital. Jon hadn't believed his uncles words at first. When he first arrived at Castle Black, his fellow recruits were more intent on beating him bloody in the training yard than actually learning how to swing a sword and what stance one should hold when fighting. But Jon eventually decided that it was better to stand with his future brothers than against them, and when the time came for him to take his oaths and become a man of the Nights Watch, Jon found a place of acceptance amongst his sworn brothers which he had never truly back at Winterfell.
Jon Snow's true place was at the Wall, there was no denying that fact. As a bastard, he could never be a piece nor a player in the endless cycle of politics and shifts of power. His life and wellbeing was of little significance to the high, proud and might lords of Westeros. He was forever condemned to be an outsider, and the Wall was the only place that would take him in a more or less of an equal. He remembered why he had chosen to take the black in the first place - to win himself a shred of glory, and exert his skills as a leader and martial commander. He felt content knowing he had achieved that much.
Jon smiled slightly as his doubts and anxieties were put at ease...
Only to snap back to reality as the quiet sounds of footsteps became audible, coming from outside his cell...
"Get it open" a grizzly and somewhat familiar voice commanded. In a few moments, the cell doors parted, a red-helmed man entering. One Stormtrooper flanked his side, and the other stood vigil outside, armed and alert. Jon spun around and sat up on the bed, facing those who entered...
Jon gulped, recognising the helmed man in an instant. DREDD.
"Ser..." Jon addressed the Judge, biting down hard on his lower lip as he glanced away. This prompted a snigger from the Stormtrooper at his side. "You'll address the Judge by his proper title." he spoke up. This caused Jon's rather neutral expression to drop, as he shot a glare toward the soldier. "It's quite alright..." the Judge lamented in response, Jon's brow perking upward at his calmness. Dredd turned his head to look at the trooper next to him. "Wait outside" he ordered in a notably firmer tone. "Hrmmph..." the trooper grunted in response, turning around and taking himself out at the Judges' whim.
The Judge waited until the Stormtrooper was gone before talking to Jon again. "Sleep well?" he inquired. Jon's eyes narrowed. He didn't even respond, rather just stared at him, letting the dark, heavy bags under his eyes answer for him. Had the Judge really come to him to make small talk?
"Do you want me to explain all that happened, or would you grant me back my weapons so that I may leave?" Jon inquired in a monotone, dull voice. "We're already aware of what happened" the Judge retorted, taking a few small steps closer to Jon. "We've spoke with the other two we caught already. A child was in danger, and you stepped in to help." Dredd continued and concluded. Jon's eyes widened a tad at that. Crona... was he alive?
The Judge must have noted Jon's slight change in expression, for his shifted a bit in a similar fashion, lips twisting and curling. "The charges of assault and battery, destruction of property and disturbing the peace are on you, all the same... he sighed. Jon looked away, still not breathing a word.
"What is your name?" the Judge finally asked. Jon brought his gaze up to meet with his, though it was hard to tell where he was truly looking due to the helm he adorned. He was cautious of giving the man his identity, but denying him would do him little justice is presenting his case, either. "Jon Snow..." he answered quickly. "Jon... Snow..." Dredd repeated the name he had just given out, letting the sound of it roll on the tip of his tongue. "Well hear me out, Jon Snow, will you?" he asked. Jon's brow raised slightly. "I'm listening" Jon affirmed. The Judges' question was clearly a rhetorical one, as Jon obviously didn't have much of a choice but to listen to him, but Jon felt the need to say it, still.
The Judge gave a single nod, drawing a sharp breath inward before beginning his speech. "I'd like to consider myself a fair and just man, Jon Snow. My role here is to merely make sure the law is upheld and adhered to, not to brutalise criminals or kick beat dogs" Dredd began to pace slightly as he spoke. Jon watched him all the while, listening intently to what he had to say.
"I can give you two options here, I can work with both" Dredd's pacing ceased, gazing through his helmet at Jon. "The first is that we release you, and restore you with your weapons. My men will guide you down to the lower tiers of the city, where you'll meet with Arnold Hammond, one of my appointed commanders. You'll take orders from him until the debts of your crimes are... repaid in full." Jon squinted. "And the other option?"
The Judge's expression dropped a tad at this, exhaling through his nostrils.
"The second is that you may go, but not without my men giving chase... you might escape the city. Might. That's if you know your way around well enough." the Judge spoke with a blunt harshness and seriousness in his voice. Jon's expression twisted into one of slight fear, eyes snapping wider with concern. "You might even make it to the gate, but you won't go any further than the Nexus. We have men posted just about everywhere. And if they see, then you'd best pray for a quick and clean death..." the seriousness in his voice became more apparent as his drilled on. The Judge let out a sigh, lips curling into a slight frown. "But... that's not what I want, here. You could prove yourself useful to us, Jon Snow. Continue working with us, and your co-operation wouldn't be without self-reward." Jon blinked a few times, studying the Judge well and hard. Perhaps Dredd was right about himself, he did seem a fair and even, to a point, honourable man. The sort Jon could trust.
"I... I understand..." Jon spoke after some contemplating, looking back up at the Judge. "I will not run. I'll complete whatever tasks you set out for me" Jon stated firmly, and with a certain resolute. Dredd let out a slight chuckle at that. "It's not I who'll be deciding what's in store for you. Your co-operation is dutifully noted, still" the Judge nodded, before turning on his heel, heading out.
Before leaving, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder at Jon.
"I'll send some men to retrieve you in due time, but you'll stay here for now. Be ready." he stated before making an exit, the Stormtroopers posted at the door following quickly behind him. The cell doors closed behind they as they went, barring Jon once more on the inside.
Jon just sat mulling on what had momentarily transpired for some brief time, before swinging his legs back up onto the bed, turning his body to face up at the ceiling. He gently closed his eyes, He figured he'd need all the strength he could get for later, so catching up on sleep was probably a better idea than any right now, since he was still locked up in this cell for now.
He would do the Empire's bidding, but only temporarily. The true goal of his stayed at the back of his mind...
He would find a way back home, no matter the cost.
![[Image: tumblr_nzzfidB5IX1tcnpluo4_1280.png]](http://68.media.tumblr.com/bceb0feb3876c0a578aebfda0bc7b306/tumblr_nzzfidB5IX1tcnpluo4_1280.png)