It has been a while, yes, that much I fully acknowledge. How's 2020 been treating everyone so far?

But honestly my extended absence couldn't be helped. I feel like every year I'm busier than the last and my update speed suffers but that's just life and its many responsibilities. Also recently picked up a new job in healthcare. It's a hell of a time to be in the field, that's for sure. Don't typically even have weekends off, anymore, which was prime writing time for me before.

Thanks to everyone who was understanding and is patient.

I had always believed I knew all about long goodbyes. My family had a lot of practice with them. Sitting Shiva, for example, wasn't exactly a short process. Neither were temple services once you factored in the social aspect of bumping into family, friends, and the family's friends afterwards.

Regardless of my own considerable experience, the Starks had me beat by a mile. The guests were supposed to be leaving just after a hearty breakfast (can't hit the road on an empty stomach, according to good ol' Robert).

Then came Cersei's final complaints over leaving Tommen and Myrcella behind. She didn't really hide her contempt for the idea, and I almost felt bad as Catelyn stood there with a forced smile and promised the realm's prince and princess would only receive the best of care.

Despite the very knock-out, drag-down argument I was sure followed the king's announcement, by the tight, ice-frosted expression, the queen had lost. She cupped their faces and kissed their heads tenderly like a mother would, making them promise to write often. She told them she'd leave them some of their servants, because I guess she couldn't trust the Starks'.

She also promised to send more of their things along from King's Landing soon. Myrcella wrapped her arms around her mother and cried briefly, until she was reminded that bawling didn't suit a refined young lady (ugh). Tommen tried to valiantly hide his tears, but he was on the verge of crying too.

Robert cuffed his youngest son on the back of the head affectionately and petted little Myrcella's curls. He told them not to make trouble, and to enjoy their time in the North. The extent of the tenderness he had to spare when he was eager to get on the road, I guess.

Joffrey offered them nothing more than a sneer from over his mother's shoulders, but I doubt they expected much more than that. I understood they'd probably be homesick for a while, but deep down I knew time from under Cersei's clutches would be the best thing. It had already started to give them a chance to come into their own, tagging along on Bran's daily adventures. Ser Pounce scampered over and Tommen scooped him up, smiling a little as the cat rubbed his damp cheeks. Another familiar face staying with him.

But as it happened, the royal family wasn't going to be the only one parting ways for a while. Miraculously, Ned had risked dishonor and turned down the invitation to be the King's Hand. From everything I had found out about the position, and the treacherous nature my instincts sensed in the Lannisters, I was positive that was another good thing.

That didn't mean he'd be staying put, though. Oh no, Ned was going to see his brother Benjen off to the Wall, opting to take Jon, Robb and Theon along. And, because the boys were bringing their wolves too, that meant yours truly was also along for the trip.

A road trip had never seemed so…tedious and unappealing. And I once spent ten hours in the car with my family to visit The Wonderful World of Yarn. Yeah, don't ask. I can only tell you it was exactly half as fun as it sounded. Punishment on the way there, punishment on arrival.

So the castle would be at least half empty for a while, Lord Stark and the oldest kids all departing. That left Lady Stark, the younger Stark kids, the two royals and their faithful servants to hold down the fort.

I crept along and tried to remain inconspicuous, doing my best not to spook any horses. "Are you sure there's nothing?" Robert was asking Ned. "Nothing at all I can say to convince you to go back to that shithole with me?"

Ned gave his old friend a shallow, apologetic bow. "I'm afraid not this time. You have your duties to the Realm, and I have mine here in the North."

"Hmph," Robert's eyes narrowed, and he turned to watch Cersei strut her way into the comfortable carriage prepared for her. "I suppose in a way I'll be taking some of the frigidness of the North home with me."

I would consider it a miracle if the royals made it back home without a hell of a brawl going down. Cersei was truly pissed, and Robert was well…being the self-absorbed ham-fisted guy he couldn't help but be.

Then again, Cersei didn't strike me as the type for direct confrontation if she could find pawns. Forced propriety of a well-bred noble maybe. All the while she was probably plotting Robert's demise for all he knew. Hah. Yeah…maybe not.

Slinking around them, I noticed the three young men of the castle huddled together in discussion. Lazily padding over, I joined them and they barely batted an eye at this point.

"The Wall, what do you think it'll be like? As bad as they say?" Jon asked. My mind filtered back to the intense conversation he'd had with his uncle.

"Worse probably," Theon seemed amused by the prospect. "All those poor bastards don't know what they're missing out on, giving up women."

I squinted up at him. 'You could stand to try celibacy for a while yourself.'

Robb glanced around thoughtfully, taking in the many people preparing for trips, and those there to see them off. "I hear Tyrion Lannister's coming along."

Jon frowned a little. "What do you figure he wants at the Wall? He's high-born."

Theon's eyes twinkled, a quip no doubt on his lips.

"I figured taking a piss off the edge of the world's worth making the trip at least once." Tyrion himself had approached swiftly and silently, short stature making him easy to miss at first. All three boys startled, Jon and Robb having the decency to look a bit sheepish at being caught gossiping. Tyrion didn't waste much more time on them, his eyes falling on me. I shifted ever so slightly, wondering why the gaze was far too knowing. He probably hadn't stopped thinking about what he'd seen me do in the library.

"Your wolves will join us of course?" he mused, glimpsing up to Robb.

The young Stark nodded. "We couldn't expect Mother to mind the castle and all the direwolves. I imagine Arya's and Rickon's will be getting up to enough trouble."

My ears rang painfully as Sansa screeched. A giggling Rickon darted by, somehow messy again. Catelyn seized him by the elbow with a little shake, but not before he had managed to get his older sister dirty.

Shaggy Dog loped up behind him, nearly crashing into mother and son. He gave himself a good shake and sprayed whatever they had been rolling around in on everyone in the vicinity. The septa Rickon probably got away from materialized too late, her hair a mess, sweat on her brow, spouting apologies.

Robert was having a thorough laugh over it, and the king's amusement was enough to calm the situation. Somewhat.

"Noted." Tyrion chuckled, his eyes crinkling. "Well, I suppose I owe my dear family a proper sendoff." One more pointed stare at me and then he swaggered off to find the Lannisters.

"Why do you think he's so interested in the wolves?" Jon mumbled. "He asked me 'bout em before."

"Dunno." Theon reached down and patted my head. "Maybe he thinks one could make him a quick snack."

Ah yes, humans…the other white meat. I chuffed a little at my own dark joke. My paws flexed against the ground as Theon unwittingly found a sweet spot on the back of my neck. I had no interest in including them in my diet anyway. Obnoxious as he may be, I couldn't stomach the thought of eating Theon. That was asking for salmonella or worse.

"There's Uncle Benjen!" Robb smiled, and Jon perked up as the dark-haired man walked gracefully through the throng of people. He seemed perfectly at ease, speaking to Jory.

Looking over and meeting eyes, he raised one glove hand at the boys, and some of the tension left their shoulders.

Nothing was familiar about the place, the people, the scene. I watched a young man with white hair, a strong jaw and a clear chip on his shoulder talking to an older guy in clearly expensive clothes. A young woman identical to the younger man trailed behind them in a thin dress, her head bowed meekly. It was all vaguely familiar but still not.

They talked in hush whispers so I only got bits. A stolen kingdom, going home. A wedding. Savages. All of it added up to be sketchy as hell to me. I stayed hidden, until something tickled my nose, causing me to sniffle.

The girl named Dany stopped, big, amethyst eyes peering my way. Our gazes locked, and I sneezed. I opened my eyes to see I was on a pallet in a tent. The place where I had fallen asleep after we stopped for the night.

I shuffled carefully around a sleeping Grey Wind and over Theon's legs. It was a tight squeeze to begin with, and that was with Jon staying the night with his uncle. I had a groan as I crept out, but it wasn't of real concern for me now. I caught the first whiff of the night air and poked my head through the fabric flaps. I bowed, paws stretched forward and tail swishing lazily through the air.

Smacking my lips made me realize I was thirsty, and after that bizarre little dream, maybe some water was what I needed before I tried getting back to bed. I knew Ned had people posting watch through the night. I doubted any of them would pay much attention to a single wolf skulking around. The fact that the Starks (and Theon) had them was hardly a secret.

The air was cool and pleasant as I took in a deep breath, closing my eyes and trying to search out the stream we'd passed. Surprisingly, it didn't take long. I got the smell thoroughly in my nose then trekked off. My paws were nearly silent on the ground, weeks growing into this body giving me the natural grace of a true predator. With excellent night vision, I saw the men strategically placed around camp, ready to give any bandit ballsy enough a very rude awakening.

As expected, none of them batted an eye when I trotted past. That being said…once I broke away from camp and began winding through the woods, it got a little creepy. Occasionally I'd hear a distant rumble, like a bear snoring.

An owl swooped low to my head, mouse dangling from its beak. I growled as it landed on a nearby branch to devour its meal. I didn't appreciate any sneak attacks.

Satisfied I'd given him a piece of my mind, I kept going. If I stepped in somebody's turd out here I'd lose it. Moonlight brushed over my body through the thin branches of trees, and with a final push, I found nirvana.

In actuality I found a quiet stream I hoped had more water than mud and fish poop as I dipped my head down to drink. It was more refreshing than anticipated as I gulped it down, only lifting my head to lick away stray droplets falling from my muzzle.

I closed my eyes and prepared to have more, sort of aware that a tingling pressure had rippled down my spine, sort of ignoring it. Some of the water slid down my throat to quickly, sending me into a coughing fit.

I sat back on my heels to catch my breath, letting my face raise to the heavy moon. I don't know if it was my sharper vision or just some mushy sentimentality gripping me, but it was such a full, mystical thing.

Unsurprising. People had been enamored with the moon since time began.

But for the first time in either life, just being able to look at it got me weepy. I rubbed an arm across my face, telling myself to pull it together.

I cupped water between my palms and splashed it on my face for good measure. It was only when I let them drop into my lap that it struck me all at once. Hands? Arms? Legs that weren't covered in white fur and speckled with black?

I, Arden Stein, am not afraid to say that it was at that moment I screamed like a bitch. Flailing my suddenly human legs, I stumbled away from the water, all my limbs working against me after so long being on all fours.

I pinwheeled backward until my back hit the ground hard and I could feel dirt under my naked ass. Back where I started. I shot up at the waist, gasping and panting, knowing I was on the verge of a panic attack. I let my hands drift up to pat at my face. Soft, but definitely not furry. Holy shit…

Holy shit.

Holy shit!

HOLY SHIT!

Maybe if I hadn't been in full freak out mode, I would have laughed over the irony. Once upon a time, a girl went through this kind of hysteria when she woke up in a wolf body, not when she found herself human (as she should be).

Crawling forward, just to confirm the obvious, I brought my face close to the stream, my excellent vision at least intact. I was not prepared for the sight that greeted me on the water's unbroken surface.

A horrified girl peered back at me, an unblemished, dark olive face with wide ey—Oh, great! As if this predicament couldn't get stranger, I still had heterochromia. In fact, my hair was the color of spun moonlight, the same color of my fur. I'd never had hair this thick and curly. How the hell did Hermione Granger do it? These riotous curls were everywhere! I could see a thick black stripe starting at my widow's peak and disappearing past the crown of my head. You have got to be kidding me! "Okay, Arden," I whispered. "Just breathe. You've been living in this backwards world for months now. So this really isn't even the strangest thing to—ouch! Shit…"

A coppery taste invaded my mouth, my teeth having nicked the edge of my tongue as I monologued. Peeling back a lip, I stuck my tongue out to get a look, and almost bit it again. Since when had I ever had a set of three inch fangs in my mouth?!

Damn, I was just getting use to one new body, then here I am stuck with another one. At least before the characteristics I had matched the species.

Whoever the chick staring back at me was, she stuck out like a sore thumb all crazy-looking and wolfish. "Don't look at me like that!" I hissed at her. "You're the one that looks like you escaped from a supernatural teen drama or something." Thank fuck there was no tail, or I'd probably rip it off.

Tweaking one of my ears revealed them to be pointed. There was absolutely nothing nondescript about this girl's body, and she was naked. I mean, I was naked. Hadn't been so bad for the many months I'd had a furry white bodysuit to hide my skin. But now? Completely bare. Exposed to the elements.

I turned away from the reflection, not sure I could take anymore. My heart was drumming all off-beat. I just came out for a drink of water and now thing. What the hell was I supposed to do about this? Returning to camp didn't really fill me with a sense of comfort, but I wasn't sure how ready I was to test my luck out in the wilderness. I had no idea what all was out here and even less idea what had caused my abrupt transformation back to homo sapien.

I was actually just assuming I was "human". For all I knew I was now something else entirely.

I pulled a little too harshly at my curls and gave myself a headache. I needed to find someone I could trust, who'd help me sort all this out. The answer came pretty quickly, but it was a gamble to get back to camp. I just had to steel myself, because I didn't stake my chances high on finding some kind, all knowing chipmunk out here.

I ran back through the brush a lot less gracefully, thankful that I still had my strong sense of smell but beyond irritated at how winded I was already becoming. So. I did not retain my stamina. Noted.

A branch whipped out and cut my cheek, making the fresh scent of blood flare up. I prayed to whatever or whoever was listening that wasn't enticing enough to wake anything up. I crashed back to the edge of the woods, stopping when I remembered the men guarding camp. A wolf could come and go, sure. But how was this supposed to work? A naked, unknown girl trying to get to the party was bound to create a stir. Or worse yet, they'd assume I was somebody's booty call. I shuddered. Think I'd rather just be assumed to be a really gutsy, naked bandit.

I didn't have much time for an elaborate plan, but as it turned out, I didn't need much of one. Ghost, silent as the grave, trotted through the dark, his eerie eyes the most welcome sight of the night. I smiled, my own eyes tearing up as I crouched and tried to get his attention and only his.

"Ghost," I breathed, not even the volume of a whisper. A human most definitely would have missed the call. But his ears twitched and he padded over slowly. His red eyes were cautious, stopping to scent. "It's me. I look a little different now," I stretched a hand out when he drifted closer. "But it's me."

Ghost circled me once, eventually sniffing at my neck and the top of my head. Licking my shoulder once, he leaned away and tilted his head expectantly. Without doubt, he was the most aloof of all my wolf siblings.

"Okay," I sighed. "Thanks." I stroked my hand down his back to ground myself. I trusted Ghost. Animal or not, I still think we had a bond that came from entering this life together. Nibbling the inside of my cheek, I stalled on what I wanted to say next.

"Bring me…Jon." I swallowed. Ghost's ears went back, his sharp eyes continuing to stare me down as he remained unmoving. "Go," I patted at his flank a little, the two of us still hidden in the gloom away from the sight of the guards.

Truthfully, if anyone would know what the fuck happened, it was more than likely to be Tyrion Lannister. He was very well-read and a sharp man. The problem was he was a Lannister. Too much time spent around the Starks had told me to be very careful about trusting them. Tyrion could possibly be the exception. Regardless, I still wasn't going to approach him by myself.

Ghost eased away, turning back the way he'd come. To the tent Jon shared with Benjen. I waited anxiously, hugging my knees to my chest. If anyone was going to ninja into the tent, it was good ol' Ghosty.

I let the noises of the night wash over me, my long hair tickling down my spine, dirt between my curled toes. This sucked. I would kill for at least a warm winter cloak. I wasn't even sure if I was cold. I just didn't think it was good to be a young woman without a shred of clothes so close to a camp full of men. Didn't need anyone thinking I was offering something I wasn't.

Slow footsteps had me lifting my head. Ghost was trotting back noiselessly, Jon rubbing his eyes and apparently dead on his feet still. He wasn't wearing his fur cloak, or even a shirt for that matter, and his boots looked hastily put on.

"What the hell did you bring me out in the middle of the night for?" he complained, voice roughened by sleep. I stayed put, even as Ghost came over to brush against me as he sat.

Finally taking his hands away from his face, Jon stared. Finding me staring back. My heart had shot straight to a fevered pace as his dark eyes drank in my hunched form. He stumbled, face pale, no intelligible words falling from his mouth.

Whipping his head around, as if trying to decide if he should call out, I shot up. Hurrying over, I reached up and pressed a palm over his mouth. Probably still had dirt on it, but oh well.

His breathing quickened, and he stared down then back up to my face.

I glared down, noticing I had my well-endowed (what? A girl couldn't admire her own body every now and again?) chest all over his. Also, why was this body so short? Not to brag, but I was a pretty decent height in my old life.

One of those girls that usually had a few solid inches on the tallest boy in class growing up. Now I basically reached Jon's collarbone. Lovely. And there was still the small matter of me being all Titties Out. I started trying to drag him back before he could make a scene. He wouldn't budge, and locked his hands around my arms to rip them down. "Hold on." I commanded. He kept tugging. "Ghost!"

The wolf got behind his master and knocked at his knees with a headbutt, effectively causing him to stumble back into me. I didn't expect the assistance to be such a big push, and I fell. I'd been doing that a lot tonight. Jon hit the ground with me, his forehead knocking mine.

I seethed as I shoved him off. Absolutely nothing was going as planned.

So it finally happened. Opal is, at least for the moment, back to human. Just not the human she was before dropping into Westeros. Hopefully placing faith in Jon (or Tyrion for that matter) doesn't backfire.

I'm aware it wasn't long. I wish I had time to write more. But I have to squeeze as much into my days off as possible so it can be hard to write for long periods of time. Hope everyone enjoyed the update. Stay safe. Until next time~