Chapter 43: The Wall (I)
FrostStorm
Jon Snow/Targaryen
Now that I had finished the preparations Robb asked me to take care of, I was ready to continue my journey toward the Wall.
Maybe in another life, I would have joined the Night's Watch out of my own volition, trying to find purpose as a bastard like myself, but now? I couldn't imagine myself any other way. I was a Stark by blood, and my family treated me as such.
I knew I was the most trusted person for Robb, and I would do anything he asked of me without hesitation. He truly loved the North and would do anything in his power to see it prosper. I did too, don't get me wrong, but I was certain he would do a better job of it than I ever could.
He trusted me so much that he told me everything about his plans and visions. Although I didn't believe going to war was the best option with the threat the White Walkers posed, I would follow him wherever was required.
That's why I was away from Winterfell at the moment. My main task was to inform his direct subordinates that the time for hiding was over, and then I needed to head to the Wall to prepare for the threats beyond it.
I missed them all, including Lady Catelyn. After all these years, she had finally accepted me as a Stark and no longer saw me as a threat to her son's reign.
Reviewing the last report Smalljon provided, I nodded in satisfaction. The North would be more than prepared, and we would show the rest of the kingdoms what we were made of.
For now, the North could send over forty thousand troops to the South, and the fifteen to twenty thousand extra would stay behind to protect the kingdom's borders. Under our father's command, they would safeguard the North against any invasion, though I doubted anyone could get past the main army.
With the bulk of our forces stationed at Moat Cailin, Greywater Watch, and the Fingers to fortify those locations and assist the blacksmiths, a small unit would join Robb to decimate the Twins. Once we took control of the castle, we would establish our command there.
I didn't know exactly how the conversation between Lord Mallister and Robb had gone, but I knew my brother well enough to be certain he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.
Either way, the North would be ready when Robb returned with Father.
Finishing up the final points in the report, I realized I could continue my travels and leave Smalljon in charge of FrostStorm.
After giving the necessary orders, I was ready to move on.
The Next Day
"Everything you need to know is here, Smalljon," I told him with a nod.
"I'm going to make sure I follow his instructions," Smalljon replied with a nod of his own.
"Is there anything you want me to pass along to your father?" I asked before leaving town.
"No, everything is fine," he shook his head. "Just give him my regards."
I nodded back. "I'm sure he'll pass through here when the bannermen start marching."
Walking toward my horse, I checked my backpack one last time to ensure I was fully prepared for the journey. I was traveling with a group of thirty guards, just in case anything happened.
Satisfied, we began our journey to Last Hearth. My only task there was to inform Lord Umber that everything was ready to begin, so he could contact Lord Karstark and start marching toward Winterfell before heading directly to Moat Cailin.
The Wall
Jon Snow/Targaryen
Everything with the houses was in order. It had been a week since I arrived at the Wall. The meeting at Last Hearth was brief since there wasn't much to do besides letting them know it was time.
For now, I was just resting from the travel. Everything at the Wall was just as Robb had told me, and I was glad I hadn't joined the Watch. It wasn't the great calling I once believed it to be.
Ser Alliser Thorne was an absolute cunt. His words cut deep, but I didn't care about the opinion of that bastard. Besides him, some of the recruits were decent enough. Samwell Tarly was weak and lacked courage, but he had a good heart and a damn quick mind.
I made a mental note to tell Robb about him. Perhaps he could recruit Samwell for his gifts, and maybe he'd be of more use at Winterfell than serving as a training dummy here.
I had already intervened a couple of times to stop the other recruits from making Sam's life hell at the Wall. Ghost had grown a lot in these weeks, so he was a good way to instill the fear of the gods into the criminals.
Ensuring I had my notes ready for my conversation with Lord Commander Mormont, I began walking toward his solar.
I went alone, as the information I carried was for his ears only. Uncle Benjen was on one of his expeditions with his team, but thankfully, he had enough dragonglass for each of his companions.
Knocking on the door, I entered quietly, my eyes narrowing at the sight of those inside.
Ser Alliser Thorne wore his usual sneer, hating that a Stark—even if I was considered a bastard by everyone—was at the Wall with a better position than him.
I nodded respectfully to the commander and the maester, completely ignoring Ser Alliser, which only made him angrier.
"Lord Commander, Maester Aemon. My brother Robb has sent me with grave news. The ramblings of the deserter were true: the White Walkers are real and they walk north of the Wall."
Ser Alliser scoffed loudly. "White Walkers? Stories for children and bored wives, Snow. The only threats we face are the wildlings and our own thinning numbers."
Jeor Mormont eyed him with displeasure. "We will hear the boy out, Ser Alliser. His family has done enough to earn that."
"And why should we? A Stark bastard comes here, not even sworn to the Watch, babbling about wives' tales. You think we have time to indulge his fantasies when real men are dying?" Ser Alliser sneered.
I tried hard to keep my composure despite his words. "I wouldn't have come all the way to the Wall just for tales. The Warden of the North wouldn't have sent me only to waste both our time."
Taking a deep breath, I continued, "Our uncle Benjen has gone on an expedition with the rest of the rangers to find proof. I know I come without evidence since he hasn't returned, but we don't have time to waste. The Night's Watch needs to prepare."
"Prepare for what, boy? Shadows in the snow? Grumkins and Snarks? You've been coddled too much in Winterfell and haven't seen the real world. Perhaps it's time you learn—"
The Lord Commander stood up abruptly, interjecting sharply, "That's enough, Thorne. You're dismissed. Leave us."
Ser Alliser glowered at me but stood up and bowed to the commander before leaving.
"I'll ask you to forgive him. He may come off as blunt, but he's a good man in his own twisted way. Please continue. Tell us everything we need to know," the commander said with a sigh.
The maester spoke for the first time since the conversation started. "Some old stories have some truth in them, though many have forgotten. What have you seen or heard, boy?"
I glanced at him, wondering if what Robb told me was true. Could he really be my great-granduncle?
"It's not just what I've heard, but I can feel it this far north. Can't you sense the unnaturalness of the cold?" I asked them.
The commander shook his head, but I was surprised to see Maester Aemon nod seriously.
"I can feel it. The cold seeps into my old bones, and the feeling of death approaches," said the maester.
The commander nodded in understanding and, with a sigh, continued, "I've heard reports of unnatural cold north of the Wall and of strange deaths. We've sent men to investigate, and some have not returned."
Standing up again, he began pacing in his solar. "I don't want to believe it, but… if what you say is true, we're in for darker days than I feared."
"Indeed. As I said before, Uncle Benjen will return with proof soon enough. He is capable of facing them; he has weapons made specifically against the White Walkers," I said grimly.
"Oh?" the maester asked with interest. "Are they weak against something specific? I remember reading about them, but in my old age, some things escaped me."
"Yes, Maester Aemon. From what Robb has seen in his visions, they are weak against three things: first, Valyrian steel; then fire; and lastly, dragonglass. The last two are the most common since they aren't as rare as Valyrian steel." I nodded at him with a smile, pleased they seemed to believe me.
"Dragonglass is fragile," murmured the maester. "And I don't think we can obtain a good amount easily."
"There are rumors of dragonglass deposits here in the North," interjected the commander.
Gazing at him with alarm, I asked about these rumors.
"I remember reading during my childhood about the island of Skagos. Some texts mentioned dragonglass found on that island," he said thoughtfully.
"That's great news!" I exclaimed. "Robb was prepared to fight a war against Stannis Baratheon for the material in Dragonstone."
The commander looked at me in alarm and I could just rub the back of my neck sheepishly.
"The cost to obtain it would have been too much." The commander answered.
"Indeed, it would have been," sighed the maester.
"Once Benjen returns, we'll know more," the commander said with a nod. "You've done well, Jon, and I will inform the Watch and make sure we are ready for what is coming."
"Thank you, Lord Commander," I replied with a grateful nod.
"Of course. We'll need all the help we can get."
Smiling at them, I nodded and started walking toward the door.
"Oh, before you leave," Maester Aemon interrupted, "please search for me for a small conversation."
"Of course, Maester Aemon," I replied before leaving.
Outside the solar, I leaned against the wall, thankful everything was done and I just needed to speak with the maester before going back to Robb.
--------------------
If you want to support me or read up to Five chapters ahead, you can find me on patr*e on . co m (slash) Infinityreads99