28 (26) The Wall

Within the shadow of the Wall rode four silent figures. Three clothed in black, one in a crown of bronze and iron and the final wrapped himself in a thick woollen cloak over his bronze armour. They sat atop large steeds bread for winter cold, one adorned with a silver horn. They rode out from the Walls stretching shadow and to the edge of the Haunted Forest.

The four figures stoped at the forrest edge. Four more figures rode out to meet them. The first was a large man, he wore a winged helm adorned with runes of the first men had a cloak of red silk and black feathers. A sat at his belt, finely crafted, decorated with black dragons and a ruby in the pommel. The man looked every bit the Wildling King he was atop his stag.

The next man was even larger, a thick mane of red hair and a wild beard covered his face, protecting him from winters bite. His horse was large, the kind that would be bred to work fields not ride to war and on his back was a large two handed axe. Beside him was a smaller woman, half a head shorter than the king. Her hair was pale blond, like the Targaryen Kings from old stories Jon would read to Arya on the long nights in the north. The woman was mounted on a slim yet powerful horse and held a spear in her hands.

The final man was short and slim. His face and neck had scratch and claw marks, not those from a great beast however these marks were self inflicted. He sat upon a large snow bear, twice the size of anything South of the Wall. A shadow cat stood tense beneath the bears large tree trunk sized legs and it was ready to pounce. An eagle in the sky Jon also noticed as it let out a screech and through Ghost Jon could sense the three wolves prowling nearby, no doubt also under the command of this Warg.

"Mance!" The Old Bear barked in his gruff voice

"Hello Jeor, my old friend." The King Beyond the Wall responded to the Lord Commander.

"Traitor!" Benjen snarled at the man who once served in his position as First Ranger.

"Stark! Er we goin' ta do this back'n'forth fer hours or will ya make introductions" the red heard giant thundered from beneath his ginger beard.

The group fell silent a moment at the man's urging. The Kings eyes inspected them closely, appraising each of them. The ginger giant huffed impatiently and the wargs shifty eyes moved frantically from left to right, as if he was unused to having his mind to himself. The warrior woman however stared at the Northern Prince as if she had seen him before.

"I don't believe introductions are needed, we know of the Lord Commander and his loyal Stark Dog and I've heard enough tales of 'Bronze Yohn' to recognise him." The King Beyond the Wall said and before he could speak about Jon, he was interrupted.

"You've the Stark look 'bout ya," the large man said, interrupting his King, "So tell me Crow, who'd ya spurt yer seed into?" He asked gesturing to Benjen who went flush, either with anger or embarrassment Jon couldn't tell.

"Tormund, shut your feckin mouth!" The wildling woman scolded him, speaking for the first time. The Warg however just barked a laugh as the ginger continued.

"None o' the Free Folk would take yer tiny Crow pecker," he continued,"So it must be some southern wench that popped out princess over 'ere" the red haired giant was grinning from ear to ear but Jon's face remained blank as the wildling rambled.

"Enough Giantsbane!!!" The King Beyond the Wall barked the order but both had grins on their faces.

"I'm a Brother of the Nights Watch, I have swore to take no wife, nor father any children, he is not my Son." The First Ranger said to the Wildlings.

"You wear a crown, do you style yourself King Beyond the Wall?," the Wildling King asked before resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, "if you do me and Dark Sister might have something to say about it."

His words shocked them all. This Wildling King wielded Dark Sister, the ancient Targaryen Sword lost beyond the Wall on Blood Ravens last ranging. Now it was found, not by a Targaryen but by a wildling born beyond the wall without an once of Valyrian Blood in his veins. After overcoming his shock Jon finally spoke.

"I am no King, not Beyond the Wall nor South of it." The young prince responded and he could feel Mance's eyes shift to his crown yet again.

"You stand in the presence of Jon Stark, The White Wolf, Mountain Cleaver, Lord of Moat Cailin and Prince of the North!!!" Lord Royce thundered as he introduced his daughters husband.

"I do believe your missing a title there," a sly glint entered his eye before continuing, "Bastard of Winterfell"

As the King Beyond the Wall finished his statement all the horses began to panic. Mormonts, Benjen's and Yohn's were both clearly nervous. Tormund was nearly thrown from his, the Wildling woman was the same. Mance Raiden was able to calm his stag before it ran and the snow bear snarled as the Wargs eyes went white. The cause of their behaviour became clear as a great White Wolf the size of horse lazily strolled between them all. Blood of his prey soaked his maw and the crimson matched his eyes.

"We came to discuss terms, now finish your introductions." Jon's voice remained level and calm as he spoke to the Wildlings and the Ling Beyond the Wall responded as Ghost sat at his master side.

"I am Mance Rayder, King Beyond the Wall. That is Val, spear-wife and sister to my Queen. That is Varamyr Six-Skins, most powerful warg in the world and that is Tormund Giantsbane, Lord of Ruddy Hall." The King said, introducing himself and his companions.

"Ya sell me to short Mance, ya stand in the company o' Tormund Giantsbane, Tall-talker, Horn-blower, and Breaker of Ice, Tormund Thunderfist, Husband to Bears, the Mead-king of Ruddy Hall, Speaker to Gods and Father of Hosts, The Commander of Oakenshield." The red headed giant listed his many titles.

"I grow tired of this King Beyond the Wall! My brother, King Robb Stark, has given me a task," Jon inched his unicorn forward slightly before continuing, "Protect the North from the Wildling army Beyond the Wall, by peaceful means or with fire!!! I care not!!!"

"The men who stand before me are the only chance the Wall has of holding, say I kill you here and now?" The King drew Dark Sister from his belt.

"Then I will do to you what I did to the Lord of Bones." He drew Frostmourne from its sheath on his back and it ignited in chilling blue fire.

"I have united the Free Folk, forty thousand strong we are!!! Hundreds of wargs!!! The last of the Giant Clans!!! Two dozen war mammoths!!! And the Horn of Joramun that will bring down the Wall!!!" Everyone's weapon was drawn by the time Mance had finished his speech but Jon seemed unconcerned about the Kings claims.

"The Wall has heard of my approach and trembles in fear!!!" Tormund boasted as part of the Wall shook at the top

"The Weeping Wall melts and crumbles against my might!!!" He continued to boast as the air became tense, yet Giantsbane had a grin on his face and bloodlust in his eyes.

"I would take care King Beyond the Wall." Jon Spoke calmly as he raised Frostmourne, the cold blue flames flickering in the biting wind.

"And why is that, boy?" Tormund asked with amusement in his booming voice.

"Because it gets cold North if the Wall"

"And WINTER IS COMING!!!"

After Jon's shout the part of the Wall Tormund thought to be crumbling stopped it's slow descent and levels off. A primal roar of anger and fury echoed throughout the entirety of the True North. The great blue and white dragon swooped over the group. Mance held his ground on his Elk but Tormund and Val were both thrown from their steeds. Varamyr Six-Skins acted like the beasts he commanded and scurried into the Haunted Forrest.

"PARTHUNAX FROSTFYRE!!!"

Following its masters command Parthunax opened its jaws and unleashed a torrent of cold blue flames at a mountain overlooking the Wildling camp. The forested mountain was alight with the ice dragon's wrath as the Wildlings camped below watched in awe and horror.

With that Lord Commander, the First Ranger, Lord Royce and the Northern Prince turned and made their way back to the Wall.