Chapter 6 Heart tree and Tor

290 AC (Jon 7)

Moat Cailin

Jon pov

Restoration of Moat Cailin has been going on for a year now , so I came with my uncle Ben to check the progress of the keep

The three towers are almost done, they were able to quickly restore them because most of the structure was already there, the workers are starting work on the foundation of the keep now

The original keep at Moat Cailin was made of wood years ago which weathered away with passage of time ,so they are making a proper stone and wall keep

The keep is situated right in the middle of the whole castle, the remaining three towers are are south to the keep, they were at least somewhat maintained throughout the years as they are main defense against Southern armies

The wall protecting the castle was used to be as tall as winterfell but now it's broken in many places , the workers are repairing the lower section of the wall but raising it to it's original height that would require too much gold

Uncle Ben is overseeing the whole repairs with many well know builders of the north,

They quickly came when they heard that the Starks were building something, and also because the honour of working on such an ancient and historic keep

The Manderlys are also sent a lot of labour for free from white harbour, I heard that the their lord was very loyal to Starks now I saw it

To the northwest of the keep a dense forest has grown within the walls, it was between 2-3 acres in size , but something about the forest is very familiar ,I can feel the magic in the air around the forest

I enter the forest to see what seems so familiar , as I make my way through it I can see a tree right in the center, it's branches cover the whole forest , it leaves are dark brown and it's bark is very dark

I don't know how but this tree feels like a heart tree in the godswoods, it's not white with red leaves but everything else is the same

He can even feel the magic of the old gods in air around the tree, it's like he was in godswoods again, I close my eyes and try to feel the magic around me , it somehow puts me at peace

When I open my eyes I am in front of the a heartstree and on one of the branch a creature like a Child with brown skin and green eyes is looking at me

Children of the forest , but what is he doing here , I heard most of the fled beyond the wall

"Who are you , how can you see through my magic, I even feel the gods presence within you child of man" he asked in a child like voice

"I am Jon snow , lord of the this castle, who are you, I heard your kind went beyond the wall,and why are you hiding this heart tree"

"I am tor, I found this tree when it was sapling, I hid it because man cuts down our trees, this tree has been my home for years now, now I have to leave this place because of you child of man"

"You don't have to leave tor, I follow the same gods as you, I will protect this tree and the trees around it, I will even make sure no one comes here to disturb you "

"Why should I trust you child of man" the being asked

"Why would your gods help me if I want to hurt you or the tree, I am from the first men our ancestors fought together against the long night, you shall not be harmed in my land ,I will even build a wall around this area and declare it the godswoods, not a single tree here will be harmed"

The being looks to be deep in thought for a while and then suddenly his green eyes were filled with determination " ok child of man I will trust you for now because my gods favour you "

"Ok one more thing, in winterfell the gods have blessed the Starks, the roots of the heart tree keeps the underground water hot can you do the same with this tree here"

"Only the gods can give you the blessing not anyone else , all I could do is ask them , If they find you worthy they shall bless these lands "

" Ok how to I do that"

" Just feed your blood to the face of the tree and I will do the rest"

I made a small cut in my hand and let the blood flow in the mouth of the tree , the being started to whisper to the tree, the language was chaotic filled with grunts and growls for the most part

When he finished everything went silent for a while then suddenly a slow breeze went through the trees, I could feel the magic in the air slowly moving through the red leaves to the roots underneath the tree, the roots were spread wider that the tree they covered more that the entire castle

The child like being looked at me with wonder and awe " I was going to leave after making sure you won't hurt the tree but my gods stand behind you , so I too shall aid you child of man, I shall stay here with the tree and help you if you need me "

"Aye and I will make sure you stay safe and hidden , if you need anything tell me I will do my best to get it "

The being just nodded and disappeared in the branches of the tree

I never thought a causal stroll through the woods can change so much, this completely changes my plans for Moat Cailin

I will need a lot more gold and fast