Chapter 44: The Wall (II)

With the stress of the meeting gone, I was just waiting a couple of days to see if Uncle Benjen was successful in his mission. I trusted his capabilities, so I wasn't too worried since he had weapons designed specifically against the White Walkers.

Still, I couldn't deny that I was worried for him. He was family, and he was doing such an important task with little support. He only took the most experienced rangers on his expedition, and all of them were armed with dragonglass weapons, so there was that. Hopefully, he comes back soon since I'll need to leave in the next couple of days. I needed to be present at Moat Cailin when Robb came back.

While waiting, I did some sightseeing, walked through the castle, and checked everything important I could add to my report, from the number of soldiers available to the needs of the Night's Watch. Since Robb started working with them in payment for the land they borrowed from Brandon's Gift and the New Gift, many people joined the Watch voluntarily. Even those who didn't join received better equipment for their trouble.

Most of the members were using good quality swords and light armor, a gift from Robb to gain Commander Mormont's approval, but even that didn't help with the most troublesome person here. Ser Alliser Thorne had a grudge against our family thanks to the rebellion, and I couldn't help but smile at what his face would look like if he knew who he was talking to so disrespectfully. Thankfully, he ignored me when I passed by, just sneering in my direction but keeping silent. He knew he couldn't badmouth me in public since most members of the order were happy with our help and knew that much of what they had now was thanks to the Starks.

They didn't lack food, thanks to all the plantations done in the Gift's territory. They ate well enough, and with the foodstuff they had in excess, they sold it to different houses of the North for extra income. Thanks to that, they were able to cover the cost of the new weapons and armor they had available. Most of the equipment came from FrostStorm, so we didn't lose much because they ended up paying us.

Shaking my head, I marveled at Robb's ability; he could manipulate people, and they ended up being grateful for it. Bored out of my mind, I searched for something interesting while I waited for the sun to go down so I could sleep. Walking down the stairs, I noticed Samwell sitting on a crate reading a book. Shrugging, I went toward him to start a conversation to pass the time.

"How have you been, Samwell?" I smiled at him.

"I've been good, Jon. How about you? Are you done with your business here at the Wall?" he smiled back and asked me.

"Yes, the Commander is already informed of everything I had to say," I answered. "Say, Samwell. Can you tell me why you joined the Watch even if you can't fight?" I asked something that had been on my mind for a while.

He smiled sadly but nodded after a second. "My father sent me here. He told me that I was a disappointment and didn't deserve to be his heir."

"Tarly? Your father is one of the best commanders in the whole realm?" I asked, surprised by this information.

"Yes," he shook his head. "I was never enough for him. He told me that if I didn't join the Watch, I would have an accident where I couldn't disappoint him anymore."

I was appalled by what he said. Not even in the worst years was Lady Catelyn harsh enough to do something like that to me, and I was sure she hated me.

"It seems like he deserves a punch to the face," I nodded. "I'm sure I can do that if I ever meet him."

"Ha!" he laughed. "I would pay to see that."

"And what about you, Samwell? What would you want to be?" I asked him.

He was silent for a minute, clearly thinking of an answer. "I would love to be a maester," he nodded. "I know I have a good head on my shoulders, and I like to think I'd be capable of that. It's a shame that's not a possibility anymore."

"Why not?" I asked him with a smile. "You still haven't taken your oath to the Night's Watch."

"My father would kill me," he shook his head.

"Your father, as good a commander as he is, wouldn't be capable of harming you in the North. Much less if you're under the protection of House Stark," I explained softly.

I didn't know why I was so accommodating to him; I barely knew him. But there was something about Samwell that told me he could help us a lot if he wasn't tied to the Night's Watch and was with us in Winterfell.

"Why don't you follow me after I'm done here?" I asked him. "I'm sure I can convince the Lord Commander that you'd be more useful with us than here."

Samwell went silent but shook his head in fear. "My father would kill me, Jon."

I sighed. "Think about it, Samwell. Robb is searching for different talents, and I'm sure he would be more than happy to take you in." Standing up from the crate we were sitting on, I continued, "I'll stay for a few more days here. If you make your decision, you can come with me to Winterfell to learn under Maester Luwin."

"I'll think about it," he murmured, his head looking toward the floor.

"Remember to be your own man, Samwell. It doesn't matter what your father thinks. And if it matters a lot to you, just prove him wrong—make him regret giving you up," I said, patting his shoulder.

On my way back to my bedroom, I noticed that the library was nearby, so I took a small detour to see if Maester Aemon was there. Entering quietly, I observed the insides of the library. Seeing him sitting alone without doing anything, I approached him.

"Jon, thank you for coming," he said. Apparently, I wasn't silent enough.

"Maester Aemon," I greeted him respectfully. "What did you want to speak about?"

"I just wanted to ask you something important to me, child." He smiled, his milky white eyes looking in my direction. Even though he was blind, I noticed he looked directly where I was standing.

"Ask away, Maester. If it's something I can answer, I'll do so," I said in agreement, curious about where this was going.

"Can you check if we're alone, child?" he asked. "I'm afraid that if I'm right, this cannot be heard by anyone."

While checking around the library, I was almost sure he was somehow able to feel the connection between us. Maybe Robb was right, and royal blood was somehow magical.

"We're alone, Maester. Ask away," I told him softly, taking a seat next to him so that we could talk quietly.

"Are you a Targaryen, Jon?" he asked bluntly, and I tried to suppress a snort. It appeared that all these years in the North had changed a royal southerner.

"It appears Robb was right once again," I laughed. "He told me about you, Maester, and that you may be able to feel it."

"Am I right, child?" the Maester asked, trembling with agitation.

"Yes. You are my great-granduncle, if what Robb said is true," I accepted freely, as Robb had told me to be honest with him since it wouldn't hurt and would give him peace of mind.

The Maester trembled when he heard me and tried to move, but I stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"My biological father was Prince Rhaegar, and my mother was Lyanna Stark," I said softly.

"That dumb boy," the Maester sighed. "Do you know the truth of what happened?"

"Yes… My mother ran away from her betrothal to be with him. But somehow, the letter explaining the circumstances never arrived," I said sadly before rage could enter my mind. "If I ever find out who was responsible, I'll make sure they suffer for their sins," I said firmly.

The Maester sighed. "At least he didn't take her away like they say."

"Thank you for being honest with me, Jon." He smiled softly. "I can die happy knowing that our family will thrive in the future."

"You still have some time, Maester," I laughed. "And you're still needed here at the Wall."

Our conversation took a long time, but when I left, I felt a burden lifted off my shoulders.

Three days later

Hearing some commotion so early in the morning was weird, and when the trumpets sounded, I was completely alert. I grabbed my sword and light armor before going to check what was happening. Seeing some of the guards running, I stopped one to ask what was going on.

The only answer I received was that some of the rangers who left on the expedition were getting closer to the Wall.

I felt a knot in my throat and prayed that Uncle Benjen was successful in his endeavor. As I got ready, the first thing I noticed was that he was leading the group. As I sighed with relief, my heart almost stopped. Of the twenty rangers who started the expedition, only four were coming back, and all of them were injured.

"Bring the Maester!" I shouted to Samwell, who was standing nearby doing nothing.

He nodded, hearing the urgency in my voice. As he went searching for the maester, I went back to my room where I had some of the things Robb gave me in case of emergency. Grabbing a bottle of milk of the poppy and some "bandages" Robb invented, I stopped for a moment before crushing some of the insects into a paste that I had in another jar. According to Robb, these insects were specifically made for injuries since the paste killed something called germs or something like that and also numbed the area.

Hopefully, the maester would be able to use this, so I took it all the same. Going back, I noticed that everyone was already in the courtyard, making a circle while they tended to the injured. Approaching them nervously, I sighed in relief seeing that Benjen only had some cuts and wasn't life-threateningly injured.

"Maester Aemon, this could be helpful for the injured," I said as I handed him everything I had in hand. After a brief explanation, the maester started tending to their wounds.

"Uncle Benjen, what happened?" I asked him seriously.

He smiled tiredly, "Your brother was right," he said grimly. "The White Walkers are awake."

"Lies!" shouted someone from the back, and my eyes narrowed, seeing the identity of the person who shouted. Ser Alliser Thorne approached the center, and everyone moved aside, seeing the crazed look in his eyes.

"I'm tired of this!" he continued. "You Starks are trying to sell this tale for your own ends, but this finishes now. I don't want to hear a single word about White Walkers again!"

"Ser Alliser…" a timid voice was heard, and I was surprised the one who spoke was Samwell.

"What do you want, you disgrace?" he sneered.

"Look behind you," Samwell pointed to something near the entrance.

"Bah," Ser Thorne scoffed. "Go back to sleep if you have nothing useful to say."

"Ser Thorne," the Lord Commander said grimly, "Look inside the cage."

Surprised, I also looked that way since in my concerned state I had ignored everything until I was sure Uncle Benjen was alright. I gasped, seeing what was inside the cage, and dread set in my stomach. Inside, a body, clearly dead, was moving, and I could faintly hear some screeches when I focused.

"We need to prepare!" Commander Mormont shouted. "We are the Night's Watch, and we must protect the Wall from outside threats. We'll have a meeting after lunch."

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