UPDATED Chapter 681: White Walker Benjen

The white direwolf departed without looking back. The knight in black watched its silhouette vanish into the blizzard, feeling a weight in his heart, before slowly rising to his feet.

This knight in black was none other than Benjen Stark, who had recently left the Wall. Alone, he ventured beyond the Wall in pursuit of the White Walkers, hoping to find his sister, Lyanna Stark.

However, the dangers beyond the Wall were even more treacherous than before. The seasoned Chief Ranger of the Night's Watch encountered peril within a day.

He was caught in a snowstorm and sought shelter to rest for the night. But upon reaching the wildling village closest to the Wall, Whitetree, he was suddenly ambushed by wights.

Outnumbered, Benjen fought valiantly, eliminating all the wights. Yet, he collapsed in front of the massive weirwood in Whitetree, losing consciousness.

Time passed, and when Benjen opened his eyes again, the wights he had slain were gone. He lay alone beneath the weirwood.

At first, Benjen thought he had narrowly escaped death. However, he soon realized a chilling truth— he no longer felt the cold.

He discovered that his body had lost all warmth, becoming icy cold. His skin had turned a ghastly blue, devoid of any human warmth or color.

For the first time, the Chief Ranger felt an unprecedented fear. He found a clear patch of ice, wiped away the snow, and looked at his reflection.

Benjen saw his familiar face, but with icy blue eyes.

Had he truly died and become a wight?

The knight in black sat beneath the weirwood in Whitetree, taking most of the day to come to terms with his situation.

After much internal struggle, he accepted his fate and resisted the urge to end his life.

He sat motionless for hours, yet felt no cold. If he were still human, the harsh conditions beyond the Wall would have frozen him by now.

But now, Benjen felt nothing. He hadn't eaten or drunk for what felt like ages, yet felt no hunger or thirst.

He realized one advantage of being a wight: he could move freely beyond the Wall, unaffected by its harshest conditions.

He no longer felt the biting cold, nor did he need to search for food.

The only price he paid was his life. Although no longer among the living, his allegiance remained unchanged. Even as one of the dead, he was still willing to fight for the living.

However, a question lingered in Benjen's mind: Why was he still conscious?

He remembered the army of the dead, mindlessly charging at the living under the command of the White Walkers. Most wights should lack consciousness, or many would still fight for the living.

Yet, Benjen felt no different from when he was alive. He remembered his name, his mission, and still had control over his actions.

Was he an exception?

This thought plagued the Chief Ranger.

Perhaps he had forgotten much more than he realized, and his perceived control was just an illusion.

Lost in thought, Benjen decided not to return to the Wall and face his brother Eddard, fearing Edd might kill him on sight.

Instead, he continued his mission, venturing further north. Using his new identity to his advantage, he tracked the White Walkers, hoping to find his sister, Lyanna Stark.

With determination, Benjen, known for his decisive nature, set forth.

Before long, he was reunited with his loyal steed, a horse he had ridden into many battles beyond the Wall. However, the horse had also turned into a skeletal steed. Fortunately, it still recognized its master.

Initially, the skeletal horse resisted, attempting to bite Benjen. But once he took hold of its reins and stroked its mane, it calmed down, allowing him to mount.

Together, man and steed ventured into the snowy expanse. After what felt like days, having passed the Fist of the First Men and nearing the Gorge, Benjen encountered a lone direwolf.

He had hoped to travel with the majestic creature, but the proud wolf king declined. Despite the loss of its pack, it did not need a human companion.

The direwolf could continue wandering the vast icy plains or face death head-on.

After the direwolf's departure, Benjen mounted his steed and continued northward.

However, within half a day, he faced another unexpected situation.

But this time, Benjen's heart wasn't calm; it burned with intensity.

For he had encountered a White Walker.

The White Walker, like Benjen, rode a skeletal horse. Its reins were chains covered in frost, clinking with every step, standing out starkly against the snowy night.

Benjen noticed the White Walker and halted his steed to observe. The white-haired White Walker clearly noticed him too.

But its cold gaze merely swept over Benjen, detecting no threat.

The White Walker continued on its path, disappearing into the blizzard.