Disclaimer: GRRM owns all.

Chapter 4 Jon I

Jon

"How did she find out?" James Stark asked as they sat in the chambers they both shared. Jon's brother-cousin was sitting across the brazier wrapped in furs. His black hair had began to grow longer, his hair spilling onto the furs themselves. James rubbed his hands over the fire and hugged himself again for warmth. He looked up at Jon. "How in the seven blazing hells did she find out, Jon?"

Jon shrugged and sipped on his warm mead. The Wall was cold as of late, and the mead only helped some. They were waiting for Mance to tell them when to treat. Now it was just growing cold and lonely. Bran's men were beginning to itch for a fight, and Jon knew that could only lead to trouble. The Night's Watch was also fishing to fight their common enemy as well, but Jon would be the one to advise caution. He knew Mance better than most, had let his people into Castle Black when he was the Lord Commander. They had a common foe at the time, but now that foe was gone, leaving nothing but the rivalry that once existed between the free folk and the black brother's of the Night's Watch. Now Jon was no longer a crow, James as well, yet waking up in Castle Black everyday invoked those memories in them both.

"Nothing gets by that woman," James mumbled once more. He reached over and sipped out of his own mead himself. "Sometimes I swear she is worse than Varys with his little birds, if you remember."

"That wife of yours knows everything," said Jon now after taking another sip of that warm mead. "You knew what you were getting into when you said yes to her proposal in this very place."

"I did not think she had the power to find out everything!" James snapped.

"Why didn't you just tell her of Val?"

James scoffed. "You know that Daenerys is the jealous type. She does not like to hear about the women of my past. She likes to think of herself as the only woman who has ever been in my life. She would have grown jealous and angry. Because-"

"-you actually loved her," Jon got right to the truth of it. "She fears she will have a rival to your heart."

James snorted back a laugh. "She knows that belongs to her and our children. I do admit to my own jealousy when she told me of Daario, but I got over it. I've told her about Ros and Cersei - but those woman truly never meant as much to me as Val and Dany did. Perhaps that is why she gets angry."

"Like I said," Jon quipped. "She sees a rival to what is hers."

"Well, she knows she should not. I only love her and our children, along with Lyanna and my unborn grandchild." James smiled. "I will be a grandfather upon the end of this year."

"I am very happy for you, James."

He nodded. "Thank you. I will know a love like no other, when I hold this child in my arms. The child of my Ned and his Lyanna."

"Ned tells me that they decided upon Daenerys for a girl, and Gendry for a boy."

James laughed softly. "Of course he did. He has always loved Dany so much, more so than me. Those two have always been close."

"It does not insult you that they would name the boy Gendry?" Jon asked.

James shook his head. "No. Gendry is a good man, and Lya's father. I understand." He shook his head. "Plus, Rhaella won the right to my name."

"As Jeyne did of mine."

They both had a good laugh about it and James only shook his head. "Back where it all began, Jon. In the Lord Commander's solar is where she asked me. I almost fainted."

Jon laughed softly. "I remember."

"Perhaps Lyanna told her," James said now, changing the subject. "That good-daughter of mine seems to know everything about everyone in Winterfell."

"Can you still believe she is your good-daughter?" Jon asked him. To Jon himself it was still quite a disbelief that Ned and Lyanna had fallen for each other. He could still remember the two of them as tots in the Red Keep. Jon could still remember them running around in the small council chamber while he'd read his scrolls, or when he would spend time with them each day. Now those two tots had married one another, and were going to have a family together. It made Jon feel old. He had never known about Lya's love for Ned, until Sansa told him one day after they had created Marissa together. She told him that he needed to support them both, that they were like them. Jon agreed to the consent, of course. If he could marry his own cousin for love…

James shook his head. "I cannot. Not too long ago she was that little tot I'd call my niece, but now she is a woman grown and my good-daughter, nonetheless. She is a good girl though, I cannot deny that Ned has made a great choice in his wife."

"Better than Casella? You quite liked her for Ned's wife."

"Casella failed her test. Ned could have been all hers and she could've been the one to be carrying his child - as she always liked to speak about. But now she'll have to find her own way in this world."

As we all had to at some point. "She'll need to find a husband."

"As will my daughters," James said. "Yet I know many a lord in the kingdom who would gladly marry a true Targaryen." He shook his head. "I know that Rhaegar wants to marry Casella. He talks to me about how pretty she is. It seems that he has inherited that part about me, whereas Ned hasn't."

Jon laughed softly. "Robb often spoke to me about asking her to be his wife, too. Poor boy. Little does he know that Sella would never agree to it. He's too young, but beautiful girls are his weakness."

James laughed softly as well. "Rhaegar seems to be plagued by the same weakness. Gods, I miss that boy - and Rhaenys, too. And Rhaella and Cat. Even my wife who scolded me to seven hells and back in this raven." He sighed and poked the brazier. "But, what can we do, Jon? The Wall needs us again."

"Our duty. At least that is what Father would have said."

"Aye, he would have." James sighed. "My own son resents me for making him come here, Jon. Of that I have no doubt."

"Ned doesn't resent you," Jon tried to encourage. Yet in his own mind he knew that Robb would be sour if he had to leave Winterfell. It was the boys that Jon felt bad for, they had to be thrown into this all too quickly. Jon knew what James was trying to do in bringing his son along. He was trying to toughen him, make him grow, much as Jon and the rest of the Stark siblings had to do at their age. Jon would have to send Robb away to foster when he was old enough, already Rickon said that he would be more than happy to let him. The arrangements were already being made, and Robb would be sent away after his thirteenth nameday. Jon did not want to imagine the look on Sansa's face when Robb would have to leave Winterfell's walls for a few years. Already she was angry that Jon agreed to this, but she was such a protective mother to all of their four children. Jeyne, however, would always be her favorite. She was the first girl, something Sansa had always wanted.

Jon smirked as memories of his children filled his head. Little Jeyne running around with Cat across the courtyard, Brandon with his companion Rhaegar, Robb with Edric and Jaime, and finally his Marissa, all sweet and loving. Jon thanked the gods for his children, and knew he was blessed for a wife and mother as great as Sansa Stark. He didn't know where his life would be now had he stayed in the Watch, perhaps he'd be the commander still and not Jeor Mormont.

"Why do you smirk?" James asked in a hoarse voice, he then coughed. "What has brought a smile to your face?"

"Thinking of my children," Jon said softly. He kept his stare to the cracking fire. He thought the redness reminded him of Sansa's hair. Kissed by fire, Jon thought. The words sent a chill down his spine again. "That is all I can think about."

"Aye," James agreed with him. "All I see is Dany's hair when I look into the sun. I remember in King's Landing it would catch it. Gods I did not see such a prettier sight in my life."

Sansa's hair always would catch in the light when she'd sow in front of the fire in our chambers. "All that we do reminds us of our families."

Then there was a knock on the door and it creaked open slightly. Tyrion Lannister came walking in dressed in his houses colors. On his back he was wearing black furs that contrasted with the crimson he was wearing. His white-blonde hair was falling down over his ears now. He took a seat on the empty chair beside them and rubbed his hands over the fire. Jon smiled softly to himself when he saw the dwarf that had lived with them in Winterfell for almost thirteen years.

"Gendry is still with the commanders," Tyrion said, shifting in his chair. "He once again wants to go over the plans in case Mance betrays us."

"Mance won't betray us," said James. Jon could see his breath visible in the air, that's how cold it was. "And if he does, we'll get back to the Wall in time."

"We can never be to sure with these wildlings," Tyrion defended. "They do not have much honor to them."

"We'll have to take the chance," Jon said now. "What other choice do we have? I just want to go home."

"As do we all," James replied. "But the wildlings must be defeated first."

Tyrion laughed suddenly and gave James a firm slap on the knee. "Mayhaps you could convince Val to have Mance surrender."

Jon laughed along with him and looked up to see James blush slightly. "Val would never listen to me, and would not tell Mance what to do - well, she probably would."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tyrion asked. "I've known you for over twenty years. I would had liked to known you've bedded a wildling!"

"It's not as great as it sounds," James said with a chuckle. "Val was often dominant, and left me with many back scratches."

That made Tyrion laugh again. "I knew they were as wild as their name." He now looked to Jon. "What about you, Jon Snow. Was your Ygritte as wild as Val?"

Ygritte was full of life. Jon nodded. "Aye, she was. She taught me much."

Silence hung between them for a few moments, it seemed everyone was also thinking about the loves in their life. As Jon looked to Tyrion he knew about Shae and Tysha. One was his first wife, and a woman he truly loved. The other was a whore who he thought he loved, but she only loved the coin in his purse. As Jon looked to James, he realized many a woman have loved him. Many whores, many wenches. James had no shred of honor as a child. But as he grew, so did his honor. Yet their were women in his past who he actually loved. Ros, was one. Val, the other. Cersei…never. Daenerys…above them all.

Jon suddenly could hear the wind howling outside as the door opened again. He looked to see Ned standing at the doorway also wrapped in black furs under his boiled leather and chain mail. Jon wondered how much his nephew was hurting being gone from Lyanna's arms. Tyrion once told a tale that he heard the young Eddard praying for his wife and unborn child before bed each night, while even Robert suggested tears. Jon didn't know the truth of it, but knew the feeling nonetheless. He had no true words of encouragement or comfort to offer him.

"Father," Ned spat hoarsely, sealing the door behind him and the wind howling outside. "Uncle Bran bids you to join him in the courtyard. It seems Mance has accepted our offer for a parley."

The men scrambled quickly. James through off his furs, Jon and Tyrion as well, and moved to the bed. He quickly buckled on his sword, Jon buckled Longclaw, and Tyrion had on his axe. There was no time to waste. Mance could want the parley within the hour or in the afternoon. It was all dependent on him. Jon knew that much depended on this treat with the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Mance wanted the heart of the North for his people, wanted them to finally be free. Jon might have let him were it up to him, but it wasn't. He always thought the wildlings were just normal people, but with different ways. Ygritte had taught him that.

They finished dressing soon after and found the men standing in the courtyard. Robert and Gendry were standing side-by-side, both looking identical as father and son. Jon then remembered the promise Arya extracted from him upon leaving Winterfell. "Make sure they both don't do anything foolish, Robert especially. I know how much he wants to be a man, to impress Gendry, but don't let him, Jon. I want you to promise me, Jon. Promise me you'll look after Robert. Oh, yes, and Gendry, too, I suppose." Jon chuckled as he walked towards his nephew and good-brother, thinking about how much Arya has changed, yet how much she has still kept some of her ways.

Jon came beside Robert now, James and Tyrion beside Gendry, and Ned beside Jon. In the distance they saw Bran with Jon Umber and the rest of his guards and lords. The wind blew around them now, snow falling with the wind as well. The flakes were large, Jon noticed, and knew that was acceptable with the North's summer snows. He could remember them now as a child.

"What news?" James asked.

"Mance has agreed to the parley," Gendry replied, arms crossed. "And I hope soon. I must return south to Storm's End. Should this take too long…"

"We cannot predict the future," Tyrion Lannister said. "Even now, Gendry, what good would it do going back south before this is completed? Should the Wall fall, Stannis will have to come north to combat the wildlings. Either way you shall be seeing Mance again."

Tyrion's words ring true. "Tyrion is right. There is no point in leaving, Gendry, even if you want to."

"I fear we won't even get the chance to think it," Robert said as they saw figures coming out of the tunnel. The scout came out of the tunnel, clad in black furs and a shall covering his face from the cold. He hopped off the horse and handed the arrow to Bran, who opened it and read with a pace.

It was then he rolled forward with his guards and explained to them what the message entailed. "Mance meets for us to treat with on the morrow, when the sun is highest in the sky. He says he will bring only a few of his most trusted guards, and that we should do the same."

"How can we trust him?" James asked.

"What choice do we have?" retorted Bran, folding up the message.

"I'll never trust them," said Gendry.

"Aye," the Greatjon spat. "We cannot trust Mance."

"We have no choice, Lord Umber," Bran told him now. "I would bring only my most trusted lords on the field. The Lord Commander, my brother's, and you, Lord Umber."

"I shall be by your side, my lord."

Bran nodded. "Good. And what of my brother's? Will they be there as well?"

"You know we will," said James with a sigh.

Jon only nodded in his reply and Gendry rolled his eyes, then nodding.

Tyrion then said, "I would like to come, too."

"I could not have it," Bran replied.

"Why? It is because I am a dwarf?"

"Nothing of the sort-"

"Spare me, Lord Stark," Tyrion spat.

"What are we to do to prepare?" James asked this time, changing the subject. Jon could see that Tyrion was unhappy with this.

"The very thing we must get done too," Bran replied. He gestured to the dining hall. "Follow me."

They spent a good while talking about how to treat with Mance. Some said to just attack (the foolish ones did), others offered to come under a peace banner so that Mance will know that they were serious. Jon thought it a good idea. Even the King-Beyond-the-Wall will know what a peace banner looks like. Eventually it began to go back-and-forth about who should go with Bran. Some said too few were going, that more needed to be out there to guard the Lord of Winterfell in case Mance were to try something. Jon thought the same, to some extent, but Bran quickly waived it away. It was decided that the men of the Night's Watch would man the Wall and overlook the parley while it happened, while the men of the North would guard the courtyard in case of a wildling attack. Only those talked about would go with Bran.

Afterward they sparred a bit to warm their blood, and after that they ate some lunch. It was just warm mead and hot soup in the dining hall. It was all the cooks could make to keep all the men warm. The tents were now beginning to be covered in sheets of ice and Jon thought on his children when he looked upon them. He had remembered seeing the same thing happen at Craster's Keep before they ranged on to the Fist of the First Men. The Wall defends itself, he had thought at the time, and so he was again. He knew that if his children were here, they would be enchanted. Robb would want to know how the Wall could do this, such a curious boy. Jeyne would call it magic and say it was enchanted. Already she was like her mother, a romantic. Brandon would want to laugh and touch it, while Marissa would curiously examine it.

As Jon sat atop the Wall with Ned, he thought about his daughter again. Jeyne had always loved him, ever since she was a babe. Jon remembered how Jeyne's gaze would follow Ned, or how she'd smile or make noises when he was around. And with each year she grew, her love grew even more. When she was a girl she often asked Sansa if she could marry Ned. One time she even proposed to him. Jon didn't know what it was that she was so attracted to him about, but he forgave figuring it out long ago. Sansa said that it was because he was older and nice, and handsome. At least Ned treated her like gold - Jon was grateful for that much - and wouldn't steer her wrong. He knew that Ned would write her letters, call her beautiful, and Jon appreciated that.

Ned threw a stone off the Wall lackadaisically and then said, "You're lucky. You get to see all of your children's births." He threw another.

Jon sighed and looked at the dancing trees in the Haunted Forest. "You will see your child born to you. We will not be here long."

"Gods willing," Ned swore. He pointed out to the forest again, where Jon could faintly see the smoke rising out of the trees. He knew that around those fires were wildlings families. Men, women, children, and the elderly. It was not just Mance and his army, it was a whole giant family of them. "It just is not fair, Uncle."

"Much of life isn't, Ned. We just must do what we can."

He scoffed. "So everyone tells me. I just grow tired of it. I wrote Lyanna about how much I miss her, I tell her not to worry, yet I know she is crying everyday for me. At least that is what Rhaella tells me."

Jon frowned at that as he looked at the forest again. He knew the reason she was crying was because they were both still fairly young, both newly wed. Jon was fortunate enough to spend every moment with Sansa since their marriage, yet at the same time he knew that they were already grown. If someone had told him as a child that he was to marry Sansa when he was older, he would have laughed in their face. Perhaps Ned thought the same way, Jon thought as he looked at his nephew once more. Jon could remember the little tot in King's Landing. The royal twins, Ned and Rhaella were called in the Red Keep. They were beloved by all at the time when they were a prince or a princess. Ned could have been the King of Westeros, had James kept the throne. Yet life had other duties for him.

Jon then chuckled. "The gods sometimes bless those who are bad, yet curse those who are good. I fear you are like the rest of us, Eddard."

He laughed with him. "You sound like Robert. He believes the same." Ned sighed. "I just miss Winterfell. I miss Lyanna and my family. And I miss your daughter as well."

Jon smiled softly and said, "I've never thanked you for how well you treat my Jeyne. I know she loves you dearly, Ned, perhaps a bit too much. I would have thought it a nuisance, but, again, I say thank you."

Ned waived it away. "You needn't ever thank me, nor think Jeyne a nuisance. She is a great person, has a gentle heart. Much like my mother…"

Jon nodded again. "Jeyne often speaks of marrying you. Well, used to before you married Lyanna. When can Ned and I be married? She'd ask as a child." He laughed again, looking at the ice on the Wall.

Ned chuckled. "I remember. She would always ask as a girl. I'd always tell her that we could when she was older. Truth be told, Uncle Jon, I would have asked her hand if she were my age. That's the truth."

It was then that a northern war horn blew once, and it shook the very wall itself. Jon and Ned quickly turned their heads to each other. One blast for friends, Jon knew, two for foes, and three for Others (not that they would be a problem). Ned and Jon stood up now, awaiting if there was to be another horn blast. They looked at the forest and saw nothing, which quelled Jon's nerves for a mere moment. Ned's hand then went to his sword hilt, but suddenly they turned around to Castle Black to see a huge party of Northmen coming through the gate.

"The standard is a white star on a sea of black," said Ned with a grin. They both knew what house wore that as its sigil: The Karstarks. "Uncle Rickon is here!"

Both Jon and Eddard made their way down the winch cage slowly and emerged to find the Lord of Karhold dismounting his horse with the rest of the Starks around him. Rickon looked older now. His auburn hair was down to his ears, his beard thick and copper just like his hair. Even looking upon the boy reminded Jon of Sansa. They both looked very much alike, just like Robb and her did as children. Jon remembered how much she cared for Rickon when he was a babe, how they all did. Since he was practically orphaned for most of his life, the Starks treated with him with elevated kindness. Lady Catelyn, mostly. She felt remorse for leaving him for most of his life. Yet now Rickon had a wife in Marci, and three children to call his own. The orphaned boy was long gone and now a man appeared before him. A lord of the North.

Soon the Stark brother's (And Gendry and Tyrion) were reunited in the dining hall. They all soon sat down and enjoyed a reunion of sorts. Rickon told them how his family was doing, how Rickard, Alys, and Benjen were growing up. Tankards and ale were shared by all along with other news. Bran told him about Mance and the wildlings, about the parley on the morrow. Rickon exclaimed that he wanted to attend, but Bran explained that he could not since Mance expected him not to be there. Rickon pouted, of course, he had always been like that since he was a boy. Some of those aspects never changed.

"How is Mother?" Rickon asked with a laugh. "How is everyone fairing?"

"Well," said James. "Mother is resting more than usual. She has grown old, Rickon."

"How old?" Rickon asked. "Should I be scared?"

"No cause for concern," Bran assured. "Our Mother is fairing well still. She just needs to rest more."

Rickon nodded and then asked, "How are my nieces and nephews, good-sister's and sister's? All well?"

"Daenerys has been kept busy with Rhaenys," James replied. "Rhaella is doing well, as is Cat and Rhaegar."

"That is good to hear. I hope to meet little Rhaenys one day." He then looked to Bran. "And I hear you have another on the way?"

Bran nodded. "Cella is with our second child. And you know who else is to be a father?" A smile crept on Bran's face.

At that Rickon smiled. "Ah, yes, it seems Ned is to be a father. Good on you, lad."

Ned tried to suppress a smile. "Thank you, Uncle."

"You'll be a good father, Ned, I know it. I was scared, too, but…you'll learn."

Rickon then nudged Bran. "And I hear Jaime has a betrothed? Has the boy found love?" He gave a a laugh.

"He has. Jaime has found love faster than most of his cousins, it seems. I'm glad the boy wants to be a man."

"All of them are growing too fast," Gendry said, squeezing his son's shoulder. "My Robert is going to marry soon, as is Edric. Lya, she is already married as well. It will be only Cassana left in Storm's End, after I give Edric his holdfast."

"Already our son's are becoming men," said James. "One day I will see Rhaegar off with his wife. Hopefully I'll be around to see the day."

"You will be," Bran told him. "And I doubt he can marry all the women in the Seven Kingdoms. Gods know all the girls will line up for him."

"He has his mother's families look. I cannot deny that."

"Something Ned does not share," Rickon jested.

Ned shook his head. "I look nothing Targaryen, I know, but I would not have it any other way. It has won the hearts of two beautiful women."

Rickon laughed. "How is Lyanna fairing with her pregnancy?"

"She fares well," Ned answered. "At least that is what Rhaella tells me. I just wish to see her again."

"Aye, you will, Ned," Rickon assured. "Of that I have little doubt."

Jon stood over the Wall now and looked down at the snowy-white field. He was dressed in all black and his furs, minus the Targaryen brooch on his collar and the direwolf on his chest. Jon was not a black brother anymore. He was a Targaryen, and a Stark. His father was Rhaegar Targaryen, his mother was Lyanna Stark. Yet Jon always remembered Ned Stark as his father, and himself as a boy without a mother. The bastard would never die in him. He was just glad his children weren't bastards.

Bran was looking out at the field through a looking glass and saw who Mance had brought with him. He had brought Tormund and Rattleshirt, even Val was there with other wildlings Jon did not know. Harma and the others had died during the battle with the Others. Mance was in the middle with a white peace banner, something that Jon himself would carry into the field. To his right was the Lord of Bones, his left Tormund. Val was there, too, which Jon found interesting. He knew that Val was a hard woman, but never was a spearwife. Perhaps she was trusted upon Mance's council, he didn't know. Mayhaps it had something to do with Dalla.

Now the winch cage swung in the wind, going down slowly and slowly. It was unnerving, truly, and Jon just wished it went faster. James was next to him, clad in grey, yet Jon could remember a time when he was clad in black. Gendry was there, too, along with Bran and Lord Umber. Jon thought the cage would break under all this weight. Jon Umber must have weighed about twenty stone or more. Jon did not know. The man was stronger than two aurochs, but was smarter than most.

Below in the courtyard he saw Rickon, Robert, Tyrion, and Ned waiting for them. Jon knew that both Ned and Robert were bitter about not being allowed to join them. Robert thought this would have gained him so much experience in life, as did Ned. Eddard wanted to grow up so fast, but just with Lyanna at his side. Jon told him that on the coldest nights at the Wall he often thought of having a wife with a child as the Stark of Winterfell. Ned said he filled the same thoughts in his own mind ever since he had left Winterfell. Of him watching Lyanna as she fed their babe in front of a crackling hearth. Jon had seen Sansa do that since Robb, a memory that kept him warm on coldest nights.

Now the men landed in the courtyard, and Jon stood there with the men and boys while a steward saddled his horse. Rickon, Tyrion, and the boys were giving their final goodbyes and words of encouragement. Jon knew nothing was to happen, but they never knew...

"Say hello to Val for me," Robert said with half-a-smile. Already he had grown an infatuation over her beauty. Ned had, too, Jon noticed, but kept it inside for Lyanna's sake. Jon knew he liked beautiful women as well, yet Ned had honor where as Robert did not.

"I'll make sure to."

Ned came forward and gave Jon a quick hug along with a firm handshake. "Say hello to her for me, too. I know she is my enemy, but-"

"-Val would never consider you as such," Jon told him. "Honestly, she wouldn't. She loved your father, and that means she loves you. Trust me on that, Ned. If you were ever caught by wildlings, I'd seek her for protection."

Ned smiled softly to himself at the jest and Jon then went to mount his horse. A short steward handed Jon his peace banner, and he took his formation beside his brother's and Jeor Mormont. They moved under the Wall where the ice was trickling already and hitting Jon lightly on the head. No one was speaking in this moment, and the only thing that could be heard was the exhaling of the horses. Jon knew what was on everyone's minds in this moment. What if Mance were to betray them? It was a disheartening thought, Jon knew. This could be the last time they were breathing in this world.

Now they walked their horses to the middle of the field where Mance was with his group. They sat upon the horses and Jon grew nervous. Horses could be used at their advantage need they have to leave hastily, but it also gave the wildlings an advantage as well. They could attack at any time.

"Lord Stark," said Mance. "I see that you have come with the might of the North behind you."

Bran did not say anything but just shifted on his horse. "I am Brandon Stark, Lord of Winterfell," Bran said now. "I know you are this King-Beyond-the-Wall that you have been calling yourself for all these years. Should I be bending to you and not Stannis Baratheon?"

"We don't bend our knees north of the Wall," Mance replied. "Everyone is free to do as they will. A life you should try, Lord Stark."

"I'm content with my life," Bran replied. "I am just fine."

"So you say." Jon saw Mance's gaze flick over the rest of them and then Jon. "Ah, I see you have brought your brother's with you…and the Lord of Storm's End by the looks of it. Lord Baratheon, is it not?"

"Yes, I am Gendry Baratheon of Storm's End."

"And I see Jon Snow and James Stark. How long has it been?"

Jon could see Val glancing every so often at James from the corner of his eye. And Jon could see James ignoring her, or at least trying. It seems both of them knew that there was too much history to ignore. But James was with wife and five children, he was not interested in remembering old times.

"We aren't here to reminisce," spat the Greatjon. "We just want you to leave and never comeback."

"And you must be Jon Umber," said Mance.

"And you must be Mance Rayder," Jon Umber growled. "Aye, I know who you are too. I actually know some of your raiders as well. Some of them grace my cities gates."

Mance ignored the jibe and saw the Lord Commander. "Lord Commander Mormont. I see that you have taken the place of your great-grandfather."

"Aye, I have," he said proudly. "And you are a traitor and shall be defeated."

"Still after so long they hate me," Mance said with a laugh. "No matter, I expected nothing less."

"Why are you here, Mance?" James asked suddenly, getting to the heart of it. "You asked for this parley. Tell us what you want."

"I want peace for my people. We will not fight if we don't have to."

"But will, if we have to," spat Rattleshirt.

"Aye," Val reiterated.

"It makes no matter," Mance said again. "You cannot give me what I want. Only the Night's Watch can."

"I speak for the Watch," said Jeor.

"And I the North, along with King Stannis," Bran said. "Tell us what you want."

"Just tell the knee benders," Tormund retorted. "There is no need in hiding it anymore."

Mance grunted. "Fine. I will tell you what I want, there is no need in avoiding it: I want my people beyond the Wall. I want what was promised to me so long ago after helping take back Winterfell. I want the land gifted to you by Bran the Builder and the Queen Alysanne. I want the lands promised to my people."

"The Watch would never allow that," Jeor snapped.

"Nor, the King," replied Bran.

"We are not so different, all of us," Mance began. "We both want one thing: peace. Do you not wish to go home to your wive's and children ? Aye, I wish to go back to my wife and children now, but I am stuck here with you. I want my people to live free and die old. We are like you, with our culture and gods. We fish, toil, farm and raise our children like the rest of you. We just don't want a wall in the way anymore."

"I would never allow it!" Jon Umber yelled.

"Calm down, Lord Umber," Bran urged. He looked to Mance. "You know that would present an issue. King Stannis would not allow it, and your people would have to subject to the realms laws. Something I fear you would have a hard time adhering to."

"We hear you change king's like you do night-and-day," Tormund jested. "We would get tiring of staying on bended knees the whole time."

Soon the other wildlings chuckled with him and Val said, "This request is not that large. We only ask for a piece of land outside the Wall, and whatever lies north. We would keep to your laws. No raiding, no killing. But we will not go fight your wars, or send our children away for your entertainment. We don't pay no taxes, neither."

Stannis would never go for that. "This is folly!" yelled Jon over all of them now. "These terms will never be met. You ask too much, Mance."

"We ask to be free, Snow!" Rattleshirt spat. "I should have gutted you when I first saw you."

"He was never once of us," Mance corrected. "He only pretended to be."

"Not when he was around Ygritte," Val reminded him now. "And it makes no matter now. He is a dragon, supposedly."

Jon kept the mask on his face and didn't let the words hurt him. He was never a wildling, he could admit that. Jon would rather be with Sansa and his children for the rest of his life, than face the insults of wildlings. He paid it no mind.

"I'm afraid these terms cannot be met," Bran said with feign remorse. "Our king would never agree to that, nor would the Watch."

"I heard you were a man of your word, Lord Stark," Mance questioned. "Would you propose this to your king?"

James laughed. "You don't seem to know Stannis Baratheon."

"King Stannis is a man of honor and law," Bran told him. "He would not allow the New Gift to be given over to just anyone. And especially wildlings. It would be a waste of time. You know this, Mance."

"Aye, I know," said Mance. "But I'm afraid you know what it does, too."

Bran only nodded and said, "Then so be it. We have no other option, it seems."

"I was afraid it would come to this," Mance said with remorse.

"It is better this way," Tormund said with a grin.

Mance grabbed his reigns and turned his horse half-around. "I will see you on the battlefield then, Brandon Stark."

He turned his horse around and the wildlings followed him. Val gave them hard looks, and one last glance at James before riding off. Tormund just followed Mance and the Lord of Bones spat on the ground before them as if to curse them. Soon the wildlings disappeared into the forest and the men turned their horses around.

Jeor Mormont wasted no time in voicing his opinion. "You know the Watch would not go for this. I must bring this up to my men, and most of them would rather die than let wildlings across the Wall."

"We can at least let them decide," Gendry said.

Jeor laughed. "We have a better chance of bringing down the Wall with our bear hands. I can bring up to a vote, but it will not due. I can try."

"Good," Bran said. "I can also write to the King."

"We already tried that," James reminded them, "and Stannis has given us no reply. We are on our own."

"Let us speak of this in my solar," Bran ended it there.

They moved back into Castle Black and Bran ordered a meeting of his lords. Most of the Northern lords and men of the Night's Watch came into the dining hall. Ned and Robert were allowed to join them as well, and Jon had filled in them and Tyrion about what was to happen. Ned and Robert both had wide eyes, thinking that on the morrow they might kill their first man. Jon tried to reassure them that nothing would happen, but they were never certain. Tyrion cursed them, Rickon was stoic.

Now the hall was filled with men and shouts of argument. Bran had told them about what Mance wanted, and the men began to shout in disagreement. The Watch did not want to give them any lands, the Northmen wanted to trick them. Bran suggested giving them the land until the King could come north and attack them. Surely it was not honorable, but would still be a better outcome than battle. The Night's Watch did not want anything to do with it.

"We are speaking of treason," Jeor Mormont spat. "To go behind the king's back and give them land."

"I thought the Watch did not get involved in the realms problems," questioned Rickon.

"We do not, but we also serve them. King Stannis could put us to the sword if he chose."

"That will not happen," Bran yelled over them all. "We can at least put this to a vote to avoid a battle."

"I would rather die then let them cross Castle Black," the Master-at-arms swore. "This is folly."

Men shouted in agreement and more chaos loomed overhead. Jon shook his head and knew that this was all shite.

"The Gift belongs to the Watch!" A man shouted. "Not the realm."

"Aye," Bran agreed, "but the New Gift was given to the Watch by Queen Alysanne. Surely Stannis has the power to give it back!"

"He has no such power!" Jeor Mormont yelled.

"We can only send word and await reply," James said cooly.

Maester Lucas frowned. "Stannis Baratheon is a hard man, you all know this. He will hold no love for the free folk. He will demand their defeat, that is all. We have no choice but to fight."

Others now took up the same call but Bran raised a hand so they would quite down. All did as bid and Bran said, "I fear you may be right in that regard, yet I still want to try. Mance outnumbers us by too many a number, and even in our combined strength we will have a hard time defeating him. They number in the thousands."

"It makes no matter," the maester replied. "It will take too long for Stannis's word to get back and the wildlings are not patient folk. They will attack as soon as they can, absent Stannis's reply. We must defend ourselves."

Most nodded and Bran only replied, "Aye, you might be right. Which is why I have my men preparing now for battle. I just want us to avoid it."

"I fear it is unavoidable," said Jeor Mormont. "Whether it is on the morrow, or in a fortnight or in a moon, Mance Rayder will come crashing down on the Wall with the might of the free folk behind him. I suggest we prepare."

"The Wall kept out the Others," Ned spoke up now. Soon all eyes were upon him, but the boy kept his composure. "Perhaps it should have no problem keeping out the wildlings."

"The Wall can be scaled, Ned," Jeor Mormont said softly. "Not to mention that they can bring men up the middle. Mance will attack all of the Wall, but will concentrate his forces on Castle Black."

Now James raised his hand. "What if we can avoid this battle? What if there was another way?"

Everyone seemed to raise an eyebrow. James continued, "I was once a ranger of the Night's Watch, First Ranger to be exact. I know how to track wildings. I know how they camp and function. I know how to kill them. My brother Jon does, as well, along with Kyle and some others."

"What are you suggesting, James?" Bran asked.

"What if we could assassinate, Mance."

Jon had thought of that, too, as did James and Tyrion. They had spoke on this in length before moving to the Wall. Tyrion said that the free folk were only an army because Mance made it so. That by his word they marshaled their forces and laid siege to the Wall. "Mance is the head of the snake," Tyrion said at the time. "Should we kill him, they will scatter to the wind like twigs. If only there was a way."

It was quite for a few moments then Bran laughed. "Folly. You would never get close."

Jon then said, "I share the same like of mind with James. I know where Mance's tent would be, I know how to sneak past them unseen. Give me and James a few men and we could do this. Only the most skilled rangers."

He could see them working it over in their heads, but Bran was not convinced. "That is ilk. The battle could be won easier than you two playing at Faceless Men."

"If Mance does not attack soon, it may be the only option we have," James replied. "He has the Haunted Forest at his back, an ever abundant source of food and supplies. We cannot starve him out. If battle does not happen, then this we must try."

"Aye, I can agree to that," the Lord Commander said.

Soon the other men nodded in agreement, no matter how ridiculous it sounded to them.

Bran nodded and said, "Fine. If we do not fight Mance, then we will try your plan. But until then rest and prepare. For on the morrow we may have a battle on our hands."

A/N: A bit of a shorter chapter, I know, but you can't expect 10,000 words every time. It gets tiring.