CHAPTER 29. ALLIANCE

After a three week march Robb's army arrives at Castle Black. Upon arriving they learn that Lord Commander Jeor Mormont had led an expedition beyond the wall. His men had faced the White Walkers and lost. Three hundred men went out and less than thirty returned. At Craster's Keep some of the men mutiny and Jeor Mormont is slain. Aliser Thorn is acting Lord Commander of the watch. So Robb and Jon meet with Thorn and the High Council of the Night's Watch to discuss making peace with the Free Folk.

"Its out of the Question…The Wildlings are animals…They'll put a knife in pur backs…and betray us…Mark my words." Alliser yells.

"The Wall was built to keep out the White Walkers…Not people…" Jon says speaking up.

"Mance Rayder is a traitor…"

"And I am the King in the North…If he truly has an army One hundred thousand and they agree to make peace…Then I will grant Mance Rayder a pardon…The real enemy is the White Walkers…"

"Tell me…King in the North…Do you really believe the Wildlings will bend the knee…"

Before Robb answers Jon whispers into his ear. He nods, "Bending the knee will not be a requirement of peace…So long as they keep to the land given to them and commit no crimes outside of their allotted territory…"

"There is one other thing to consider…" Maester Aemon says speaking up, "If the Free Folk make peace and help us defeat the White Walkers they may go back North beyond the wall…"

"This is the Night's Watch…We do not answer to Kings…This is a decision for the Lord Commander to make…"

"Then an election should be held…" Maester Aemon says speaking up again.

As the watch prepares for the election Robb and Jon approach their uncle Benjen, "King in the North…Your father would be proud…"

"Thank you for saying that…"

"Uncle Benjen…how do you feel about all this?"

"The Watch has been fighting the Wildlings for years…Now I don't know…"

"The Watch was founded to guard the realms of men…Are not the Free Folk made up of men women and children…" Jon says poetically.

"What are you asking me?"

"If you were nominated to be the new Lord Commander would you be willing to make peace with the Free Folk…"

Benjen's name is put forth and the votes cast. Benjens wins by seven votes and becomes the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. "My Lords a message from Winterfell…" Samwell Tarly says walking up.

"What is it?" Jon asks.

"Your wife has taken Lannisport and Casterly Rock…Houses Swyft, Westerling, Lorch, Serret, and the majority of House Payne have sided with Josselyn…Soon our enemies in the South will be defeated…" Robb hands him the letter.

"I should be with her…"

Benjen Stark as Lord Commander decides to make peace with the Free Folk. A week after the decision is made the Wildling Army arrives. Benjen rides out with Robb, Jon, Thorn, Thoros, Melisandre, and two other brothers of the watch ride out under a flag of peace. They are escorted through the massive camp to Mance Rayder.

"Lord Commander Benjen Stark…I'll be…And who are these you bought with you?"

As he introduces them Benjen points, "This is Robb Stark my nephew and the King in the North…My other nephew Jon Stark…Priest of the red god Thoros…Priestess of the red god the Lady Melisandre…You already know the brothers of the watch…"

"This is the Lord of Bones…This red Bastard is Tormund…and Ygritte…So lets get down to business…"

"Yes lets…The King and I want no war with your people…The King in the North is willing to pardon you of treason…and we will grant all the Wi…I mean Free Folk safe passage through the wall…You will also be granted the Gift…A fertile stretch of land good for crops and hunting…"

"And what price must we pay?" Tormund asks.

"All we ask in return is your help to defend the Wall from the White Walkers…"

"I can convince the Free Folk to agree to those terms…So long as you all agree that any crime committed against us on the land given to us will be dealt with by our laws…"

Robb nods, "Agreed!"

An official document is drawn up and then signed by Robb Stark King in the North, Mance Rayder, and Lord Commander Benjen Stark. "Ten thousand of my men will see the women and children escorted safely towards the gift…The rest will remain here to help defend the wall…"

Once that is settled the Free Folk are allowed to pass through the wall. Many of the Night's Watch are resentful and stare with hateful eyes as their longtime enemies walk right in front of them. There are giants and their mammoths with the Free Folk, a few go with those women who cannot fight along with the children. With the Free Folk the fighting force at the wall now numbers 60,000 Free Folk, 16,000 Northerners Robb bought with him, and 100 men of the Night's Watch.

Not long after posts are assigned to the Free Folk Alliser Thorn, Yarwyke, Marsh, Oscar, and Sir Banon all try to murder Mance Rayder. "The Five of you shame the Night's Watch and you all will be handed over Mance and his people to answer for your crimes…"

Alliser spits, "You are the traitor…You and all who side with those animals…" Later Mance sits in judgment of the five men and sentences them to death. Then he himself beheads each man