JON SNOW AND BRAN
SAM
On his first visit to Craster's Keep Samwell Tarly met a young woman by the name of Gilly. Sam wanted to help her, but could not. He left the Keep thinking about Gilly the whole time. Sam to his own surprise had survived the White Walker assault on the Fist of the First Men. Upon returning to Craster's Keep, Gilly had given birth to a baby boy. While at the Keep there was a mutiny and Lord Commnader Mormont was killed along with many others and Craster himself.
Sam and Gilly escaped, but were soon confronted by a Walker who wanted Gilly's baby. Using Dragon-glass Sam killed the Walker, and led Gilly to the Nightfort, where they were able to cross the wall and make it to Castle Black. Sam stands before Maester Aemon explaining all this to him with Gilly. "Do you remember your vows Samwell Tarly?"
"Yes I do Maester…Night gathers and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men…" Sam stops there, "The realms of men." He nods to Gilly, "That means her Maester. The wall was not built to keep men out. Night is gathering and the dead are coming for all us…I saw them at the Fist of the First Men…And a White Walker came for her baby…I swear by the old gods."
"I believe you Samwell Traly…What is your name girl?"
"Gilly…Mas…I mean May…ster."
"Gilly like the Gilly flower. Beautiful…Gilly you shall be our guest."
"Thank you."
"Sam take a letter…By last count I believe we have fifty Ravens…Make sure they are well fed…For all shall fly tonight."
JON
Jon had been sent with Tormund Giant's Bane to climb the wall and attack Castle Black from the south while the army of the Free Folk attacks from the North. As Jon travels with Tormund's group he befriends Tormund and falls in love with Ygritte. He also befriends a Wildling named Mor. Jon is conflicted, his loyalty to the Night's Watch is in conflict with his love for Ygritte. The only one in the group who does not trust Jon is the Warg Orell.
They reach the wall near Sable Hall and climb there. During the climb a chunk of ice breaks away from the wall. Jon and Ygritte are connected to Orell, who cuts the rope to save himself and the those on their rope. He mainly cuts the rope to try and kill Jon. Jon is able to catch hold of cliff. He pulls himself and Ygritte to safety. Seven men fell to their deaths.
When Jon reaches the top he punches Orell in the face. "You son of bitch!"
"If I hadn't we would all be dead!"
Tormund steps in between them, "Calm down lad your alive."
Jon walks away, back towards Ygritte and helps her up, "Are you alright?"
"Of course." She walks pass Jon, up to Orell and kicks him in the balls. Jon and everyone else laughs. "Its so beautiful." Ygritte says after rejoining Jon.
"So are you." They kiss with Orell watching them.
They spend the night in Sable Hall. While there Jon and Yrgitte find a private place to make love. At sunrise they head south to meet up with the others for the attack on Castle Black. Jon tries to distract himself with Ygritte, but as time passes he comes to the realization that he must somehow escape and warn the men of the Watch.
"There is an old man living alone." Orell says after returning to his mind. "He has eight horses."
"The old man is Ferson…We can go around."
"I say we kill'em and take the horses."
"No!" Jon protests.
"See I told ya…He's still a crow."
"We can use the horses."
"Aye and I say let the crow kill him." Jon looks at them and draws his sword. "See! A Crow through and through."
That is when Ygritte nocks an arrow and points it at Orell. "You lost your bloody mind?" Tormund asks.
"He's mine!"
It happened so fast it took a few seconds for Jon to register what was happening. Mor walks up to a man and slits his throat. Then he throws a dagger into Orell's head, as he is dying his eye turns white and the hawk dives on Mor, but he yanks a dagger from Orall and throws it up as the Hawk is diving. It hits the ground dead.
"What the fuck are ya do'n?"
Jon kills two men and Ygritte shoots down two others. Mor kills Tormund and then he rolls towards Ygritte kicking the bow from her hand. "NO!" Jon screams as he slits her throat. Jon drops his sword and kneels beside her now lifeless body.
"You loved her, but remember, love is the death of duty Jon Snow." Enraged Jon scoops up his sword and attacks Mor. Mor dodges his attacks and kicks Jon in the balls. Then he takes his sword. "Who are you?" Jon says cupping his groin fetal position.
Mor surprises Jon by removing his face. "A man is known as Jacqen H'ghar…"
They burn the bodies with the old man's help and then sit in his kitchen talking. "You're one of the Faceless Men aren't you?"
"It is so."
"Why did you help me?"
"Many questions Jon Snow…" Jacqen stands up, "…But first Jacqen H'ghar must know if you are the one…"
"The one what?"
"A cup if you please Ferson…Your hand."
Reluctantly Jon gives him his hand. He tries to pull away when Jacqen pulls out a dagger. He runs the blade across Jon's hand and drips the blood into the empty cup. Then Jacqen wraps his hand and removes a stick from the fire. He places the tip of the flaming stick in the cup and it belches fire. "What in the seven hells!" Jon says jumping up.
Jacqen smiles dropping to one knee, "My Prince I have found you."
Jon frowns, "Prince? I'm no Prince."
"You are more than you appear to be Jon Snow."
"You don't know me!"
"And do you know yourself?"
"Speak plainly! What is this all about?" Jon asks in frustration.
"Your destiny…All will reveal itself in time."
Jacqen grabs his cloak, "Where are you going?"
"To hunt down the other Wildlings yes."
"Alone?"
"Jacqen will find them and poison will do the rest. You must go to Castle Black. Jacqen will find you…I was sent to protect you."
"By whom?"
"When Jon Snow discovers his destiny Jacqen H'ghar will tell him all. Valor Morghulis…"
After thinking about what just happened Jon leaves for Castle Black on horseback. He arrives six days later. "Open the gate!" Someone yells.
"Well look whose back." Gryff says.
"Jon!" Sam yells running across the courtyard.
"Sam!"
Later Jon stands before the council. Alliser Thorne is acting Lord Commander. Jon tells them everything that happened from the moment they arrived at Craster's, "So you admit you killed the Half Hand."
"Yes he ordered me to do so, as a way to gain favor with the Free Folk."
"The Free Folk is it now?"
"Continue Jon Snow." Maester Aemon says. He tells them what he saw while among the Free Folk. The wargs, and people sent to climb the wall.
"How did you kill eight people?" Alliser asks.
"Seven died climbing the wall when the Ice broke off. The rest I killed in their sleep."
Maester Aemon smiles, "Jon Snow."
"Yes Maester."
"You have told the truth about Craster's, the Half Hand, the Free Folk, why lie about how those people died?"
Jon sighs, "I am sorry…They were killed, most of them, by a Faceless Man."
"What!"
"A Facelesss Man by the name of Jacqen H'ghar. When I refused to help them kill Ferson the man named Mor struck. We parted ways and I returned here to report what happened." Jo waits as the council whispers amongst themselves. "Will you be taking my head?" Jon boldly asks.
"No Jon Snow…We will not be taking your head today…You may go."
Jon leaves the main hall and finds Sam waiting for him. "These letters arrived for you while we were North of the wall." Jon goes to his room to read in private.
BRAN
WINTERFELL
Bran dreams of the sea coming to Winterfell and flooding the castle. He dreams of a Dragon at Winterfell then it leaves and goes to the wall. And as always he dreams of the three eyed Raven. The family gathers in Catelyn's room to listen to the latest letter from Robb.
My Dearest Mother
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I have met a young lady by the name of Talisa Maegyr of Volantis. Mother I love her and we have married. I am sorry to tell you like this, but it felt right. I look forward to you meeting her and I hope the two of you become good friends…Give my love to my brothers and sisters
With love Your Son
Robb Stark
Sansa and Jayne giggle, "I can't believe Robb is married." Sansa says.
"Talisa sounds pretty." Bran says.
"I wonder if she is already pregnant this Talisa." Jayne says.
"gods I hope not." Catelyn says.
A few weeks later a Raven arrives from Castle Black. Bran is in the solar with Maester Luwin. "An urgent message from Castle Black My Prince." It was strange to Bran to be referred to as Prince and not Lord. When the North declared Robb King in the North, the titles of the House changed. Lady Catelyn was Queen Mother of the North. Sansa a Princess, Bran Prince Regent of the North and Winterfell. Arya a Princess as well; she hated the title more than she hated being called Lady. Of course Rickon liked being referred to as Prince Rickon.
To Prince Regent Bran Stark of Winterfell
I Maester Aemon of Castle Black write this letter under the gravest and urgent circumstances. The Long Night is coming and with it the Dead. Lord Commander Mormont of the Night's Watch is dead. Murdered by his own men beyond the wall. Those who did not mutiny report that the Wildlings are gathering in great numbers to assault the wall. They also report that the White Walkers are coming for all of us. We implore you to send aid to the Watch immediately…
With Regards Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch
Bran looks at Maester Luwin, "What do we do?" Before he can answer, there is a knock at the door. "Enter!" It is Jojen Reed. "Jojen."
"May I speak with you in private my Prince."
Maester Luwin excuses himself, "The time has come."
"The time for what?"
"For you to walk the path to your destiny."
"Do you mean the three eyed Raven?"
"Yes."
"What must I do?"
Bran follows Jojen to the godswood. He places his hand on the weeping tree and is mentally assaulted by images of the past present and future. "Burn them all!" He sees the Mad King say. Then he sees a woman and a man of White hair marry before the Weir-tree. He sees a man with a flaming sword and a great light coming from the sword. He sees the night King and the army of the dead. Bran sees a great weir-tree on a hill beyond the wall
"Come to me Brandon Stark…" A voice says.
"Who are you?"
"You know who I am…Come to me before it is too late."
"Where are you?"
"Beyond the wall North…Cold Hands will guide you, but you must hurry."
Bran's mind returns to his body and looks at Jojen. Unable to speak Bran leaves him shaken up. "Well?" Jojen asks two days later.
"Well what?"
"You know what you must do. Do it!"
"You don't even know what I was asked to do."
Jojen smiles, "So you did speak with the Three Eyed Raven."
"Even if I did. How I am supposed to get beyond the wall?"
"The Free Folk is the answer…You are Prince Regent…Go to the wall and negotiate peace with them."
"With the Wildlings? Are you mad?"
"They are people too Bran. They love, hate, die, and breath the same air as we do. They worship the old gods same as we do. Just because they do not bend the knee, doesn't make them savages."
"I have to think about it."
"Don't think too long time is moving quickly. Powers both dark and of light seek to manipulate events. The Prince the true Prince will need you as the Three Eyed Raven."
As Bran thinks on what was said to him, he neglects his training, studies, and many other responsibilities. Sleep does not come that night, but he does arrive at a decision. "I am Prince Regent am I not Maester Luwin."
"You are."
"And it is within my power to make peace with the Free Folk. Is it not?"
"It is but…"
Bran cuts him off, "Then that is what I will do. Send a Raven to all the Lords of the North. I am making peace with the Free Folk."
"Perhaps you should consult your brother the King first or your mother."
"Time is against us…I do not want bloodshed, but perhaps the Free Folk will agree to an alliance to fight the White Walkers."
Maester Luwin sighs, "Perhaps there is wisdom in your words. Who shall we send to negotiate?"
"I will go myself."
Maester Luwin could not believe it and to say that Lady Catelyn Stark did not take it well wad an understatement. "Are you trying to send me to an early grave. No! Seven hells no!"
"Mother I am the Prince of Winterfell and Regent of the North. I do not need your permission."
"How can you speak that way to me?"
He takes her hand, "Mother please try and understand. I must do this."
"Why?"
"Because it is my destiny…I don't have a good way to explain it, but I must go." He kisses her hand, "Please don't try to stop me…Jon is at Castle Black. He will help me."
"Go I am tired." She says closing her eyes.
Bran prepares to leave with Jojen, Meera, and a hundred men. As he prepares to leave many try to talk him out of it. People like Sansa, Arya, Ser Rodrick, Gendry, and Maester Luwin. The day Bran is to leave he goes to see his mother first. She kisses him and instructs Bran to write her as soon as he gets to Castle Black.