Steve, Gilly, and Gilly's son were trying to make their way back to Castle Black.
"I can't see a thing," Steve complained. "The snow is fogging up my glasses."
"It's funny, isn't it?" said Gilly. "I can see just fine, but I don't know how to get where we're goin', while you know the way, but you can't see."
"Yeah, that's right," Steve chuckled nervously. Privately he felt that he might not be able to find the way even if he could see.
And then he tripped over something and fell flat on his face! "Are you okay?" Gilly asked.
Steve got up. "Yeah, I'm not hurt. I wonder what tripped me up?" He looked down at his feet and saw a half-buried object sticking out of the snow. He bent and pried it up out of the ground. "What is this?" he wondered.
Gilly knew. "It looks like an old huntin' horn."
"Interesting. I think I'll hold onto this." Steve took his backpack off and slipped the horn inside.
He was just zipping it up again when someone behind him touched him on the shoulder and he nearly jumped out of his skin!
But it was only Snot. "Steve, it's just us! Me and Toshi!"
It took a minute for Steve's heart to resume pumping normally. "Snot! Thank the gods! I thought you were…"
"Yeah, I know what you thought."
"So, you guys got away?" Steve asked. "Where's Barry?"
Snot looked downcast. "Steve, Barry sided with the mutineers."
Steve's jaw dropped. "How could he do that?"
"I don't know, but they must have been planning to kill Mormont for a while. I don't think this was just a spur of the moment thing."
"Did any other loyal men escape?"
Snot shook his head. "As far as I know, me and Toshi are the only ones who made it out."
"Wow," said Steve. "Three hundred men set out from Castle Black, and only three are left. Well, I guess four, if Brian's still alive."
"We've got to get back to the Wall and tell them everything that happened," said Snot.
"Do you know the way?" asked Gilly.
"I think Toshi does. I'm following him."
"Okay, then we'll follow him too," said Steve.
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Chris and Lois were heading for the Twins. With them were Patrick, Lord Randy Marsh, Lord Mort Goldman, Lord Bob Belcher, Lord Cleveland Brown's son Cleveland Junior and his stepdaughter Roberta, and Lady Maege Mormont and her oldest daughter Dacey. Stan Pines had stayed behind to guard Riverrun, and Pam had stayed with him too.
"I wish Pam was with us," Chris sighed.
"Chris, we've been over this," said Lois. "Remember, we talked about how maybe Lord Walder hadn't really forgiven you, and he might be plannin' a nasty surprise for us? You've got to go to this wedding, because you're the king, but Pam doesn't have to. It's better that she stays outta danger."
"Did you ever find Gideon Gleeful?" Randy asked Dacey Mormont.
Dacey shook her head. "Not yet, but we'll go right back to looking for him after the wedding's over."
On the way to Walder Frey's place, they met a guy named Jason Mallister, who had news for them. "Guess what? Balon Greyjoy is dead!"
"How did he die?" Chris asked.
"I had word from a sea captain that he was walking on a bridge on his island and fell to his death."
"Well, that's great news," said Chris. "The rest of the ironmen should be easy to defeat now. After my uncle marries Roslin Frey, the rest of the Freys can join forces with us and we'll retake Moat Cailin."
Eventually, they got to Lord Frey's castle. Chris stood before Walder. "You will forgive me if I do not kneel," the old man said. "My legs no longer work as they did, though that which hangs between 'em serves well enough. Heh! Heh! All right."
Lois was forcibly reminded of Quagmire. Lord Walder's laugh sounded just like Quagmire's, and that was something Quagmire might have said, too. She wondered if Quagmire could somehow be related to the Frey family. One thing was sure, she didn't trust this man any more than she trusted Quagmire.
A guy in a jester costume came running in. The bells on his hat jingled with every move he made. "Whoa, what's up with that guy?" Bob Belcher asked.
"Oh, that's just my grandson Jinglebell," Lord Walder said. He seemed to think this was all the explanation necessary. "Don't bother trying to talk to him. He doesn't speak. Well, Patrick Pewtershmidt. Lord Pewtershmidt now, I'll need to remember that. You're the fifth Lord Pewtershmidt I've known. I outlived the other four, heh. Your bride's around here somewhere. I suppose you want a look at her."
"I would, my lord," said Patrick.
"Then you'll have it. But clothed. She's a modest girl, and a maid. You won't see her naked until the bedding." Lord Walder called to one of his sons who was nearby. "Benfrey, go fetch your sister." Benfrey left and Walder turned back to Chris. "And where's your bride, your grace? The fair Queen Pam."
"I left her at Riverrun, my lord. She was too tired for more travel."
"That makes me grievous sad. I wanted to behold her with my own weak eyes. We all did, heh. Isn't that so, my lady?" he asked his wife.
"Yes, my lord," she said. "We all so wanted to pay homage to Queen Pam. She must be fair to look on."
"Yeah, she is," said Chris.
"Fairer than my own get, heh?" cackled Lord Walder. "Elsewise how could her face and form have made the king's grace forget his solemn promise?"
Chris suffered the rebuke with dignity. "No words can make up for that, I know, but I have come to apologize for the wrong I did your house, and to beg for your forgiveness, my lord."
"Apologies, heh. Yes, you vowed to make one, I recall. Oh, here's my daughter Roslin. My most precious little blossom, heh."
Ser Benfrey was leading Roslin into the hall. She was small for her years, her skin as white as if she had just risen from a milk bath. Her face was comely, with a small chin, delicate nose, and big brown eyes. Thick chestnut hair fell in loose waves to a waist so tiny that Patrick would be able to put his hands around it.
"I hope I am not a disappointment to you, Lord Patrick," she said.
"Not at all," said Patrick. "You are a delight to me, my lady. And ever will be, I know."
