BENJEN STARK
PART 1. MAN OF THE WATCH
The War was over but did it really have to happen. People believe what they want and while the deaths of Rickard and Brandon Stark; at the hands of the Mad King, had to be avenged; so many people did not have to die. Bnnjen Stark stands by the river of the Trident as the Targaryen forces surrender. Men of Houses Baratheon, Stark, Arryn, and Tully celebrate a hard-won victory, even as the dead are collected by the Silent Sisters.
"I'm sorry Ly, I failed you." Benjen says whispering to himself. If only his father and brothers had listened, all this could have been avoided.
"My Lord!" His Sword Hand called. A Sword Hand was equivalent to a Squire who served a Knight.
"What is it Arden?" Arden was man of the North from Moles Town, a village near the wall and Castle Black.
"The Lords are assembling in the Command Tent…Lord Stark sent me to find you."
He sighs, "I will be there soon."
He looks at Benjen, "My Lord are you alright?"
He smiles, "That depends on your definition of alright…You fought well."
"Thank you My Lord."
Benjen goes to his tent, removes his armor, bathes, and dresses. Then he walks through the camp towards the Command tent. "HAIL the victorious dead." Robert Baratheon says raising his goblet. It was Robert who killed Prince Rhaegar Targaryen on the Trident.
"Brother!"
He smiles, "Ned I am glad to see you still among the living."
"And I you…Father and Brandon are avenged."
"Do we go home now?" Benjen hopefully asks.
"We march on King's Landing and the Mad King."
"Right."
He stares at his older brother, "Are you alright?" Eddard asks.
"I am tired…And I have had my fill of bloodshed. First man to write a song about this battle, I'll hang him with his harp."
They march on the Capitol of King's Landing four days later. When they arrive the city is on fire. Tywin Lannister had tricked his way into the city and sacked it. Jaime Lannister of the King's Guard had killed the Mad King himself. When Benjen arrives in the throne room, Robert and Tywin are talking. There are three bodies on the floor covered by Lannister cloaks. One is the size of an adult, the other two are the size of children.
"By the Old gods! Tell me that is not…"
Eddard looks at Benjen, "Princess Elia and her children."
Benjen looks at his brother in horror, "Tell me Ned you did not condone this."
"The deed was done by the Mountain and Ser Lorch."
Benjen spits, "Two nights of the Realm! How dare they!" Benjen is upset and then a horrible idea comes to his mind. "Tell me you're not going to allow Robert or Tywin to take the Iron Throne?"
"Robert killed Rhaegar."
"So what! You would make a better King than either of these men. So would Jon Arryn."
Eddard looks at him, "You think I would sit on that ugly thing…My place is in the North."
Benjen shakes his head, "So is mine." He replies angrily and walks away. For the next few days Benjen spends his time alone. He doesn't even attend Robert's Coronation.
Eddard knocks on the door, "Enter!"
"Your absence has not gone unnoticed."
"He is your friend! Your brother and your King…Not mine."
"Ben!"
He looks at Ned, "You know I hate that nickname."
"Sorry…Benjen…I am taking our forces to relieve the siege on Storm's End."
"And I am going home."
"I need you at my side brother."
"And I need to go home…Brother…To clear my head."
"I was heading to Dorne afterwards to find Lyanna…Ser Barristan says that is where Rhaegar took her."
Benjen's emotions are all over the place, "Go bring our sister back, but I am for home. I will stay unless you order me to do so."
Eddard sighs, "Go! Take your men with you…There are still Targaryen Loyalists out there."
"Shall I give Cat a message for you?" He didn't mind calling other people by their nicknames, but he himself did not like having one.
"Tell her, I miss her and that I look forward to our lives together."
Benjen leaves with a thousand men at sunset. They travel up the King's Road, passing by Hayford Castle, traveling all night and all day the next; they reach Ivy Inn by sunset. The Inn is empty; which allows him and his men to sleep on beds and some on floor. Benjen even shares a room with nineteen others. Him being a highborn Lord. They break their fast at the Inn, before moving on.
Benjen sends men ahead to hunt game and to scout the road ahead for bandits and Targaryen loyalists, not that anyone would be foolish enough to attack a large group of Northmen. The men who fought for House Stark had earned their reputation in battle a thousand times over. When they reached the crossroads they slept inside for the second time. A seven-year winter had just ended and many Maesters were predicting a long summer.
Maesters were the most learned men in all of Westeros, probably the world. To become a Maester men trained at the citadel in Old Town of the Reach. The Citadel housed the largest collection of books and knowledge in the world. Acolytes studied subjects ranging from math to science; and everything in between. With the mastery of each subject the Acolyte earned a chain link for that subject. Once he has earned all his links that Maester is assigned to a House. The Maester is adviser, doctor, teacher, and historian to the House he serves. Women are not allowed to study at the Citadel.
Benjen had considered heading to Riverrun since the Tullys were now family by law, but he did not and stayed on the King's Road. The Tullys ruled the Riverlands and heading for Riverrun meant he would have to cross the river by the Twins and Benjen was not a fan of House Frey. Walder Frey had earned his nickname well; the Late Walder Frey, a man given to him by his liege-lord Hoster Tully. Walder Frey did not support Robert's Rebellion, not did he answer his Lord's call to arms.
Soon they came upon the Moat Cailin, the Castle that guarded the neck and the entrance into the North. It had come to ruin but in time of war, it was a strategic asset. The Castle was currently manned by House Forrester. Gregor Forrester's father Thorren had fell in battle, so he now was Lord of Ironrath, the ancestral home of the Forresters.
Lord Gregor already knew of his father's death. So he feasted Benjen and his men as heroes, the first Northmen to return home safely. "I wish I would have been there with all of you." Gregor says.
"War changes a man, sometimes for good. Sometimes for bad…"
"Has it changed you for good or bad?"
"I have seen enough blood to last me a lifetime…"
"My father use to say. Violence should be the last resort of any man. Exhaust all other avenues before you draw your sword."
"Wise words, but not all men are reasonable."
Gregor nods, "I'll give you that."
The next day Benjen leaves and after three weeks of hard riding he makes it home. Catelyn Stark nee' Tully and Maester Luwin are glad for Benjen's return, but sad that Eddard is not with him. "Don't you want to hold the baby?" Cat asks.
Benjen smiles, "His father should be the first man to hold him."
"Nonsense. Lord Stark would be the second since Maester Luwin was the first or third if you stop acting silly."
Benjen smiles and takes baby Robb, "Among all that blood, life." He says holding his nephew. As the days pass by, Benjen thinks about the future and how he wished to live his life. He decides to join the Noble order of the Night's Watch. His brother Eddard returns to Winterfell two months later, with a the bones of their sister Lyanna and a bastard son named Jon.
To say Cat is not pleased is an understatement, "Wow a bastard…I never thought you would brother."
"Sometimes men are weak."
"Who's the mother?"
Ned looks away, "I don't want to talk about her. Please Benjen drop it."
Benjen shakes his head, "I know you brother Better than anyone. That boy is no more your son than you are my father. Lyanna is his mother isn't she?"
"Yes…When we arrived at the Tower of Joy in Dorne. The Sword of the Morning was waiting for us along with Ser Gerold Hightower."
"You faced Ser Gerold and Ser Dayne and lived to tell the tale."
"I took six men with me…One fell to Ser Hightower, the other three to Ser Author Dayne. I…I managed to best Ser Author…Howland Reed was with me, but he was wounded during the fight. When I entered the tower…" Eddard starts to cry.
"Take your time Ned." Benjen compassionately says getting teary eyed himself.
"Lyanna had given birth and named him Aegon…With her dying breath she asked me to protect him…I claimed he was mine and named him Jon Snow."
Benjen shakes his head, "So you tell a lie and make Robert Baratheon King."
"You're judging me?"
"Ned…Brother…Cat disserves to know the truth."
"I…I can't…The fewer people who know a secret better chance of the secret being kept."
"So your plan is let your wife think you were unfaithful and to let my nephew…Lyanna's son think he is bastard."
"Wait what?"
"She tried to tell father…Remember and I tried to make him understand…Lyanna did not love Robert."
"Father gave his word. What did you expect him to do?"
"Brother…Some words are meant to be broken."
"That is not what father taught us."
"He didn't teach us to lie either."
"I chose the lesser of two evils…"
Benjen shakes his head, "I love you Ned, but sometimes…" He stops not wanting to disrespect his brother, "This just makes my decision a lot easier."
"What decision?"
"I am joining the Night's Watch." Ned objects to his decision and tries to convince him to change his mind. But, people of the North are stubborn and strong willed. Benjen leaves with no success in trying to get Ned to tell Cat the truth.
CASTLE BLACK
The Night's Watch is not the glorious institution it used to be. It had lost its true purpose long ago, especially since the real threat had not been seen in ages. Where once all eighteen castles along the wall had been in use, now only three are used by the watch. They are Castle Black, which is the main headquarters for the order. Eastwatch by the Sea, and Shadow Tower. The wall itself is eight hundred feet high and three hundred feet across. The old legends say it was built by Bran the builder and the Watch was started by Azor Ahai to keep the White Walkers out. Now the Watch man the wall to keep the Free Folk from crossing the wall and raiding the lands below it.
Benjen had refused an escort, but on his way to the wall, he ran into a Ranger escorting men to the wall. Among them were Ser Alliser Thorne who fought for and supported the Targaryens during the Rebellion. He and many others had been given a choice, service with the watch or death. Many chose service, a few chose Death.
Castle Black is where everyone comes who wish to join the Watch, say their vows. The current Lord Commander of the Watch is Lord Jeor Mormont. He joined the Watch after his son and heir Jorah Mormont was caught selling poachers to slavers. Slavery is against the law in Westeros and Ser Jorah went into hiding to escape the King's Justice.
After a speech from the Lord Commander Benjen is assigned his room and gets settled. He along with the other twenty-three recruits report to the training yard. Of the men joining Benjen, Thorne, Ser Jaremy Rykker, a man everyone called Ox, and Eddison Rivers had skill with the sword. More so Benjen, Thorne, and Rykker were war veterans. Their skill obvious they were made Rangers immediately and reported to First Ranger Merrick Glover. It was only after saying their vows that they were truly brothers of the watch.
Benjen's first ranging duty came three months after saying his vows. He sent a Raven to his brother before leaving. Benjen went North and shared command with Senior Ranger Mykken Snow. All men who join the watch are considered for command all the time. It was unspoken favoritism for those who joined the watch of noble birth. Those who were not of noble birth dared not speak out against it. Still no matter what your status, commoner or Noble; you still had to prove yourself.
"Well…" Snow asked.
"Deserted!" Benjen replied.
"The entire village?" Rykker asked.
"All of them gone…We watched for hours." Benjen replies. The entire company of fifty men ride to the village and as Benjen and Vallyne reported the village was empty. The food, clothes, weapons nothing was left behind. "What do you think happened?" Benjen asks walking beside Mykken.
"Either they were all killed; which I doubt or they have chosen a New King."
"King?" Benjen asks.
"Happens from time to time…Three or more of the Wildling Clans choose a King. Not to bend the knee mind ya…but as leader. This person is usually strong willed and from what I heard can speak the old language of the Giants."
Benjen looks at him, "You ever seen a Giant?"
"Aye I have…Don't likely want to see one again. Damn thing was riding a Mammoth."
"You jest?"
"No Benjen Stark I do not…"
PART 2. LOVE
After a year Benjen was promoted to First Ranger by the Lord Commander. He had earned his respect and reputation among his brothers well. Mykken had gotten to old to keep Ranging so he was made a trainer to help with new recruits. As part of his duties as First Ranger Benjen assigned Rangers their missions beyond the wall.
A month after his promotion Ser Alliser Thorne and his company had gone missing. There had been a heavy snow storm recently. When the storm ended Benjen goes searching for them with ten men. The snows were still deep and he did not want to lose anyone. "Are we gonna stop at Crasters First Ranger Stark?" A man asks.
"No I hate that stingy daughter, fucking, son of bitch…We have plenty of food and I will not soil my shoes by stepping on that bastards land." On the go through the lands of always winter. Alliser and his men had last been reported near the fist of the first men. Just as they are about to leave the forest they run into Qhorin Half Hand.
"Benjen Stark and company…I suppose you men be looking for the same bunch we are."
"Aye, but where have you been hold up during the storm?" Benjen asks.
"In a cave near the Frost Fangs…"
"Why were you up that far?" A man in Benjen's company asks.
"The Frost Fangs is the spot where the Wildlings gather when they chose a new King…Hid in a Cave."
"Did you see them?" Benjen asks.
"Na! They must be still gathering folk…Traveling from village to village."
"They could be hold up at Hard Home." Darrel says.
"Maybe."
"Come one…Hopefully our brothers are still alive and hold up in the ruins of the Fist."
When they arrive Benjen orders the men to stay behind while he and the Half-Hand go ahead. "Stop!" The Half-Hand says grabbing Benjen. "Eyes open…" He says pointing at a trip wire. When they circumvent the trap, they are able to take out three scouts. The ruins are being assaulted by hundred wildlings..
"How do ya want to handle this First Ranger?"
"You go back and bring the men…Set up a firing line of archers. When you are ready whistle a signal." While Qhorin heads back Benjen kills a scout and takes his clothes. An hour passes by before the signal is sent. The arrows fly and the Wildlings scatter as forty of their people fall dead to arrows. Then Benjen gets close and kills a man. He turns and is confronted by a woman. He disarms her and turns to face two men trying to flank him.
"You crow bastard!" The woman screams. At the last minute Benjen spins around opening her throat. He pauses as Qhorin and his brothers join him. That is when Alliser and the rest of his men join them as well. The fight ends with seven Wildlings escaping.
"First time killing a woman?" Qhorin asks.
"Aye…I mean I knew their women were fighters…I never thought I would actually have to kill one."
"It won't be your last time brother and it won't get any easier." Qhorin says trying to show support. When they return to Castle Black Ser Alliser is promoted for his leadership in keeping five of the eight men alive during the storm.
Benjen had been with the Night's Watch for a year and a half, when he is allowed to visit his family. Cat is still angry with Ned about Jon and they had not shared a bed since. Robb and Jon were a year older. He spent six days with them and returned to Castle Black. Sometimes the Free Folk would cross the wall and take up residence in one of the abandoned castles. As such men were sent along the wall at the top and bottom to search.
Benjen was at Sable Hall, the Fourteenth Csstle on the wall and the third from Castle Black heading East. There are men at the top of the wall and with him at the bottom. Both have horns to sound in case of danger. A half a mile from the Castle Benjen and his men are captured. "What's ya name pretty Crow?" A woman asks. "What? You Crows have no manners. My name is Wylla…" She is tall with black long hair a muscular, but curvy build and beautiful grey eyes.
"If ya gonna kill us bitch. Do it and get it over with." Horton says.
"Why would I do that?"
"What do you want?" Benjen asks. He is attracted to her and he has a hard on to be inside her.
"To leave peacefully and for you to do the same…See we trade with some people in Moles Town."
"If ya do then they are traitors…"
"Shut up fool! I'm talk'n to the one in charge…So we trade things with some people in Moles Town. Weapons for furs and such…Precious jewels which are in abundance beyond the wall…We will let you live…If you swear to let us go and not follow or track us."
Benjen is in conflict within himself. He had sworn an oath, so he could not just let them go, but he was responsible for these men. Question was, could he Benjen Stark give his word and then break it. "We have a deal." He says feeling that wording would absolve him of any promise. Too bad the Wylla caught onto his choice of words.
"Your word…Or no deal."
"You have my word…" Benjen says.
"Our people will return soon…When they do we will let you go." A few hours later the men Wylla spoke of return. They leave a knife so that Benjen and his men can cut themselves free.
"Return to Castle Black."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to track them." Benjen leaves after a few hours tracking the party of Wildlings on foot. He avoids a trap set by the Wildlings. Soon it gets dark so he climbs into a tree and falls asleep. When he awakens Benjen is tied up again and a prisoner of Wylla and her company.
"Do all Crows break their word so easily." Wylla asks.
"Depends on who it is given too."
"Really…Since you are at my mercy again. Tell me your name." He closes his eyes. "I like stubborn men."
"We should kill him." A man by the name of Red Erick says.
"No!" Wylla replies. "Go on to the village and cover your tracks I will stay with the crow." She waits until they are miles away before cutting Benjen's ropes. She throws his weapons at his feet. "There ya go…I am at your mercy Crow…If you have any."
He stares at her, "Why? What game are you playing?"
"No game crow…I ordered my people to leave and they did just that."
"Your people?"
"Yeah you don't have women leaders below the wall. I'm am the Elder of my people…Clan Snow Fall."
"You remind me of the she Bears of Bear Island."
"Perhaps you're not a stupid Crow after all."
"My name is Benjen Stark."
"Stark? Of Winterfell?"
"You know my family name/"
"Oh no!" she mockingly replies, "I'm just dumb savage from North of the wall m'lord…All Free Folk know the name Stark…Tis was Bran the Builder who built the wall and his friend Azor Ahai who started the Watch."
"You know our history."
"Your gods, the old gods are our gods…The Blood of the First men flows in our veins just as yours Benjen Stark."
"I'm sorry."
"Why? What are you sorry for? That we don't bend the knee and you consider us less than human cause we don't live as you. Tell me Lord Stark…You think your ancestor built a wall eight hundred feet tall and three hundred feet across to keep people out. Do you even remember the Old Legends. The wall was built and laced with magic to keep them with blue eyes and those who do not sleep out the last breath out."
He grabs her and kisses her. She stares at him and punches him in the face. "No man may take a woman of the Free Folk without her permission." This time she grabs him and they start kissing and removing the others clothes. He leans her against a tree and thrusts himself inside her over and over. When their passions are fulfilled they put their clothes back on
"You are mine now Benjen Stark…You stick that wood in any other woman and I will cut it off…You ever feeling healthy again, meet me at Sable Hall…Wave a flame from the wall I will see."
"How?"
"My Clan is called Snow Fall cause we move from place to place…And fall where we will…I try to keep the wall in sight at all times."
"What about the King Beyond the Wall…"
She smiles, "Just cause I spread my legs for ya Stark, don't mean I'll betray me own kind."
"I thought the Free Folk Clans hated each other…"
She starts to walk away, "You know nothing Benjen Stark."
Benjen returns to Castle Black and makes his report. He leaves out the part about how he broke his vows and lay with a woman. The code of the Night's Watch forbids marrying and the fathering of children, not actually laying with a woman. An excuse many men of the Watch use to whore in Moles Town.
A few weeks later he waves a torch from atop the wall. He had tried to forget her, but was unable too. The memory of her muscled body and plump breasts was branded in his skull. He longed to feel her strong legs and ample butt again. How he felt in between her legs made him quiver all over. A few days later they meet at Sable Hall and fulfill their passions again.
He couldn't tell if he loved her, but she was in love with him and had asked him to marry her. He needed to end this and may get him an arrow or spear to the chest. "I'm with child." She blurts when they meet for the fifth time.
"What…I…How?"
"Oh well ya see when a man and woman…"
"Stop playing…"
"Will ya marry me now ya Northern oaf?"
He shakes his head, "I made a vow to the Watch."
"Aye and you broke part of those vows when you lay with tha enemy."
"You ask if I would marry you. So I ask would you leave your people behind?"