A Son of Ice and Fire
A/N: I know this one is a bit short, but Fishlegs story is going to get lot more interesting as we head into season 2 and 3 of thrones. I'll probably have season 1 complete by about chapter 20-25 so expect this story to have 100+ chapters by its completion.
As we now have had a decent amount of time into each character's story, it would be much appreciated if you could let me know which is your favourite character, and which storyline you're most excited for. I would love to know where you think the story is headed and I'll reply to any messages you send. For updates on when I publish new chapters, please favourite and follow, it is very much appreciated.
Chapter 16: Now my watch begins
Fishlegs
Having to deal with the bitterness of Sir Alliser was just another thing I had to get used to at the wall. Driven only by hate and wanting to make everyone else's lives miserable. Just like uncle. At least the lord commander could keep Thorne in check. A man of great honour was needed to stop this place from tearing itself to bits. Lord commander Mormont had already stepped in to stop him punishing me after the whole 'Rast' incident. In the last month, a lot has changed here. A lot of new recruits have arrived, the latest was called Eret who arrived a few days ago. The one thing that remained the same was the cold. From arrival to the day I leave here, I will be frozen from head to toe. At least here I'd be out of uncle's grasps and I could be safe. Unless they assign me to the rangers…
Today started off like any other here. I woke early and managed to get a few hours of training with some of the other recruits. That only ended because Thorne marched out and ordered us to clean the stables. Me, Jon, Pip and Grenn were done with after about an hour so I headed to the library to catch up with Sam. When I arrived, he was already surrounded by a pile of books and talking to maester Aemon.
"Ah, Fishlegs Ingerman, nice of you to join us," the maester started, "Samwell was just inquiring to your whereabouts."
"Sorry maester, and you too Sam, Thorne caught us sparring again and ordered us to muck out the horses."
The elderly man smiled, with a soft chuckle. He got up from his seat next to Sam, and slowly headed towards me, his metal chain clinking with every step. "I've seen a great deal of men like Alliser Thorne in my life. You would do well to stay clear of him. The lord commander will try to protect you, as with all men under his command, but he can't be there all the time."
"Yes maester," I replied with a nod.
He placed his hand on my shoulder. It was probably just for him to get his bearings, but it felt as if he was trying to reassure me.
"You two could do a lot of good here." The maester said quietly.
Sam looked over sheepishly, "two?"
The maester seemed to ignore his comment and continued, "The night's watch used to be an order built on honour. A brotherhood with one goal, protecting the realms of man. The lord commander is a good man, the best I've served here under, but others here don't share his opinions, his belief, his loyalty to our cause. If the watch is to survive to see the next summer, good men will have to stand up and prove their loyalty to the watch. Will you do that?"
"Yes maester," me and Sam responded. Sam returned his eyes from our direction, back to his book. I continued speaking, "But we're only recruits maester, we haven't even said our vows yet."
"After today, no longer." The maester said softly, "the lord commander needs all the men he can get to survive this winter. Today you will become men of the watch. Do us proud. It's almost noon, you two better not leave him waiting."
Me and Sam quickly headed up to the courtyard, after thanking the maester for his advice. Jon, Pip, Grenn and all the other recruits were there, even Eret, despite the fact he'd barely been here any time at all. The lord commander emerged, Sir Alliser at his side. He walked up to the railing overlooking us all, as we stood in the courtyard. He looked over us for a few seconds, before clearing his throat and beginning to speak.
"You came to us as boys. As exiles, bastards, criminals. Today you will no longer be boys. By tonight you will be men of the night's watch. You should know the vows. You should be prepared to take them. Anyone who isn't ready to take the oath should leave. You know our duty here, you know what we must do. A man of the night's watch lives to serve the realm, not his house or that. The realm. You know the penalty for desertion, so when you take your vows tonight, know that you are bound in service to the watch, until your last day. You can all take your vows here tonight, at sunset. Do any of you still keep the old gods?"
"I do, my lord," Jon announced, standing up from the bench.
"Very well, you can take your vows infront of a weirwood a mile north of the wall, just like your uncle did." The lord commander replied. He swept his gaze over us, "Is there anyone else?"
I was about to stand up, when Sam spoke up. I saw him stand up sheepishly, "Might I go as well ,my lord?" Sam asked nervously.
"Does house Tarly keep the old Gods?" the lord commander questioned
"No, my lord, I was named in the house of the seven, as was my father was before me." Sam answered
"Why would you forsake the gods of your father and your house?" Sir Alliser snarled.
"The night's watch is my house now. The seven have never answered my prayers." Sam replied more confidently, then looked over to Jon before turning back to the Lord commander, "maybe the old gods will."
"As you will." The commander replied.
"Anyone else?" Thorne said scathingly, through gritted teeth.
This was my chance, "I would like to the join them. The horror that has come to my house and the seven haven't heard my prayers. Here I start anew, and I trust the old golds will show me true"
Sir Alliser scoffed, but lord commander stepped down the stairs towards us and spoke, "Very well." He nodded, then started untying a scroll and unravelling the parchment, "You have all been assigned an order, to accommodate our needs and your skills." He started through a list of names,"… Sam to the stewards, Grenn to the rangers, Fishlegs to the rangers, Jon to the stewards."
Rangers. Rangers. RANGERS. Are you kidding me?
I turned in shock to see Jon in a similar state of shock. Sam was trying to comfort him but we were both just sat speechless. Jon got up to protest but I just sat there in utter disbelief. I know I could handle a sword pretty well, but charging headfirst into danger. That's not me. I just sat there, staring at nothing in particular, hoping that this was some elaborate practical joke. Unfortunately for me. It wasn't.
The short trek up to the weirwood in the snow was made difficult by the harsh northern wind wchich blew us off the path multiple times. With only Sam being the content one, we were finally stood infront of the tree. Staring into the face, all I could think of was whether I was ready for this. A wife. Sons and daughters. Things I know I will never have. Drago took my father's life, but he has already taken mine. All I ever wanted a family, now even that will be out of reach. But as I kept looking into the face, now I could see is the start of my new life. New friends. New brothers. New gods. Now I am ready. Now I knelt and now I would swear my sacred oath.
"Night gathers, and now my watch begins.
It shall not end upon 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 an die by my post.
I am the sword in the darkness.
I am the watcher on the wall.
I am the shield that guards the realms of men.
I pledge my life and honour to the night's watch.
For this night and all nights to come."
As we rose, all I could feel was the sense of pride running through me. Uncle had taken my life away, but now I could forge my own path. My own destiny. As I hugged the other two men next to me, we released to receive handshakes, hugs and strong pats on the back from the older men of the watch who had escorted us here. Now we aren't just friends. Now we are brothers.