Leaving Jon to his own thoughts, Benjen quietly left the crypts of Winterfell. It was late, but the desire to rest did not come to him. Though he was pleased to be at Winterfell, at the same time he wanted to run away again. Winterfell was once his home; now it haunted him.
Where was his home now? Castle Black?
Shaking the dismal thoughts from his mind, Benjen wandered back inside the Great Hall – now virtually empty with the exception of his sworn brothers – for a late supper. After speaking, more like interrogating, the wildling Ygritte, he'd lost his appetite. The tales she taunted him with…Benjen almost shuddered a second time. Obviously the stories were false, but they were still disturbing. How could a woman…any woman, commit such atrocities and boast of it? Unless Ygritte was a liar and told the stories out of…bluster or fear?
"Stark!" one of sworn brothers, Ser Mallador Locke, called out. He gestured for him to sit down beside him and opposite Grenn, a young man of nineteen who'd been with the Night's Watch for about three years. Grenn was quite tall and was thick of neck with small, squinty, brown eyes, a bushel of brown hair and was in the process of growing a beard.
"Locke," Benjen acknowledged. "Grenn."
"Stark," grunted Grenn, pushing a plate of meat and bread towards him. "What have you been up to? Reliving old memories?"
"Interrogating a wildling actually," answered Benjen, accepting the food.
"A wildling? What would a wildling be doing here?"
Benjen stared at him. By the old gods did Grenn not learn anything?
"Dining with Lord Stark," said Mallador sarcastically.
"Oh really? Odd company do you not think?"
"It was one of the wildlings we were hunting down," explained Benjen. "Lords Karstark and Umber caught her on their lands and brought her hear, probably to face Lord Stark's judgement. That was why we are here after all." Apart from the feeble attempt in recruiting. Usually the wandering crows would be recruiting, as it was their duty, but Lord Commander Mallister ordered all rangers to recruit as well as numbers were dwindling dangerously low. The number of black brothers were the lowest in centuries, according to Lord Commander Mallister. Of yet, the three of them – Benjen, Mallador Locke and Grenn – had no success in recruiting any novices. Then again, Yoren mentioned the return journey to Castle Black had more chance of gathering recruits.
"Did you discover anything?" questioned Ser Mallador.
"Not much," Benjen admitted. "All she did was taunt me. Hopefully a night in a Winterfell cell would loosen her tongue. Wildlings do not cope well in small, tight and confined spaces."
"Are you sure that is wise, Benjen? I know you despise the art of torture as all good men do, but at times-"
"I'm not torturing anyone," Benjen cut in. "Even though more than half of our brothers are criminals and thieves who have probably done more vicious crimes than torturing a man, the Night's Watch is still a prestigious order and tainting it with torture is the last thing I want to do."
"Prestigious honour," Mallador scoffed. "It was once. Only dreamers and fools still think it is prestigious."
"Have you discovered the wildling's name at least?" inquired Grenn.
Benjen prodded his slice of meat with his knife. "Ygritte." The other two both flinched. "You said you'd kill her if you ever see her again," said Grenn, returning to his bowl of stew. "Will you? Why did you not kill her earlier?"
Benjen darkened. The day he spared Ygritte flashed in his mind. So many good and experienced men died, fighting against wildlings and the impossible. "She's a stubborn one," he said at last. "An experienced warrior too who must know many wildling secrets that will be valuable to us. Oh I will kill her, but soon. She will be tired of taunting eventually, and will discover that escaping from Winterfell's cell is not an easy feat. She will soon start blabbing."
Mallador looked doubtful. "And if she does not? The plan was to take her from here to Castle Black."
"More chance for her to escape though," Benjen pointed out.
"Will your brother be willing to lend us some men to help guard her?"
"I am certain Lord Stark will be willing to help us, but even trained soldiers do not know the thoughts of a clever wildling woman. She could still have a dozen or so tricks up her sleeve that she will use on us once we open that cell door. I wish to return to Castle Black as much as you do, Ser Mallador, but I will not have this particular wildling escaping and running back to her people. Winterfell is a much more secure place for Ygritte than Castle Black."
"What you say is true, Stark, but we cannot stay here forever. We are brothers of the Night's Watch. Our place is at the Wall, not at Winterfell."
"I have no intention of deserting Ser Mallador…"
"I know you have no intention of deserting, Stark. You chose to take the black of your own free will. It is just…some of our sworn brothers may feel resentful at the fact that we are here in this warm castle while they…are not in a comfortable position. Some of them have never had the honour of being invited into the Great Hall of great lords' keeps and others might not be as respectful towards you due to your ah, close relationship to Lord Stark."
"You think there will be a mutiny at Castle Black."
Grenn stopped eating and stared at Benjen incredulously. "There haven't been a mutiny at Castle Black…ever."
"There might be one," said Mallador darkly. "With many members criminals…I hope my thoughts on a mutiny are those of a worried man and naught more."
Benjen sighed. "What do we do then, and do we tell Lord Stark about what we had discovered during the great ranging?"
"He should already know should he not?"
"I don't think he received late Lord Commander Mormont's raven." If Ned had, he would've most likely have already sent a troop of northern soldiers to assist at the Wall. There were a few reasons why Ned had not received the raven, and one of them shone out like a ray of sunshine in a cluster of grey clouds. Benjen stood up again. "I need to speak to Ygritte again," he announced.
"You said you wanted to leave her in isolation for a couple of days," reminded Grenn. "You said she is in a gloating mood."
"What are you thinking of, Stark?"
"Tactics of war," murmured Benjen.
"War," repeated Green doubtfully. "Ser Mallador mentioned mutiny, not war. I think you need a few hours of rest, Stark. Clear your head."
"The wildlings are declaring war," said Benjen as he began to pace. "Well, they have already declared war years ago. We think the wildlings have been raiding to survive and also irritate us, yes?" Ser Mallador Locke tilted his head inquisitively as Grenn nodded. "What if the raids are also done for the wildlings to discover all our weaknesses in manpower and buildings? Already they outnumber us around ten to one – a few deaths would not matter as much as a few of ours dead." By the old gods we shouldn't have went on the great ranging. The wildlings decimated all the experienced fighters and we will be easy pickings at the Wall when the wildings attack us. "We've kept them out for decades," Benjen continued. "Centuries. With the long winter approaching, what better time for the wildlings to attack?"
"They might not survive the winter too," Grenn pointed out.
"Wildlings know how to survive in the cold better than most of us though," Ser Mallador commented. "It would be a disaster if the wildlings assault Castle Black and are victorious. If we're not killed, we would die in the cold without supplies. I think we rangers have a higher chance of survival than the builders and stewards if we are forced beyond the Wall."
"Without strong, experienced soldiers, the Wall will fall to the wildlings," said Benjen darkly. "Once the Wall falls to them, they will invade the North. They can be killed, but the sheer number of them…"
"If only we captured Mance Rayder's wife," said Grenn wistfully.
Benjen arched an eyebrow. "Wildlings won't respond to a peaceful trade. Even if they do, there are no sworn brothers we can ask to be returned. All of them are dead." He said the last words more bitterly than he had intended. When he was in Grenn's position as an ordinary ranger, Benjen saw wildings as troublesome men and women; now they were enemies.
"You are First Ranger, Stark," said Ser Mallador calmly. "What will you have us do? Continue recruiting and interrogating wildlings as we were ordered or prepare for a war?"
When the sun rose the next morning, Benjen headed to Ned's solar. He rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. He should have had a good sleep – he did not.
"Benjen," said Ned, opening the door, surprise written over his face. "I was not aware you wish to depart so soon. I will call Maester-" Benjen shook his head. "It is something I wish to speak to you about," he said quietly. He went into the solar and waited for Ned to sit down first. As Benjen sat down opposite him, he caught sight of dark shadows under Ned's eyes. He had not slept well either. "You haven't slept all night either," Benjen said softly. "Jon, isn't it? You couldn't sleep because of Jon? You had to tell him the truth eventually."
"Robb and Daenerys," said Ned tiredly. He gestured to the small fireplace, it's mouth littered with the crumbs of burnt parchments. "All night I tried to come up with a letter to send to Robert. Ashara had suggested we pretend Robb and Dany never married as they hadn't in the eyes of the Seven, but I cannot live with such a religious dilemma on my conscience. All I can do is hope Robert is merciful." He stared at the empty goblet in front of him. "I should've shouted at Robb, ordered him to denounce Daenerys. I should've sent Robb south yesterday to wed Lyanna Baratheon at once. Instead, I have decided to acknowledge the match. If I decided not to, Robb would never love Princess Lyanna in their marriage."
"He could learn to. You learnt to love Ashara."
"Our father married a Stark, I married a Dayne and now Robb...my bannermen would've accepted Princess Lyanna as their future Lady of Winterfell, but Dany? I fear the future would not be kind to her or their children. In the eyes of the north, Daenerys is a Dornish bastard; Robb is half-Dayne."
"Lyarra will wed Domeric Bolton. A fine northern match. You can always wed your other children to northern lords for the peace you desire."
Ned did not look any happier. "I apologise for burdening you with my problem, Benjen," he said, attempting a smile. "What is it you wish to speak to me about? Is it more men you want?"
"Sort of," said Benjen, biting his lip.
"I have sent ravens to all the lords, instructing them to send petty criminals to the Wall. I hope that will be a good sum of men for a while. I would've asked King Robert to do the same to the southron lords, but…" He made a face. "I am certain you will have more men in a few days."
"The wildings are waging war," Benjen stated. "I thought they were plain raids like they usually did, but it is a war. What we saw in the great ranging…even with more criminals in our ranks, we are severely outnumbered."
Ned frowned. "Why did the Lord Commander not notify me of this?"
"I believe he did, or tried to, but the wildlings shot down our ravens. Well, that is what I believe. The late Lord Commander Mormont sent plenty of letters to the king, you and other great lords Ned, but he hardly received a reply. I thought the king neglected our letters as he is busy ruling, but I found it strange when the Old Bear asked me if um, marrying a southroner caused you to neglect our letters too. I told him you might not have received the letters." Benjen blushed a little. "It had been wrong of Lord Commander Mormont to think you did not answer his letters because of Ashara."
"I received some of his letters," said Ned, frowning deeply. "I replied too. Most of the Old Bear's letters were requesting more men. I sent as many as I could, but not everyone is eager to join the Night's Watch these days."
Benjen nodded. "We need help. Experienced, skilled soldiers."
"Is Lord Commander Mallister aware of this?"
"Not exactly, but if we return with trained soldiers, he will surely appreciate it, and with the promise of more of course. Ser Mallador, Grenn and I decided that it would be best for me to travel to King's Landing and ask the king for troops; both of them will return to Castle Black, hopefully with recruits and they will tell Lord Commander Mallister what has happened."
Ned nodded slowly. "What of the wildling in my dungeons? You said if you see her again, you would kill her. Did you kill her?"
"Not yet," Benjen muttered. "All she did was taunt me, but I believe she will be yielding answers after a day or two in isolation."
"Who will interrogate her when you are journeying south and your two sworn brothers travelling back to Castle Black?"
Benjen paused. He had not thought much about Ygritte. "Perhaps Ser Mallador and Grenn will escort her to Castle Black with some men?" he suggested.
"Well, the Night's Watch's feud with the wildlings is no longer a private issue I think," said Ned thoughtfully. "This is a Northern matter now, Benjen. As Warden of the North, it is my responsibility to ensure the wildlings are subdued if there is a battle on Northern ground. If you and your sworn brothers agree, I'll hand the wildling over to Lord Umber. I'm certain he will have uh, methods to extract a few answers from the wildling. If Lord Commander Mallister wishes, he can send one of his black brothers to Last Hearth to supervise or deal with the wildling. If you prefer quicker ways to retrieve answers-"
"Not Lord Bolton please," interrupted Benjen hastily. "If we give Ygritte to him, I doubt we'll receive her in a whole piece if we ever need to trade her. Father had once told me that when it comes to war, it's better to have any hostage than none at all." Ned nodded in agreement. "Ensure Lord Umber does not kill the wildling," Benjen implored. "Umbers have no love for wildlings either."
"Of course. I'll have some of my men keep an eye on the wildling. In a situation like this, I would have preferred to gather all the lords here to tell them about the wildling war. However, as there will not be enough time for that, I'll send ravens to them at once. The mountains clans and Umbers should be the first to send you troops. Ser Mallador and Grenn will take a host of my own men to the Wall. Some of my men are already heading to Bear Island to help defend it from wildlings."
Benjen nodded. "Thank you Ned."
"It is my duty to aid the members of the Night's Watch," said Ned simply.
"I really wish I can help you more Ned, but as a black brother…" Benjen shook his head. His duties were at Castle Black, not Winterfell.
"You have done plenty," said Ned gently. "First Ranger and a high ranking man in the Night's Watch."
"Will Lord Commander Mallister think me a traitor and deserter?"
"No. You are far from a deserter. Maybe when you convince the king, all those southron soldiers are what the Night's Watch needs to banish the wildlings once and for all." Ned looked thoughtful again. "I might journey to Castle Black myself – once this Robb and Daenerys mess is over of course. Our ancestors have always kept a firm interest in the Wall. Our grandfather Lord Edwyle had rode to Castle Black a numerous amount of times to help kill wildlings. Our father Lord Rickard sent a small number of men to the Wall to help twice a year too. It is my turn now. Have you thought of a way to end the war?"
"My sworn brothers are not aware the war had already started."
"Any plans at all, Benjen?"
"I must discuss plans with the other senior commanders I suppose..."
Ned nodded. "Very well. We'll have plenty of time to discuss and develop your initial plans when we travel south."
Astonishment spread on Benjen's face. "You…you will be travelling south too? I thought you said you have no desire to return south in a hurry."
Ned motioned to the fireplace a second time. "I have no choice," he said with a weary sigh. "I cannot tell Robert what happened through a raven. I thought about it all night and even though it is not the best of ideas, going to King's Landing and informing the king myself seems to be the wisest right now. You can convince the king to send ravens to the southron lords to gather soldiers before I tell him what occurred. Your matter is more important after all."
"Will the king forgive you?"
"If I am fortunate, Benjen. Robert loves and hates with equal passion. It is one matter for Robb to break a betrothal for love, but breaking his own with Robert's daughter…" Ned groaned quietly. "Disaster."
"What about Ashara? Will she come with us?"
"Yes. I intend to tell her that today. I cannot leave her here where the northern lords will murder her with their harsh words. They will blame Ashara for Robb's hasty marriage. She is Dornish, Daenerys is Dornish in their eyes. They also think Daenerys is Ashara's bastard niece. They will accuse Ashara of raising Robb into a Dornishman rather than a Northman. The North remembers. The northern lords will remember her as a manipulative and scheming southroner, a seductress and enchantress from Dorne. If matters grow worse, the lords might even want me to put Ashara aside, bastardise our children and remarry a northern lady like many of our ancestors have done."
"When will the northern lords learn of Robb's marriage?"
Ned remained silent for a moment. "Soon enough," he said finally. "Ashara had suggested Robb summon the northern lords to Winterfell when he is acting lord and notify them himself. A good plan, do you not think? Robb must learn to deal with problems in the North one day. It might be brokering fragile peace between warring lords or earning the lords trust. Robb will be the Lord of Winterfell upon my death and he must face the truth that peace will not remain in the North. One day, arguments may break out and be the key to war."
"What if Robb needs your help?"
"He has Maester Luwin who will offer sound advice."
"What if Robb cannot manage to control the lords?"
Ned darkened. "I rather not think that. He was given a fine education and he'd sat and watched me deal with the lords in the past. When Robb was a boy, he had played games based on alliance-making and peace. Hopefully he can use that as a tool when he is the acting lord. The northern lords will not be so easily won over than their southron counterparts. If Robb doesn't succeed in convincing the lords to remain on peaceful terms with us…"
"He's a dutiful son to you," said Benjen helpfully. "Besides, Robb will have time to plan what to say. It will take the lords at least a few days to travel to Winterfell after Robb summons them by raven. Maester Luwin can help him prepare and he can send you ravens if he is desperate for advice."
"I wish you chose to stay here Benjen. I could do with you around. If you chose not to join the Night's Watch, I would have given you your own holdfast." Benjen shook his head. "I always wanted to join the Night's Watch," Benjen said firmly. "I would not have enjoyed ruling from a small keep. Remember what I said to you a day or two before I left with Yoren to Castle Black? There must always be a Stark manning the Wall. A Stark at Winterfell, and a Stark at Castle Black."
I've decided that in this story, I will not write about the Others as some of you have suggested. I hope you don't mind that. I also like the point Todd made about House Stark slowly becoming a Dornish house in the eyes of the northern lords.
