AN: The following chapter takes place during the events of "The Night Lands," occasionally interspersed with Harry telling Arya stories from his very long life.

The Song of Builders

By Jojobevco

Chapter 5

Eight Millennia in The Lands Beyond the Wall

As Arya and Harry walked down the Kingsroad, Arya was struggling to make conversation.

"Why aren't we running?"

Harry smirked, "We just traveled from The Fist to King's Landing in the blink of an eye. Rest assured; we will get to our destination in plenty of time. After all, a wizard is never late; he arrives precisely when he needs to. Besides, our presence is unneeded; there are already reinforcements on the way. We are only going because I felt this would be a good learning opportunity for you."

"Learning?"

"What you have learned has all been in the classroom. Practical experience is a whole different type of learning."

"Hm," was her only response. She didn't know what else to say.

The next few minutes passed silently before Arya tried again to make small talk.

"So, what happened after the Battle for the Dawn?".

Harry sighed, "Arya, that is a very complicated question."

"No, it's not. I mean, with all your power, you should be king of the world right now."

Harry sighed again and breathed deeply, before creating a buzzing sound in the ears of those who might overhear. "Once, long ago, we were. But to understand that we have to go back to right after the battle."

"The other Builders and I, we were forced here because of an accident. Honestly, we did not want to be here. We wanted to go home. Once we had dealt with what you now call the White Walkers, we tried to do exactly that. Thankfully when we had been pulled through, Tonks and I were both carrying a lot of emergency supplies, including a moderately sized library. Unfortunately, none of the books we had on us were particularly helpful for our situation and my best friend, who was one of my people's top researchers, was not here either. Research was never my strong suit. We continued floundering until one day your many times Great-Grandfather Bran visited."

"That was the other problem. We had, in the space of a year, ended a thirty-year conflict using power far beyond your ancestor's comprehension. They decided, since we had such power, we must be gods. Contrary to what some might think, being revered as a god is kind of tiresome after a while, so we remained at the Fist. I can show you what happened if you like. It may be better than hearing me drone on."

"Alright, sure."

Harry stopped and turned toward Arya, looking her in the eye. She suddenly felt a distinctive pulling sensation on her mind. It was rather uncomfortable to find herself in Harry's memory. Parts of it were clearer than she could imagine and parts of it were distorted with age. It was confusing.

7,999 Years Ago

Auror Operations Tent

Fist of the First Men

The man who would be known as Bran the Builder stepped into the tent and hurried to the library. He knelt, respectfully greeting them, "Honored Ones." Harry impatiently gestured for the man to stand, "Welcome, Brandon. How can we help you?"

"Honored Ones, we have finished building the first section of our new defensive wall. We would be honored if you would inspect it."

Arya, full of questions, thought, "The Wall?"

Harry replied. "No. A wall, not The Wall."

Tonks nodded, smiling. "We would be happy to, Brandon," The magicals exited the tent with Brandon into the Fist. It really was a small wood and stone fort on top of a mountain. There were several archers and swordsmen armed with dragonglass standing guard. A few Children walked about as well, mostly just staring out into the wilderness. The magicals grabbed each other's hands as Harry looked into Brandon's eyes, pulling the location from his mind, and turned on his heel, guiding the magicals in their apparition, with Brandon along for the ride.

In the blink of an eye they arrived at a location that would later be known as The Shadow Tower. They found themselves looking at a wall, forty feet high and about a thousand feet long. Harry looked at it and laughed. A magical Arya didn't recognize glanced over at him, disapproving.

Brandon stuttered, "Honored Harry, I know it might not be as impressive as you could make it, but it's our finest achievement.

Harry rolled his eyes, "It's a nice wall Brandon; however, it is absolutely useless. We might be able to do something about it." Harry's wand flashed in his hand. He pointed it into his satchel, summoning a White Walker lance. The lance was about six feet long, with a sharp arrow like tip. It was always coated in a thin layer of ice. Harry caught the lance and tossed it to Tonks. She strode up to the wall, poured a bit of magic into the spear and calmly poked it into the mortar surrounding the stones. Immediately, the wall started to turn to ice. After a minute, Tonks turned the spear around and slammed it into the wall, shattering the ice and creating about a five by five-foot gash.

Harry elaborated, "White Walkers prefer to leave engagement to the Wrights, who can easily climb over this wall, jump over it, besiege it, or any number of other things. They could collapse the whole thing in minutes."

Tonks arrived back at the group, shivering. Harry took the spear, shoved it back into his satchel, cast a warming charm on Tonks and hugged her.

Brandon looked concerned. Seeing his expression, Harry told him, "We can fight White Walkers and we can use our own Ice Magic, however, using their tools is like immersing your whole body in ice. It is a horrible feeling. The Lady Tonks has some protection thanks to her abilities. If I tried that, I'd have ice coming out my nostrils."

Harry sighed and turned back to Brandon, "I will discuss the situation with The Children and we should be able to come up with something."

Present Day

The Kingsroad

Slightly South of Hayford Castle, The Crownlands, Westeros

Arya felt her mind going back into her own head. It was a disorienting experience.

"That was the moment we became the Builders of the Wall. It took us and The Children working with the First Men seventy years to build it; a wall of ice and magic, 300 miles long by 700 feet high. It was also around that time that we realized the true strength of our immortality."

"Huh?"

"It's complicated," Harry shrugged. "At any rate, we realized we could never go home. Our off time from building the wall was spent investigating every possibility, none worked out because we were unable to replicate the circumstances of our arrival."

Arya was rather impatient, "So, king of the world?"

Harry shook his head, "Patience, Arya."

Chambers of the Hand of the "King"

The Red Keep

King's Landing, The Crownlands, Westeros

Lord Tyrion Lannister, Acting Hand of the "King," and Senior Agent of the Builders started out that day in a good mood. His good mood didn't last long, however. He spotted Shae talking to Lord Varys. Shae had rapidly turned into his problem. Granted, the sex was good, and had he been the same man he was before he started working for the Builders, he might have loved her, but now, she was becoming a serious headache. The fact that she was talking to Varys made her a bigger one.

As he entered Varys stood and bowed in his deferentially sarcastic manner, "My lord."

Shae simpered, "You kept me waiting a long time, my Lion, but your friend kept me company."

Varys chimed in, "We were speaking of your heroism in the battle against the Stark Auxiliary."

Tyrion scoffed, "I'm sure you were."

"I heard you suffered a terrible head wound."

Tyrion chuckled as he grabbed a small glass of wine, "That was one time being small had its advantages. What would have killed a taller man only wounded me."

Shae chuckled, "And then I told him the story of how we met."

Tyrion kept his cool as Varys replied, "Yes, the story of how you met in your father's kitchens almost defies belief, especially since you haven't been home in over a year."

Tyrion shrugged. In the past, he would have made some crass food jibe here. Instead he settled for, "Yes, well, it shows how much she cares. Besides, when an army rides to war, so does its stomach."

Varys invoked in a wise voice, "I'm glad your friend was able to accompany you to the capital. Friends are such an important part of life."

Tyrion decided to go with a bit of truth here, "Yes, she's my…friend." While Varys would think he was creating doubt to protect her, it was, in fact, the truth.

Varys continued, unperturbed, "It is unfortunate that your father did not want her to come but rest easy. I am particularly good at keeping secrets for my good friends."

Tyrion noted, "Your discretion is legendary. However, is it for your friends, or for the realm?"

After Varys made a show of leaving, Tyrion sighed. He supposed he would have to stand up for his 'friend.'

Standing in front of the door, Tyrion snapped, "I know the way the game is played. I'm not Ned Stark."

Varys commented, "Perhaps you should aspire to be him. He disappeared from directly under everyone's noses, albeit with significant assistance from some relationship he presumably built."

To his credit, Tyrion rallied quickly, "Threaten me again, and I'll have you thrown into the sea."

"You might be disappointed in the results. I just keep swimming."

After they had left, a small, hidden vent in the wall, quietly closed. Word of Varys's knowledge would get back to the Builders very quickly.

The Throne Room

The Red Keep

King's Landing, The Crownlands, Westeros

Today's Small Council session was a bit strange. At least, it was supposed to be a Small Council meeting, but King Joffrey had apparently decided to call a full court sitting.

Lord Petyr Baelish knelt in front of the throne, with "King" Joffrey "Baratheon" holding a crossbow on him. "You are here to answer for the treason of your men, Littlefinger," Joffrey said loudly

To his credit, Baelish answered in his typical raspy voice, "And what treason is that, Your Grace?"

The 'king' turned to his relative, commanding, "Ser Lancel. Tell him of this outrage."

Lancel addressed the court, speaking loudly so he would be heard. "Freeriders in service to Lord Baelish killed several members of the City Watch of King's Landing, including their esteemed Lord Commander, while they were in performance of their duties to the crown."

Tyrion stood back to see how this situation would play out. Sadly, he couldn't let it go too far; they needed Littlefinger to die at the right moment. However, Tyrion was relatively sure Lord Harry wouldn't mind too much if Baelish died at an inopportune time.

Joffrey realized this as well, but still held his threatening posture. "While killing you would send a message to the realm, you have performed services to me that make you invaluable. You will retain your titles and lands. However, you will hand a list of your entire complement of freeriders over to the City Watch for execution, and you will be assessed double taxes on all business in King's Landing for the next five years. You are dismissed."

Tyrion shook his head at his twice-nephew's idiocy. All Joffrey had accomplished was to make Littlefinger angry. Letting him keep his Small Council position amounted to making sure that there would be zero punishment. Then it suddenly dawned on him: there was a deal involved here. Joffrey had to give Littlefinger some punishment, but he couldn't do much without raising suspicions of why he wanted Barra dead and why he didn't want to give Littlefinger a reason to look into what happened (even though Littlefinger already knew).

With that, the Small Council adjourned to the Small Council Chamber. Tyrion's suspicions were confirmed when Littlefinger was smirking as usual. It was all a bit of theatre, and second-rate theater at that. Tyrion could predict most-if not all—of the plot twists in this little pageant. The Freeriders would take the blame and that would be the end of it.

The council meeting progressed as Tyrion expected. He managed to get the Stark dead returned to them as a show of good faith. However, the idea of declaring the "Baratheon" children bastards would not even be heard. The issues with the Night's Watch were dismissed with the usual aplomb, which suited Tyrion just fine, for the moment. The fewer people on the Wall, the easier it was for the Builders to do their work.

The Traveling 'Arrys

The Kingsroad

Slightly North of Hayford Castle, The Crownlands, Westeros

"…And that was the story of the Wall's dedication," Harry concluded.

"Then what happened?"

"When we built the wall, we made our intentions clear. We would remove ourselves from the Realms of Men, residing in the Lands Beyond the Wall. It was not something we wanted to do, but it was clear that we had already interfered enough. Our people's own history taught us that after a while, those without power turn on those with power, leading to witch burnings and persecutions. So, we followed the traditions of the ancestors. We retained a relationship with your ancestors that has served us both well. When the Andals invaded, we kept them out of the North, at the behest of the Starks. We evacuated the remaining Children to North of the Wall."

"Where did all the people at the Fist come from then?"

"Some of them elected to stay with us from the beginning. Some were simply trapped North of the Wall upon its completion. Others have been drawn to us over the intervening years, like you and your sister. Over the years, the number of our people living at the Fist and in the surrounding regions has grown to about a quarter million people."

"Yet, after 8,000 years you would expect some better accommodations."

Harry quirked an eyebrow, "Oh, really?"

Arya stuck to it, "The number of people I have seen in squalor…in furs, as opposed to armor…"

Harry shook his head, "Arya, you have been at the Fist a matter of weeks. Have you seen anything outside of the upper two floors of the Command Tower?"

For once Arya though about it. Truth be told, she had not, she had not even been outside.

Harry pressed on, "Arya, you have yet to see what lies beneath, and that…that is truly one of our more amazing constructions. The squalor and furs are intentional. They're part of a show we put on for the Night's Watch. They expect Wildlings, so they get wildlings. Our 'small folk,' as you call them, have one of the highest standards of living in the entire world."

Arya was a bit skeptical. "Oh, really?"

Harry shook his head. "I'll show you when we get back. We spent 3,000 years working on the Fist. We're rather proud of it. Then, well, something else came up. That was when we ruled the world."

"What happened?"

Harry spotted a group of thieves and bandits approaching from the north. Distractedly, he replied, "I'll tell you later, Arya. Now, it's time for your first practical lesson."

They drew their swords and stood guarding each other's back as the gang rode in.

Daenerys Targaryen's Khalasar

Deep within the Red Waste, Essos

Daenerys suddenly looked up at a popping sound. A wild-looking woman in heavy furs and a large pallet appeared out of thin air. The ragged woman transformed into someone young and beautiful, startling Daenerys even more. She waved her hand, changing the furs into a robe that reminded Daenerys of the one Harry wore. She then waved her hand at the pallet and floated it behind her as she walked toward the Khalasar. She approached Daenerys and stood over her, as Dany calmly waved her bloodriders away.

"Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Lady Nymphadora Tonks, Builder of the Wall. I'm here to congratulate you on passing the first test and deliver some additional supplies."

"Where is Harry?"

"Lord Harry is otherwise occupied today."

Jorah approached and bowed low. "Builder Tonks, welcome to the Red Waste."

"Ser Jorah." Tonks inclined her head politely.

Jorah added, "Forgive me, my Lady, but I thought that you were at Winterfell until further notice."

Tonks smiled, calmly replying, "I had a day off."

Dany interrupted the pleasantries. "I'm sorry, but what test?"

"Well, in all honesty, there were two. First you figured out how to feed your dragons, then you managed to determine what directions were open to you to avoid the deaths of two of your Bloodriders. Not exactly the highest standards, but they show basic competence."

Dany looked vaguely insulted, even though she had been thinking that same thing a few days earlier.

Tonks pulled the pallet forward and set it down. "This should last you for about a week. Have fun." Tonks smiled and turned to leave.

Dany was upset. Where was the support she was expecting? "That's it?!" she complained.

Tonks turned back, "You have the situation well in hand." She then turned on her heel and apparated, leaving a bewildered Dany and chuckling Jorah behind.

Daenerys turned to Jorah, "What is so funny?"

"This is the way the Builders work. They never give all the answers. The most you'll get out of them is just enough to point you in the right direction."

Dany huffed.

Lord Petyr Baelish's Brothel

King's Landing, The Crownlands, Westeros

Ros, high priced prostitute and Agent of the Builders was having a rather good day. Her target was in trouble, they had removed a major flunkey from the board, and she was enjoying her day off.

Of course, her perfect day could not continue forever. She sighed to herself, watching her target…er, boss…entered the room. He did love to make an entrance. There was very little about Petyr Baelish that wasn't at least a little bit theatrical.

Littlefinger asked, "My girl, how are you?"

Ros sighed and rubbed her stomach. The bruises were still painful. "It hurts, my Lord." Unfortunately, Ros was cut off from the Fist's medical wing unless her life was in imminent danger, and the use of any medicines from outside the brothel would be immediately noticeable inside it. She couldn't risk her cover, even though she needed treatment. She'd live; it just wouldn't be very comfortable for the foreseeable future.

Littlefinger poked her bruises. "They seem to be healing."

The pain made her wince. Littlefinger was no Maester or Healer. Ros already knew they were healing and that she was extremely lucky to avoid any internal damage, thanks to her agent emergency medical courses. To be truthful, that training made her better equipped for first aid than most of the people in Littlefinger's establishment.

Littlefinger continued, "You remind me of another girl, a lovely thing I acquired from an Elysium pleasure house. She was beautiful and intelligent like you are. However, she complained a lot. It was rather distressing for me as girls from Elysium are extremely expensive. She was a bad investment. Then one day, a wealthy patron offered me as much money as I initially paid for her to use her in such ways that would never occur to any other men. She wasn't happy, but my losses were covered. It is unfortunate that he never returned. Take today off to heal, but be better tomorrow." Littlefinger then gave her a dangerous smile and left.

Ros almost vomited. She knew the case he was talking about. It was one of many involving Petyr Baelish that ended up in the Builders' intelligence files. It was the same file that she had read when she volunteered for this assignment. It took her a while; the file was very thick. It seemed innocuous, but with that smile, Petyr Baelish threatened her life. She shivered. Death was an uncomfortable possibility to be confronted with.

Secret Solar of the Builders of the Wall, The Red Keep

King's Landing, The Crownlands, Westeros

"I am so happy to be stationed in King's Landing right now."

Captain Karsi's statement was echoed by Tyrion and Podrick. Sansa was confused.

"Why is that, Captain?"

Karsi set down her fork and held up her hand, "Five words, 'The First Men Heritage Festival.'"

Sansa was more confused, "I'm-I'm sorry?"

Tyrion waved his hand at Karsi, "You've been at the Fist during the festival more than I have."

Karsi explained, "Every year, as Autumn is declared by the Fist's Meteorologist, the citizens of the Fist and any available leaders participate in a historical reenactment of life during the time of the of the Age of Heroes as a way to remember our history. It lasts for three months. For the most part it is fun, hunting, fishing, tent building, the Giant Olympics, and of course, cold weather combat training. However, there is also the food."

Tyrion groaned, "Oh yes, the food. I try to avoid going to the fist as much as possible during that time. Bear, yak, or elk for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lord Harry says it's all 'locally sourced' whatever that means."

Podrick glared at Tyrion, which went unnoticed by everyone.

Karsi continued, "I mean, would it kill him to make it voluntary? Although in their defense the rest of the time we have some of the finest foods in the world."

Podrick nodded, "It's true, we grow everything from lemon trees to maple trees in our greenhouses, we can produce a reasonable copy of most wines from around the world and through the Builders' Transportation Network we can import fresh meat and fish from everywhere in the world daily."

Tyrion smiled, "It's true, imagine having the finest Braavosi oysters, clams, and cockles flavored with Dornish lemons and topped off with some of the greatest Arbor wines in the world."

Sansa poignantly looked down at her own meal, salted Braavosi Shivering Sea Salmon, seasoned with Dornish lemons and served with Arbor wine.

Everyone noticed, Tyrion commented, "Yes, well, imagine everyone in King's Landing having that meal, Sansa."

Karsi nodded, "Yes, indeed, everyone from the Builders all the way down to the regular citizens has access to the food, and it costs no more than purchasing it from your local market."

Sansa noted, "Except during The First Men Heritage Festival."

Everyone nodded, and Podrick commented, "Exactly," before he turned to Tyrion and commented, "A Builder will modify Varys's memory."

Tyrion smiled and nodded, "Good."

The Traveling 'Arrys

The Kingsroad

Slightly Further North of Hayford Castle, The Crownlands, Westeros

Following their quick defeat of the bandits (which resulted in Arya's second kill) Harry quickly incinerated the bodies, vanished the ashes and cleaned their swords before they continued.

"So, you were about to discuss when you apparently, 'ruled the world?"

"Yes, 3,000 years after we arrived, our isolation was broken by rumors from beyond the narrow sea, rumors of a creature we had not seen since we arrived."

5,000 Years Ago

Valyria, Essos

The portkey of the Builders of the Wall dropped them into the middle of a disaster zone. Hundreds of shepherds and sheep were stampeding in their direction being pursued by a massive red dragon.

Tonks looked up, "Why am I getting a feeling of déjà vu?"

Harry said, "Yeah, I'm getting it too," he turned to the other Builders, "Evacuate the shepherds, Tonks and I will handle the dragon."

They drew their wands and faced the massive beast together.

Arya stopped him, "Wait, Valyria and Dragons, 5,000 years ago?"

Harry smirked, "That's right, The Valyrian Freehold was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Builders of the Wall."

AN: Please Review, thanks to those who have.