Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.
AN: This chapter takes place during the time period of 'A Man Without Honor.'
The end of this chapter contains a "spoiler" for Season 6, Episode 10 "The Winds of Winter." It is not a minor "spoiler," per se, but, to paraphrase Albus Dumbledore, 'It's a complete secret, so naturally, everyone knows.'
The Song of Builders
By Jojobevco
Chapter 10
Honor, Side Effects May Include Migraines
The Next Day
Guest Quarters
Winterfell, The North, Westeros
Osha, also known as Lady Nymphadora Tonks gently stretched as she looked at her bed mate. She was faced with the full, firm body and breasts of 'Princess' Yara Greyjoy. Yara was just waking up herself.
"Mmm, good morning."
"Good morning yourself, 'princess.'"
"Last night was unexpected, but nice."
Tonks smiled, "Indeed, want another round before you go? I could be the saltwife this time."
Yara shook her head, "I need to prepare to leave today."
Tonks watched, not at all covertly, as Yara crossed out of the bed.
An Interrogation Room
The Fist of the First Men (Lower Levels)
City of the Builders
Underneath the Lands Beyond the Wall, Westeros
Colonel Ygritte, now dressed in the understated elegance of her Army long coat, sat on the other side of the table from Jon Snow, who was manacled to the table. Ygritte's sword (now proper Valyrian Steel instead of the faux-wildling one) hung by her side.
"Not exactly what you would expect from a bunch of 'Wildling savages,' eh?"
Jon Snow was still speechless.
"All your questions will be answered, but this will go much more smoothly if you accept one thing."
"What's that?"
"That you know nothing, Jon Snow. Everything you thought you knew about the Lands Beyond the Wall is a lie, an image carefully crafted over thousands of years to hide the greatest secret in the world."
"Which is?"
"That the true power of the world does not rest with the Iron Throne, or in Braavos, or in Slavers Bay, or on the Great Grass Sea, or in Valyria. It rests here, at the northern outpost of human civilization, constantly on guard against the greatest evil in the history of the world."
"What?"
Ygritte leaned back comfortably and started asking, "What do you know of the Long Night and the Battle for the Dawn?"
Jon recited, "It was a great war fought 8,000 years ago, where the First Men defeated the White Walkers with the assistance of the mythical Children of the Forest."
Ygritte nodded, "A concise, if vague definition. What do you know of the Builders of the Wall?"
Jon shrugged, "A tale of mythical heroes who arrived at the end of the Long Night to save the First Men from the White Walkers. They possessed incredible powers and were later responsible for building the Wall."
Ygritte smiled slightly, "Well perhaps you know a tad more than nothing, but you're missing quite a bit of the story. The Builders of the Wall were people with amazing magical powers in their own world."
"Their own world?"
Ygritte rolled her eyes, "This would go a lot faster if you didn't ask stupid questions. Yes, they were pulled here through an accident involving a dragon among other things. They ended up in the area we now know as the Gift. There, they encountered a group of the First Men trying out outrun a group of Wights led by a single White Walker. The Builders engaged and destroyed the Wights and the White Walker. The First Men were stunned. They had never seen a White Walker dispatched with such ease. It was clear that they had found their salvation from the Long Night."
The truth of that incident was much more complicated, involving an in depth discussion of the validity of the Statute of Secrecy on another planet when there were Ice Inferi walking the earth attacking muggles. There was also the problem that First Men who had viewed the wizards and witch with suspicion. Of course, Ygritte was giving Jon Snow the version usually given to 8 year olds.
Secret Solar of the Builders of the Wall
The Red Keep
King's Landing, The Crownlands, Westeros
Tyrion walked into the area of the solar that Sansa was recuperating in. He had requested that she stay in The Fist's medical wing, but had been told that she was well enough to remain on site in King's Landing. Tyrion watched as she used a set of crutches to slowly move from one end of the room to the other. She saw him and greeted him with a smile, "Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion smiled back and placed the stiff paperboard box on the nearby table, "Lady Sansa, I have brought you a get well gift."
Sansa hobbled over to the table and opened the box, "It is a cake."
"A Dornish Lemon Liqueur Cake. It's a bit more refreshing than the lemon cakes served in King's Landing. I think you will like it."
Sansa drew one of her knives and used it to cut off a small piece of the cake. She ate it and her eyes lit up as she smiled.
"This is delicious, thank you."
Tyrion nodded and turned to leave.
Sansa stopped him, "Lord Tyrion?"
Tyrion turned back, "Yes, Lady Sansa?"
"Why did you save me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Arya was on her way already. You took an incredible risk by heading out into the crowd to save me. Not just with your life, but with our mission. Why?"
Tyrion answered, "I'm your instructor and I'm responsible for you."
Sansa nodded, "But my sister and other instructor were already going to rescue me."
Tyrion hesitated a beat before answering, "I didn't want to risk your sister having to run across the roof of a building full of Lannisters to rescue you."
Sansa placed a hand on his shoulder, and smiled knowingly, "Regardless, you are a good man, Lord Agent Tyrion Lannister."
Xaro Xhoan Daxos's Manse
Qarth, Essos
Daenerys Targaryen was currently doing a walk and talk through the manse as she tried to determine the location of her Dragons.
Xaro Xhoan Daxos followed behind her, "I have requested a meeting of the Thirteen, one of them either knows where they are or who took them."
Dany rolled her eyes, "You are a member of the Thirteen."
"Yet, without their mother, the dragons are worthless."
Daenerys scoffed, "They are the most expensive animals in the world."
"It is a matter of personal value. I took you under my protection. If I cannot protect you, then my word is worthless."
"It is clear that you cannot protect me," Dany then turned and left.
An Interrogation Room
The Fist of the First Men (Lower Levels)
City of the Builders
Underneath the Lands Beyond the Wall, Westeros
Ygritte concluded her story with, "And that is how the Wall was built."
Jon was stunned and Ygritte was far from done.
"Now, let me tell you why we created the concept of free folk. Tell me, Jon Snow, why does the Night's Watch not allow you to father children or have titles?"
Jon proudly answered, "We are the Watchers on the Wall, we stand apart to defend the realm."
Ygritte's answer was one word, "Bullshit."
"Excuse me!?"
"You heard me, it's bullshit. You can protect your Wall that holds out, whatever you think it holds out, just as easily, perhaps even more so, with a family and lands to protect. My deputy is happily married with two children. Rest assured, she is more dedicated to her mission than your Night's Watch has been for thousands of years."
Jon snorted, "Do you think you are free, living under the rule of the same people for 8,000 years?"
Ygritte shrugged, "We are free to live away from the shadow of tyranny of death. Free from the ineffectiveness of politics. We are free to live in prosperity. We have the highest quality of life anywhere in the world. There is no poverty or hunger, good health, and if we want more freedom, we're free to go somewhere else. The Builders tried letting people rule once. Let me tell you about the disaster that was Valyria."
The Stark Host
Gold Road
South of Oxcross, The Westerlands, Westeros
Had Lord Eddard Stark actually wanted to take the Westerlands, he would already have taken The Crag. However, his main objective was to stall the Lannisters. Hence, his position here, where he could prevent the new host from leaving the Westerlands and linking up with the old host.
Now Ned sat with his trusted Council of Lords and listened to Ser Alton describe Cersei Lannister's reaction, "Then she tore the paper up."
Ned rolled his eyes, "She has a tendency to do that. Ser Alton, I thank you for acting with honor in this." He turned to the Greatjon, "Return Ser Alton to his pen after he gets a bath and a warm meal." The Greatjon nodded and left. Ned looked over and saw Lady Talisa and Robb waiting just outside. Ned dismissed the rest of the lords as they entered. Shortly after returning from the Stormlands, Robb had gotten a full briefing on the Builders of the Wall and now acted as an intermediary between Ned and Talisa. Something Ned was thankful for, he had heard too many whispers of 'Wylla' lately.
Talisa started, "An update from Lady Tonks reveals that everything is going according to plan, the Ironborn will be leaving tonight and after that Lady Tonks will rescue Bran, Rickon, and Hodor from the Ironborn. As she does that, the Army of the Fist will dispatch 200 foot and a hundred archers to assist in reinforcing Winterfell until you can reinforce it."
Ned shook his head slightly, "I have no idea when that will be."
Talisa looked a little uncomfortable for a moment before speaking, "Regarding that, we need you to move…"
Main Square
Winterfell, The North, Westeros
Tonks was checking Bran's specialized saddle for their trip. After making sure it was secure she reached over and lifted him from Hodor's back on to the horse, tightening the leg braces. She then lifted Rickon onto the horse in front of Yara, who gently wrapped her arm around him. Bran, Rickon and Yara were the only two on horses, everyone else would have to walk. Tonks looked over to Hodor and gave him a slight nod before doing the same with Yara. As she did, Bran looked over to Luwin, "Maester Luwin, I name Ser Rodrik Cassel as Castellan of Winterfell. You will be in charge until he returns. He is expressly ordered to not attempt to rescue us."
Luwin reluctantly nodded, "Aye."
With that, the group departed from Winterfell.
Daenerys Targaryen's Suite
Xaro Xhoan Daxos's Manse
Qarth, Essos
Agent Ser Jorah Mormont reentered Dany's suite and reported, "No sign of the Dragons."
Daenerys sat on the bed and held her face in her hands, "Irri is dead, some of my Khalasar are dead and I could not protect them."
"Doreah?"
"Missing. My people are being slaughtered."
Jorah sighed, "These people of Qarth are not to be trusted."
"Who can we trust, The Targaryens? The one I knew would be willing to let 40,000 men rape me to get his army. The Dothraki? A number of them turned on me. The Builders? They don't even give me the time of day.
"They will when you need it."
"When I need it?! I need it now! My Dragons, my one asset in this world has gone missing and they don't even lift a finger to help me!"
"They saved your son!"
"And for that they asked for the absolute and unquestioning loyalty of me and my line! What good is loyalty if I can't do anything-AAK!"
Daenerys shouted out in pain as her son started to cry. She clenched her hand to her chest. Jorah walked over to her and took her hand, "Queen Daenerys Targaryen, you must stop having these thoughts."
"Why?"
"Because if you do not, you will suffer. That promise you made, it is enforced by your own blood of old Valyria. If you question it, it will exact a price from you and your son."
Dany took a deep breath and settled down, "Okay."
Jorah nodded, "Just remember that the Builders have ways of holding people to their word beyond just the oaths that men swear to one another. Also, rest assured that when the Builders are needed, they will be here and that we will get your Dragons back."
"And I should trust you?"
Jorah nodded, "As well as the Builders, remember, without them, your son would be dead, your Khalasar much, much smaller, and many more of your people dead. They believe that you are the last, best hope for Westeros. They are long-time friends of your family."
Dany shook her head, "What?"
"Do you think it is by accident that your family were the only Dragon Lords to survive the Doom? Your family had a long history with the Builders. But, it ebbed and flowed. Hence why they had you swear your loyalty."
Dany waved him off, "We can discuss this later. First, find my dragons."
An Interrogation Room
The Fist of the First Men (Lower Levels)
City of the Builders
Underneath the Lands Beyond the Wall, Westeros
"So, do you see why we trust the Builders? Because humans fuck it up."
Jon nodded a bit, "Then what happened though? The Builders blew up Valyria, but did anything change?"
Ygritte nodded, "Yes, things changed. A group of Dragon Lords loyal to the Builders had been sent to the westernmost outpost of the Valyrian Empire, Dragonstone. I'm sure you know what happened next."
"The Targaryen Invasion."
Ygritte nods again, "Yes, an action that brought Westeros, literally kicking and screaming, into the modern era. From there the Builders stepped back, to watch the culture develop naturally and it had its ups and downs. As it turns out, their chosen rulers weren't quite right in the head."
"So why didn't they remove them?"
"Because, for all their issues, the Targaryens have made Westeros a better place. A united country. Something that we will need moving forward to face the real enemy."
"What's that?"
Ygritte grimaced, "Let me tell you…"
A Street
Qarth, Essos
Jorah and Quaithe were walking down the street. As they did Jorah asked, "Where do you think they are?"
"Well, the entire Thirteen are suspect. But, the question is, who would benefit most?"
"They're dragons! The military applications are unthinkable."
Quaithe raised a finger, "Only if you can control them. Who in this city would be stupid enough to think they could control a dragon?"
Jorah looked at her, "Remember where we are, this is Qarth, the idiots here think that they live in the 'greatest city that ever was or will be.'"
Quaith nodded, "But, who would actually think they could control magical creatures?"
Jorah's eyes widened, "Oh."
"Yes, oh, and where is Daenerys going now."
"Shit."
"Shit, indeed."
They both made a quick turn and started heading off toward the council chamber of The Thirteen. In short time they arrived outside, to find Danerys and her bloodriders being surrounded by copies of Pyat Pree. He approaches and stabs one, just as another says, "Where will you run to, Daenerys Stormborn? Your dragons wait for you in the House of the Undying. Come and see." He then vanished into smoke, along with the rest of the copies.
Jorah and Quaithe look at each other and reach the same conclusion at the same time.
"We need help."
The Small Conference Room
The Fist of the First Men (Upper Levels)
The Lands Beyond the Wall
"Fucking shit."
"Wow, Potter."
Harry groaned, "We don't have time for this. We really don't fucking have time for this, we are going to war in less than a week and now we have to pacify Qarth."
Cormac shrugged, "You know what they say about plans surviving contact with the enemy."
"We haven't even made contact yet, Cormac! I figured Qarth was one of the few places Daenerys Targaryen couldn't get in trouble. We're already occupying the city and we're controlling one of the city's rulers. Quaithe has done well with that."
Cormac shook his head, "The fact that a former follower of the Lord of Light can control an Imperius that we cast is disturbing."
"Likely, you're her great-grandfather or something. It's progress."
Cormac was non-committal, "Hmm."
Harry took a moment and double facepalmed, "Okay, here is what we're going to do. I'm going to head south the King's Landing and prepare for Stannis's arrival. Then I will stop off at Harrenhal."
"Why?"
"Tywin Lannister is going to give me something I want and in exchange I'm going to let him pull Joffrey 'Baratheon's' ass out of the fire. You will draw 1,000 soldiers from the Home Guard and assist Daenerys Targaryen in finding her dragons and occupying a city."
"That will leave the city woefully underdefended."
Harry nodded, "Our invasion forces will be here soon, if not already. I'll recall the rest of the army. Oh, but first I need you to stop in the Reach."
"To do what?"
Harry smiled, "To talk to an old flame."
West of Tumbledown Tower
The Wolfswood
The North, Westeros
It was well past midnight and Tonks was sitting in her tent with Hodor, Bran, and Rickon. As they slumbered, Tonks was wide awake, tapping her foot. Her agent was late. Timing wasn't everything, but still it was important. Finally, she felt her emergency portkey burn slightly against her wrist; it was shortly followed by a young woman appearing out of thin air with a duffel-like bag over her shoulder. The agent was a short, muscular woman, with a full head of curly dark brown hair that went just down to her shoulders. She was dressed entirely in black, covered in a black cloak, with a small grey patch centered on her chest with a black image of a phoenix in flight and the words, "Serving those who Build" written underneath.
"Agent Reed, you're late."
Meera Reed, only daughter of Howland Reed and Agent of the Builders nodded, "Sorry, My Lady. With the invasion imminent, traffic to and from Braavos has been restricted. It took me hours to get through the line with my badge. Further, Lord Potter and Lord McLaggen requested I give you a briefing of the current situation when I arrive."
"Let's get back to Winterfell first."
Meera nodded and handed over the bag. Tonks summoned out four bodies that were very badly burned, arranging them on the ground. She then drew her wand and waved it over the bodies to contort them in various expressions of agony. Tonks then casted Flame-Freezing charms on the others in the room, who had awoken in the interim, before throwing fire at the lamp, the bodies, and the rest of the tent. Tonks then stepped outside and threw a massive wave of fire through the rest of the camp. After she walked back into the tent, she threw out a small chain and shook her head at the giggling people, "grab on," they did, and Tonks spoke, "Winter is coming."
A fucking horn blew in the distance.
Main Square
Winterfell, The North, Westeros
After arriving Tonks looked around, and waved her hands, transforming her Wildling gear into her formal robes, signifying her role as Commander of the Agents of the Builders. They were black with yellow trim and ornamentation. The robes were irrelevant however, everyone from Beyond the Wall knew her by sight. She looked around to try to figure out who was in charge. Tonks's eyes widened as she identified the commander and the patch on his arm.
"Major Kullback, what are you doing here?"
"We were dispatched to reinforce Winterfell, My Lady."
"The Home Guard, they dispatched the Home Guard?"
"There have been some major developments, ma'am"
Tonks turned back to Meera, "Tell me everything."
An Observation Room of an Interrogation Room
The Fist of the First Men (Lower Levels)
City of the Builders
Underneath the Lands Beyond the Wall, Westeros
Harry sighed, "So the army's back?"
His companion nodded, "A portion of it, 5,000 men here, excluding the 300 I'm switching out with the Home Guard in Winterfell, another 20,000 on ships headed south."
"And the rest are in the Frostfangs."
"I had them redeploy closer to the Fist, they're about six hours away on horse. They're well concealed, a stealth training exercise."
Harry shook his head, "That still leaves us woefully underdefended. I wasn't expecting to have to deploy three-quarters of the Home Guard to Essos on short notice."
"They'll be back as soon as Qarth is secure and 20,000 of my forces will return here when we're done. Besides, Giantsbane has 20,000 men less than six hours north of here, and another 55,000 men that can be here within 24 hours. Now, what did you bring me here for?"
Harry turned to his companion for a moment before banging on the two-way mirror that separated the interrogation room from the observation room. In moment, Colonel Ygritte came out and bowed low at the people in the room.
"Your assessment, Ygritte."
"Lord Harry, I should point out that I am not qualified…"
"Nonetheless, your assessment, Colonel."
"He is trainable, my Lord. Jon Snow is exactly what you would expect from a Stark raised in Winterfell. Honorable, stubborn to a fault. Not an inch of pragmatism."
"Can he command?"
Ygritte nodded, "Certainly, given time and experience."
"Can he lead?"
Ygritte thought for a moment and nodded, "Possibly."
Harry nodded slightly, "Thank you, Colonel, dismissed, wait outside for a moment."
Ygritte bowed and left
Harry looked at the other occupant of the room, the so-called 'King Beyond-the-Wall' Mance Rayder, "Can't you feel it?"
Mance nodded, "He is magically powerful."
Harry nodded, "He is, like many of the Starks, but feel the type of magic."
Mance closed his eyes for a moment and stretched out his hand, passively feeling the magical ability coming from their prisoner before opening them wide, "Fuck me."
Harry nodded, "Indeed. It is not only the magic of the First Men, but also the magic of Valyria, a very specific line of Valyrian magic. Our guest is a Targaryen."
"Rhaegar's?"
"And Lyanna Stark. I am furious at Ned right now. This seriously complicates things."
Mance's eyes widened, "Because he is in the direct line. he outranks Daenerys in the Line of Succession."
"Exactly, for now though, we have more pressing matters. I need to go South, and you have an invasion to plan." Harry nodded and departed. After a moment Mance left as well. He gestured at Ygritte for her to follow him.
'Mance' groaned, "Come, Colonel, we have an invasion to plan."
"Yes, Lord Aberforth."
As he walked down the hall, Aberforth Dumbledore, Builder of the Wall, Commander of the Army of the Fist, and acting 'King Beyond-the-Wall' rubbed his temples, trying to make his rapidly developing migraine go away.
Please Review, Thanks to those who have
Why are Cormac and Aberforth in this story? Tonks, Cormac, and Aberforth were chosen for a rather ingenious reason. See if you can figure it out. Aberforth's flashback of arriving in Westeros will be shown in the next chapter.
I was expecting Tonks's plan to be a bit more epic. I was too, I had envisoned this huge scene with epic music and fiendfyre wiping out half of the wolfswood. Then I realized that Tonks would be crossing a line from pragmatic to evil, because she would know the Boltons were coming and what they would probably do. So, I decided to do the subdued version instead.