THE NIGHT'S WATCH
The Night's Watch is one of the oldest orders in the world. Founded eight thousand years ago by Azor Ahai, who with Bran the Builder defeated the armies of the Night King. Bran the Builder is the founder of House Stark. He learned the secrets of magic from the Children of the Forest and Azor. Using his magic Bran with the help of the Giants built the wall and wove magic into it so that the Night King, his Walkers, and the Wights cannot pass the wall.
The Night's Watch built nineteen castles along the three hundred mile long, eight, hundred, foot high wall. The wall is made of stone, but over the years layers of ice covered it. In its glory days the Night Watch numbered fifty thousand strong divided among the nineteen castles. Now the Night's Watch only uses three of the nineteen castles. Castle Black with five hundred men, including Rangers, Stewards, and Builders. Eastwatch By the Sea with four hundred men, and Shadow Tower, with three hundred men.
The Lord Commander rules the entire order and then the Commanders of each castle. The Lord Commander is advised by the Maester, The First Ranger, Master at Arms, First Steward, and First Builder. Jeor Mormont is the current Lord Commander, the 997th Lord of the Night's Watch. When his son Jorah Mormont came of age Jeor joined the Watch. Ten years later he became the Lord Commander.
To Jeor Mormont
Father I write this letter to inform you that I have annulled my marriage to Lynesse Hightower. You were right about her…And I was a fool. I am ashamed of myself…I am heading to Winterfell for a Feast and to speak with Lord Stark…I will write you when I arrive…
With Regards
Your Son Jorah Mormont
A few weeks later another Raven arrives saying that Jorah is going to the Name Day Tourney of Lady Margaery Tyrell and will come to Castle Black afterwards. It is the third day of the week and Jeor is in his solar going over reports from Rangers. He pauses as the horn sounds. One blast of the horn for returning Rangers or for supplies. Two blasts for Wildings and three for White Walkers. There is one long blast, so he returns to his duties.
Not long after one of the Stewards bursts into his solar, "My Lord, you need to come see this!"
"See what?"
"Come quickly My Lord."
Jeor gets up and walks to the door and onto the porch. He is astounded at the twenty-five large wagons entering the courtyard. "Lord Commander Mormont!" A man yells jumping off the lead wagon.
"You know my name sir, but who are you?"
"Call me Long for now. I serve House Targaryen."
"House Targaryen? The Targaryens fell to the Usurper over Fifteen years ago."
"Fell but not gone…There are some left in the world. The Masked Dragon for one. It is him whom I serve. He sends his regards and this…Five wagons of food, five of ale and wine, five of new clothes and bedding, five wagons of weapons, and the last of gold."
"Gold!"
"Aye so that the Night's Watch can buy what it needs."
Soon Jeor is joined by First Steward Bowen Marsh. "And what does the Masked Dragon want in return for his generosity? The Night's Watch does not take sides in the power struggles and politics of the realm."
"I know this and so does my King." He hands Jorah a scroll, "There is a detailed message explaining everything. The Masked Dragon sees all and is very wise…I'd heed his advise…A month from now another shipment of food and supplies will arrive from the Reach…Now I need to see Maester Aemon…I have something for him."
As Long walks off, Jeor and Bowen inspect the wagons. The first five carts are filled with grain, flower, oil, fish, barrels of mutton, fruits, vegetables, salted meats of all kinds, nuts and berries. The weapons are Valyrian steel and Dragonglass. Then they stare at the wagons of gold. Mormont unrolls the scroll and reads…
To Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
I am sorry that I am not able to present these supplies to you myself in person. I cry your pardon, but there are other things that require my attention. When I have the time I will come and see you face to face. And now to business…and forgive me, but the Night's Watch has fallen from it's glory and purpose…
Over the years blood has been spilled between the Free Folk and the Watch. But if you would go into the library and read. There is an agreement between the watch and Free Folk that in their time of need the Free Folk would be granted safe passage through the wall…
Both sides have lost their way. The Night's Watch is meant to keep an eye out for the Night King's return. He has returned Lord Commander and the watch is not ready. The seven kingdoms is not ready for what is coming…The Long Night is coming. The dead are coming and they bring the storm with them…
The time has come my Lord to make peace with the Free Folk. I advise that you call all patrols in and do not send out anymore. I advise that you make peace with Mance Rayder the King beyond the wall. He has united all one hundred clans of the Free Folk…They wish to cross the wall for safety. If the Free Folk fall…Then a hundred thousand men women and children will be added to the Night King's army…
The Free Folk are people, human beings…They have the blood of the first men in their veins same as us. The Free Folk follow the old gods…We the North are stronger together or we can fall separately divided by a wall meant to keep the White Walkers out…
With Regards
The Masked Dragon
AEMON TAGARYEN
Once Aemon Targaryen was titled Prince of House Targaryen. He could have been King after his brother died, but wanted nothing to do with the politics and games that came along with the Iron Throne. He went to the citadel and studied with the Maesters earning his chain. When his brother died, Aemon requested to be sent to the Night's Watch and his younger brother Aerys became King.
Maester Aemon is the oldest member of the Night's Watch. He had gone blind two years ago, but despite the blindness and his age he is very capable and has a good memory. He is in the library transcribing old scrolls and books, When the horn sounded he sent his apprentice Harold to see who is returning and waits for him to return in order to finish his work. Harold reads to him while he writes.
A door opens, "Harold…" He says recognizing his footsteps, "Who is that with you?"
"Maester Aemon you may call me Long."
He grunts, "You have secrets."
"I do…I also have something for you. May we speak in private?"
"Harold go see what they are fixing for midday meal."
"Yes Maester."
They wait until he leaves, then Long hands Aemon a vile, "Here drink this."
"What is it?"
"Something to help you."
"Help me with what?" Aemon suspiciously asks.
"You'll see." He mischievously replies.
Aemon drinks from the vile hearing no deceit or ill will in his voice. The liquid is bitter to the taste. Then Aemon grunts bending over grabbing the sides of his head. His eyes and head feel like it is on fire. Suddenly the darkness of his eyes brighten up. And things are now blurry. The pain subsides and his eyes clear up. Aemon laughs, "I can see." He says standing up looking at his hands.
Long smiles and Aemon looks at him, "I can see you!...I can see!" He grabs Long shaking his hands, "Thank you so much…How did you come up with that potion?"
"Was not me my Prince." Long takes out a letter and gives it to Aemon.
He reads in silence…
To My Great Uncle
Prince Aemon Targaryen Maester of Castle Black
Dearest Uncle, if you are reading this then the potion I made has worked. I wish I could have come to you but my attention is needed elsewhere. My name is Jaehaerys Targaryen…My father was Prince Rhaegar Targaryen…My mother was Princess Lyanna Targaryen nee' Stark. He did not kidnap or rape my mother, but you probably already know that.
He and Princess Elia annulled their marriage and he married my mother. I was conceived on their way to the Tower of Joy. My mother died giving birth to me. I was taken by my Uncle Lord Eddard Stark to be raised as his bastard son; Jon Snow he named me. At the age of nine I had a dream or a vision of a Dragon-Wolf…
The Dragon-Wolf sat on the Iron Throne. I told this dream to Maester Luwin and it was he who helped me interpret it and discover my true identity…I trained and studied for years then I took on the name the Masked Dragon. I have avenged Princess Elia and her children. Both the Mountain and Ser Lorch are dead…
I have so much more to tell you, but I would rather do it face to face. I look forward to meeting you Uncle and getting to know you. Farewell for now and best wishes
With Deepest Regards
Your Great Nephew
King Jaehaerys Targaryen
The Masked Dragon
Aemon folds the letter up and places it in his robe. He wipes the tears from his eyes and looks at Long, "I would have your real name sir."
"Richard Longmouth my Prince."
He smiles, "I am no Prince. All titles are sworn off when one takes the vows of the Night's Watch."
When Harold returns, he stairs dumbfounded at his mentor, "Maester Aemon! Your eyes! How?"
After telling Harold a short story Aemon leaves library feeling stronger. He walks to the Lord Commander's Solar greeting his brothers as he goes. He laughs at their expressions of shock and awe. "Hello Lord Commander, it is good to see you My Friend."
Jeor slowly stands up, "Aemon…Your eyes, you can see?"
"Yes…I can see my friend. I was wondering if you would accompany me to the top of the wall." When they get to the top of the wall Aemon takes a deep breath. "It has been years since I looked out over the wall."
"Your eyes…how?"
"Long…His real name is Richard Longmouth."
"But, he died during the war or so the rumors say."
"Apparently not…As for my eyes. Long as he asked us to call him gave me a potion from my great nephew Jaehaerys Tagaryen."
It doesn't take the Old Bear long to figure it out, "This Jaehaerys is the Masked Dragon."
"Yes."
"But where did he come from? If memory serves Aerys had three children, one born on Dragonstone. A girl then there was Viserys before her and before him, Prince Rhaegar. Many still births in between."
"And Rhaegar married Lyanna Stark after annulling his marriage to Princess Elia."
Jeor shakes his head, "Ned Stark that sneaky little wolf…The bastard he bought home. My sister Maege wrote me about Ned and his bastard. She said that something did not add up. She also said that she did not believe Lyanna would allow any man to kidnap her, let alone rape her."
"Aye and this information in the wrong hands would be catastrophic for Lord Stark and his family."
"We do not take sides in the disputes, wars, and politics of the realm my friend. But I am glad to know that a Targaryen with Stark blood is alive and well."
That evening the Watch feasts to the Masked Dragon and Aemon's healed eyes. A month goes by and Aemon ages a year younger. As promised another shipment of supplies arrives from the Reach. Food, clothes, and equipment to build greenhouses. Masons and Carpenters arrive to do repairs at Castle Black. Repairs are also being made at Shadow Tower and East Watch.