THE FREE FOLK
MANCE RAYDER
Beyond the wall live the Free Folk. They do not bend the knee or view their rulers as those who live below the wall. To become a leader of the Free Folk Clans one must earn their position. The Free Folk follow strength and no ruler has shown more strength than Mance Rayder. Mance was born of the Free Folk, raised by the men of the Nights Watch. After learning of his origins, Mance left the Watch to rejoin his people.
Before he left the Watch, Mance found a book in the library. The book was about the old tongue. He learned the language and how to communicate with the Giants. After two years of searching Mance found the Giants and established an alliance with them. Then he traveled across the lands with two Giants convincing the clan Elders of each clan to name him the King beyond the wall.
After fourteen years Mance did what no past King Beyond the Wall did before. He united all the Free Folk Clans into one force. They gathered at the old city of Hard Home. Hard Home was an ancient city used by the Free Folk as shelter from the bad storms. The city was built by Bran the Builder and is sacred ground for all Free Folk. When you enter the city all blood feuds and desires for revenge are set aside.
Mance's chief advisors include Tormond Giant's Bane, The Lord of Bones Rattleshirt, Mance's blood Marriage sister Val, Styr, Karsi, Orell the Warg, and the Giant Chief Mag Mar the Mighty. Upon arriving in the city Mance marries his love Dalla. Before marrying her Mance had to get her permission to steal her. Then he had to prove himself to Dalla's kin. A feet made easier by the fact he had the Giants as allies.
Mance is six feet tall with black dark hair, a long face, and brown eyes. In the early morning hours at sunrise Mance meets with the Elders. "My friends our food stores are high. Now is the time to march on the wall. But first we send a large force to climb the wall and attack Castle Black from the south. These men will open the gate from the other side for us."
"How large a force?" Rattleshirt asks.
He sighs, "Castle Black has a force of five hundred men. We should send two thousand. Overwhelm them."
"How soon do we march?" Karsi asks.
"In two days we send the advance force. We give them a week head start, then we follow." After the meeting Mance checks the defenses with Tormund and Karsi at his side. Then he heads to his house. The city is mostly made of stone, but over the years it has been added on to with wooden houses. There was once a fleet, but it was sunken during the reign of King Rickon Stark who saw the fleet as threat to his power. The Free Folk did not build another.
JAEHAERYS TARGARYEN
Jon Snow stands in his secret lair beneath Winterfell staring into the blue flame watching the Free Folk. His family had gone to sleep and when they fell asleep it was time for the Masked Dragon AKA Jaehaerys to work. Soon he is joined by Maester Luwin, "My King…what do you see?"
"The Free Folk…I thought, I would have more time. But Mance Rayder is ready to move now. So Tomorrow I tell my Uncle Eddard the truth and then fetch my Aunt Dany and Uncle Viz."
"And Lady Catelyn?"
"They need to know, but him first." Jon heads to the lift that goes up to his room. He gets into his bed, but after an hour of being awake he takes dream wine to sleep. Being up when he should be asleep takes a toll on the body. But that would change after his family knew the truth of things. The next morning Jon washes his face and hands, he dresses and heads for the main hall.
"Lord Stark may I speak with you after we eat."
"Yes of course."
Arya looks at him with a smile, already knowing the secret. He winks at her and she him. When the meal is over Jon takes his Uncle to his room. "So what did wish to speak with me about?"
He does not answer. Jon walks over to the wall and pushes on a stone. A section of the wall slides to the side revealing a hallway. "I know every secret passage in this castle…Where did this come from?"
"I built it." They enter a lift and it goes down into a cave. There are forging tools, a sword, and armor stand, books, book shelves, a bed, a table, and a hearth in the floor. But what catches his eye the most is the Targaryen banner on the cave wall. "Welcome Uncle to the lair of the Masked Dragon."
He walks over to the chair and sits down, "How long have you known?"
"Since I was nine name days old." Jon takes a seat at the round table across from him. He pours a mug of ale. "I had a dream…" He says sliding the mug across the table. "I was in my room and I heard a voice call the name Jaehaerys. I walked to my door, opened it, and I was in the throne room of the Red Keep. Dragon Skulls lined the hall and it was filled with past Targaryens. I could see their hair and eyes which glowed as if on fire…
The eyes of the Dragon skulls glowed as well. As I walked towards the Iron Throne the eyes of the people and the Dragon skulls followed me. They said as one voice, wake the Dragon. Then a half Dragon, half wolf creature entered the throne room, with my father and mother. The Dragon-wolf sat on the throne and said wake the Dragon…
I asked what Dragon. It responded that a Dragon does not beg, borrow, or ask permission. A Dragon takes what it wants and kneels to no one. Then after looking at my father and mother…it bathed me in flames from it's mouth. I awoke and told the dream to Maester Luwin."
"Luwin knows?"
"Before you say something out of anger, know that as a Prince of House Targaryen and House Stark I ordered Luwin not to tell you. I gave you…" He sighs, "No never mind that…" Jon pours himself some ale, "Anyway I trained to use magic in secret for a year. I am a green seer, a warg, a fire seer, a blood, fire, and ice mage. I can manipulate the magic in other things.
That is how I made this cave. One of the things Winterfell was built on is magic. I can see into the past, I can witness things happening right now, and I can see the future. I became the Masked Dragon after I mastered my powers. I learned to make Valyrian weapons of steel. I killed the Mountain, Lorch, and Ramsey Snow.
I stopped Ser Jorah from making a grave mistake. I healed Doran Martell of his gout, and I saved my Uncle Viserys and Aunt Daenarys from the Fiery Hand of the Priests of R'hllor. Yes I am going after the Iron throne with as little bloodshed as possible. Now Uncle I have answered all your questions. It is time you answered mine. I know your reasons, but what was the plan for my life?"
EDDARD
There was so much to take in. And while his nephew did answer most of his questions, he had so many more. Ned takes another drink, "I…" He laughs and wipes away a tear, "…I made your mother a promise. I believed that the best way to protect you was to send you to the Night's Watch. Part of me did and part of me could not.
You are Lyanna's son. You disserved better…Much better than I gave. The loss of your mother, Grandfather, and Uncle clouded my judgement when it came to you…Jon…" He takes a deep breath, "Jaehaerys…that is the what your mother called you. My Prince…My King."
He raises his hand, "I am still earning the right to be King."
"If everything I have heard about the Masked Dragon, is true. Then you have earned it."
They stand up and hug, "How soon will you be ready to take the Iron Throne?"
"I have much to do before that happens…But first we must deal with the Free Folk."
After speaking to Jon or Jaehaerys, Eddard goes back upstairs to his solar. Part of him is angry at Luwin for keeping this from him, but he promised Jae he would forgive and forget. Now he is faced with the decision to tell his family. He wasn't surprised that Arya already knows, she and Jon tell each other everything. So after Theon has gone to bed, Ned takes Cat, Robb, Talisa, Sansa, and Bran to Jaehaerys' lair beneath Winterfell, where Jae is waiting in his armor.
AEMON
Life was very different for Aemon. He could see and every day, he got younger and stronger. He even starts training in the yard. "Maester I did not know you could wield a sword." Ed says.
"I was a Prince of House Targaryen, before I joined the Maesters or the Watch." He faces off against Ser Alliser Thorne. He shocks Thorn with his speed and skill. Aemon disarms him after seven moves.
"I yield…My Prince." Ser Alliser says with a smile. After training Aemon returns to his duties. At night when he is alone Aemon cries for his family. The memories of his brothers Aerion , Aegon, and his sisters Daenya and Rhaeh. His nephews Duncan, Aerys, and his niece Rhaella. He missed them and wished he could have been there for Rhaegar in his hour of need.
When Aemon has private time, he practices his blood magic. He could see the future or possible futures in the fire. One future he saw the Stark family decimated by Jon Arryn's death and the war of the five Kings. Another he saw the Iron Born rise up and fall. But many things he saw would ever come to pass, because of his great nephew Jaehaerys.
Aemon felt that he would meet his nephew in person and soon. He also saw them bringing Dragons back into the world. Aemon is in the Raven tower tending the birds when the horn sounds. He smiles sensing his nephew's presence. Aemon finishes with the birds and makes his way to the yard just as Eddard Stark enters the yard with three Targaryens. One of them is wearing a mask.
He had seen his Nephew and Niece many times in the flames. "Welcome Lord Stark." Mormont says greeting the new arrivals.
"Jorah!" They hug and laugh, "My nephew, you know him as Jon Snow. His name is Jaehaerys Targaryen. My sister's son by Rhaegar."
"Didn't he…"
"No he did not. They fell in love and married in secret."
After they get settled in the King's tower Jae, Viz, and Dany meet with Aemon in his room while Ned speaks with Jeor.
JAEHAERYS
Once things are settled with the Night's Watch Jae leaves to meet with Mance and the free folk Elders. He walks out of the forest and up to the gate. Suddenly he is surrounded by a dozen of the Free Folk. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?" A man named Squirrel asks.
"I am known as both Jon Snow and Jaehaerys Targaryen."
"How the fuck do you have two names?" A white, haired woman asks.
"It's a long story Val."
"And how the fuck do you know my name?"
He smiles, "I know all your names, Squirrel, Zan, Red Eryck, Wulf…"
"He's a freak'n green seer he is." Squirrel says interrupting.
"I need to speak with Mance and the Elders." They disarm him and lead him through the city to the Hall of Elders. Jae stops and looks at a Giant. "Jawn Na' Wun Wun…Koal ra mee Ecnirp."
"Uoy gosab Wun Wun?"
"I do."
"You speak Giant?" Val asks, as they walk away.
"I speak the old tongue." They finally reach the hall of Elders.
"What's this?" Tormund asks.
"We found him walking out of the wilds." Val says. "He was carrying these." She hands him a sword, a dagger, a scroll, and a masked helmet.
"He can speak with Giants as well." Squirrel says.
They take Jaehaerys before Mance, "The King Beyond the Wall…It is an honor to meet you Mance Rayder. I am known as both Jon Snow."
"The bastard of Winterfell."
"I am also known as Jaehaerys Targaryen. Eddard Stark is my Uncle."
Mance unsheaths the sword, "This is Valyrian steel, freshly made." He looks at Jon, "What do you want."
"It's all in the scroll they took from me."
Val hands Mance the scroll and reads it…
To Mance Rayder
The King Beyond the Wall
And the Elders of the Free Folk
I Eddard Stark Warden of the North grant Mance Rayder, a full pardon. I would also like to grant all Free Folk safe passage below the wall. They may settle the gift or take up residence in one or more of the many castles along the wall, until such time as the Night King is defeated and the long night ends. No lord or man of the North will take up the sword against any man woman or child of the Free Folk. So long as the Free Folk do not take up arms against the people who live below the wall.
All we ask in return is that the free folk help us fight the Night King, his White Walkers, and the Wights when the time comes.
With Regards
Eddard Stark Warden of the North
There is a second letter attached to the first from Jeor Mormont saying the same thing. "It's a trick!" Rattleshirt says. "Don't trust the crows."
"I swear by the old gods, that it is no trick…Brannon."
Rattleshirt frowns, "How the fuck do you know my real name?"
"He is the Prince." Mag Mar says speaking up, "Trust him! Save us can he." The Giant says speaking up.
"I will send a fleet of ships to sail your people south of the wall to Eastwatch. From there you can make your way to the gift or take one of the castles."
"The Elders have agreed to take three of the castles on the wall. The Nightfort, Icemark, and Hoarfrost Hill."
"Before I left Winterfell, my Uncle sent a raven to Ironrath, home of House Forrester. They will cut down a thousand Ironwood trees for the fleet. After that it won't take me long to build the fleet. You should see me again within a moons turn."
They interlock arms, "Thank you Jaehaerys."
CASTLE BLACK
BENJEN STARK
When Ned told Benjen about Jon really being Lyanna's son, he felt joy, anger at being lied to, and angry at himself for not figuring it out. He knew of Rhaegar's feelings for his sister and she him, his father and brothers were too stubborn to see the truth for themselves. Now all the North would soon know. Benjen was extremely proud to learn that his nephew was the Masked Dragon.
The Lords of the North are summoned to Castle Black to discuss the Free Folk Alliance. At first Benjen was against the idea, but his nephew's wisdom won him over and he changed his mind. After a month all the Lords and ladies of the North are present. It is Jon who starts the meeting off, by revealing his Targaryen heritage. "I knew it!" Maege Mormont blurts out, causing everyone to laugh, "There is no way in the seven hells Lyanna Stark would allow Rhaegar or any man to rape or kidnap her. She would have died fighting!"
"Aye!" Says a chorus of voices agreeing.
The Leech Lord Roose Bolton stands up, "The Masked Dragon saved my true born son from a mad dog that was my bastard. Our Blades are Sharp and I vow House Bolton's blades to Jaehaerys Targaryen."
"So do I" Great Jon Umber bellows standing up. "The King from the North!"
"THE KING FROM THE NORTH!"
Jae stands up, "I thank you all, my Lords and Ladies. But if my plans go the way I hope…We will not have to draw our swords to take the Iron Throne. But I ask that you all be ready, if I need you."
After Jae sits down, Eddard Stark stands up, "My Lords and Ladies. There is another reason I asked you all here. I asked you here to discuss the Free Folk."