GARRETT I

The Wall wasn't as bad as he thought, despite being a bastard, he was a Tyrell bastard and the black brothers were grateful for his generous donation to Night's Watch. Soon Deep Lake would be finished, and his good father would be appointed commander, however, he could not deny that he missed his life on the Reach.

If only his stupid cousin Mace hadn't let them discover his plan, he and his family would be at King's Landing with Margaery as queen. Now his cousin's daughter was married to the Northern heir, forcing a strange alliance between the Tyrells and the Starks.

"Come on Snow", Garrett shouted. "Remember Garlan's lessons, I'm sure you can beat Garse and me."

"Not at the same time", complained Ser Alliser Thorne.

"I'm sure you can", Garrett replied.

"Don't overdo it, Flowers."

Garrett ignored the bitter knight and continued to fight side by side with his brother. In a way, Jon Snow was a kind of relative, after all he would be the uncle of Margaery's children. Jon liked him for being a bastard just like him, although his attitude was too shy for a natural son. He didn't know the meaning of fun or rebellion.

"When your father will be Lord Commander you will be able to lead the training, so far, I want you and your brother out of my sight", ordered Ser Alliser and Garrett had no choice but to obey him.

Inside the Black Castle the atmosphere was more pleasant. Training was Ser Alliser's territory, but since his arrival, the interior was Tyrell territory. His cousin Mace was not going to allow his beloved Loras to come alone to the Wall. Such was the power of the domain that Loras came with 200 men-at-arms and 100 workers.

"Ser Alliser hates us", Garrett said.

"He blames us for the defeat of the Targaryens", Garse said. "Get used to it, you may have been a child during Robert's Rebellion, but with father here, we will be reminded forever of the Siege of Storm's End."

"The blacksmith..."

"That's right. We must be careful; despite our numbers we are not in the best position. Keep your friendship with Lord Stark's son, we will make our forced alliance with the Starks a nuisance to the kingdom."

"And how do you plan to do that?" asked Garrett.

"Cousin Mace will continue to help the Watch and when winter comes we will send food. That will win us the friendship of the North."

"And what will we gain?"

"We will find out about that in the future. Roses grow while others fight, our time will be after winter."

…

As a grown man, taking his vows was not postponed too much. Next to him were his brother Garse, his father Garth and cousin Loras. Together with them would take their votes all the men-at-arms of the Reach. In normal situations, Loras would have been slow to take his vows, but being already a knight, it was not necessary to postpone the oath.

The sept of the Black Castle was simple, barely dignified. Soon his family would build a better one in Deep Lake. Garrett was not very pious, yet an elegant sept was a sign of prestige. Loras for his part looked solemn, he had easily accepted the order to take the black, perhaps feeling guilty for not being able to save his friend Renly.

"You'll find another friend, Loras, the Wall is full of them", Garrett meditated.

" Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come."

After pronouncing his vows, he officially became a member of Night's Watch and not even a decree of the king could release him from his vows. Later that evening, there was a banquet to celebrate the 300 new members. His father held a place of honor, while Garrett stepped aside, in the company of Jon Snow and his friends.

"Well Snow, you and your men will be next. It's a pity that Ser Alliser banished me from training, I could turn you and others into fierce warriors."

"It's not that big of a deal, Flowers. Our time will come, not in a sept but in a Godswood."

"It's a good religion, I must admit, it has fewer restrictions."

Jon didn't answer, just smiled. Garrett was willing to continue the conversation when his brother Garse forced him to leave the table. Lord Commander Mormont required his presence, and the matter could not be postponed. When they arrived at Mormont's office, his father Garth was already there, as was the elderly maester.

"Maester Aemon", said the Lord Commander. Tell the Tyrells the contents of the letter.

"Do you remember your relative, Maester Medwick?"

"Of course, maester, it was my great-nephew and he disappeared into the sea.

"Well, Ser Garth, it turns out that your great-nephew didn't disappear into the sea. Take."

His father took the letter and then handed it to Garse, who then handed it to him. He couldn't believe what he read, Medwick, the son of his cousin Luthor was alive and writing to them from Hardhome. Some time ago he had left for the Free Cities and they received news of the shipwreck of his ship.

He was now under the protection of Mother Mole, a savage leader. Hardhome was the most civilized settlement beyond the Wall. As he was informed, centuries ago it was almost a city until it was suddenly destroyed; now it became a city again, after being reinhabited in the time of Queen Alysanne.

"Can we trust that Mother Mole?" asked her father haughtily.

"Yes", replied the Lord Commander. "She prefers trade to war."

"You could say that Hardhome is a new Norvos", Maester Aemon intervened. "It's a good opportunity to steer her away from Mance Rayder's influence."

"We should hunt down that false king", replied his father.

"At the moment it is convenient for diplomacy", said Lord Commander Mormont. "You and your children will go to Hardhome and stay there long enough to get information. If war is necessary, let me know. Rarely does a King-beyond-the-Wall give so many problems, in any case, we have the backing of Lord Stark."

"Well, we'll leave for Hardhome", replied his father. "It will be good to see Medwick, my brother will be glad he will be coming home."

"I wouldn't be so enthusiastic, Ser Gath", said Maester Aemon. "Maester Medwick has also sent me the details of a book he is writing, I think it will stay in Hardhome forever."

"What's in his head?" complained his father.

"Thirst for knowledge, ser. Maesters serve for life and if Hardhome is the tenth free city, we will have to get used to the permanent presence of maesters there."

His father nodded not very convinced. Medwick's disappearance was painful for the House Tyrell, that he would stay to live beyond the Wall could generate a strange feeling of melancholy.