PROLOGUE

It was his first time visiting Winterfell since joining the Night's Watch. He was anxious to return, as he had not seen his brother or nephews for three years. Deep down, he hoped that things would not be the same, so that he would not have regrets about abandoning his family. However, the troubles he fled from still haunted the castle, and the ghosts of Winterfell would judge him forever.

"It's good to see you again, little brother," said Ned.

"It's good to be back," Benjen confirmed.

"My house is your house," Lady Stark announced with great deference.

"It's an honor to stay under your roof," replied Benjen. In the eyes of the gods, Catelyn was part of House Stark.

Benjen found it hard to believe how much his nephews had grown. They looked like giants next to Sansa, the little newborn. Both Robb and Jon tried to impress him with their games and saw in him the uncle they always had, ignoring the reasons why he turned away from them. They got along so well that for a moment Benjen forgot all his worries. Unfortunately, the reasons for his visit were not pleasant, dating back to a territorial dispute between the Watch and the North.

The conversation could not be postponed, so that same night he met Ned and Lord Vayon Poole, who not long ago had been appointed High Steward for his family's services in the war. Benjen remembered him as one of Brandon's friends, although he didn't know how affected he was by his death.

"Let's cut to the chase", said Ned.

Lord Poole watched him with concern but did not judge him.

"Lord Umber has invaded the New Gift."

"They are wastelands," Lord Poole interjected.

"But they belong to the Watch," Benjen insisted.

"You must admit that the Watch has neglected the Gift," Ned interjected.

"Even so, they are the lands that Queen Alysanne granted us. They mark the boundary between the kingdoms of men and our order."

Ned looked at the High Steward, who nodded seriously.

"Lord Poole had an idea. Populate the New Gift with minor lords who pay taxes to the Night's Watch."

"Not a bad idea, Ned," he admitted. "But who will work those lands? A handful of lords cannot make the land productive."

"The King could help us populate them," Lord Poole suggested.

Benjen hesitated. He didn't have fond memories of Robert.

"Do you think it will help us?" he asked.

"If I ask him, he will," Ned said. "He feels he owes a debt to the North."

"I'll have to go back to Lord Commander Qorgyle. Only he can decide."

"I hope the Lord Commander will consider our proposal," Lord Poole suggested. "It's not up to any king to decide. He could even borrow from the Iron Bank."

Benjen hesitated once again, this time out of helplessness, for not being able to decide on behalf of the Watch. The idea was not bad, and with a good investment, the Night's Watch could recover some of its former glory.

"Do you have any minor lords in mind?" he asked.

"Yes," he said promptly. "Jon."

For the first time, Benjen smiled, happy about his nephew's future.