CHAPTER 19. THE LONG NIGHT

JON

Jon sits on his bed regretting what he did. When he found the sword Lightbringer in a secret room beneath Castle Black nothing happened. It was then that Bran told him the terrible price that he to be paid for Lightbringer to work. "The sword was created through blood magic and only by blood can its power be awakened..."

"What are you saying?" Jon had asked.

"You must sacrifice that which you love the most on the sword's blade..."

For many days Jon refused to hear anymore from Bran. In fact he had said some things to his brother/cousin he wished he had not. In anger he called Bran a delusional cripple who had lost his mind. He apologized later and Bran with his new attitude as the three eyed Raven only smiled. It was only after Melisandre said that she could bring Cassana back to life that he even considered it.

Eventually Jon spoke with Daenarys and told her what was happening. She pointed out that they have Dragon Fire and can destroy the Night King's army and end the threat. He told her that Bran told him that the real threat is the Night King and the only thing that stop him is the sword. Then Daenarys told Jon how she hatched the Dragon eggs. She had smothered her beloved Sun and Stars; placed his lifeless body on a funeral pyre and tied the treacherous witch Mirra Maz Durr to the it as well.

"The words of House Targaryen...Our House are Fire and Blood...If Melisandre says she can bring Cassana back to life...Then do it..."

"How will she ever forgive me if I do such a thing?"

That question lingers on his mind the most. Cassana had ordered him released, a good sign so far, but had she forgiven him. He decides to go see her. As usual Brienne is at the door and her hand flies to her sword. "I would like to see the Queen..."

"The only reason you are not dead is because that Red Woman of yours bought my Queen back to life...Otherwise I would cut you down right now...But that would not do well for the fragile alliance...Go...if and when my Queen calls for you...Then I will allow you in..."

With a heavy heart Jon walks away. Two later he is sitting on the bed. He had not eaten in two days. His eyes are closed, but they pop open when the horn sounds. Jon knows that there are no patrols on the other side of the wall and the Wildlings, what is left of them are on this side of the wall as well. As the horn sounds a second time he puts on his armor. He pauses as the horn sounds a third time. Jon stares at Lightbringer.

"Time to see if you are worth the heartbreak..."

Jon leaves his room and as he makes his way to where the Dragons are his name is called. "Jon!" He looks back as Bran is carried by Tormund, Melisandre is with them. "Whatever happens do not use Lightbringer..."

He frowns, "Why?"

"I have foreseen the wall falling...This could be a test to see if you have the sword..." They are joined by Daenarys and Jorah, "Use the Dragons and see what they do..."

Jon mounts Viserion, while Daenarys mounts Rhaegal. The two Dragons fly up to the top of the wall. Thousands of White Walkers emerge from the forest. The Dragons roar and dive off the wall swooping down on the dead army. After the first fire attack they retreat back into the forest. The men atop the wall cheer. "You were right..." Jon says dismounting Viserion. "They were testing us...As soon as we attacked they fled..."

THE KNIGHT KING

Dragons! The Night King knew they existed long ago, but now they are here alive again and a real threat to his army, but not to him. After many months of searching he had found a way to breach the wall and magic placed by Bran the Builder all those long years ago. The only thing the Night King truly feared was the sword Lightbringer. He knew the sword was at Castle Black, he also knew Azor Ahai had been reborn, but did he have the sword. Just because Azor didn't use it didn't mean that he didn't have said sword.

Then there was the Three Eyed Raven. He had killed the old one, but now there was a new younger Raven. Should he breech the wall at Castle Black or should he breech the wall in a place Azor was not. The Night King makes his decision and summons a fog to blind the three eyed Raven to his movements. They March west away from Castle Black. When they are fifteen miles away the Night King summons the one who shares blood with Azor Ahai.

Benjen Stark is still alive and had been held prisoner by the Night King. One of the Walkers drags him forward while another hands the Night King the Horn of Winter. "No!" Benjen defiantly says. The Night King places his hand on his chest and screams in pain. His arms grow a sheet of ice and he is forced to place the Horn to his lips and blow. The horn makes an unnatural sound and the wall starts to vibrate.

CASSANA

Cassana is finally strong enough to move. She is flexing her arms and legs when an earthquake shakes the Castle. She runs outside to see huge chunks of ice fall off the wall. People start running and screaming, a man is impaled by a huge chunk of ice. Another man is buried under a pile of falling snow. The wall shakes for three minutes and stop. Cassana is joined by Brienne, "Are you alright my Queen?"

"Yes I'm fine..." She looks up to see Jon and Daenarys on their Dragons flying West. "Brienne send word to our men to march West now..."

"Yes Your Grace..."

Soon Jon and Daenarys return with grim looks on their faces. "The Wall has been breached fifteen miles west of here..." Daenarys says.

"How?"

"The Horn of Winter..." Bran says. "It was created by the Night King from the bones of one of Bran the Builder's descendants...They used...They used Uncle Benjen to blow the horn..."

"We need to send our army to White Harbor with all haste..." Not wanting to be alone with Jon Cassana flies with Daenarys and Jorah on Drogon to East Watch. They arrive before the Raven and commands the ships to set sail for White Harbor. Before she can board her ship Jon blocks her path.

"Stand aside!" Brienne commands.

"Cassana...I need to speak with you..."

She sighs, "Well I am not ready to talk to you..."

"Cassana please..."

"Stand aside..." Brienne commands again drawing her sword.

Cassana places her hand on Brienne's shoulder, "Its alright...Jon..." She hesitates, "...I love you...Which is why you are still alive...I don't know if I can forgive you...Give me time..." Without a word Jon leaves her ship. Within an hour the army sets sail for White Harbor. To speed them along the way Cassana creates a breeze to keep them moving and all ships deploy their ores to move faster.

Jon and Daenarys fly on ahead on their Dragons along the coast. They stop at Widow's Watch to wait for the fleet to sail by. While at Widow's Watch they learn that city of White Harbor is under attack. Daenarys flies back to the fleet to collect Cassana. They meet back up with Jon and fly towards White Harbor without stopping.

WHITE HARBOR

Upon arriving the defenders are fighting a hopeless battle both inside and outside the city. The dead from the graveyard have been awakened. Those that are killed only rise again to join the dead in their war against living. Jon lands in the main square and raises his sword high unleashing the power of Lightbringer. Thousands of White Walkers are instantly incinerated. The Light from the sword can be seen all over the city. The dead begin retreating through a fog, but Cassana uses her storm powers to blow the fog away.

With Jon on his back Viserion runs through the city and leaps over the wall. Once again Jon raises his sword and destroys many White Walkers. Meanwhile Cassana adds her power to Jon's and destroys Whites and their Walkers with lightening. Jon orders Viserion to fly towards the Night King not willing to allow him to escape. The Dragon along with Drogon creates a wall of fire. With a wave of his hand the Night King makes a breach in the wall of flames.

Jon leaps of Viserion and stands in the breach of fire with a flaming sword. The Night King is not alone and neither is Jon and he is joined by Daenarys, Cassana, and Ser Jorah. All armed with Valyrian swords, except Jon and Cassana who wield magic swords of legend. Jon and Cassana fight the Night together, Jon from the front and Cassana attacks from behind. Meanwhile Ser Jorah and Daenarys fight the Walkers. A thunderous cheer echoes from the sea as the allied forces storm the city.