Hello all!

Well I am still here and once again I promise that I will not abandon this story and leaving you all cursing my name lol.

Enjoy!

Chapter 26 – Dealing with Wildlings

Mance watched the argument that was currently happening in front of him with interest. Dinner this night had been a pleasant affair with Jon answering the questions that the other leaders asked about the possible conditions that would be demanded in exchange for safety behind the Crow's Wall with respect and honesty, but as the evening wore on and the drinks flowed, Rattleshirt and The Weeper just couldn't leave well enough alone. Mance was fairly sure that at least one of the two, if not both of them, would be dead if they didn't stop trying to provoke Jon into a fight.

Jon had held onto his temper with admiral strength of will but even that was starting to wear thin at the nastiness of the comments aimed at him and his family. He had swallowed insults that would have had others reaching for their steel long before this in order to keep the peace but guest rights or no, Jon was going to kill someone if they didn't stop.

Mance didn't want to interfere as the boy needed to win the respect of his people without his help but it was becoming clear to Mance that he might just have to. They needed the safety of the Wall before winter came and the dead came with it and killing the Warden of the North's son would definitely not help them achieve that safety.

Tormund, who was sitting next to Mance, was strangely quiet. Normally, he would be just as vocal as the other two were being now but he had not said a word since the argument had started.

"You're strangely quiet my friend. Is there something wrong?" Mance asked him. Tormund shook his head no and took a drink from the wineskin in his hand and continued to observe the argument.

"Why's he still here Mance?" he asked.

Mance shrugged.

"I invited him to eat with us and stay the night. The boy is…different. I feel, no, I KNOW there's something different about him. I know a bit about the Northern Houses and I know that he was, until recently, a bastard. His father legitimized him a Stark. Why? I want to speak to him about this and other things later in private. Pick his mind about why his father agreed to speak to us in the first place. I know that Stark said he'd heard the reasons why our people were fleeing south of the Wall but still, they ain't believers of the old tales in the south but Stark seemed to believe what he had been told even before we presented them with proof. I mean, yes he was shocked to see the wight, but not really surprised. Why?" Mance replied.

Tormund grunted.

"Think they'll keep their word about us not having to kneel?" He asked Mance.

Mance was about to reply when laughter from the others interrupted his train of thought as Jon cleverly insulted both Weeper and Rattleshirt at the same time, much to the amusement of all. Mance smiled in amusement then turned to answer Tormund's question.

"Honestly, I think the Northern Lords will. They follow Stark's lead and honour his words. Anyone south of the Neck though, well that's another question. Although, from what I've heard from Benjen, the current southern King would fit in well with us. He loves drinking and fighting I'm told. Doesn't really rule his people at all. From what Benjen told me, the southern King prefers to be drinking, whoring and hunting rather than running his kingdoms." Mance said. He was about to continue when he was once again interrupted, only this time it was a roar of anger and the sound of weapons being drawn that grabbed his attention.

"You southern bastard! I'll kill you for that!" Rattleshirt roared at Jon, his face red with embarrassment and anger.

Jon just sat there, a small smile on his face.

"No," Jon replied "you won't kill me. You haven't the skill or the balls to try and even if you did try to kill me, you'd be the one who dies and to be honest, you're not worth the effort. Although maybe I should kill you. Your tribe and your wife would probably thank me for getting rid of useless, cockless, cowardly bastard such as yourself."

This time, Mance and Tormund joined in the laughter at Rattleshirt's expense.

The Weeper though just sat there and said nothing more. He had to admit, if only to himself, that the boy had courage to spare and the balls to sit here among what would normally be his people's enemies, laughing and eating with them as if it were an everyday occurrence.

The Weeper had been trying to wind the boy up as much as he could in order to get a reaction. Sounded great, in theory, but the boy refused to react to his taunts and insults. The Weeper was mildly impressed with the boy's restraint. His companion though, not so much.

The Lord of Bones roared with the insult to his strength and worth to his people. The boy needed killing and he would be happy to provide the role as executioner. He drew a big stone studded club off his back and started waving the club from side to side.

Jon just sat there, a smile on his face.

"Take up a weapon boy. Let's have some fun. I won't hurt you…much." Was the challenge that came out of Rattleshirt's mouth.

Jon just kept smiling and shook his head no.

"I told you, you're not worth my time or effort." Was the perfectly polite and civil reply from Jon.

Rattleshirt roared once again and charged.

As soon as Rattleshirt started charging, Jon popped up of his seat, took a step sideways, ducking the swing of the club while leaving his foot in place. After the club had missed his head, Jon grabbed Rattleshirt's shoulder and arm and pulled him forward; using Rattleshirt's momentum against him as he tripped over Jon's outstretched foot.

The added force of Jon's pull and combined with the position of his foot tripped The Lord of Bones off balance and head first into the tree that was behind Jon's seat. Rattleshirt was wearing his skull helm so the impact didn't crack his skull or kill him outright but the thud that sounded as his head impacted the trunk was satisfying to all those gathered and shook the snow off the tree.

It also knocked him out cold, with blood dribbling out his nose and ears.

Jon turned back the fire, settled his cloak more comfortably and resumed his seat to a respectful silence. As Jon looked around the gathered men and women, he could see various degrees of respect on the Free Folk's faces.

Grudgingly given it may have been, but respect it was.

"Why didn't you kill the old cunt? Would have saved both you and us a massive amount of problems." Karsi asked him. Jon smiled at her.

"I don't need the feud that killing him would have provoked with his tribe. Better I knock him out cold here. They may wish to replace him at some point soon. I'm sure the story of a fifteen year old southern kneeler defeating him without a weapon in his hand will get back to his tribe. It shows he's losing his touch." Jon replied with a respectful nod at Karsi.

Karsi studied Jon for a moment.

"You seem to know us and our ways well for one who isn't a one of us or a Crow. How is it a southern boy of fifteen knows our ways so well?" Karsi asked him.

Jon kept smiling.

"I read, I listen and I talk to those who know your ways better than I do. Uncle Benjen, when he comes to Winterfell, is always telling us stories about the Wall and the Free Folk. My brothers and sisters think that what he tells us are just stories but I know better. I would seek him out and ask him questions about the Watch and the Folk and he always answered my questions with the truth. He told me that the Free Folk respected strong leaders, those who can protect and provide for their tribe. But I do have a question. What did Mance do to win you lot over? It's really rare in the history of your people to come together under a single leader."

The gathered leaders were silent.

"Fair enough. Don't tell me. It'll be more fun to figure it out for myself." Jon said into the silence. "I wish you all a good night" and rose and walked towards Mance's tent as that is where he would be sleeping for the night.

"Well, he's not what I expected but I'll embrace and call him brother just for knocking that fucking shit with his shirt of bones out cold. I like him" Was the surprising comment from Tormund.

"So your just gonna sit there with your hand on your cock Mance and let the boy get away with attacking one of us?" Was the angry question from Styr of Thenn. Mance was about to respond when an answer came from a surprising source.

"Ah, leave the boy alone Thenn. Rattleshirt attacked him, all he did was end the fight quicker than any of us thought it would and did it in such a way that his people will now be having second thoughts about his leadership. Let's face it; his tribe could use a new leader." The Weeper said to all present.

The Weeper had been impressed with Jon. The boy was smart, respectful of their ways, resourceful, cleaver with insults and deadly. While everyone else had been focused on the attack, The Weeper had been watching Jon alone. He had seen the exact moment that Jon turned from being that smart, respectful boy and into a hardened warrior, cunning and calculating. He knew that Jon could have killed Rattleshirt in a split second and then sat on his corpse to finish his interrupted drink. To save his people, The Weeper could work with a man like that.

Mance just smiled, rose from his seat and wished his people goodnight and headed to his tent.

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The week before the final meeting with the Free Folk was busy.

Jeor had sent his ravens to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and the Shadow Tower, informing the commanders of those forts that he had called a council meeting and to get their asses to Castle Black as fast as they can. Once the council had convened, it took them three days of debate and talks with those who had attended the parley between the Lords of the North and the Free Folk. Tempers had been hot and shouting was frequently heard from the Castle Black's council chamber.

In the end thought, it had been agreed that the Nights Watch would let the Wildlings thought the Wall and allowed to settle on the lands of the Gift in return for their help in manning the Wall and having the hunters act as an advanced scouting troop north of the Wall. As much as they didn't want to admit it, the Free Folk knew the lands north of the Wall better than the Nights Watch ever could. They also wanted a portion of the Free Folk harvests to go the Nights Watch, the amount to be determined once things were more settled.

It was also at this time that Ned was able to get Jon's future position as a liaison to Castle Black and the Watch agreed to but with the proviso that Jon would also be the official liaison to the Free Folk as well. They may well be an independent nation, but they would be given sanctuary in the North and while it was also agreed that they didn't have to kneel to the Iron Throne, the Free Folk would have to obey the laws of Westeros, just like everyone else. This condition the lords and representatives would not budge on.

Ned agreed with that condition whole heartily.

When Jon had returned from the from the Wildling camp in a whole and healthy condition with Lya by his side, Ned and Benjen were shocked that the horse Jon was riding wasn't freaked out by the massive wolf walking by its side. Jon had warged with the horse, calming its natural fear of the huge predator and had also instructed Lya not to eat any horses that smelled of people. He had reported to Ned and the rest of the "peace council" the happenings of his night spent in the camp and it seemed to calm the people somewhat to know that they weren't going to be killed outright by the Free Folk who were desperate to get behind the Wall as fast as they could.

Jon and Tyrion had also sat down with Benjen and informed him of their true origins and why they were here. Benjen had just shrugged and accepted it as truth. When asked why he believed them so easily, Benjen had just shrugged again and told them that after seeing a White Walker and having two massive dire wolves save him from death, there wasn't much he wasn't willing to believe at this point and then began to interrogate both of them and Jon in particular about what had happened in the Time Before and how he could use this information in order to keep both his Black Brothers and his birth family alive.

As the time for the meeting drew closer, the conditions the Free Folk had to agree to had been hammered out by the Northern representatives. Jon had stepped in and had managed to keep the conditions somewhat moderate and reasonable for the Free Folk and in return had relayed the conditions the Free Folk wanted met by the Northern houses. Both sides wouldn't be happy about the conditions but they could live with them.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

The morning of the meeting arrived with a clear and calm sky. Jon was on top of the Wall, watching as the dark of night slowly transitioned into the light of day. Jon knew that by the end of this day, he would once again have to take up the mantle as a protector of Man. The living would die if he failed again and he was determined not to fail this time.

The treaty with the wildlings was the first major play in the new game.

This day would be the start of a brand new future.

A better future.

"You really need to stop brooding you know. It makes you look constipated." Tyrion's amused tones sounded out from behind Jon.

Jon smiled.

"Do you remember the last time we were here on top of the Wall together? I still can't believe that you pissed off the bloody top." Jon laughed, fondly remembering that time. He had been so innocence of how brutal the world could be then, but had lost it soon after Tyrion had left.

Tyrion laughed with him. That had been fun he had to admit. Not to mention that he had delighted with the look on Cersei's face after he told her that yes, he had pissed off the top of the Wall as he said he would do.

"How are you doing Jon? This can't be easy for you in any way considering your history with this place." Tyrion asked him. The whole reason Tyrion was up there in the first place was to check on his brother in all but blood. With all the crap they had gone through together in the Time Before, Tyrion was now closer to Jon then he was Jamie. He loved his older brother but with Jamie currently ensnared by Cersei's manipulations, Jamie wasn't completely reliable at this point in time.

Jon turned to face his friend.

"Surprisingly Tyrion, I'm alright. I don't like it here and the memories just won't stay quiet but I can ignore them if I'm busy enough and I've been busy." Jon replied.

Tyrion frowned. Yes, Jon had been busy and so had he but Tyrion was berating himself for not keeping a closer eye on Jon. He could see that yes, Jon was doing ok, but he was worn out trying to keep the memories at bay.

"We'll be gone soon enough and then you and I old friend shall go back to Valyria and get what is needed to win this war and to help with the rebuilding afterwards. But, old friend, if we win the war but loose Dany again, are you prepared to sit in your father's seat if necessary? I'll be honest, I can think of no better man then you to lead and care for the people of Westeros for all that you hate ruling." Tyrion asked Jon.

Jon grimaced. This topic was a sore spot between them. While Jon may be the legitimate and rightful heir to the Iron Throne, he definitely felt that he wasn't the right person to sit on it while Tyrion thought otherwise. Jon sighed

"If I must but you can be damn sure I'll make sure that nothing happens to Dany. She is the right ruler for the Iron Throne. I'll happily be the commander of her armies or even her Hand if necessary, though I hope not. I hate politics. You are definitely more qualified to wade through that muck then I."

Tyrion laughed.

"The last time I played at Westerosi politics, I ended up pushing my own shit out of air holes while trapped in a crate on my way to Pentos. I think I would like to avoid that this time if you please."

"Yes, I don't think Varys ever forgave you for making him pick it up and throw it overboard. He certainly whined enough about it years later." Jon was smirking at his friend.

"I didn't make him do anything. He didn't have to get on that boat with me you know. He chose to." Tyrion replied.

"Well you had just murdered your father, after Varys had arranged for you to you escape. I don't think that Cersei would have believed that he had nothing to do with it. After all, she hates you and anyone who would be willing to help you would fall into the same category in her mind." Jon said.

"Ah, good times" Tyrion's reply and smirk made Jon laugh.

"Well I hope we can wrap this up today. We have a mission to complete and I need to be back in Kings Landing before Jon Arryn dies. I also need to speak to my father." That last comment came out of Tyrion's mouth like a curse. Jon just looked at Tyrion, his facial expression asking for an explanation. Jon was fully aware that Tyrion's father, Tywin Lannister, hated his son and that the feeling was completely mutual.

"He needs to sort out the succession of Casterly Rock. With the issue of who will be next to sit in the seat of the Lord of Casterly Rock undetermined, House Lannister is vulnerable."

"Hang on, I thought you wanted your father dead?" Jon commented

Tyrion sighed.

"Yes I do but the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that it would be the wrong move, unfortunately. Father is the only person I know who can successfully control Cersei and we will need him to do just that when she makes her idiotic play for power after Robert dies. Say what you will on a personal level about my father, but none can deny he is an excellent administrator of the Realm. He was Ayres Hand and had managed to curb most of his wilder notions before Ayres's brain completely slipped into madness. If he can handle a Mad King then he can definitely control a want to be Mad Queen, especially if said Queen is his daughter. But his holding out for Jamie to come back and be his heir is leaving house Lannister vulnerable to outsiders. If father dies before naming a heir, then the title of Lord Lannister falls to me by right of birth and law. I'd prefer to be named in his Will as heir so it's incontestable by Cersei but I can ignore her if it's not."

Jon considered what Tyrion just said and had to agree.

"Jamie can't take the lordship, he is Kingsguard and the Kingsguard is for life. Besides, he doesn't' want it anyway. Cersei can't inherit, because she is both Queen, a woman and not as smart as she thinks she is. Father knows she can't be trusted with the power and influence the Rock brings and there is still a viable male successor in me via birth. Uncle Kevan is a good man but a follower through and though. True, father could insist on Tommen being his heir but I can't see Robert wanting House Lannister to have any more connection to the throne then we currently have and he wouldn't allow it just to spite to my father. Myrcella is in the same situation as Cersei, female and can't inherent over the main male line which again means me. Personally, I'd love to see Aunt Genna in the role as the Lady of Casterly Rock but then her Frey husband would gain too much power and influence and Frey interference in the Realm must be kept to a minimum and while father may wish to marry into a rich family, say like the Tyrells of Highgarden or like House Lefford of Golden Tooth? Then he would have to admit to the legendry Lannisters mines have finally run dry and that his pride will not allow. My father may hate me but he is also dedicated to the family legacy and with the mines of Casterly Rock gone dry, he's going to need a new source of income and I can provide that."

"And how are you going to provide that? Did you buy the brothel in Mole's Town?" Jon joked, laughing.

Tyrion shook his head and smiled.

"No. Although my father would probably have a heart attack if I did. Hmm…maybe I should just for that reason alone. But no. I have no wish to emulate Littlefinger in anyway thank you very much. What I have done though, is made arrangements to buy a substantial parcel of land and plan to set up a trading post so the Wildlings, northmen and anyone who wishes to trade, can trade their goods there with each other without either side worrying about being killed. I will run it, I will police it and anyone who uses the trading station pays a fee and is subjected the usual taxes on goods in Westeros."

"I plan to make it a neutral location where all can trade without prejudice or fear. Winter is coming and there is nowhere else in the world where the fur of animals is more thick and luxuriant as those animals that have lived in the cold all their lives. Meat and plants, such as healing herbs would fetch a fair price with the Maesters and healers all over the world! Valuable gems and metal in abundance in the North and north of the Wall."

"Untold riches just waiting to be tapped. "

"Also, I haven't just been drinking your Northern Lords under the table for no reason. I have been doing my best to make trade agreements with some of them. The North is in a unique situation. You have access to trade from BOTH sides of the world. There is no other kingdom in Westeros that has this. Then again, no other kingdom is as big as the North. Your lands are mostly untouched and while it may be a hard land, there is still wealth to be had. With a little ingenuity and a lot of hard work, the North could be turned into the richest kingdom in the seven kingdoms." Tyrion explained his grand vision.

"AND that's not forgetting the riches we will pick up in Valyria. On the open market, they are priceless treasures that will sell for a small fortune. On the black market, a very large fortune. I've also lived in Essos and know well what is produced over there that doesn't get imported to Westeros in large quantities and things we can trade in return. Westeros needs new trade opportunities in order to counter the Iron Thrones debt to the Iron Bank which is currently in the millions. It won't matter if we survive the coming dark if we can't afford to eat after it's over. We NEED this Jon or Westeros will cease to matter a global power." Tyrion's voice was alive with passion.

Jon stood there stunned. He had had no idea about any of this and no idea that he situation was that bad. In the Time Before, none of this had even been mentioned in his hearing for he was usually too busy fighting to survive but he imaged that Sansa, Tyrion and Dany had many, many conversations on this very topic when they were still in Winterfell. Jon may hate politics but he could see what Tyrion was getting at. While Westeros at this time was still strong militarily, in the realm of international politics, they were the laughing stock of the world. The Targaryen's may have been mad but even they knew that pissing off the "neighbours" was a bad idea. Ayres had attacked Bravos but after coming to terms, he had been forgiven and had learned that it was never a good idea to piss of the Iron Bank.

With all that Jon knew, he knew that at this point in time, while Westeros may be at peace, Robert Baratheon, First of his Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm had bankrupted said Realm with his feasts, hunting parties and tourneys, all in order to keep him amused because he had no-one to fight.

He also knew that Joffrey and Cersei's reigns would be even worse. Tommen had been the calm eye of a very bad storm.

"So, you're going to turn the Lannisters into the Trade Masters of Westeros?" Jon asked.

"Pretty much." Was Tyrion's reply.

Jon just shook his head.

"Your father just might have that heart attack anyway when you inform him of your grand plan you know." Jon was amused.

"Gods, I hope so!"

It was the look of hopeful anticipation on Tyrion's face that sent Jon into gales of laughter.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

It was done.

The first official alliance between the Free Folk and the North was now in place. Mance and Ned were pleased by how it had turned out. Yes there were conditions that both sides had to abide by and yes, the Free Folk would have to abide by the laws of Westeros as all in Westeros did but that was a small price to pay in order to gain safety for his people but it was a price all were willing to pay as they would not be asked to bend the knee to the Iron Throne.

It had been agreed that the Free Folk would move onto the Gift in stages as letting a hundred thousand Free Folk beyond the Wall in one hit was not a smart thing to do. Over the next year, groups of Folk would be moved onto the Gift in order to establish small villages so the basic infrastructure would be already there for when the full might of the Free Folk came south while other groups would start cleaning and repairing various forts along the Wall for habitation by the Folk. Having the Free Folk man the Wall was the only condition that both sides had agreed to without argument.

Jon looked back at Castle Black when he reached the top of the hill and knew that by the time he returned to take up his position as liaison there would be massive changes for him to deal with but for now, Jon was going home to Winterfell.

Valyria would be his next great adventure.

For now, it was time to go home.