295 AC - The Wall
Jon's POV
Jon had never felt so angry in all his life. The Night's Watch had been a lie. In retrospect, he could now see the truths his Uncle Benjen had tried to weave in his stories. Things his Uncle couldn't or wouldn't say out loud. The vague answers to his questions. His Uncle Benjen wasn't who he was mad at. No, all of that anger was directed at Lord Stark, he couldn't How could the man claim to love him if he sent Jon here to live out the rest of his days? He had to know the truth. His father was the Warden of the North, he had to know of the Watch's current condition. He communicated with the Lord Commander on a monthly basis. He sent food and tools twice a year. Uncle Benjen had to have shared the walls' condition on his visits.
How could his father claim to love him if he sent him to a wall that was so in such bad shape? He could understand sending him away from Winterfell, Lady Catelyn had made her opinion about Jon clear over the past fourteen years, but surely one of his father's bannerman could have let him join their castles. He knew Lady Mormont, Lord Reed, Lord Umber, and Lord Manderly had all made numerous offers over the years. He would have been a simple guard, just another unnamed northern boy. But, no, his Father had encouraged the watch, refused to speak about the potential fosterings, and even used the knowledge of Jon's mother against him. He couldn't understand why his father sent him to a place filled with rapists, murderers, and traitors? Even after just a few short days, he knew all of these men would rape and murder if given the chance. And he just couldn't understand why his father sent him to a place filled with Targaryen loyalists? Those men in particular were making his life hell. He had no doubt some of them would kill him if he left himself exposed. They could get away with it too, given who was all here. He wondered if Lord Stark would even care if he got a letter from the Lord Commander telling him that he was dead.
"The next time we see each other, we'll talk about your mother, I promise." That was what Lord Stark had said the last time they meet. He doubt Lord Stark would even tell him. When he eventually returned to the North, after Joffrey picked a new Hand of the King, it would have likely been years. Whether he'd ever be allowed to visit Winterfell like his Uncle Benjen was also up for debate. Lady Catelyn would likely not allow it, and he knew Lord Stark would never come up to the wall.
He could still leave, technically. He could return to Winterfell, journey down to King's Landing, or even just explore the world. He could leave, but really, he couldn't. Lady Stark still lived in Winterfell, and he would not be welcome back there. He would not journey south if he didn't have to, the various Riverland servants along with the Septon and Septa at Winterfell made that option very unpalatable. He had no friends among the Northern Bannermen, so going to one of those keeps was out of the question, besides, without his Father's approval, they couldn't really accept him. He did not have the money to travel to Essos, and he wouldn't be able to get the money from anyone.
The wall was the only option left to him. Lord Stark had made sure of that.