The wolf of the north
Robb POV
When we arrived at the Wall, we were welcomed by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont and First Ranger Benjen Stark. It was good to see uncle. I wished he had visited us, but I couldn't blame him, as he probably didn't have time for all that was happening. Time seemed like a limited resource the closer we came to the winter.
The days are becoming shorter and shorter. There is more snow than rain. Winds are becoming harsher. Birds are fleeing the North and flying to the South. Yet as northmen, we know that it is but autumn. When proper winter comes, nobody will be able to hide from it. Nobody will be able to ignore it.
All we can do is prepare for it and wait it out. With all the support uncle Edmure has given to the North, it shouldn't hinder our survivability much, no matter how long the winter will last. The glass we received was enough to build many glass gardens. With new roads, the North will be united more than ever. We will be able to support each other through the winter.
"Lord Stark," Lord Commander put a hold on my thoughts.
"Lord Commander," I greeted the men who came to meet me. "It will be a bit crowded with all of us here. How about we continue inside with a hot meal inside our bellies."
"I couldn't have said better," Lord Commander laughed and motioned for everyone to disperse.
When we entered castle black and left our horses with stable boys before entering the common hall, a meal was quickly prepared for us, and while we sat and waited for it, I let Lord Commander have some time with his family. He seemed honestly pleased to meet his sister and niece.
"How have you been, Robb?" Benjen sat next to me as I dug into my meal.
"Honestly, most of the time, I just stumble around the ruling," I said in a rare moment of not needing to keep a façade. "I doubt every decision I make. I wish father were still here to tell me what to do."
"Ned wouldn't have much to say but praise," Benjen replied. "I heard enough about how you handled yourself in the war and how well you managed the North to know that you have done well."
"I haven't done much. Edmure has won our war and paved the way for my ruling," I responded without much enthusiasm. "Compared to him, I have done nothing. Most of the problems the North faced previously are taken care of."
"Don't be too harsh on yourself," Benjen laughed up my distress. "As long as nobody complains, you are doing a good job."
"If only that were true."
"How is Jon?" Benjen asked.
"You are getting old, uncle. It is King Jaehaerys third of his name to you," I answered.
"I may be getting old, but not as fast as you," Benjen laughed it up. "I guess you haven't interacted with him much either."
"He is certainly more swarmed with duties and responsibilities than both of us combined," I told him. "And he is married."
"Ah, marriage, how perilous. No one can save him now," Benjen joked. "Speaking of marriages, I haven't heard of any would-be Lady Stark yet. I am sure many would be glad to offer their daughters to you. I can see one even in this hall."
"Dacey?" I asked, turning to where Benjen was looking at.
"What's wrong with her? She is fierce, loyal, and quite a pleasant sight to the eyes," Benjen told me.
"When was the last time you slept with a woman, uncle?" I asked.
"Forever ago, when legends were just stories we told children. When dead didn't rise," Benjen turned somber momentarily before returning to his cheerful self. "But at least I have slept with a woman before, Robb. You should not forget to fall in love before it is too late. You returned from one war and are heading to another."
"I am doing my duty."
"Trust me, I am, and thousands of Night's Watchmen are glad to see you fight with us," Benjen said. "But if you keep on like this, you won't return from one of these wars."
"I have Bran as my heir, and after him, there is Rickon," I said, tired of the topic. "If I can leave them a peaceful realm, I will die with a smile."
"Let's not talk about such morbid things," Benjen sighed. "Not at least without the old bear. It is time we start making a plan for our great range. But finish your meal. With the meetings we have. It might take a whole night to cover all the basics."
I agreed. I didn't want to turn our conversation into such a dark place, but I already had too much to worry about. I didn't have the strength to worry about marrying. Maybe after I return, I will ask the hand of Alys Karstark or one of Lord Manderly's granddaughters. Both houses served House Stark well and were about my age.
…
I was very disappointed with the map we were provided. It showed mountains in the west, various rivers, and the Haunted Forest. Near the mountain range in the west was the Fist of the First Men. In the east, on top of Storrold's point, was Hardhome. These were the two most likely locations where the Wildling army would hide.
"You have to forgive us, but we don't have a cartographer in our order," Lord Commander said.
"Great rangers created this map in the past," Maester Aemon added. "It might not be very detailed, but it is still very usable."
"The Night Watch never had a dragon rider who could fly over the lands and mark the locations," Benjen said. "It is the best we will get."
"And you sure they are not in the Frosthangs anymore?" I asked the Lord Commander.
"If they are, I do not expect the wildlings to remain in the inhospitable mountains for long," Lord Commander said. "Whatever they were doing here, sustaining an army in these lands would be impossible."
"Yet they were noticed in these mountains?" I asked.
"They were; many of our rangers have encountered them there," Benjen answered. "But the main camp must be at the Fist of the First Men. It is the only fairly secure location that could hold an army."
It was only an assumption. We didn't know where they were and what they were doing. It was clear they were planning to attack the Wall. Otherwise, Mance Ryder wouldn't be able to make the wildlings united. They needed a purpose, and Mace Ryder gave it to them. That is why he could control his army.
"We have no choice but to march to the Fist of the First Men," I said.
"We should go through Caster's keep in the Haunted Forest," Lord Commander said. "The old wilding might not be trustworthy, but he should know something."
"Very well, if we do not find anything in the Fist of the First Men, we shall follow Antler River to Hardhome," I said, trailing my finger through the river. "They might be building boats and might try to sail past Eastwatch."
"It might be the only way for them to cross the Wall," Benjen agreed.
"Then our course is settled," I said, waiting for anyone to object. "If there is nothing to add, we should prepare ourselves."
"My lord, I'm sure you have heard of the dead rising," Aemon said. "How are you going to deal with them?"
"I have seen the moving head," I answered, remembering the head in the jar with his jaw trying to bite at anything that moved. "For now, we don't know how many there are of them, and the only sure way to kill them completely is by using fire. So, I gathered as much oil as possible and ordered the blacksmith to make torch pikes."
"Torchpikes, my lord?"
"Bring it in," I ordered one of my men.
The man soon returned with the weapon, a long pike with a blunt and flattened iron tip. I showed everyone gathered there the attached core of animal fat and fibers. I didn't understand well. But the core could burn for several hours if it isn't damaged or outside forces don't influence it. It was the best we could come up with in a short time.
"We also made arrows that can sustain fire even in the worst conditions," I took an arrow with a hole covered in iron that contained fiber soaked in oil. "As for the White Walkers, we could only find out that dragon glass was used against them in the forgotten past. So, I have prepared dragon glass blades. They are fragile and hard to forge, so be careful."
It wasn't much, but it had to be enough. I could only hope we didn't encounter the dead before we dealt with the Wildlings. If the rumors are true that there are a hundred thousand strong in that army, I would rather fight them while they are still alive. But I hoped to reach a deal with them. As long as they are willing to bend their knees to me and the King, I will provide them with lands in the North.
For now, predicting how the Wildlings would act around me was hard. I have heard about their free will. Even with the promise of a place for them to stay on the other side of the Wall, they might not take it. So, I was prepared to break them first before negotiating with them. It was easier to settle terms for the defeated.
"We have two thousand of our best ready and waiting for orders," Lord Commander said.
"Good, time is of the essence."
"No, my lord, your life is of the essence," Lord Commander interrupted me. "I will ask this once and last time. Do you truly wish to come with us?"
"What is the meaning of this?" I asked.
"We cannot afford for the North to be disordered," Lord Commander said. "If something would happen to you, my lord, it would be worse than losing all of our lives."
"You don't have to worry about it. I have an heir," I told him.
"A boy, my lord," Aemon spoke. "A pup can command the pack. But you are a wolf, my lord. You are the only one who can command the North and lead the pack. In these times, a good leader is more important than thousands of old men who already know they won't last the winter."
"What kind of leader would watch his men die for him?" I asked.
"A wise one," Aemon answered. "For he knows why these men have died and will know what to do so their sacrifice wouldn't be in vain."
"I don't need to see them die to know it."
"It is dangerous," Benjen said. "We are better armed, better organized, but make no mistake. We are marching on their lands. No ranger knows these lands better than a wildling. They will know of us sooner than we will see them. There is no doubt that they will aim for the command if they don't think they can defeat us."
"Ambushes, storms, and fucking death will come after us," Lord Commander added. "Even if we defeat the wildling army, we might lose our supplies. We might starve or die of cold. We can do that, but you, my lord, must not die. No matter what."
"I will face all of it with you," I didn't relent to their wishes. "If are to face death itself, I will see it with my own eyes. And I must be one to face Mance Ryder, the King Beyond the Wall. It is my duty and responsibility as the Warden of the North and lord of Winterfell."
"Very well, I won't ask it again," Lord Commander relented. "But I will insist that you be surrounded by the best men we can provide."
"I have my guard," I said.
"But none of them are as good as Ser Jaime Lannister," Benjen replied.
"The Kingslayer?" I asked. "You want the Kingslayer to protect me?"
"He is a man of the Night Watch now. His past means nothing," Lord Commander said. "And he is the best swordsman we have."
"My lord, as much as it grieves me, I must agree with them," Lord Umber said. "My son is great and strong. But even I wouldn't want him to fight the Kingslayer."
"My sons are brave and loyal, but they are still boys," Lord Karstark added. "We must put aside our difference for your safety."
"I agree," Lady Mormont said. "Dacey is capable but nowhere near skilled to fight against the Kingslayer."
"You are going to face many trials in these wilds," Maester Aemon said softly. "You need the best swords by your side. You must live and protect the Realm of the coming darkness."
"Ser Jaime won't be the only one by your side, my lord," Lord Commander continued. "Ser Wymar Royce is a great ranger and skillful warrior. He will ride beside you and one of our best men, Qhorin Halfhand."
I could only agree. Even if I disliked the Kingslayer, he was the best swordsman in the known world for a reason. And if he tried to betray me, Greywind would make minced meat of him. I still had other guards watching my back, and I wasn't a green boy myself. I did promise to return home, and if the KIngslayer can help me keep my promise, I will put aside my grievances.
A.N. As always, If you want more, up to seven advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852,