UPDATE: Upon taking some constructive criticism into consideration, I have updated the fanfic, so some of the plot has been altered. I hope it creates a better story. Thank you for all the feedback, and enjoy :)
Chapter 12 - Sightings
Mormont ordered Jon to accompany him to his private quarters.
"You summoned me, Lord Commander," he said respectfully.
"Aye, I did. You look exhausted," Mormont remarked, observing Jon's weariness. Jon sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibilities.
"And you look... well," he said, remembering the encounter with the foreign Stark that sent him flying. He was honestly surprised the old bear could still walk. Mormont laughed but remained serious.
"He's lucky I haven't locked him in a cell," said the Lord Commander, referring to the stranger.
"And why haven't you?" Jon dared to ask, curious about the decision. Mormont looked cross at him.
"You really think a cell will hold him?" he retorted. Jon shook his head, acknowledging the truth.
"But if he does act up, I might have to. Gods know the men want to have a go at him, but that's not why I have summoned you here," Mormont continued, shifting the conversation to more pressing matters. Jon listened attentively.
"Beyond the Wall, more rangers are reporting sightings of blue-eyed frozen dead men. Whole villages abandoned. At night, more wildings are blazing fires in the mountains from dusk until dawn. Do you think this foreigner is more important?" asked Jeor Mormont. Jon shared his concerns and shook his head in agreement.
"Do you think your brother's war is more important than ours?" Lord Commander questioned. Again, Jon shook his head, understanding the grave threat beyond the Wall.
"When dead men and worse come hunting for us in the night, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne?" Mormont challenged his steward, emphasizing the greater threat they all faced.
"No," said Jon Snow firmly, realizing that their survival depended on working together against the common enemy.
"Good," said Lord Commander, reaching for his sword lying on the table, sheathed with a belt attached. He picked it up and handed it to his steward.
"You'll be ready for this, then," he said. Jon's eyes widened as he gazed at the brilliant weapon in his hands. Something about it felt different from an ordinary sword. He gripped the handle and pulled a bit of the sword out of its sheath to admire the metal.
"This is Valyrian steel," he said, astonished. Mormont watched him proudly.
"It was my father's sword, his father before him. The Mormonts have carried it for five centuries. It was meant for my son Jorah, but he brought dishonor to our House, yet he had the grace to leave the sword before he fled from Westeros," Mormont explained. Jon carefully placed the sword back in its container and looked up at the Lord Commander with gratitude.
"My lord, you honor me, but I can't..." Jon began, feeling unworthy of such a precious heirloom.
"Oh, you can. And you will. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for you and your beast," Mormont said with conviction, acknowledging Ghost's crucial role in saving him. Jon remembered the first wight he had ever encountered, and he knew the threat they faced.
"Two bloody dead men tried to kill me, and one is not so dead anymore," Mormont joked. Jon understood the gravity of their situation, and he knew he had to accept the responsibility.
"So you'll take it. I'll hear no more about it. Is that understood?" Mormont declared firmly.
"Yes, my lord," Jon Snow replied without hesitation, determined to wield Longclaw with honor.
"Good, because I want you and your wolf with us when we ride out beyond the Wall tomorrow," Mormont ordered, recognizing Jon's skills and the value of having Ghost by their side.
"And what about Thorne?" Jon dared to ask, referring to the man who despised him. Mormont chuckled.
"No need to worry about him. I sent him to King's Landing yesterday. The hand that your wolf tore off that White's wrist... I've, uh, ordered Thorne to lay it at the feet of this... boy king. That should get young Joffrey's attention. And it, uh, puts a thousand leagues between you and Thorne," Mormont explained, knowing Jon's uneasy relationship with Thorne. Jon smiled thankfully, feeling relieved by the absence of his adversary.
The Lord Commander knew how much Thorne hated him. It took a weight off his shoulders and he would not have anything to say about this new stranger for the time being. Suddenly, Edd burst unexpectedly into the room.
"Lord Commander... Jon," he said with as much politeness as he could muster.
"What is it?" asked Mormont, curious about the interruption.
Tony looked like he was unarmed… to them at least. He had a few more tricks up his sleeve.
"Is this usually how you greet people?" Tony defused. The man lunged forward, swiping with the sword. Tony sidestepped out of the way as quickly as he could in the stiff and heavy clothes. The man brought his sword down again, but he wasn't expecting Tony to lunge forward and stop his arm from swinging the sword. He then struck him in the throat with his fist. The man stepped back and choked. Another ruffian tried to stab him in the back when Tony whipped out a small metal device that shot out a bright light, blinding him. With the man distracted, Tony kicked him in the chest and slammed both hands against the man's ears, disorienting him. The man fell to the ground. Tony held his wounded side, but tried not to show his pain.
Mormont, Jon, and Edd exited Castle Black and entered the courtyard. Ghost caught the attention of the fight and followed.
"Seven hells," cursed the bastard.
"Traitor!" yelled the original man, still holding his neck.
"You don't fight with honor," declared the man. Tony looked offended.
"What?! You attacked me! With two other guys and swords! Who has honor now?!"
"That's enough!" yelled Mormont with Edd and Jon by his side. Mormont ordered his men to take the two remaining scoundrels to the cells. Jon Snow stepped up to Tony. Ghost growled at him. The Iron man froze again at the sight of the large, snarling wolf with red eyes, baring its teeth.
"I told you to lay low," said Jon.
"And I did. I don't know what kind of establishment you run here, but you keep some odd company," he said carefully eying the wolf suspiciously.
"I can confirm that Jon," said Edd, "He didn't instigate the fight." The bastard sighed.
"He might as well have," he said to his friend.
"Can't argue with that," Edd responded. Tony rolled his eyes. This man was more trouble than he was worth, and if it wasn't for him falling from the sky with magical armor, he would have been locked away.
"I can't keep sticking my neck out for you," said Jon almost to himself.
"Then why are you?" demanded Tony angrily. Jon Snow glared at him with intense dark eyes, searching the man's face, but backed away sadly instead.
"It doesn't matter," he said finally in a low gritty voice. The bastard walked over to his Lord Commander. Ghost filled the gap between Tony and Jon, guarding his Winterfell companion.
"I believe he just earned that trip to a cell," said Mormont, "I don't care if he's got so-called magical armor. Jon, you and three other men find him one, and if he gives you any trouble," Mormont continued glancing at Ghost, "Take your direwolf with you." As difficult as this newcomer was, it was not entirely his fault, and Jon did not want to see him freeze to death in a cell before he could discover why he was here, let alone let some of the less honorable men pick him off.
"Lord Commander, can I make a suggestion?" Jon dared to ask. Mormont narrowed his eyes at his steward and waited for him to respond.
"Have him stay with Maester Aemon and Sam when we go beyond the Wall," he said.
"Ha! Leave him with an old man and… well, Sam," said Edd reluctantly. Jon and Mormont both glared at him. Edd awkwardly cleared his throat. "They're not exactly our best fighters," Edd added shyly.
"The lad has a point," said Mormont sternly.
"How many of these men do you trust with him? Did you see what just happened?" said Jon, pointing behind him. Edd sighed. "I don't think we can hold him, and these men will try to kill him again… but maybe Sam and Maester Aemon can convince him to stay low and keep quiet. If he gives us any more trouble… then take away his armor, and lock him in a cell," he said finally. The Lord Commander glanced back at the fallen Stark.
"Or get rid of him if need be," said Mormont. Jon knew what that meant.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," said his steward.