Hard decisions

Robb POV

We were lucky to miss storms, but the march to Hardhome was still challenging. I couldn't stop thinking of that night. I tried to remember every detail I could, fearing that I might have missed something. No matter how important, every little detail could be integral in our next fight against the dead. But it wasn't easy.

Everything happened fast, and we were too busy trying to survive to observe the battle. It didn't help that it was a night, and we could barely see anything through the blizzard. Yet it gave me the idea that the White Walkers could control the weather or use the storm to mask and hide themselves. I knew they were inhuman, but it disturbed me that they could use magic.

In the end, who knows what they can do? Physically, they are already stronger than most men. They can raise the dead and control them. What other abilities did they possess that we haven't seen yet? The more I thought about it, the more afraid I became. I couldn't imagine what was waiting for us in the future.

But we didn't have time to think of the future as we weren't in a great situation in the present. I looked back at the men marching through the snow, following me. I could tell they were tired and hungry. I couldn't risk it, so I made us march at night and only rest in the dawn before continuing at midday. I didn't think we could survive another attack from the dead and then face the Wildlings.

"Waymar, get your head out of the clouds," I heard Qhorin reprimand Ser Waymar as he seemed distracted.

"My apologies," Waymar bowed his head in apology.

"I know the Kingslayer was your friend, but you need to think of your duty first," Qhorin continued to lecture.

"He had a name," Waymar murmured.

"Ser Jaime fought valiantly," I commented, as it seemed Jaime was close to Waymar. "He saved my life as well as many others. I shall remember him as a brave man of the Night's Watch rather than a Lannister if it makes you feel better."

"It does, thank you, my lord," Waymar replied.

"You can fall back if you need time to process your loss," I said.

"I am fine, my lord."

He didn't look fine, but I couldn't change that easily, so I let it go. Many lost their friends or even family that night. The horrors we faced wouldn't be forgotten soon, and it wasn't easy to process what happened then. It would have been worse if the animals hadn't warned us of something coming. Another point to remember is that animals freak out in the presence of the dead.

…

We reached the end of the Antlers River we were marching along. A bit more, and we would get Storrold's Point, where Hardhome was located. Or we could cross the Haunted Forrest and go to Eastwatch. Many men would be happier knowing they were returning to the Wall and leaving these forsaken lands.

But I had made my decision, no matter how hard it was. Even if we already had to endure so much, we had to push forward. The Wildlings couldn't be left alone. Who knows what they might do? I couldn't afford to let the Wildlings cross the Wall and dedicate who knows how many men to hunt them down while the Wall needed all my attention.

"My lord," Lord Karstark barged in on me as I planned our following actions. "We are running out of food. As we leave the Antlers River behind, it has become harder to gather food from wildlife. So far, fishing has sustained us, and there were more animals along the river."

"So, hunting became harder?" I asked, understanding the situation.

"Yes," Lord Karstark replied. "And not many dare to leave the camp far for a hunt."

"Start killing the horses," I said.

"Horses, my lord?"

"Yes," I answered. "The horse meat should be enough before we reach Hardhome. But I will consult Lord Commander first to make sure."

I was prepared for it. I knew we could barely survive with hunting and fishing, but it would never be enough. The Rangers from The Night's Watch helped quite a bit in that regard, but now that we were leaving the Antlers River and approaching Hardhome, fewer and fewer animals could be found. I already thought we would have to eat our horses to survive.

"Uncle Benjen," I called out, seeing my uncle return from scouting.

"Robb," Benjen jumped from his horse and came to me. "We found signs that the Wildlings are in the area or at least were not long ago."

"So, we are getting closer," I commented. "Find Lord Commander. I will have a few words with him."

I had to find a way to avoid fighting with the Wildlings. My men were too spent to face them; we would surely lose without supplies. But one way or another, we needed to dissuade the Wildling Army. And I have already decided to accept most of their demands as long as they are willing not to harm the North and my people. I would rather deal with their savage behavior than with the dead.

Still, from what I knew, the Wildlings wouldn't listen to me that easily. I needed to consult Lord Commander and other men from Night's Watch about approaching them. I couldn't afford to make any mistakes. A lot was hanging on my success. I couldn't back down now. I only hoped the ships had arrived and weren't wrecked by any storms. I knew the men would panic if we didn't see the ships once we arrived.

…

Seeing Hardhome standing at the tip of Storrold's Point relieved some men. The walls of Hardhome were high but made of wood. The forest around it was cut down. In the distance, I managed to see a fleet of ships, but near the harbor of Hardome, I noticed hundreds, if not thousands, of boats. It took a while, but I managed to grasp the situation.

The Wildlings knew of us as they had closed the gates, and archers occupied the wooden walls. From what I could see, the wildlings were probably building boats to sail around Eastwacth. It was the most sensible thing they could do, as attacking the Wall head-on wouldn't have been wise. What mattered now was to find out how many were in Hardhome.

"Is the signal prepared?" I asked.

"Yes, my lord," One of my men answered. "Three smoke signals should be seen from the coast soon."

It was a signal for the ships to board the land. We couldn't wait for them any longer. The march to this place was harsh, and we were forced to eat almost all our horses to survive. We desperately needed supplies, and we would receive them with the ships. I was glad that I managed to lead the men this far.

"My lord, the fleet commander wants to speak with you," One of my men informed me after I saw the ships near the land, and men were sent to meet them.

"Very well," I agreed.

Walking to the first ship that landed, I was met with an immense fat man with a bald head. If his appearance didn't tell me who he was, the white merman banner did. I had never seen his man but met Lord Manderly many times, so I assumed him to be his son. I was right as he soon introduced himself to be Ser Wylis Manderly.

"It is good to see you, Ser Wylis," I said.

"Ah, yes, I am glad to see you safe and well too, my lord," Ser Wylis replied. "One hundred and twenty ships are yours, my lord. But I must confess that most ships came from the Reach."

"That is fine. I have asked for King Jaehaery's support after all," I hoped it didn't hurt Manderly's pride, but they didn't have enough ships I needed. "I hope there are enough supplies for us to take."

"Food, weapons, and clothes are inside the ships, my lord."

"Good, I believe you will like to know why we look so haggard, but I must speak with my uncle," I was relieved knowing we had supplies. "Speak to Lord Karstark or Lord Umber. They will provide the information you need and how to distribute the supplies."

I could tell that my men were happy to see the ships. It meant supplies we desperately needed and a way out of his forsaken land. We no longer would feel trapped there. But even so, our job wasn't done yet. After I talked to Ser Wylis, I went to find uncle Benjen. He was scouting the area, and I needed information to plan our following action.

…

After distributing the supplies, I met with my lords and men from the Night's Watch to discuss our plan. Even Ser Wylis was here to listen. Uncle Benjen managed to get a closer look at the defenses, which was terrible news for me as they were prepared well. Mance Ryder didn't take chances and had fortified the walls well. Hundreds of men with bows and arrows watched over the walls, and thousands inside would defeat us.

"Do we have enough animal fat to burn the walls?" Lord Karstark asked.

"Even if the walls are wooden, burning them will take too much," Lord Commander replied. "We should try to knock the walls down."

"It will take too long to build siege weapons," I replied. "They are well fortified. Too well."

"Do you think they were waiting for us?" Lord Umber asked.

"Not us," Lady Mormont replied.

"They were preparing for the dead," I agreed.

I could see Ser Wylis being skeptical about the dead but didn't question it. Even most stout men would have difficulty challenging the notion when they heard about it from so many men. But now I was more concerned about Hardhome. I wished we would finish it quickly, but it was only hopeful thinking. Mance Ryder had defenses and men to pose a challenge to us.

"So, what are we thinking?" Lord Umber asked. "We can't stay here for long. I don't want to face the Wildlings and the dead simultaneously."

"Then our only option is to negotiate with them," I said. "Benjen, you know the Wildlings the best. Will they be willing to talk with me?"

"If you try, they might be willing to hear you out, Robb. But I doubt they will listen to anything you want to say," Benjen answered.

"I will still try," I replied. "Prepare a delegation to meet with Mance Ryder.

"The Wildlings have long been a thorn in our side, raiding our lands and threatening our safety," I wasn't surprised by Lord Umber's response. "The Wildlings have made it clear that they cherish their freedom and independence beyond the Wall. And you want to talk to them, my lord? In the first place, we should let them all die out here. Let the dead take them as they deserve it."

"I heard there are a hundred thousand of them," I said. "Do you wish another hundred thousand join the Others? One way or another, they will fight us to cross the Wall, and I would rather deal with the living than with the dead, lord Umber. If it means offering them sanctuary to avoid a meaningless war, I am willing to accept it."

"We must not let past grievances blind us to the more significant threat beyond the Wall. The Others and the army of the dead are dangerous to all of Westeros, Wildlings and Northerners alike. If there is any chance of survival, we must consider the possibility of a united front against this common enemy."

Seeing that even Lady Mormont agreed with me, Lord Umber could do nothing but crumble in anger. I knew where he came from, but I hoped that with time, he would understand that the past was past and we faced something that we only heard in bedtime stories. I will do anything to secure the North, even if I have to lower my pride. It was a decision I made.

A.N. As always, If you want more, up to seven advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852,