Jon Snow looked ahead and stared at the looming gate of Castle Black. The wall behind it, blotted out the sky, as they followed the worn road. He accompanied a wandering crow, who had been passing through Winterfell on his way back to Castle Black. Sitting next to the nondescript man on the bench of the caged wagon full of conscripted prisoners, he thought of the past few weeks.
He was supposed to journey to the Wall with his uncle Benjen in a few months. But two weeks ago, Lord Stark received a note announcing the death of Lord Hand Jon Arryn. The next day, he pulled Jon to the side and told him it would be for the best if he headed to the Wall early.
It was a little off putting, when before Lord Stark had been adamant that he wait till he was six and ten. But he would take any opportunity to finally be rid of Lady Starks cold glares.
His only regret is leaving his newly found direwolf pup Ghost with his half brother Robb. Afraid that the pup would not survive the journey, being only a month old.
They passed the gate into the courtyard proper and immediately Jon's attention was drawn to the yard. Standing like a mountain with a warhammer in hand, Robert Baratheon took on three recruits with longswords in hand. A giant black bushy beard hangs from his face as it seamlessly blends into his billowing black cloak. The training leathers he wore bulged from his rippled muscles as moved.
Boisterous laughter bellows from him as he tosses each of them into the dirt repeatedly. "C'mon, my brother was swinging better when he was a wee child!" He mocked, as he intercepted an overhand swing with the shaft of his hammer.
Suddenly he looks towards the wagon and his eyes locked onto jon, a gleam of recognition lighting up his eye. "Enough you sorry ass recruits, you're free for the rest of the day after you lot clean up the equipment." He called out as he began to walk towards the wagon pulling to a stop near the stable of Castle Black. His great bushy black beard confronted as his face broke into a grin.
Jon barely had time to set his feet on the ground before he was swept up in the larger man's arms. The immense man squeezing the air from his lungs. "I haven't seen you since you were a wee babe!" Robert called out. "Look every bit Ned did when he was your age!" He praised as he looked him up and down.
Jon began to see white spots before he was unceremoniously dropped back to his feet. A small smile on his face as he looked up at the man. "Father said you were excited to meet me, milord. He spoke highly of you." He quietly said.
Robert laughed as he swept up beside Jon, a large meaty hand clasping his shoulder as he began to escort Jon to the castle proper. "None of the lord shit, I considered your father my brother. And in a short few months, I'll make a black brother of you." He exclaimed with a smile on his face.
"Now come, I'll have old Mormont get you settled. Ned sent a raven ahead of you so Benjen should be free to greet you as well." Robert instructed.
The two made their way into the castle proper heading to the Lord Commander's rooms, as they reached the door Robert barely paused as he swept it open and entered revealing Jeor Mormont hunched over his desk penning a note. His Black cloak off and draped over the back of his chair, what little hair he has left as white as snow. He gave off an aura of tiredness as he looked up. His face wrinkled as he gained a small smile. "Robert, Done thrashing the new recruits?" He greets.
Robert laughs "I'll never get tired of thrashing the scraps that sorry excuse of a dragon sends us." He turns and waves Jon forward. "This is Ned's boy, he wants me to make sure that he gets settled well."
Jon lowers his gaze as he enters. "Jon Snow, Lord commander." He introduces himself.
Jeor's gaze sweeps him up and down. "Snow. If you're half the man your father was, you will rise high here." He Greeted, before shifting his gaze back to Robert. "And if that is all? I must get back to my letters." he tries to dismiss him.
Robert chuckles at him as if he told a joke "Aye, we will be on our way, just need your permission to take this one" he nods to Jon, "under my wing."
"I believe you already personally train every new recruit that enters this castle," Jeor replied. "A position you fought for, as well" He admonishes. He turns to look at Jon, who looked very much the nervous five and ten boy he was. "Ask my steward to show you to the Maester's Tower, your uncle should be there."
With a quick bow towards both of them, he turns and makes haste out of the room closing the door behind him.
Jeor gestures to the chair across from him on the other side of the desk. "Sit and tell me why he needs to be trained under the Black Stag himself, when every new recruit his age for centuries has made do training at the side of their new brother."
Robert scoffs "Bah! Send Ned's boy to bunk with rapists and thieves? After Ned fought to save my life from that dragonspawn?" He slumped in the chair, reaching to grab the flask of wine on the desk. He pauses with a raised eyebrow towards Jeor, before grabbing it with a smile at his nod.
He pours both of them a goblet, passing one over to Jeor, he takes a long drag of his. Smacking his lips, he leaned forward "He is barely five and ten. Those new brothers would be the death of him once they realize he is castle trained."
Jeor snorts "The Wall cares not if you're a lord or a part of the smallfolk. It's bad enough that the King still sends letters to Aemon inquiring about you and the various soldiers who followed here." He replied, referencing the thousands of men at arms who followed Robert to the Wall after the end of the war.
"He is still sending those letters?" Robert chokes out, erupting in laughter. His shoulders heaving as he tries to bring himself under control.
Jeor grins "Aye, his Small Council won't accept a Northman's word that the Black Stag is content beating on the criminals of the Seven kingdoms" He replied in mirth.
Robert's smile dims a little as he stares at the bottom of his goblet. "That's why I wanna have the lad." he declares looking Jeor in the eyes. "Neither me or any of mine can ever take over for you. Old Rhaegar wont allow it."
Jeor's eyes sank to the table sadly. "You fought a war to usurp him, can you blame him?" He quietly replied looking lost in thought, remembering old wars past.
Robert smacks the table loudly causing him to look up. "Nay! But this way I don't need to worry about a loyalist with a grudge! I'll run that boy into the ground till he can take even me." He explains. "Countless Starks have risen to your position. No one will bat an eye if he takes over."
Jeor raises an eyebrow. "And if when I die, he isn't the best choice to take over?" he questions.
Robert grins, "After what I'm gonna do to the lad? Impossible!" he declared.
Jeor looks at him for a long moment before sighing. "His lodging is your responsibility, and I'll require you to find a replacement for training the recruits." he smiled, "Now hurry and catch up to the boy before Aemon convinces the boy to succeed him instead." He jokes as he dismisses him.
Robert tips his head and leaves the room, a gleam of excitement in his eyes as he heads towards the Maesters Tower.
With Jon
Jeor's steward was a cold man of few words as he soundlessly brought Jon across the courtyard to the Maesters Tower. Jon felt a sense of unease as the ravens, that fluttered and squawked throughout the tower, grew quiet as they approached. Nearing the door, he almost jumped in fright as it threw open, revealing his uncle Benjen, clad in the outfit of a ranger of the watch he cut a fearsome image as looked around, his sword on his hip. He dropped his hand, as he realized it was his nephew, his face quickly breaking into a grin as he brought him in for a hug.
"Careful Jon, you gave me a fright, thought there was a brawl happening when the ravens soundly grew quiet. Must be able to still smell your Dire wolf on you." He began to admonish, his face contorting into a grin, believing that Jon was somehow responsible for the ravens growing quiet.
Jon awkwardly smiled as he began to explain. "I'm afraid I left Ghost with Robb uncle."
Benjen's eyes narrow a little before he shakes his head. "Must be something else then." He rationalizes before pulling the boy into the tower. "Come in, I've been telling Maester Aemon about you and the rest of Neds children since you were all born."
They enter into Aemon's room, and the first thing Jon notices is that its mostly barren, large open pathways lead around the room. The second is a man who puts even Jeor's age to shame, sitting in a chair, his lap buried in blankets and furs. Two milky white eyes stare in his general direction, thin white hair cut short, and both of his cheeks almost drooping in his old age,
"This is Maester Aemon, and this Maester is my Nephew Jon Snow." Benjen introduces with a small smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Maester." Jon said, tilting his head in greeting to the old man.
"It's always a pleasure to meet new recruits to the order. I was surprised you would join so early though young Snow." Aemon replied with a small smile. "Are you sure you wish to spend the rest of your life serving at the wall?"
Jon squares his shoulders. "Aye, I was raised hearing about the honor of the watch. And I am ready to do my part to serve. I'll not be young for long" He replied.
Aemon's smile dims abruptly. "Be careful of what you wish for Jon Snow." He turns toward Benjen. "I grow tired, I'm afraid, and I am sure you are excited to catch up with your nephew. So go ahead and head out, don't let me keep you."
"Aye, I'll see you on the morrow." Benjen agrees, before nodding his head to the door. "Follow me Jon, I'll take you to the dining hall."
Jon follows him out the door, the two of them immediately hit by a strong gst snow to the face as they exit. "I'm sorry if I offended the Maester, uncle." He apologizes.
Benjen lets out a chuckle as he begins to lead Jon to the dining hall. "Don't worry Aemon has thick skin, he just didn't wanna scare you off by trying to lecture you." He replied, waving off the apology.
"You should be glad that you were not joining when I did, the place was a whole lot more run down." He said, trying to change the subject. "Ever since Rhaegar exiled Robert to the wall and his men flocked to follow him, we have been able to man more walls and complete some necessary repairs."
Jon quickly interjected, leaning closer to him. "I wanted to ask, we were taught he was exiled after the war, why is he so happy?" He questioned, causing Benjen to grow quiet.
Benjen frowns, taking a moment before he answers. "After the war was very hectic, a lot of people died, and a lot of ugly truths were laid bare. You'll have to ask Robert or Ned if you want a straight answer. It's not my place to talk of what happened, when I was not there."
Suddenly they both jump as they hear a loud yell from behind them. "Oi Benjen!" Turning they find Robert walking up to them, his ever present smile back as he stares down at them. "I'll be joining you lot for some food, I need to let Jon here know what to expect when he joins me for training on the morrow. " He says falling in step with them.
Benjen frowns. "Won't he be joining the other recruits?" He questions the giant of a man.
Robert shakes his head no, the grin never leaving his face. "The Old Bear gave me permission so i'll be training this lad personally between my other duties. I might have a few friends help when I'm busy. But mostly it'll be me and him." He explains with a laugh, forcibly patting Jon's shoulder unexpectedly causing him to jolt forward. "That is if you're up for it lad?" He asks Jon.
Jon nervously swallows before looking up at the legend of man. "I'll be honored to learn under you."
Authors Note
Hi! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I am trying to write the characters as naturally as possible and avoid just info dumping by alluding to certain things when they talk instead. let me know if you have any opinions on that. hopefully I'll be able to know out some more of these soon.