Warg Maiden

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones


Chapter 24: The Nightfort

The Nightfort.

It was the first castle on the Wall. The Night's Watch abandoned it during King Jaehaerys the First's reign. It was too big and impossible to maintain, Sam told Gilly and Jon. The first castle was a mere ruin, once the headquarters of all the Night's Watch before Castle Black. But as the volunteers dwindled, so did the care for the castle.

Many secrets linger along these stones. Stories of Old Nan would speak of violent crimes committed against the people who try to help. Jon recalls one story of the Night's King, who was once Lord Commander of the Watch, falling in love with a demon woman beyond the Wall. Yet, Brandon the Breaker, King of the North, and the Wildling King Joramun united to defeat the two. Jon thought the legend was that the White Demon Woman was a wildling, but seeing beyond the Wall, maybe Old Nan was referring to a White Walker.

The Nightfort was a place to never let your guard down. A place where dark spirits lie to corrupt the living, or so the locals foretold. As the Gods once damned the fort when an Andal King visited, the cook killed the King's son and fed the flesh to the father, breaking the sacred law of the Guest's Right. Thus, the Gods transformed the cook into a giant rat that would feed only on its offspring.

Jon looked up from a distance and saw the Nightfort coming to life. Once, a ruin was filled with energy, torches were lit, and light illuminated the castle. It was daytime, and Jon knew they didn't have enough men to fight against the Wildlings. Based on their numbers and giants that roamed around. There were three giants that he could see.

"They were not joking about the giants," Ser Davos said in amazement.

"Just don't stare at them too long," Jon warned.

"How so," Ser Davos asked.

"I've been told they are shy. And when they immediately stop being shy, they get angry…." Jon said, remembering Ygritte's words. "And when angry, they can pound a person straight into the ground like a hammer on a nail."

"Or rip you in half," Fenrir added casually.

Ser Davos nodded, though he became a bit pale. Jon tried not to snort, not wanting to give the chieftain the satisfaction of amusement. They reached the Gate, where the giants stood guarding it. A woman, pale as white from her skin to her hair, stood there, her face painted black and blue. She looked at the party with caution.

Stannis, Melisandre, Ser Davos, Jon, and the Chieftains approach the Gate.

"Are you the king who claims the chair of Iron?" the woman asked.

"That I am," Stannis confirmed. "I am Stannis Baratheon, King of the Seven Kingdoms."

The pale woman nodded and stared at Melisandre, "The Red Woman."

Melisandre smirked, "As are you, the pale one."

The woman ignored her comment and faced Jon, "The Little Crow who became Lord Commander."

Jon only nodded.

The woman then looked at the Chieftains, giving a bow of the head. Fenrir nodded back as a sign of respect.

"Boudica has invoked the Guest Right," The Pale Woman said as she lifted a wooden platter with bread and salt. "Leave your horses and weapons at the gate."

Everyone hesitated but knew the Wildlings were in command now. They did not have the numbers; if this negotiation goes well, they will all be safe. Jon was the first to show trust, as he removed Longclaw before taking a piece of bread, dipping it in the salt, and then eating it. The salt was not the usual salt he tasted in the southern part of the Wall. No, this was true salt, far bitter and more potent. He tried hard not to express the saltiness.

The Chieftains did the same, though they were not fazed by the salt. Nor was Melisandre as she took the bread and salt. Stannis and Ser Davos followed along. Stannis ordered Lord Overton to keep watch of the army and prisoners. Lord Overton nodded as he stayed where he was.

The Pale Woman nodded as she led them through the gates. There, they saw the wildlings maintaining the fort, restoring areas that had been neglected for centuries. Everyone acts like anyone from a castle or village, and their appearance is all that makes them different. The Pale Woman took them inside the castle and towards the Great Hall.

In the Great Hall, the torches were lit, providing more light. A long table in poor condition was in the center, and dozens of wildlings surrounded it. At the very end were the people that Hamish and Cedric described. He saw two young men with the same face, though their hair was red, yet with different styles. Twins. The center was a woman in a white fur cloak with a white wolf mask while a mane of dark red hair stuck out in braids.

Once the pale woman approached them, she stepped aside to introduce themselves.

"May I present to you Stannis Baratheon, the one true king of the Seven Kingdoms," Ser Davos started.

"And the warrior of light," Melisandre added.

The three who seemed to be in charge stared at them.

"Are you the one who they call Boudica?" Stannis asked.

"That I am," the woman answered.

"We have come as requested," Stannis said

Boudica stared at them, "You did not bring all of them."

Stannis stood his ground, "It is a precaution."

Boudica tilted her head, "Despite knowing our numbers are greater than yours."

Stannis's lips tighten to a thin line.

Jon stepped forward, "Boudica, we come in good faith."

She looked at him through the mask. Jon could make out her green eyes. Something about them was sharp and open. He knew they were on their grounds now. The Wildlings had managed to trick everyone, using Castle Black as a distraction to make it through the Shadow Tower. Although something did not make sense, they had crossed the Wall, yet they were not pillaging or storming the North to make it their own—not like the groups of men Mance had instructed.

Instead, they took refuge in the Shadow Tower and claimed the Nightfort.

"Good faith means keeping to the agreement, yet I do not see Tormund Giantsbain or Imogen the Wildling Huntress," Boudica noted.

"Again, a precaution if this was a trap." Stannis clarified.

"Brave and foolish," Boudica murmured.

"Why do you request our presence?" Melisandre asked calmly, sensing the irritation from Stannis.

Boudica stared at her, "You have sensed it from your shadow god of the creatures that lurk in the true north."

"The Lord of Light has told me so of the great war," Melisandre said, calm despite the insult to her savior.

"My people and the clans that have to follow hold no interest in your pursuit for the Chair of Iron or the Seven Kingdoms," Boudica explained. "Our mission is to survive and prepare for the second Long Night."

"You expect us to let you be and expect you don't attack the villages?" Stannis asked.

"I am aware of the abandoned villages that linger along the Walls," Boudica answered. "We will stay there, and those who have followed me will keep their promise."

"Or you can serve me, and I will pardon you all, and after I win back my claim, I will fight with you in the Great War." Stannis offered.

The Wildlings stared at them as if they heard something ridiculous and began to laugh. The laughter startled the birds and rodents that took refuge in the Great Hall, which scurried away since the noise bounced off the cobblestones. Jon watched, fearing the reaction from Stannis, as did Ser Davos. Mance Rayder refused to bend with sarcasm that Stannis let it slide but had many laughs at the true King of the Iron Throne face in numbers.

"Silence," Boudica bellowed, and all went silent. She looked at Stannis, "Apologies, King Stannis, but as you Southerners call us Wildlings, we cannot be tamed."

Jon knew the Wildlings were stubborn and probably more persistent than any Northerner. But remembering what his father Ned Stark said, Baratheons share the same stubbornness as a Northerner. And witnessing how Stannis burned Mance alive, except for Jon making a mercy kill…

"You all must be tired from your long journey," Boudica announced. "Rest and think about your options."

The Pale Woman came over and led the group to their chambers. Jon looked over his shoulder and saw Fenrir walking over to his wife, taking her hands and resting his forehead against her wooden one.

.o0o.

It was difficult to come to terms with the wildlings over the next few days. Jon thought Stannis would not yield to Boudica's demands. But he knew Stannis was running out of time and wasting it on the Wildlings, so he gave the decision to Jon.

Jon was shocked by this, for he thought Stannis suggested it as a joke, but seeing that Stannis was not joking baffled him. He would have to make the tough decision of letting these Wildlings cross and stay in the North, where they agree to settle and not travel south or…deny them and risk death.

Seeing the options and knowing who the true enemy was, Jon knew he needed the numbers. Thousands upon thousands of Wildlings have crossed, including the giants and the animals who have been warged. Westeros will need all the help they can get. So, allowing the Wildlings who have crossed to stay and keep their word will be the risk he had to take…

However, he needed something to ensure they would not attack the villages, something to hold them accountable. Then he remembered how Boudica addressed Tormund and Imogen. No doubt, Boudica worries for her daughter like any mother. Seven Hells, the woman, restrained herself from sacking the North to get her husband and daughter back.

Jon had an idea and arranged a meeting with Boudica and the Chieftains.

The Pale Woman collected Jon and led him to the main hall where Boudica, her twin sons, and the Chieftains resigned.

"King Stannis will not be attending?" Boudica asked.

"He gave me the responsibility for…this," Jon answered.

The twins snorted at this.

"Ethan, Aiden, enough," Boudica scolded and reminded Jon of Catelyn Stark.

A shriek of an owl echoed in the room as a snowy owl swooped down. Jon immediately knew it was Frigg. The moment he saw the eyes being silver instead of gold, Imogen joined them. In front of him was the family. Fenrir, the father, and Boudica, the mother. And their three children, Imogen, Ethan, and Aiden. A family that has been tormented in a long war of survival made it across the Wall to avoid the White Walkers.

And Jon was about to tear this family apart.

"You were saying," Fenrir said.

Jon took a deep breath. "You and those who have crossed can stay in the abandoned villages. King Stannis has assigned me the responsibilities."

Boudica nodded as her mask bobbed.

"However, to ensure that none of the Free Folk attacks, I will hold those at Castle Black as my prisoners," Jon added.

Many of the Chieftains argued, but none dared lift a blade in front of Boudica.

"Your daughter will be my ward until I see fit," Jon added.

"Ward?" one of the twins asked.

Jon must remember that certain words were separate from the Free Folks' vocabulary. He deeply breathed, "She will be under my care."

The chieftains were about to argue until Boudica raised her hand to silence them. The men obeyed while the woman in charge spoke in the old language with Fenrir. The two discussed it as Imogen turned around to stare at them.

Jon felt many eyes on him and sensed one filled with hate. He looked at the window where Orell's eagle glared at him. One that promised death, the same as Orell in human form. Jon knew it was a risk he had to take to ensure that the Free Folk cooperated in the North and did not attack the villages. They are about survival and preparing for the Great War. If the Chieftains agree to this, and he keeps some under his watch, hopefully, all will go well.

There are some tribes Jon doesn't trust, especially the Thenns.

But it is a risk he would have to take.

"Very well," Boudica said, catching Jon's attention.

She removed her wolf mask and exposed her face. Jon could see a woman with a weather-worn face that was windburn and pale at the same time. Black paint or charcoal was smeared across her eyes, blending into her skin yet making her green eyes vibrant. She had the same substance but blue on her chin, while white created a symbol on her forehead. But what stood out the most was that she looked like Imogen. The Wildling Huntress received her mother's look while getting her father's coloring.

"Thank you," Jon sighed in relief.

"But mark my word," Boudica warned. "If my daughter is injured once more by you Crows or dies under your watch, I will destroy every village that lingers along the Wall."

Jon inhales sharply, "You have my word."

And Jon realized he had made a mistake.


Sorry for the Short Chapter. I know it is not perfect, and I've been struggling with this chapter plot for months, maybe a year, and I was like, get over it and get to the next chapter. So, apologies.

Thanks for reading, and please leave a review.

Updated!