Chapter 14 – The Gift

8th month of 273 week 3- day 4

Brandon was weary. The large Caravan of smallfolk was slow, but they had managed to get as many as they could onto wagons, provided by lords of the north, which, had assisted a bit. Each keep they arrived at, supplemented their food and supplies, and when they had passed Last Hearth, Lord Umber himself had joined their cavalcade and the smallfolk had been provided with shoes and warm clothes where needed.

They were 2 days from Queenscrown now, having crossed into the New Gift that afternoon. He slid from his horse as his men and the Umber men set up camp and assisted the smallfolk.

Brandon did as his father instructed, every evening once camp was made and food had been dispensed, he walked through the smallfolk with Rodrick and Vayon taking names and professions, and asking questions around the smallfolk's needs.

He had several pregnant women and the Maesters from Last Hearth and Cerwyn had been a great help. Ravens had flown between their host and Queenscrown, updating each other on the progress. His father had arrived a week before, on the heels of the first group from White Harbour. The first, it was said of 5. He knew since then, another 3 had arrived. Which meant there was still a group either ahead of them or behind them. He had just under ten thousand here, and they barely walked 3 miles a day.

He wondered how many the North would eventually claim. How many more would be sent north by that King in the south? How many would the first winter claim? It was still summer but north of the neck it was always colder. Already he had heard complaints about the cold, but they were often stilled when the highborn were around.

He paused now by one of the large fires where a group sat silent, hands stretched out to the warmth. He knew from Ravens, that there was a massive Tent city set up, and long trenches of fire pits for warmth. As well as trenches for other aspects of human habitation.

Bending down he calmly checked faces. They were tired as well, he could see. And he had already spoken with the majority here. The bakers were among this group. And they wanted to know if they will have the ability to ply their trade. He had assured them that it would happen, and his father, had told him that wheat had already been stockpiled for the Smallfolk and a flour mill was being constructed as there had been a number of builders and the like in the first few groups.

Later, as the stars burned bright in the sky, Brandon retreated to the small tent he shared with Vayon and Rodrick. No large showy tent, it had been decided by him and his father. These people were being shunted from their homes, and sent north. Sent into the unknown by a mad king. He had muttered curses about that for days. He collapsed onto his bedroll and noted his two friends were already snoring. But then, they had not been expected to deal with Lord Umber. His eyes closed and he fell asleep almost instantly. He needed to, they would break camp and walk at dawn.

He didn't know what woke him, hours later, before dawn. He didn't know why he rose from his blankets and dressed against the chill or then with sword sheathed at his side, he had left the relative warmth of his tent and moved outside their camp. A guard had fallen in behind the 11 name day old boy.

He walked almost as if pulled in a direction. And as he entered a small clearing, he froze. The guard behind him also froze. There in the circle of the half-moon's light, was a beast not seen south of the wall in generations. A dire-wolf… no two dire-wolves. There was a second, laying just behind the first.

Neither Wolf seemed to be at all threatened by the sight of the boy and the tall man behind him. The guard went to draw his sword but Brandon stayed it with a hand. "No." He said. "They will not come to any harm."

Stepping forward, he moved towards the two wolves. They were the living embodiment of his house's Sigel. He would not have them killed, he would not slaughter the House of Stark's emblem. It would be bad luck.

Instead he stood there watching them. The first wolf stood up and padded towards Brandon slowly. Brandon stood stock still as the wolf sniffed him. He was taller than Brandon was, standing about the size of a small horse. Behind the wolf, the second stood, and followed the leader in sniffing Brandon.

Then the first sank down on its haunches, and stared at Brandon, as its tongue lolled out. The second, smaller than the first, was the female, Brandon noted, and she, padded around him and then lay down at his feet.

Slowly, Brandon reached out his hand and touched her light grey fur. It was soft to the touch and warm. A smile crossed his lips, even as the guard stared. This was a sign. A sign that the north was strong, and would be stronger still.

8th month of 273 week 3- day 6

The end was in sight. With Lord Umber at his side, Brandon rode to the front of the cavalcade and up to the small camp of Northern Lords beside the entrance to Queenscrown. The New Entrance to Queenscrown. Lord Byran had cleared a large space around the area he was using as a settlement. And had erected a wooden palisade and gate house. That said, it was not complete as the settlement was growing daily. But the southernmost entrance was well defined. As, Brandon could see, from atop his horse, were streets and the like.

Lord Byran kept a tidy settlement.

Dismounting, he watched as the Smallfolk filed into Queenscrown in a silent wave. Then handing his horse to a squire, he went to the tent at the centre of the camp. A guard was situated there and saw Lord Umber and Brandon coming. A brief conversation was had between the guard and someone inside the tent and they were permitted entry.

The interior of the tent was not what Brandon had expected. There was a low table and camp chairs around it. No bed or anything to denote that this was anything other than a meeting area. His father must sleep elsewhere. And his father, sat at the head of the table, with other lords of the North around him. Brandon and Lord Umber bowed respectfully.

"Ah good." Lord Rickard said calmly. "Be seated, we have much to discuss."

2 hours later, his father rode with Brandon away from Queenscrown to a small camp, Brandon had set up. Unsure as to why his son had begged for this, Rickard had followed his son and now they dismounted in a small grove of trees. Three tents were set up and Rodrick and Vayon were sitting around a small fire.

They stood when Rickard dismounted, bowed "Lord Stark"

He nodded. "Brandon?" he said to his son.

"This way father." Brandon led Rickard to one of the tents and stepped inside, holding the flap for his father.

Rickard stepped inside and stared.

There, on hay under the tent canvas lay the two Dire-wolves. Rickard looked at Brandon. "Brandon?"

"Our House's emblem father, Come south of the Wall. A mated pair I believe. They followed me for the past 2 days, probably longer, since we entered the Gift. They are friendly, the female has tried to sleep at my feet."

Rickard was about to speak when the male rose to his feet and padded over. His shoulder came to above Rickard's waist, the head to his chest. The wolf sniffed Rickard and then sank to lay at his feet.

Claimed. The thought flittered through Rickard's mind.

He looked at Brandon. "You have brought them to us my Son."

"Yes Father."

8th month of 273 week 4- day 2

Several days had passed since the Smallfolk walking from Kings Landing had all arrived. It was said that more were coming from the Lords in the Crownlands, and thus, Rodrick and Vayon had been dispatched back to the Moat to assist there. But Brandon had remained with his father, and their wolves, which had caused a stir in the camps, had remained by their sides. Mostly. They never attacked anyone in the Settlement or the camps around it. His father had chosen to name the male wolf, who was grey and black in colouring, Magnar, after the old names used for Lords of the North. Brandon, who had found that the female liked him, chose the name Myst for her grey colouring. The wolves were wild, for sure, and often were gone for hours out in the forest hunting. The hunters had been sent out as well to bring in meat and several of them reported seeing the wolves while hunting.

But now, with no more smallfolk currently in bound, his father, had gathered them together. The final count, was at 35,000.

As they gathered below a platform built up for Lord Stark, Brandon let his gaze sweep the group.

Lord Rickard stepped forth and let his gaze also take in the crowd.

"People!" he said loudly and the crowd hushed. "Your sending to us was not your choice, but you are welcome here. All men aged 15 to 45, will be assessed by men of the Nights Watch for suitability in the coming months. ALL Men regardless of being selected for the Nights Watch or not, unless they have a trade, will be trained in arms. Queenscrown is now your home. Lord Byran Bolton is Lord of Queenscrown, and he is responsible for your safety." He waved to Byran, and the 15 year old stepped forward, slightly in awe of what had just been announced. He would need a new coat of arms and words… but he shoved those thoughts down as he stood beside his liege lord.

"You are all of the North now! And we take care of our own. You will find the North a harsh place to live, it is true. But here is where you will thrive. You will be assisted, as will those who follow. Your families will always have a home in the North. We welcome you home."

There was a cheer from the smallfolk before them. Rickard then nodded and moved with Byran off the platform.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Byran gave some orders and his men scattered to make sure the training was under way.

"You have done well Byran" Rickard said.

"Thank you lord Stark.. and Thank you for Queenscrown.."

"You will definitely earn it. Make sure that the Watch is assisted in everyway possible. Help them rebuild their castles. And, I think its time we make the Watch a more friendly place for them."

"My Lord?"

"I have written to the Lord Commander. These men we are sending them. Will be there for a 5 year rotation. That means everyone from the Gift will only need to work on the wall as a member of the Watch for 5 years, they may stay and take vows after those 5 years, but, if it works like this, we will have strong fighters returning from the wall in 5 years with more supplementing the Watch consistently. And if we get more than the eighteen thousand they need, then, they will be able to do more rangings on the other side of the wall. That is what you will need to do. Maintain the training here and make sure they are supplied with men. After 5 years, those who return can be trained in other trades, marry and increase. And as they will be hardened after 5 years on that icy brick, they will be able to be called on if banners are ever called."

Byran nodded. "Aye My Lord. It will be done."

Rickard nodded. "I know." With that he and Brandon moved off, to meet with other lords.

Byran stood and let his gaze wander. Already he had an idea for his seat.

Authors Notes:

AN: I know the names are not original, but it is hard to find OG wolf names

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