[Chapter Size: 3800 Words.]
---------------------------------------
Third Person POV
Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, 300 AC.
---------------------------------------
In the middle of the morning, while the members of the Night's Watch of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea were tending to their duties, carrying things from one side to another, and other rangers watched the walls of the small fortress, looking both to the south and to the sea, something interrupted everyone at that moment.
Bells began to ring at the top of the Wall, making all the heads in the castle turn upward, while some more distant points along the Wall were forced to direct their attention to the sea.
"What is happening?!", shouted a member of the Night's Watch, quickly approaching that side.
"Ships in sight! Many ships in sight!", they began to shout.
The men moved toward that side, hearing more and more the shouts and sounds of alarm.
When they arrived there, they understood.
On the sea below them, but in the northern area, a fleet that seemed to fill the entire horizon was advancing strongly to the south, flying the same banner.
The blue snowflake.
"That's it! Inform the commander!", they shouted, as some men ran outside.
After descending the entire Wall, they went on to pass the information, with more shouts of fear than anything else.
Denys Mallister, who was currently in command of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, heard everything; they were desperate.
This was not a simple delivery of resources that they had been receiving from Arctic, like in the last three moons.
"Stop! I warned that they would arrive in the coming days. The Lord Commander himself warned it, and I passed it on to you!", said the man to his subordinates.
"But there are thousands of ships! I've never seen so many ships!", said the men, clearly worried.
"This is not our problem to the point of despair. It has already been said that they had many ships. They are not our enemies, our order is to receive them. They will go to Castle Black after that, the Lord Commander is the one who will deal with them...", said the man, while the others still seemed somewhat lost.
No one said anything else, but the place was restless, and the men were tense.
The ships were arriving at the Wall. It was noticeable that, as they approached, the fleet split into two groups, while one of them advanced quickly toward the coast.
It was at that moment that the ships finally began to be seen by the castle, as the men of the Night's Watch let out a dry swallow upon seeing their number appearing — more and more, with no end in sight.
It was noted that the ships had only one detail, that they had small different banners on top of the mast. A large number, with the small blue banners, headed directly for the castle, advancing toward the dock.
"There are at least two hundred to three hundred ships coming here... is that right?", said someone from atop the Wall.
"Alright. Let them dock. We can do nothing against this, even if we wanted to, we cannot face anything coming from that number of ships...", said the commander, Denys Mallister.
The men began to stir throughout the place. There was concern, if not fear. Even though the reports said otherwise, they were still enemies of thousands of years — and now they had become an implacable force, capable of causing nightmares in anyone just with the thought of facing them.
One of the ships moved ahead and stopped directly at the castle's dock. This made Ser Denys move forward with his men to receive them, while the rest of the vessels spread along the coast.
When the ship stopped, some well-dressed men disembarked. Two of them wore the symbol of Arctic, but the youngest carried the symbol of the wolf — the symbol of the Starks. Everyone recognized it immediately.
'So... as had been said... Bran Stark has finally returned to the North to conquer it...'
The commander could not help but think about how the Seven Kingdoms were turned upside down. Wars were happening both in the south and in the north, and now the forces of the north marched against the south.
It had already been two moons since they had seen a huge number of ships sailing along the other side of the sea toward the south. There was a clear order: no bird should leave carrying news of those movements. With the maester imprisoned, it was easy to control the ravens of Castle Black. Not that this could last forever, but they were trying as much as possible to prevent information from reaching the south, something they should already know by now. Even so, they managed to gain perhaps a moon.
The Night's Watch had been receiving constant visits from the northern houses, wanting to understand what was happening. Approaching Benjen Stark and asking about the Arcticans, about their strength, and even seeking advice on how to act for or against them.
Some did not go to Castle Black — they preferred to come to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, knowing that Alliser Thorne had already shown, in some way, that he was loyal to Arctic. And knowing his past with the Targaryens, it seemed obvious.
The commander knew that letters demanding answers were arriving from King's Landing. But the Lord Commander already seemed to have taken a side, and it was not for Ser Denys to question his superior.
It was better to make enemies in the south than to face an enemy so close — and clearly far too dangerous.
It was preferable that the crown saw them as traitors than to be crushed by that fleet.
"You must be the commander here, correct?", asked one of the men who stepped off the ship.
This man seemed to be the leader, white-haired, elderly, but strangely healthy, purple eyes, eyes that he had only seen in royalty... He was a man who had joined the Watch around 260 After the Conquest. So in some tournaments, he could see the royal family.
But this elder seemed to have more, like a strange gleam in his eyes, as he observed and evaluated the fortress, as if he already knew it — although Ser Denys was certain he had never seen him before.
"Yes... that is correct, I am Ser Denys Mallister, lord....?", Ser Denys asked for the name, as commander of the fortress wanting to know an important name with some doubt, and Brynden ended up opening a small smile.
"Brynden Rivers... you must know me as the Nine Hundred and Ninety-Fourth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch", said the man, shaking his hand.
The place fell silent upon hearing that... All the members of the Night's Watch who were with Ser Denys widened their eyes.
The commander choked, as did several men around who heard that.
"You... you are the Bloodraven?", said someone, incredulous.
Obviously, the Night's Watch had its own stories, and everyone who had been part of it for more than a week knew them. It was impossible to forget that name — the bastard of Aegon IV, legitimized before the king's death, just like his brothers, famous bastards legitimized by their father, a terrible king, and one of them started the chaos of the multiple Blackfyre Rebellions.
Brynden Rivers was famous for having fought alongside the king, his legitimate brother, and for serving as Hand. Not to mention that it was one of Brynden Rivers' archers, with him as one of the commanders, who killed Daemon Blackfyre with an arrow at the Battle of the Redgrass Field.
That man was a legend.
And now, before them, he still carried Valyrian traits — purple eyes — although it was unclear whether his hair was the typical silver, or perhaps something changed by age.
"I know you have questions. That is normal. King Jon found me eleven years ago. He helped me survive, and since then I have been helping in the realm beyond the Wall under his command. And I am still in his service to make Lord Stark the true lord of the North", he announced.
As he spoke, the young man beside him stepped forward. This made everyone shift their gaze from Brynden to the Stark boy.
"Yes...", replied the commander, not taking his eyes off the boy in surprise, especially directing his gaze to his leg.
Everyone knew that Bran Stark had been left paraplegic. That news had spread quickly throughout the North like wildfire, even reaching the Night's Watch.
Any information that broke the monotony of the Watch spread quickly — from Castle Black to the most distant strongholds.
"I am Bran Stark, of Winterfell. I understand your questions... but my cousin healed me.", said Bran, in a cheerful tone.
He did not stop looking at Brynden, who watched him closely, as if evaluating his progress — preparing him to become someone important, both for Arctic and for the North.
"Of course, my lord", replied Ser Denys, still trying to process everything.
"We will not stay long", Brynden interrupted. "We intend to march to Castle Black as quickly as possible."
It would be two days of marching, but they would arrive soon.
"Alright", said the commander. There was not much to be done. Those men would leave anyway.
Ser Denys did not fail to look at the third man there, his eyes widened as he recognized him! He had not paid attention before, but now...
"Mance Rayder!" shouted Ser Denys with fury.
"Control your voice, Ser. Mance is no longer part of the Night's Watch." Brynden said in a tone that made it clear Ser Denys should not try anything, for Arctic would act.
Ser Denys stared at Mance with fury, who did not look away, meeting the man's gaze without fear.
Ser Denys was one of the reasons Mance left the Watch, because when he had nearly died beyond the Wall and a wildling saved him, Ser Denys had ordered Mance to burn a garment that the wildling had mended for him.
How could he not have resentment at that moment?
"It has been a long time, Ser Denys... But now I am no longer a member of the Night's Watch, I hope you understand that." That was all Mance said. Brynden asked Mance to follow him, and they left Ser Denys behind, nervous but unable to stop them.
Meanwhile, the ships began to unload. Giants, dwarves, and men disembarked, while they prepared piles of logs and closed crates that were also brought down.
"Why so much wood, my lord, if I may ask?", Ser Denys asked.
"You must already know about the large number of slaves from the Iron Islands, correct?", Brynden said.
As the man nodded, he continued: "By the king's order, we must build a city in the Gift, where we will house many people. This is only a part. Another shipment will come later, with builders."
The men exchanged glances, somewhat stunned, but there was not much to say.
During the rest of the day, until mid-afternoon, around twenty thousand men disembarked from the ships. As they unloaded, the vessels began to return to the sea, joining the great fleet that waited.
It was a slow process, but by mid-afternoon they finally finished.
When the ships began to depart to the south, the men of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea simply watched in silence.
Soon, the army began to march. All the men had horses, while the dwarves rode smaller creatures, but ones that still looked like steeds due to their musculature.
Bran did not stop watching the ships moving away in the distance, until they disappeared on the horizon. He knew the true war was in the south, where his sister would be fighting alongside Jon, and now this reinforcement was about to help them.
Now, he needed to do his part in the north.
And so they continued, camping when they could no longer advance, and moving on over the next two days, until Castle Black finally appeared before them.
Bran was impressed by the army's logistics — how they managed to set up and dismantle camps quickly to move on the next day.
Summer ran ahead, while another giant wolf in the distance met him along the way. There was his uncle, riding to receive them.
A smile appeared on Bran's face. "Uncle Benjen", he said.
"It has only been three moons, nephew. How have you been?", Benjen asked, looking at Bran's legs, now firm atop the horse.
Bran nodded, with Brynden giving a signal that he could approach his uncle. He dismounted with ease, stepping onto the ground and walking toward him.
With a bit of embarrassment, he opened his arms. Benjen dismounted and went to him, impressed.
"Well... as you can see... I can walk again", he said.
When Benjen had left Arctic, Jon was still thinking about how he could heal his cousin.
Benjen smiled, stepping forward to embrace him.
"It is good to see you again, Bran. You are representing the Starks well. Your father would be very proud of you", he said without hesitation.
"Thank you, uncle. I miss him... I know Jon and Arya are avenging us in the south, and I will do my part here!", said Bran.
Benjen nodded, satisfied to see that. "Very good, Bran... very good. Those damned Boltons will soon get what they deserve", he said, in a firm tone.
Bran nodded, agreeing with his uncle, while relaxing a little.
They proceeded to the castle after Benjen also greeted Brynden and raised an eyebrow upon seeing Mance, but still greeted him. He knew the Night's Watch would not look kindly upon that, and wasn't Brynden also someone who, in their view, had merely broken his vows? Of course both would be despised, but the situation now was different.
In any case, that had already been reported to the current Lord Commander about their identities as soon as they returned.
Castle Black was seen on the horizon a few hours later, and they continued there.
They entered the castle moments later, while two members of the Kingsguard, assigned to protect Bran, accompanied him along with the ministers.
Alliser Thorne was waiting in the middle of the courtyard. His eyes held a clear gleam of disdain. There stood two men who had once sworn the vows of the Night's Watch. Both had already been mentioned in the letters sent from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, warning about the arrival of the Arcticans, but Thorne had held back his reaction, his impulse to call them oathbreakers as soon as he saw them.
The times were different. As much as the Night's Watch should be independent from any king or lord, he could not deny that a command from the king of Arctic could free someone.
If those men were important to Arctic, he would simply have to swallow hard and accept that he had no power over them.
He could not hold it in!
"So two oathbreakers, one as a former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, although I do not understand how you could be alive fifty years after disappearing in the north, and the other, a former ranger, will be guiding young Lord Stark to conquer the north?", Thorne asked.
He could accept it. And just because he had to accept it did not mean he would refrain from mocking them.
"You should restrain yourself, Thorne. I was the Nine Hundred and Ninety-Fourth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Now I am one of the men who are part of the ruling circle of the kingdom of Arctic and we serve our king, someone I imagine has your loyalty as well. We are all important subjects to Jon Arctic, or Aegon Targaryen as you prefer.", Brynden replied, not caring about the sarcasm.
The other men watched, some with disdain for him as an oathbreaker in their view, others surprised by the other facts.
"And now you will help Lord Stark take Winterfell?" Thorne glanced slowly.
"Exactly", Brynden replied naturally.
Thorne clicked his tongue and turned his attention to Bran. "And you, Lord Stark... brought such a large army to fight against the Boltons and their allies?"
Twenty thousand men, all armed with weapons and armor of Valyrian steel, was something shocking. Even if the entire North united against them, they would hardly be able to face them.
The rumors had already spread — about what happened on Bear Island. About the attack on Deepwood Motte, the aid with resources for the mountain clans, the extermination of ironborn camps, as well as the rescue of boats with northerners, heading to the Wall at that very moment, about the massacres, about animals slaughtering as if the Wolfswood had gone mad, hunting ironborn in a brutal manner. The most famous case was the square of Torrhen.
The entire North already knew how implacable Arctic's soldiers were.
Thorne knew this, even if only through rumors, and they expected to see what they would do in the Iron Islands. He knew that when the real news arrived, the North would tremble even more. There was no doubt that Balon would fall.
"Anyway... welcome to Castle Black", said Thorne, despite everything.
"Thank you, Lord Commander", replied Bran, trying to speak like a lord.
Alliser studied him for a moment and nodded. He knew who Bran was — the king's cousin.
And he had already decided that he would follow his orders.
"Well, you should have everyone camp outside the walls. We have much to discuss", Brynden said to one of his subordinates to handle the twenty thousand soldiers outside the castle, while turning his attention back to Alliser Thorne, speaking with Bran.
"Your uncle can better explain what is happening in the north, Lord Stark. But let us proceed. There are many letters you will be interested in reading", he said.
And so they moved inside, while the crowd began to disperse, although there were still murmurs and questions in the air.
In the great hall, spacious enough to gather a group of five people, a table covered with several letters and documents was shown.
"Here are all the messages we have received over the last four moons. I can say that Benjen's return has already caused a certain chaos, both in the North and for the crown. Everyone wants to know what happened over the last year beyond the Wall...", said Thorne, pointing to the scrolls.
Brynden stepped closer, reading some.
The lords of the North wanted to understand what was happening. They wanted answers about Arctic, whether the kingdom still existed, whether there had been a real war there, who they were fighting — and whether they had won. Questions about the Long Night were constant.
The crown, on the other hand, wanted more: it demanded numbers, wanted to know the power and strength of Arctic. And when it did not receive answers, it threatened the Night's Watch.
Brynden let out a soft sigh, almost like an ironic smile, before looking at Thorne.
"Do you think we fear the crown?", he asked.
"They are in the middle of the continent, and Arctic is two weeks away? And it feeds us, equips us, and keeps us alive." He continued, firmly:
Jon arranged for them to send clothes, drinks, weapons, and food every month. The Night's Watch had never been as well off as it was now.
There was vodka to warm their bodies, proper clothing, new weapons. Even without direct enemies at the moment, they continued patrolling and preparing.
The food was better than ever — fresh fruits, freshly slaughtered meat placed inside runic ice crates that did not spoil, animals raised in abundance in the forests of Arctic.
They even received oil and light crystals, replacing the castle's torches. Each ranger now had one in their room, needing only to place it where sunlight struck to recharge.
So should they obey the crown's demands, which did nothing to help them... or deal with an ally that sustains them amid the chaos that Westeros is in?
Not even the North can send supplies to the Wall as before. The Iron Islands have invaded, there is political crisis, uncertainty... and the betrayal of the Boltons.
He shook his head. "It is obvious we would choose Arctic."
Mance also stepped closer. He was not as versed in politics as Brynden, but he understood enough.
He saw letters with threats from the crown... and from the lords of the North... even threats from many lords and the crown against the Night's Watch...
That said a lot about the state of the world now, they were desperate with Arctic remaining silent until now. They were nervous.
"There are indeed some fools...", said Brynden beside Mance, looking at the threatening letters.
"Here are Jon's letters, right?", Bran stepped closer.
He saw the letters sent about the castle's maester.
"If you want to know about him... the maester is rotting in the ice cells", replied Benjen to his nephew, who looked at him and nodded.
After that, Bran picked up the letters about what had happened in the south, as well as some instructions about the North. Jon had already specified everything directly to Arctic, but also asked Brynden to try to assist Bran as much as possible.
Despite Benjen having certain limitations with the politics of the North — since his experience was as a ranger and warrior of the Night's Watch — the Stark name still carried weight. He knew that.
Also in guiding some people on the ships that would come from the west, with survivors of the ironborn abuses, so that they could receive them.
There were also letters coming from the North, after Jon's warning messages about obeying the Starks, the northern lords were asking for information directly. Houses such as the Karstarks, the Glovers, and the Manderlys demanded answers.
"How is the North now?", Bran asked.
"The Boltons have finally arrived at Winterfell, Lord Stark", replied Thorne, with evident distaste.
Bran frowned.
"Do not worry... they have nowhere to run. It will only be a matter of time until we reclaim your home", said Brynden, seeming to read Bran's thoughts.
He nodded.
"Well... we will have much to discuss. The Boltons are not the only problem. There are crises throughout the North — people betraying their own blood for power, some seeking vengeance against other lords, others trying to maintain control, like the Boltons themselves, who still have the hostages..."
Brynden continued: "There are lords begging for us to rescue their relatives, but still bound by forced loyalty. And there is also the problem of the women left in Torrhen's Square and in the villages devastated by the ironborn. There is a large number of pregnant women at this moment..."
Bran listened to everything in silence, but looked with an unspoken question.
"Let's begin to work. We have much to plan — send letters, demand loyalty from all the North... and see who will answer", Brynden suggested.
He looked directly at Bran. "You yourself will begin to write these letters."
With those words, they began to deal with the future of the North.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
🦝 Raccoon here: 🦝
I deeply appreciate your support since the beginning of this exciting journey!
🌟 RaccoonLeague | Patreon🌟
Visit our Patreon for more: https://www.patreon.com/RaccoonLeague
Extra Content Already Available:
🏴☠️ One Piece - I Am a Different Luffy!: 30 extra chapters!
👑 Game of Thrones: The Legend of Jon Arctic!: 30 extra chapters!
👑 Game of Thrones: DragonBorn! 30 extra chapters!
👑 HOTD: Jon Arctic! 30 extra chapters!
🌀 Naruto - Minato Namikaze SI!: 30 extra chapters!
🗡️ The Witcher - As Uchiha Madara! 30 extra chapters!
⚡HP - Jon Arctic as Severus Snape! 30 extra chapters!
⚡ Harry Potter - Shadow Monarch! Finished! [100%]
⚡Danmachi – The Alchemist! [Coming Soon.]
Visit our Patreon for more!!
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆