Chapter 25 - Final Preparations
By midday, the next morning, we saw the first signs of the Free Folk camp moving through the trees. Smoke trails, distant shouts, the clatter of carts and weapons. By the time they came close to Craster's Keep, I was already standing outside, waiting to welcome them. My head still felt a little heavy from the previous night, but that was my burden alone.
The first group to reach the clearing were the men of the Night's Watch. Lord Commander Jeor Mormont rode at the front, First Ranger Benjen Stark beside him, both looking tired but alert. Not far behind came Mance Rayder and the major leaders of the Free Folk. When they saw me standing there, relaxed and already settled, the shock on their faces was almost funny.
Lord Commander Mormont pulled his horse to a stop. "By the Old Gods," he said slowly, "how in the Seven Hells did you arrive before us? You travelled north. You rode ahead. You should be deep in the snow by now."
Benjen's eyes narrowed. "Aye. You left before us, and you went the opposite direction. Yet you're here. And not even winded."
Mance raised an eyebrow. "Well now. That's a surprise. Didn't expect to see you lounging around Craster's Keep like you've been here for days."
Munda, one of Mance's trusted women, barked a laugh. "Or did the crows carry you on their back?"
I smiled lightly. "I have my means," I said, which was true enough. "And there are some things that I will explain to you later. For now, let your people settle. There's plenty of space around the Keep."
They exchanged glances but didn't press further. Whatever guesses they had, none of them imagined the truth.
By evening, the Free Folk had set up their camps around Craster's Keep. Fires burned bright in the cold air. Children ran between tents. Warriors sharpened weapons. Some of the women from the Keep brought out food, though most of it was simple stew and bread that did not taste good but filled the stomach.
After our meal, the Lord Commander invited me into a small meeting. Inside what used to be Craster's main hall, we gathered around a rough wooden table. Jeor Mormont, Benjen Stark, Mance Rayder, Tormund Giantsbane, Styr of the Thenns, and a few other important voices sat with us.
When everyone was settled, I told them what I had to. I explained about the Children of the Forest. That how they had survived and they would live again near the heart trees.
There was a long, heavy silence before anyone spoke.
Jeor Mormont leaned back slowly, his face weathered and unreadable. "The Children of the Forest," he said quietly. "I have heard stories since I was a boy. But stories only."
Benjen Stark let out a breath he had been holding. "I knew the tales," he said, shaking his head, "but seeing them… that is something else." His voice carried real wonder.
Even Mance looked uneasy for a moment. "Free Folk sometimes whisper about the Children," he admitted. "Old sightings, shadows in the woods, strange lights in the snow. Nothing certain. But if you say they live… then they live."
I nodded. "They do. They trust the North more than anywhere else. That is why they will live in the godswood of Winterfell. Later, they will spread to other heart trees belonging to major Northern lords."
The room buzzed with energy. Excitement. Shock. Even fear.
Jeor Mormont rubbed his eyes. "This news alone could change everything. If the Children return… the great houses will want to know. The maesters will be driven mad with questions."
Benjen nodded. "And it gives us one more reason to keep the North united."
Mance actually laughed softly. "If the North can accept the Children of the Forest, then they can surely accept my people. This is the best news I've heard since leaving Hardhome."
I could see the weight lifting off him. The Free Folk had been worried, even if they didn't say it out loud. With the Children returning openly, they felt they might not be treated as enemies anymore.
When things calmed, I spoke again. "Tomorrow at dawn, I'll go toward the Wall with haste. After that, I have somewhere else to be."
The Lord Commander frowned. "Where will you go next?"
I looked him in the eye but didn't answer directly. "I've done everything I can to prepare the North. The preparations will take their time so I am not needed here. One task remains at the Wall. After that I will go where I'm needed."
They waited for more information but I did not give it. So the meeting ended with questions in the air.
The next morning, before the sun was fully up, Val and Leaf were already ready. They looked more awake than I felt. Val told me she had spoken to her sister and to her brother-in-law, Mance Rayder. She told them she would now travel with me wherever I went. Mance was against it at first, but Val said he accepted it after some talking.
Leaf also spoke with her people through trees or whatever other magic the Children used. She told them she would not return for a long time. The Children of the Forest told her not to worry.
They were in the best condition they had been in thousands of years. If they still could not survive now, then perhaps they deserved to go extinct, Leaf said, half joking but half serious. Their confidence freed her mind. She no longer felt guilty leaving them.
With our horses ready, we rode toward the Wall at full speed. The cold morning air cut our faces, but none of us slowed. By the time we saw the great ice wall rising from the earth, the sun was high.
Near the Wall stood the ancient weirwood tree, the same heart tree where the men of the Night's Watch took their vows. Leaf touched my arm and said softly, "Finish the initiation. It only takes a few moments."
I nodded. Because of our coupling, I had gained some of Leaf's powers. So, we walked together to the tree. I sat at the base, leaning against the roots. Leaf sat on one side, Val on the other. Slowly the roots curled around my hand and around Leaf's, warm despite the cold air. Leaf guided my mind, and slowly the visions and shadows of the past cane, small pieces of history. Nothing important yet, nothing more than what books already told, but it proved the truth that I could now see the past without pain or fear. The worry in my chest lightened. For now, this was enough.
After half an hour, we rose, brushed off the snow, and headed back to the Wall's main gate. The brothers on duty looked confused when they saw me.
"Where are the others? What is happening?" one asked.
I told them Lord Commander Mormont would arrive in a day or two with the Free Folk camp behind him. The size of the group made travel slow, so they should prepare. The men of the Night's Watch were alert, and a little frustrated.
They still did not fully trust that the Wildlings would not attack them, but since Lord Commander had given the order, and since I stood there assuring them, they relaxed a little. Many of them were even excited to see so many people, almost all the wildlings at once, especially knowing they would not have to fight them anymore.
Soon after, I went to Maester Aemon's room with Leaf and Val. Only the four of us were there. I slowly unwrapped Dark Sister, the Valyrian sword and handed it to him. The moment Aemon touched it, he recognized it.
"Dark Sister," he whispered. "You met him… you met my great uncle Brynden."
I nodded. "Yes. We spoke. He was already close to death. He passed peacefully after."
Maester Aemon's face fell with sadness. "Another of the dragon's blood… gone in the cold."
"I brought his body," I said. "But we need a place to cremate him."
Aemon asked me to follow. We walked to a quiet, isolated patch near the Wall. There, I laid Brynden Rivers' body on the ground. We gathered wood and built a funeral pyre. Aemon touched Brynden's face gently, remembering him. Then he confirmed the truth that Brynden Rivers had finally left the world.
Aemon lit the pyre. Flames rose, bright against the snow. The last of the Bloodraven was gone.
When the fire burned low, I turned to Aemon. "Maester… be steady. You will need to guide the wayward children soon. And the child now living in this land. They will need their only Targaryen relative to show them what a true Targaryen should be, not like the Mad King, not like others."
Aemon nodded slowly. "Then I will endure," he said. "For them."
End of Chapter 25 - Final Preparations