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Lynn pushed open the feast hall's heavy oak door.
A wave of heat roasted meat grease, spilled ale, and sweat mixed with lute music and clamorous voicesâhit him.
The hall blazed like daylight.
Hundreds of tallow candles burned on antler chandeliers. Cast flickering light.
Hearth flames roared. Firelight made lords' alcohol-flushed faces look even more savage.
King Robert was thoroughly drunk. He embraced a plump serving girl. Slurred boasts about his youthful prowess at the Trident.
Queen Cersei watched coldly. Mouth curved in icy mockery.
Beside her sat Catelyn visibly unenthusiastic.
Lynn's gaze swept quickly through the crowd.
Soon, by a hearth on the hall's side, he found who he sought.
Ned Stark and Benjen Stark.
The brothers didn't join the revelry. Just stood in shadow. Spoke in low voices.
Ned's face showed undisguised weariness and worry.
And Benjenâthis First Ranger. Even in the warm hall, still radiated cold from the Wall.
Lynn walked straight through the noisy crowd.
"My lord." Lynn said softly.
Benjen turned. Those hawk-sharp eyes lingered on Lynn a moment.
"I was just telling Ned about you." Benjen's voice was gentle.
He turned to his brother. "Ned, this boy's no deserter."
Ned Stark was silent. Those gray eyes held complex emotions.
He looked at Lynn. Seemed to wait for an explanation.
"People at the Wall say he fled in fear." Benjen continued. Voice carrying the North's characteristic rasp.
"But I saw him fight wildlings with my own eyes." "He lay in the snow. Three wildling corpses beside him."
"Cowards can't do that."
Ned nodded. "Days ago, he fought bandits. Killed six alone. A fine warrior indeed."
Benjen's gaze turned to Ned.
"Ned." "This patrol in the Haunted Forest, I found something."
"Something... that shouldn't exist."
Even in this noisy feast, Benjen deliberately kept his voice very low.
"White Walkers."
Those two words made Ned's pupils contract sharply.
He looked at Lynn suddenly.
Lynn's prophecy. Benjen's testimony. In this momentâperfectly aligned.
No longer Lynn's ravings. But a warning from beyond the Wall.
Ned's breathing stopped for an instant.
He remembered that morning. Remembered placing that Valyrian greatsword called Ice against this young man's neck.
The cold blade had already broken skin. Just a bit more pressureâa head would roll in the snow.
He would've ended this crow who brought ominous prophecy. Just like executing other deserters.
But he'd hesitated. Now it seemedâthat hesitation saved this young man's life.
And possibly saved the entire North.
Ned's doubts finally vanished completely.
An indescribable emotion surged from his heart. Not simple trust. But relief.
Relief he hadn't been blinded by anger and prejudice. Relief he'd finally chosen to believe that one-in-ten-thousand possibility.
Ned's tense jawline slowly relaxed.
He looked at Lynn. In those gray eyes scrutiny and suspicion faded.
Only deep, almost approving complexity remained.
"The Night's Watch truly needs warriors like you." Ned finally spoke. Voice low and powerful.
"But the North needs you more now."
Those wordsâlike thunder exploding in Lynn's mind.
He was no longer a prisoner needing return to the Wall. No longer a deserter trading prophecy for survival.
Ned Stark's words gave him a new identity. One recognized by the Warden of the North. One of their ownâallowed to stay.
Benjen looked at his brother. "Ned, the Night's Watch has its rules..."
Ned understood Benjen's meaning. Didn't avoid it.
"I know this doesn't fit your rules." "If everyone who committed crimes could join the Watch, then abandon their oathsâthat makes the oath a joke. What rules would remain?"
"But Lynn has the Old Gods' prophecy. I need his help."
"Benjen, if what he says is true the North will face turmoil. This concerns the entire North's safety."
"If the North falls, who'll supply the Watch? Those southern lords?"
Benjen looked at Ned in surprise. First time seeing him like this.
His brother had always been rigidly upright. Months apartâhe'd changed considerably.
At least Benjen thought this was good. House Stark needed flexible minds. Not stubborn mules.
Indeedâmost Watch supplies came from House Stark. If the Starks fell, the Watch would fall too.
Prosperity and ruin bound together.
Benjen smiled and nodded. Didn't refuse.
"I'll explain to the Lord Commander." "You're my brother. And he understands the stakes. Commander Mormont will agree."
Ned hesitated. Spoke again. "If he can't leave the Watch, let him go south as a Night's Watchman. That wouldn't break his oath."
Benjen smiled. "I'll have Lynn leave the Watch first. If the Commander reacts badly, your plan's a fallback."
Ned relaxed. "Good. Let's do that."
Ned looked at Lynn again. As if waiting for a response.
"I understand, my lord." Lynn lowered his eyes. Hid the flash of light in them.
Benjen clapped Lynn's shoulder. Heavy force.
"Do well, boy." "Don't shame the Night's Watch."
Finished, Benjen drained his cup. "I don't belong at this feast. Tomorrow I'll talk to you about Jon."
"I'll be in the crypts."
Benjen nodded to Ned. Turned and left the feast.
By the hearthâonly Ned and Lynn remained.
Flames crackled. Cast their shadows on the stone wall behind.
"The King wants me to go south. To King's Landing. Take Jon Arryn's place."
Ned's voice tinged with weariness. Not asking for advice. Just stating a fact.
"You'll agree." Lynn said calmly.
Ned wasn't surprised. He looked at Lynn. Suddenly asked.
"You said before this is tragedy's beginning." "What else did you see?"
Lynn looked up. Met Ned's gaze.
He knew the real show was about to begin.
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