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Chapter 209
🕑 Added 2025-01-28 22:52:13 +0000 UTCAs the towering silhouette of Winterfell came into view, Aegor let out a long breath of relief. Finally, they had arrived.
The journey to return the âlittle she-wolfâ home had been unusually smoothâat least for most of the group. They encountered no hostile lords blocking their way, no wildlings migrating south to escape the cold, no coastal pirates or brigands causing trouble, and not even a single day of bad weather. In under ten days, they had completed the trek from the Neck to Winterfell.
As the leader of the convoy, Aegor enjoyed all the privileges of command: riding a horse or traveling by cart during the march, and avoiding night watches. In theory, he had the most comfortable role in the group. In reality, however, the presence of Arya Stark turned him into the most exhausted member of the party. For the first two nights, Arya demanded he rub her stomach to help her sleep. When the pain woke her in the middle of the night, she unhesitatingly woke him up to continue. Even when her pain subsided on the third day, she still insisted on climbing into his bedroll, claiming it was âwarmer.â
After several nights of this routine, Aegor was not only sleep-deprived but also sore all over from awkward sleeping positions. He swore he could still detect a faint metallic scent of blood clinging to his clothes.
Troublesome as she was, today marked the end of his ordeal. Once he handed Arya over to her mother, he would finally be free from this nightmare.
...
As they approached the town surrounding Winterfell, the changes were apparent. With winter approaching, the once quiet settlement had become far busier compared to Aegorâs previous visits. Hill clans, freed from the burden of farming, had already arrived with their belongings, claiming the sturdiest stone houses to wait out the cold.
Winterfell was Aryaâs home, and there were plenty of people who might recognize her. To avoid unnecessary attention, Aegor had her wear a hood to conceal her face. Returning a Stark girl to her family might be a noble deed in the North, but it broke the Nightâs Watchâs vow of neutralityâsomething best kept quiet given how much of their operations depended on the South.
The convoy neared Winterfellâs gates, where the bustling streets grew even livelier. Stark guards in grey cloaks were running about, shouting orders, seemingly preparing for something urgent.
A familiar figure approached from the other direction, giving Aegor the chance to satisfy his curiosity. âSer Rodrik!â Aegor called out.
âAh, a brother of the Nightâs Watch? Good afternoon,â Ser Rodrik Cassel replied, though his tone was puzzled as he studied the convoy. âWinterfell welcomes you, though I must admit weâre short-staffed. Lord Stark and Robb took most of our men south, and even the household servants are few. Iâm afraid we wonât be able to accommodate so many guests.â
âNo matter,â Aegor replied. âWeâll rest in the winter town for the night and continue north tomorrow.â With the convoy containing dozens of Westerland soldiers in disguise, he had no intention of risking their entry into Winterfellâs defenseless halls. âWhatâs going on here? Why all the commotion?â
âAh, itâs that damned bastard of Roose Bolton,â Ser Rodrik growled, his frustration evident. âThe boy stormed Hornwood Castle, forced Lady Hornwood into marriage, and seized the castle for himself. White Harbor also covets the Hornwood lands and has sent knights north. Now Manderlyâs forces and the Bolton troops are fighting in the Hornwood forest, steel against steel. Disgraceful behaviorâitâs as though theyâve forgotten their liege lord. On Lord Starkâs orders, Iâm raising a force to put an end to this madness, but with Robb taking nearly all our men south, Iâve been forced to conscript from the winter town. The boyâs a madman.â
...
Aegor had already heard rumors about the Hornwood conflict from Robbâs soldiers. The story could be summed up in a single phrase: a bloody feud over inheritance.
The last male heir of House Hornwood had died without leaving children, and no clear successor could be identified. This had stirred up ambitions among neighbors and distant relatives, with the nearby Dreadfort and White Harbor being the most aggressive contenders.
With winter fast approaching, and wildlings and White Walkers threatening the realm, it was mind-boggling to Aegor that the Northern houses would engage in such petty infighting. It was a brutal reminder of the feudal systemâs chaos and the vital importance of clear inheritance in this savage world.
(Ramsay Snow, Roose Boltonâs bastardâof course, itâs him.) Aegor grimaced. Even though the story had deviated so much from the original timeline, the same villains seemed destined to emerge. Was it simply their nature, or was something else at work?
âA madman indeed,â Aegor agreed. âAnd madmen are better off dead.â An idea formed in his mind. âSer Rodrik, as the Nightâs Watch recruitment officer, I must state for the record that the Wall does not need people like him. The last thing we want is to watch our backs at night.â
âDonât worry. Even if you hadnât said it, I have no intention of letting him live,â Rodrik replied. He glanced briefly at Arya, who was sitting quietly on a horse beside Aegor, her hood pulled low. Not recognizing her after a year apart, he quickly looked away. âChief Logistician, you seem to have quite a few Northern soldiers in your convoy?â
âIndeed,â Aegor confirmed. âRobb assigned them to ensure Jaime Lannisterâs safe delivery to the Wall. Theyâll remain under my command until the threat of wildlings and White Walkers has passed.â
âIn that case,â Rodrik said hesitantly, âmight I borrow some of them for this campaign? Once weâve dealt with the Bolton bastard and retaken Hornwood, Iâll have them return to report to you.â
Aegor considered this for a moment. Northern soldiers were being asked to handle Northern affairs, and he had little reason to refuse. Besides, feeding and housing these men was costly, and reducing that burden was an appealing prospect. âVery well, Ser Rodrik. Pick the men you need. Once the matter is resolved, have them report to Crown Town.â
âThank you. I was worried about sending untrained recruits without veterans to lead them.â
âItâs no trouble,â Aegor replied diplomatically. âThe Nightâs Watch and the North are family, after all.â He took the opportunity to excuse himself. âNow, if youâll excuse me, I have business with Lady Stark. Iâll take my leave.â
...
Leaving most of the convoy in the winter town, Aegor brought Arya and a few trusted companions into Winterfell.
After formally meeting Catelyn Stark and delivering Arya to her, he advised her to keep the girlâs return quiet for now. With that task completed, one of Aegorâs major goals was finally achieved. Graciously accepting Lady Starkâs thanks and hospitality, Aegor wandered through Winterfell.
Compared to the intrigues and dangers of Kingâs Landing, the North was a welcome change. Here, nearly everyone within a hundred miles was either an ally, a subordinate, or a neutral bystander. The political landscape was clear, with no hidden threats or shadowy figures lurking around every corner. Breathing in the crisp Northern air, Aegor allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation.
But guilt gnawed at him. His newfound ease came at the cost of burdening Nina with the entirety of the Nightâs Watchâs southern operations. She was the one making money, while he spent it. Could she handle it all?
Lost in thought, Aegor was startled when two slim figures appeared in the courtyard, walking directly toward him. One was a slender young woman with long brown hair tied behind her back, her flat chest and boyish frame reminiscent of Arya. Despite her plain appearance, there was an elegance to her movements. The other was a boy of about thirteen or fourteen, dressed entirely in greenâeven his boots were dyed the same unfortunate shade.
âChief Logistician,â the young woman said as they approached, her green eyes locking onto Aegorâs with a friendly smile. âI am Meera Reed of Greywater Watch, and this is my brother, Jojen. He insisted on meeting you. Itâs an honor to finally make your acquaintance.â
Aegorâs brief sense of peace evaporated instantly.
