Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

The celebration feast continued, with Domeric Bolton singing songs, and the hall filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of goblets. Benjen Stark approached Eddard. He was tall and lean, with a long face, black hair, and gray eyes. As the First Ranger of the Night's Watch, he had seen much beyond the Wall. "Eddard, it's summer, yet Winter Town is packed with tens of thousands of people. What's going on? On our way south, Lord Commander Mormont and I encountered countless people heading toward Winter Town. Rumors are flying—some say you're gathering forces to deal with the Ironborn, others say you're planning to sweep beyond the Wall to deal with the wildlings, and some even claim the long summer is about to end." Eddard smiled. "I simply want to make the North prosperous and strong, so that when winter comes, our people can live better lives. That's all. How are things at the Wall?" Benjen sighed. "Same as always. Thieves, poachers, rapists, and scum are sent to the Wall, while fewer and fewer honorable men join the Night's Watch willingly. Mance Rayder's power grows stronger by the day. That man might actually try to assault the Wall." Jeor Mormont, the Old Bear, joined the conversation. "Lord Eddard, the Wall needs men. I've spoken with Ser Jory Cassel. He says Winter Town's population surge has led to a rise in crime. His guards have arrested some thieves and rapists—about twenty in total. Hand them over to me." With so many people flooding into Winter Town, a decline in order was inevitable. Thieves and bandits had infiltrated the crowds. Jory Cassel had already expanded the guard to 200 men, armed with daggers, clubs, and swords, patrolling Winter Town and the surrounding areas. They had arrested a number of criminals, and the situation was gradually stabilizing. The Night's Watch had always been a friend to Winterfell. They guarded the Wall, keeping the wildling hordes at bay. However, with their numbers dwindling, they struggled to deal with the constant wildling raids. Wildlings often scaled the Wall or sailed across the Bay of Seals to raid the lands of House Umber, House Wull, and House Karstark, burning and pillaging. "Take them," Eddard said, unable to refuse the Lord Commander's request. "But these men are scum. Won't they try to escape? Desertions from the Night's Watch are becoming more common." The Old Bear replied, "I'll keep them in line. Lord Eddard, these days, most of the men sent to the Wall are criminals. But even scum like them are better than nothing. I once dreamed of reclaiming the Gift, restoring its farms and villages. But it seems that dream is out of reach." Chief Wull, known as "Big Bucket," joined the conversation. "Mormont, wildlings often cross the Gift to raid our mountain clans. 'The Shield that Guards the Realms,' huh? Every time a large group of wildling raiders appears, it's House Umber and our mountain tribes who deal with them." The Gift was a stretch of land south of the Wall, donated to the Night's Watch by Winterfell during the reign of King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne. Once, its farms and taxes had supported the Night's Watch, but now, due to constant wildling raids, its farmers had fled south, leaving the land nearly deserted. Eddard said, "Lord Commander, perhaps Winterfell could take over the Gift. I'll send men to farm the land and help the Night's Watch." The Old Bear frowned. "Lord Eddard, the Gift was given to the Night's Watch by Winterfell, witnessed by the Targaryen king and queen, and the gods themselves." Eddard smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to take it back. The North has plenty of land waiting to be cultivated. What I propose is a joint effort. I'll send troops to establish military settlements centered around Queenscrown. The settlers will farm in peacetime and train during the off-season. If wildling raiders appear, they'll light signal fires and join the Night's Watch in hunting them down. The profits from these settlements will be shared with the Night's Watch." The Old Bear's expression softened. "That sounds like a good plan." After Mormont left, the mountain clan chiefs—Norrey, Flint, Liddle, and Wull—gathered around Eddard. Chief Liddle, a stout man clad in furs, spoke up. "Lord Eddard, what's really going on in Winter Town? Places like Barrowton, Karhold, and White Harbor have wealthy lords. Their people can survive winter without Winter Town. But for us mountain clans, it's different." "When winter comes, the mountains are buried in snow, and life becomes unbearable. Without Winter Town, we can only wait for death. Many elders in my tribe, fearing there'd be no room in Winter Town when winter comes, have already left their homes to settle here. But Winter Town is already overcrowded. Will you really turn us away when winter arrives?" Eddard grasped Liddle's hand. "Chief Liddle, remember this: the halls of Winterfell will always be open to the mountain clans!" The mountain chiefs cheered loudly. Chief Wull said, "Lord Eddard, over a hundred people from my tribe have settled in Winter Town. I'm relieved they've found a place. But with fewer people, we're more vulnerable to Ironborn raiders and wildling attacks." The Wull tribe lived in the mountains near the Bay of Ice. They faced threats from Ironborn pirates while fishing and from wildlings while herding, harboring deep hatred for both. Eddard said, "I've already discussed with Lord Commander Mormont about establishing military settlements in the Gift to deal with the wildlings. As for the Ironborn threat on the western coast, I have a plan." After the feast, servants cleared the tables and set up chairs for the meeting. Before it began, Eddard noticed Theon, Robb, and Jon speaking with Domeric Bolton in a corner of the hall. "Theon, Jory has been complaining about the lack of patrols in Winter Town. Go and help him," Eddard said, not wanting Theon to be present for discussions about the Ironborn, which might hurt his pride. Theon bowed and left, clearly displeased. Eddard sat on the direwolf throne, surveying his vassals. "I plan to establish a series of watchtowers along the western coast—at Bear Island, Deepwood Motte, the Rills, Flint's Finger, Cape Kraken, and Barrowton—and station troops there." This announcement caused an uproar among the lords. Lord Rodrik Ryswell of the Rills stroked his white beard, while Galbart and Robett Glover of Deepwood Motte exchanged glances. Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island cursed under her breath, and Lady Barbrey whispered to Roose Bolton. Robett Glover spoke up. "Lord Eddard, the Ironborn come from the sea. To defend against them, we should build ships. What use are watchtowers?" Eddard replied, "The Ironborn are a seafaring people. We only have fishing boats on the western coast and cannot yet match their longships. With troops stationed in watchtowers, Ironborn raiders will pay a price for their attacks." Lady Maege growled, "Lord Eddard, watchtowers and soldiers cost money. Who will pay for them? Bear Island is poor." Eddard said, "The lords where the watchtowers are built will cover half the cost, and the rest will be shared among the other lords." At this point, Eddard noticed Theon had returned and was standing with Robb, Domeric Bolton, and Jon Snow. Roose Bolton said softly, "This won't work, Lord Eddard. We should march on the Iron Islands and hold Balon Greyjoy accountable. Isn't he the leader of the Ironborn raiders? Destroy the nest of pirates, and peace will follow." Eddard frowned. "Roose, I am the Warden of the North, tasked by Robert with maintaining the King's Peace. If we march on the Iron Islands, we'll be the ones breaking that peace." Moreover, Eddard knew the Ironborn were formidable at sea. During Balon Greyjoy's rebellion, Robert had rallied the forces of the Riverlands, the Westerlands, the Stormlands, and the North, along with the royal fleet, to crush the Iron Fleet and force Balon to surrender his son as a hostage. If the North's "fleet of fishing boats" attacked the Iron Islands, even landing would be a challenge, let alone conquering them. Lady Barbrey's lips curled into a wolfish smile. "Lord Eddard, why are the Ironborn so bold? Because you're too soft-hearted. Your ward, Theon Greyjoy, is Balon's only surviving son. When the Ironborn raid the North, you should have killed Theon. Balon knows you won't harm a hostage, so he acts with impunity." Chief Wull agreed. "A hostage you can't harm is useless." Ser Harrion Karstark clenched his fist. "He should be killed." Lord Rickard Karstark shrugged. "We should have done it long ago." Eddard hadn't expected the meeting to take this turn. Theon, furious, was about to lash out when Robb and Domeric Bolton restrained him. Roose Bolton's soft voice cut through the chatter. "Actually, I quite like Theon. His father needs a warning, but killing the boy isn't necessary. I suggest sending Balon a piece of Theon's skin. If he's smart, he'll rein in his men." Theon stormed out, with Robb following him. Eddard sighed. "My lords, I'm disappointed to see you seriously discussing the murder of a young man. The Ironborn are hard to control. Every captain is a king on his ship. Balon Greyjoy rules the Iron Islands, but he can't control every pirate on every remote island. Killing Theon would achieve nothing. This discussion is over."

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