Chapter 40: Black Brothers

As dawn broke over the skyline of Astapor on the day that Dany was to agree to buy 8,000 Unsullied warriors, Jon was simply in awe of the bright colours that glistened off of the statues of the city. He was back on the Balerion and so could see a large portion of the city. It was so different to the dawns of Winterfell, although Jon had to be honest and admit that he often missed those.

"It's different." Jory Cassel's voice sounded beside him. Jon smirked, knowing that Jory knew exactly what he was thinking about.

"Am I that obvious?" Jon asked.

Jory shook his head. "I miss it too." He looked out over the ship's rails. "I often ask myself why we are still here, why we aren't in Winterfell."

"Winterfell will always be my home." Jon commented. "And it likely will be again one day for you, but we are experiencing something that most Northman dare not to even dream about here. When you have children one day, you can tell them true stories about the Dothraki Sea, about Pentos and Lhazar. About Qarth and Astapor."

"It's hot and the people here are barbaric." Jory said bluntly, causing Jon to laugh. "I'm serious, the slave soldiers… how they are trained. It isn't right."

"No, it's not." Jon admitted. "But they are the finest soldiers in the world for a reason."

"And we are encouraging it." Jory sighed. "Why can't we find a ship to Westeros, Jon? We've been here enough, we've seen enough."

Jon knew that he couldn't, and he looked up by the wheel and saw Dany letting her dragons fly around her body. She had the brightest smile on her lips and her eyes shone in the morning sunlight. She was beautiful. "Because the mission is yet to be done." Jon admitted, catching Dany's eye and smiling up at her. "We're here to keep Daenerys alive until her dragons are big enough to help us in the great war. Without the dragons, we don't stand a chance."

Jory nodded. "As you say. I trust you, Jon. But I'm not comfortable with slave soldiers."

Jon smiled. "They won't be slaves for long, we just have to trust that Daenerys knows what she's doing."

The large group of recruits had been gathered in the Castle Black courtyard, and Jaime Lannister sat amongst his fellow former prisoners listening to Ser Alliser Thorne drone on. He was barely listening, even as the assignments were being given out. Many of the men were to be rangers as befit their skills at arms while a handful of others went to the builders or the stewards. It was only after the others disappeared to their respective orders that Jaime realised that he hadn't been chosen as anything. He stood up questioningly and walked over to Thorne. "What am I to be?"

Thorne looked at the Lannister coolly. "Dead, if I had my way." Thorne growled. Another man behind him cleared his throat and Thorne gritted his teeth. "You, Ser Jaime, are to be the new Master of Arms while I take up the role of acting Lord Commander while Lord Commander Mormont is away. You are to train these men to the best of your ability. Can you do that?" Jaime just nodded. "Good, now go and swear your vows, Kingslayer." Thorne snarled and walked away.

Jaime digested the information as he looked around at all of the men being given their assignments. He realised that they would take a while, so he walked quickly towards the empty sept of Castle Black. Spotting the Septon, he made his way over.

"Ser Jaime." Septon Cellador muttered, likely nursing yet another hangover. "Is it time?"

Jaime nodded. "I'm here to speak my vows." He said coldly, thinking on the whole host of vows he had sworn in his lifetime. That line of thinking brought Cersei back to mind however and he felt an ache in his heart.

Cellador nodded. "Very well, kneel before your chosen deity and say the words."

Jaime nodded and looked around. The statues weren't overly large, but they were still larger than your average man. He noticed the Father and Mother and suddenly felt self-conscious. The Smith looked odd, and he had never truly liked the Crone. He thought about kneeling before the warrior for a moment, but suddenly another statue caught his eye. He walked towards the Maiden and stared at her wooden face, carved incidentally to look so much like Myrcella. He sighed, and knelt, staring up into the face of the Maiden. "Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honour to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come."

As soon as he said the last words, he felt as if a huge weight had just been lifted. He wasn't Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer anymore, no matter what the others threw at him. He was Ser Jaime, Knight of the Night's Watch.

"You knelt as a man, a prisoner and a sinner." Cellador spoke. "Rise now as Ser Jaime, brother of the Night's Watch." Jaime did as he was bid and got to his feet. "Congratulations."

Jaime just nodded, not taking his eyes away from the statue of the Maiden. Silently, he made another vow. He would do better and ensure that his children could be proud of him. He would keep these vows, and one day he hoped the pair could see him in a good light.

Things were coming along nicely for the North. Ned was sat down in his solar looking over the latest reports from all of the building sites in his lands. Moat Cailin as always was coming along steadily, and Ser Wendel Manderly had reported that the Winter's Tower, the one for House Stark and the minor vassals surrounding Winterfell such as the Cerwyn's, the Hornwood's, the Tallhart's and many other minor Northern houses, would be completed within the month. Ned was pleased at the progress being made to sure up the southern borders.

His Northern borders were also more secure judging by the latest letter from Torrhen Karstark. The gold had arrived in good order and the foundations for the new castle that Ned had named 'Wolfswatch', a nod to both the Starks and the Night's Watch, had been laid in the Gift close to the King's Road and the boundaries for the walls had been marked. Nodding, he scribbled out a response saying that Rickon would foster at Karhold after the coming Long Night was won.

It was the West however that gave him the most headaches. Greyport was a self-functioning town for the moment, although with the Ironborn Rebellion happening no trade outside of the North had appeared as of yet. The castle, Shorestone, was also starting to be built in stone rather than the hasty wooden shelter that had been erected. Robett Glover in his letter had told Ned that Torrhen and his company had arrived and left again, while the Lord of Stony Shore also reminded Ned about the unannounced betrothal however, and that was what was playing on his mind. He scribbled out a response, confirming the betrothal was still in place and making an offer to foster his future son by law Gawen Glover at Winterfell. He had left the space where he named Gawen's future wife blank however, not sure on what he should put down. Sighing, he signed the letter and left it on his desk, rising out of his chair to take a walk around his castle.

As Ned entered the courtyard he greeted as many people as he could. He spoke with Farlen and his daughter about the kennels, as well as Harwin the stablemaster. He chuckled as Rickon and Robin Arryn raced around the courtyard being chased by Shaggydog, grateful to see that Robin looked like a new person compared to the cowering boy that he had bundled onto the ship Frostfang over a year before. He had filled out a bit more and was a lot more physically active than before.

"You two! Don't you want to learn?" He heard Arya's voice shout over the hustle of the workers. "Arthur is getting impatient!"

That was another development. His children's good relations with the Glenmore family of Rillwater Crossing had encouraged Ned to get the heir, Arthur, into Winterfell to garner better relationships with an important defensive castle on the Saltspear. The defiance of Cregan Glenmore had been key in the defence of the North, and Ned had seen to reward that by taking in the adult Arthur as his master archer, teaching boys both highborn and lowborn how to use the bow. Of course his best student had to be Ned's wilful daughter though, and she was proving more than capable with the bow. Ned walked over to where Arya was chastising the younger boys.

"If you don't train, you won't get good. And what's the point of being rubbish at something when you're both going to be important Lords one day?" She asked, hands on her hips. Ned was getting some serious flashbacks of Lyanna chastising Benjen as a youth and smiled softly.

"But the bow is boring!" Robin Arryn complained. "The Knights of the Vale fight on horseback! Not standing around from a distance."

Ned interjected then. "Have I told you about the Battle of the Trident?" He asked the boys. Rickon nodded, but Robin shook his head. "We faced a host that had greater numbers than our own, and your father, Lord Jon Arryn, he faced the fresh Dornish host. If it hadn't been for the archers of House Hunter, your own vassals, then I doubt the Vale would have won their battle so convincingly."

"I was taught that it was Ser Lyn that won the battle." Robin countered.

Ned nodded. "Ser Lyn Corbray was vital yes, but without the thinning of the host facing us from the various archers in our company, we would have likely been overwhelmed. Lord Arthur's father and his archer force was very important to us that day." Rickon looked inspired, while Robin just nodded his head. "The time will come for you to learn how to wield all weapons, but for now listen to Lord Arthur and try your best."

"Yes Lord Stark." Robin Arryn nodded. Rickon nodded to, before he pulled Robin away to run to the archery range.

"Arya, wait a moment." Ned said quickly, knowing he had to get this out of the way.

"Father?" She asked.

Ned thought how to begin, settling on. "You are enjoying the archery, aren't you?"

Her face beamed. "I am! It's so much better than sewing and singing!" She looked abashed for a moment as she realised what she said. "Although I am still trying in those lessons too…"

"I know." Ned appeased. "But your martial lessons, those are your favourites?"

Arya nodded. "Ser Rodrik has even let me start with a wooden sword with Rickon and Robin."

Ned knew that, he had told the Master at Arms to allow her into his lessons so that she learnt from a trained knight instead of self-teaching. "I sometimes wonder what I am going to do with you." He said softly. "Would that you would settle for a common marriage as your sister has and your mother wishes, but I know you too well for you to be happy with that."

Arya scrunched up her face. "I keep saying I don't want to marry. I can't be like Sansa."

"Good." Ned admitted, to Arya's shock. "I love your sister dearly, as I do you, and I wouldn't change her for the world. Just as I wouldn't change you." He told her pointedly. "If you are certain that you do not wish to marry over the next few years, then I will not force it on you."

Arya beamed. "Really?"

"Really." Ned nodded. "Although, you must show that this level of freedom I am granting you is appreciated by taking your lessons as seriously as you were expected to take your sewing and singing. If I hear a word about you not trying in any of your lessons, whether that be from Maester Luwin, Septa Mordane or Ser Rodrik, then your sword and bow lessons will be taken away, am I clear?"

Arya nodded eagerly, before she clattered into Ned for a hug. "Thank you!" She cried. "I swear on the Old Gods and the New, I will be good!"

Ned smiled softly. "Run along then, I believe Lord Arthur is expecting you." Arya nodded and ran off towards the archery range, leaving Ned convinced at what he had to do. He walked back through the castle to his solar and sat back down at his desk staring at the parchment to go to Shorestone. Nodding, he dipped his quill in ink and wrote down the name of his youngest daughter, Sara, confirming that the youngest red-haired Stark would be the one to marry into House Glover.

As day turned to night, Ned finally managed to retreat to his wife's chambers as he tended to do at nights. Cat hadn't returned yet, so Ned got undressed and changed into his nightwear. Once he was done he stared out of the window down at the courtyard, watching as the torches flickered. He didn't know how long he was stood there, but eventually the door opened and Cat entered.

"My Lord." She smiled.

"My Lady." Ned bowed his head.

Cat sat down at her dresser and began to undo her hair before she held the brush out for Ned to take. Chuckling lightly, Ned took the object and began slowly combing through his wife's hair. "Sara started drawing today." She commented.

Ned was surprised. "She's growing so fast." He noted. "I had to decide who is to wed Gawen Glover today."

Cat's lips pursed. "I presume this decision is part of the reason Arya was so excited about swordplay this evening." Ned just nodded, an action that Cat saw in the mirror. "She is a Lady, Ned…"

"Is she?" Ned raised an eyebrow. "I wish she were as much as you do, life would be easier." He sighed.

"We can't let her do as she pleases."

"We aren't." Ned insisted. "She is still to attend her lessons with the Septa, she is just… exploring other options too. I've half a mind to send her to Bear Island to foster with Maege, but not until the Wildling problem has been sorted if I do."

Cat sighed. "I tried, Ned. I tried to raise her a Lady."

Ned smiled and kissed his wife on the top of her head. "Some women just can't be taught. Lyanna was the same." He told her softly. "My Father tried to force her, and that decision led to the entire realm being torn in two. I would not do the same to Arya."

"She wouldn't…" Cat whispered.

Ned shrugged. "She is skilled, Cat. I would just hone those skills in an honourable way rather than… what she became in Torrhen's visions."

Cat shuddered. She stayed silent for a moment before she nodded. "Yes, I couldn't live with myself if that happened again."

"It won't." Ned smiled, still brushing through the red locks. "Things are already so different. Sara for one…"

"And Edmure has another child." Cat interrupted. "I found out earlier this afternoon. Axel has a little sister."

Ned grinned widely. "That's wonderful."

"Kathryn, he and Lady Melody called her." Catelyn said happily. "Father was thrilled in his letter."

Ned placed the brush down on the dresser and stepped backwards to allow Cat to get herself changed for bed. "He has grown up a lot, I noticed it while at Riverrun. He seems a new man."

Cat smiled, though her eyes were sad. "I just wish Lysa could still be with us."

Ned nodded sadly. "Her memory as well as Jon's is honoured in her son. Raising him like he is our own while never letting him forget their memory is how we honour them both."

Cat nodded, stepping out of her day dress. Ned smirked at her nakedness as if it were the first time she had willingly come to his bed. Cat rolled her eyes as she pulled on her nightdress and walked over to get into bed. Ned joined her and she curled up in his arms, running her foot gently along his shin. "I just hope Bran and Robb are alright. And Torrhen." She whispered.

Ned nodded. "I do too. But they are all old enough to make their own way now more or less, all we can do is pray for them."

"I feel old." Cat chuckled. "Robb is a man now, Torrhen near enough. Sansa is wed also…"

"You look as young and beautiful as you did on our wedding day." Ned reassured her. "Only I can appreciate that now as I couldn't then."

Cat snorted a laugh. "We were both so nervous."

"Aye, we were." Ned nodded. He lifted her chin up to kiss her lips softly. "No more."

Cat shook her head, lifting herself up to lie down on top of him. "No more." She repeated, kissing him deeper. Ned just let out a guttural moan into her mouth when she shifted her legs so she could reach behind her and into his trousers, and the pair lost themselves into the throes of passion that they had experienced with one another hundreds of times before.

Seeing Gilly again had shaken Sam momentarily. Seeing her smile again had almost made him weep. Craster's Keep was as depressing as the Tarly remembered, although this time of course there was no Jon to anger the incestuous host. Sam used that to his advantage, and he had begun to build a good relationship with many of Craster's wives, not just Gilly. Of course it was Gilly that he was the fondest of, and Gilly that he stole precious moments with.

As always though they had soon overstayed their welcome and Lord Commander Mormont had bid them to prepare to leave. As Sam was packing the ravens onto the cart he saw Gilly walking nearby and vowed that no matter what changed, he would always protect her. He walked over towards her, his frame still large but thinner than it had been thanks to his strictly adhered to exercise regimes. "Gilly!" He exclaimed in a whisper.

"Hello Sam." She said softly.

Sam looked at her and his heart ached. "I have something for you." He said quietly. "But you only must use it when you have no other choice." He pulled out a small vial of clear liquid.

Gilly eyed it cautiously. "What is it?" She asked.

Sam shook his head. "Don't ask me that. Just… just use it in his drink."

Gilly stepped back. "Poison? I can't…"

"Think of the baby." Sam whispered. "When we are gone put it in his drink. It will seem natural I swear it."

Gilly frowned, but she took the small vial and hid it in her clothing. "Why are you doing this?" She asked.

Sam smiled sadly. "Because I care about you, and while I cannot take you with me, I would not leave you here alone without something to aid you." He took her hand gently, making sure nobody else could see them. "When you use it and it works, go and find Mance Rayder. He will look after you all."

"He's to fight you." Gilly said quietly.

Sam shook his head. "Not for long, I promise."

Gilly eyed Sam carefully, before she leant in for a clumsy kiss. "Thank you." She whispered, before she took the basket of firewood back into the house.

Sam didn't let his smile show on his face until later that day when they were miles away from the house. He knew he couldn't be with Gilly this time, but he had had a lifetime with her before, and just knowing that they were still soulmates warmed him more than he would care to admit.