Chapter 75: Return to Castle Black
It took Saelen and Mag fifteen days to reach the Shadow Tower. After resting there for a night, Saelen borrowed a fast horse from Qhorin Halfhand the next morning, and the two of them set out for Castle Black.
Since Mag couldn't ride, their pace was slow. Most of the time, Saelen walked alongside him, while the horse carried their food and water. Following the Wall, they traveled for another twenty-five days before finally arriving at Castle Black.
What greeted them was a sea of tents. Tens of thousands of free folk were crowded outside the fortress.
Saelen and Mag soon found Tormund.
Inside a large tent, Tormund, Styr, and several other leaders were in the middle of a discussion. When Tormund saw Saelen, he immediately stood up and embraced him.
"I knew you'd make it."
"Saelen, it was thanks to your warning—and you personally leading the rearguard—that the others had enough time to escape."
Styr stepped forward as well. "Saelen, you saved me and my people. You have earned the respect of the Thenn. From now on, your cause is ours."
"That's right. Your matters are our matters," the other leaders added, their expressions filled with respect.
Saelen nodded to each of them in turn. "It's enough that you made it here safely."
He then turned to Tormund. "When did you arrive?"
"Only about two days before you," Tormund replied. "Jon is inside Castle Black negotiating the terms for letting us through. For now, we've had to set up camp and wait."
Saelen's expression grew serious. "What about the losses during the attack?"
Tormund's smile faded, his face turning heavy. "That night, we held off most of the wights, but some still broke through and chased after the fleeing groups. Many were killed."
"We had to abandon most of our food and supplies during the escape. Along the way, more died—frozen or starved. By the time we got here, only around thirty thousand remained. Most of the elderly and the wounded didn't make it."
The other leaders' expressions darkened as well. The journey had cost them dearly.
Nearly twenty thousand free folk had been lost.
The losses were devastating.
Saelen couldn't help but wonder how Mance Rayder's group had fared. The Night King would not have spared them either.
After offering a few words of comfort, Saelen led them toward Castle Black.
Along the way, long lines of free folk were being processed and allowed through the Wall. On both sides of the road stood the black-clad brothers of the Night's Watch. Most watched cautiously, their expressions guarded, while a few stared at the free folk with undisguised hatred.
An uneasy silence hung in the air.
Jon received the news and hurried out, with Ygritte following behind him—and beside her trotted a pure white wolf pup.
"Saelen, it's good to see you're alright."
After the two embraced, Saelen asked, "Jon, how are things progressing?"
"Everything is going according to plan," Jon replied. "Once all the free folk are brought through the Wall, you'll need to take them to your lands and settle them."
"No problem. I'll handle the rest," Saelen nodded, then turned his attention to the white wolf. "This is… a direwolf?"
"Yes," Jon said, his expression lighting up. "A direwolf."
"It's called Ghost. I named it." As he spoke, his excitement was obvious. Hearing its name, Ghost tilted its head and looked at him curiously.
"Where did it come from?" Saelen asked, puzzled. By all logic, the original timeline had already been disrupted—Jon shouldn't have encountered a direwolf like this.
"Father and Robb found them in the Gift," Jon explained. "Ghost has five siblings. Father brought the others back to Winterfell."
There was unmistakable happiness in his voice. Despite being a bastard, his father hadn't forgotten him—before leaving, he had made sure Jon received one of the pups.
Saelen, however, caught the key detail. "Brought back to Winterfell? Lord Eddard has returned?"
"Yes," Jon nodded. "A lot has happened recently. First, Hand of the King Jon Arryn died unexpectedly. Then King Robert came to Winterfell with most of the royal court. Father had no choice but to return with Robb."
"About a month ago, Father accepted the king's invitation and went south to King's Landing to serve as Hand. He had persuaded King Robert to visit the Wall, but in the end, Queen Cersei strongly opposed it. The king gave up the idea and returned south in anger, and Father went with him."
Jon sighed, clearly disappointed. He had nearly had the chance to see the legendary hero who had slain Rhaegar Targaryen at the Trident with a single blow.
Saelen, however, was deeply shaken. He had only been gone beyond the Wall for two or three months, yet so much had happened. He had thought he had altered the course of events, but now it seemed that what was meant to happen would still happen.
Was this fate?
Even with him as a variable, could the tragedy of House Stark still not be avoided?
"How many men did Lord Eddard take with him?" Saelen asked after a moment of thought.
"I'm not sure of the exact number," Jon said. "Robb's letter only mentioned that Father took Arya, Sansa, Jory, and about fifty Winterfell guards. There may have been more, but I don't know."
"Oh, right," Jon suddenly added, "the letter also said Sansa is now betrothed to Joffrey. When they marry, we'll have to call her Your Grace."
His expression darkened as he spoke.
"Saelen… Robb also wrote that Bran… something happened to him."
Saelen already knew what must have occurred, but he still asked, "What happened to Bran?"
"He fell while climbing the walls," Jon said quietly. "He's still unconscious. Maester Luwin says he may never walk again."
Jon looked at Saelen earnestly. "Once we finish arranging things here, let's go back to Winterfell and visit Bran."
When he first heard the news, Jon had wanted to return immediately. But he couldn't forget the cold, cutting gaze of Lady Catelyn. With Lord Eddard gone south, she now ruled Winterfell. Aside from Robb, no one there would welcome him.
There was no place for him there anymore.
Recently, he had even considered joining the Night's Watch outright—but he hesitated. He couldn't bring himself to leave Ygritte behind.
Now that Saelen had returned, if he could persuade him to go along, perhaps things would be easier.
Saelen understood Jon's thoughts but didn't expose them. He simply nodded.
"Alright. Once I've settled matters here, we'll go back to Winterfell together and see Bran."
He had planned to return anyway. Going together changed nothing.
"Oh—right," Jon suddenly slapped his forehead. "I got so caught up talking that I forgot. The Old Bear is waiting in the hall."
"He has something to discuss with you. Let's go."
Saelen nodded and followed Jon toward the council chamber.