Editing Conflict beyond the Wall (section)

==The Half-Hand and the Fight at the Fist==
:{{Main|Fight at the Fist}}

After the Night's Watch encamp on the Fist, a debate ensues among the Watch's leadership as to what the best course of action is to deal with the wildling threat. Some, such as [[Thoren Smallwood]], advocate attacking the wildling host along its line of march. The argument is decided to be the best course of action by the lord commander, who proceeds to convince his men to the plan. It proves useless as the following night the group is attacked by a force of [[wights]]. The Watch has some initial success with flaming arrows and spear walls, but the massive waves of wights overcome the Watch's defenses. Realizing that his position is untenable and remaining on the Fist would result in the overrunning and ultimate destruction of his forces, Lord Commander Mormont orders the Brothers to attempt a breakout of their encircled position. Once mounted, the Brothers form a wedge and managed to fight their way off the Fist. 

Mormont's savaged forces manage to make a long march through the snow-covered wilderness to [[Craster's Keep]], a wildling estate known to the Brothers to be friendly to the Watch. The Watch is harried and harassed all through the night as they make their retreat, and by the time that they reach Craster's Keep less than one hundred Brothers remain of the original force. It is here, desperate and angry at their situation, that a group of Brothers rebeld and murder not only [[Craster]] but Lord Commander Mormont as well. A small group of loyalists manage to escape the [[mutiny at Craster's Keep]] and make their way back to the [[Wall]], bringing news of the disastrous expedition's fate.