Difference between revisions of "A Clash of Kings-Chapter 6"

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[[Jon Snow|Jon]] finds [[Samwell Tarly|Sam]] in the library where he was supposed to find maps for Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]]’s ranging. Sam, who finds the library to be a great treasure trove, did not realize he had been there all night. Jon escorts him to the Lord Commander, who asks about the ravens. He then dismisses Sam and tells Jon about Maester [[Aemon]]’s history, and how they are both alike in being brother to a king.
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[[Jon Snow]] finds [[Samwell Tarly]] in the dark library cellar of [[Castle Black]], where Sam has found a number of maps for [[the great ranging]]. Out in the courtyard they watch the new recruits practicing and Jon talks with [[Donal Noye]]. After they present their maps, [[Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jeor Mormont]] discusses [[Maester Aemon]]’s past with Jon.
  
==Synopsis==
+
==Synopsis==  
[[Jon Snow|Jon]] searches for [[Samwell Tarly|Sam]] in the dark basement library of [[Castle Black]]. It is a treasure trove with thousands of ancient books and scrolls, including books that are not even in the [[Citadel]] and scrolls from [[Valyria]]; the library at [[Winterfell]] had more than a hundred. Sam has been gone for so long that [[Rast]] suggested he had deserted, but Jon did not think Sam had the courage. When he finds Sam by the light of his lamp, Sam is surprised that he has been there all night; it is impossible to know night from day in the library. Sam says he was sent by Maester [[Aemon]] to find maps for Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]], which he has found. He now excitedly shows Jon the accounts of a ranging from the [[Shadow Tower]] all the way to [[Lorn Point]] on the [[Frozen Shore]] by a ranger named [[Redwyn]]. They are undated, but mention [[Dorren Stark]] as King in the North and so must be from before the [[War of Conquest]]. Redwyn wrote that they had fought [[Giants]] beyond [[the Wall]], and even traded with the [[children of the forest]]. There are maps also. Jon suggests that Sam could write about this ranging, but he seems to ignore Jon, fearing the expedition. Sam states that it is hard to find things since everything is a jumble, and it would take years to organize the library.
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[[File:Amokajonsnow.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Jon Snow- by Amoka©]]
  
Jon starts leafing through a fragile book that contains inventories, and Sam tells him to be gentle; important books in the library have been copied half a hundred times. Jon asks who would care about an inventory, and Sam states he would, and that information about the watch could be found by studying one. Jon cannot understand how Sam can consider the library a treasure, as it is not gold or silver. Sam has also found a book about the language of the children and other works that even the [[Citadel]] doesn’t have. Jon tells Sam that the library will be here when they return, and Sam adds “if we return...
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[[Jon Snow|Jon]] calls out to [[Samwell Tarly]] amidst the ancient books and scrolls of [[Castle Black]]’s library. Jon wends his way down the narrow aisles toward the glow of Sam’s lamp to find the fat boy hunched over a table. When Jon asks if he has been there all night, Sam reveals that he lost all track of time in the windowless cellar. Jon calls Sam a sweet fool and reminds him that soon they will be sleeping on hard ground, not soft beds. Sam yawns and explains that [[Maester Aemon]] sent him to find maps for [[Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jeor Mormont|Mormont]], but he never thought there would be thousands of interesting documents to read. Jon is unimpressed by the books and asks if Sam found the maps.
  
Sam, as Maester Aemon’s steward, has to go on the ranging because the maester is too frail, and somebody has to care for the two cages of ravens. Meanwhile, [[Pyp]] and [[Toad]] want to go, but are being left behind. Jon adds that someone needs to keep [[Grenn]] humble, and tries to reassure Sam by telling him that Mormont is taking 200 men, and they will be met by 100 more from the [[Shadow Tower]] under the command of [[Qhorin Halfhand]]. Sam responds that Jon can write the messages and he can teach either Jon or Grenn to care for the birds, but Jon reminds him that he has duties as the Lord Commander’s steward.
+
Sam gestures toward a clutter of books and scrolls on the table and declares he has found at least a dozen. He shows Jon a faded parchment that marks the sites of many [[wildling]] villages. Then he excitedly shows Jon an account of a ranging to [[Lorn Point]] by a ranger named [[Redwyn]] from before the [[War of Conquest|Targaryen Conquest]] that mentions fighting with [[giant]]s and trading with the [[children of the forest]]. Meaning to sound encouraging, Jon suggests that Sam can write an account of their own [[the great ranging|great ranging]], but talk of what they are to face on the morrow makes Sam uncomfortable. He shuffles scrolls about and says there are more maps if he only had time to set the library in order, which will take years. Jon remarks that the Lord Commander wanted the maps a little sooner than that.  
  
They depart to bring the maps to the Lord Commander. Sam confides in Jon that he never felt safe in his father’s castle. Jon tells Sam that they are all afraid, and they should be with so many rangers disappearing in the past two years; what matters is how they face it. As they pass through the underground passages called the wormwalks, which are important in keeping Castle Black together during the winter, Jon thinks of the [[White raven]] that came to Maester Aemon with word of the end of summer. Jon saw the last winter, which was said to be short and mild, but he can feel that this one will be different. Once they reach the surface, they can see the morning sky with the red line that has been named “Mormont’s Torch” since it lights the way through the haunted forest. The comet is so bright it can be seen by day. The castle seems deserted with so many gone to the brothels of [[Mole's Town]]. [[Pyp]], [[Halder]] and [[Toad]] offered to buy Jon his first woman, but he is not interested, and Sam is frightened of whores. As they walk past the [[Faith of the Seven|Sept]] they hear singing, but the seven are not Jon's gods. They also pass Ser [[Endrew Tarth]] training the poor collection of new recruits brought by [[Conwy]]. They run into [[Donal Noye]] who tells them about the recruits, and then asks Jon if he has heard about [[Robb Stark|Robb]] being crowned. Jon has, and states he will make a good king. Noye is not so sure; he used to think that [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] would be a good king. He reveals that he forged Robert’s warhammer, and knew his brothers. He then tells them that Robert, who was like steel, changed when crowned, that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is brittle like iron, and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] is like copper, bright and shiny but not worth much. Jon asks himself what metal Robb would be, and then departs stating the Lord Commander is waiting for them.
+
When Jon picks up a scroll it crumbles in his hand. Sam explains that the most important documents were copied over when needed, and the oldest have likely been copied half a hundred times. Jon says there is no need to copy this one, which is only a list of goods. Sam seems fascinated, but Jon wonders who would care how much pickled cod men ate six hundred years ago. Sam insists that he would, since it can tell them how many men were in the [[Night’s Watch]], and how they lived, and what they ate. Jon responds that they ate food and lived as he and Sam do. Sam disagrees and claims that the vault is a treasure trove. Jon is dubious: to him treasure means gold, silver, and jewels. Sam has also found works even the [[Citadel]] does not have: drawings of [[weirwood]] faces, thousand year old counts of the seasons, scrolls from old [[Valyria]], and even a book about the language of the children of the forest.
  
When they arrive, the commander complains about how long it took them. [[Thoren Smallwood]], ignoring them, is demanding that Mormont stay at Castle Black, and insists he should be in command as First Ranger. Mormont dismisses him, telling him he already sent two rangings out and will not wait in Castle Black for news from the next ranging, and [[Benjen Stark]] is First Ranger until it is known for certain that he is dead. When Smallwood leaves, Mormont exclaims that he would prefer Jon as First Ranger and that Smallwood is wrong about his implication that he is not fit enough for a ranging.
+
Jon assures Sam the books will still be here when they return, but Sam replies, “If we return.” Jon tries to reassure Sam by pointing out that Mormont is taking 200 seasoned men (most of them rangers), and [[Qhorin Halfhand]] will join them with 100 more from the [[Shadow Tower]]. He insists Sam will be as safe as back at [[Horn Hill]], but Sam replies that he was never very safe there either.  
  
Mormont is not happy with how old the maps are, or their quantity. Sam explains that there were more, but the library is in disorder, and Jon states that although the villages may be wrong, the geography will be right. Mormont then asks about the ravens and Sam responds that Maester Aemon will be choosing the ravens that evening. Mormont states that he wants strong birds to ensure that if they die, his successor will know where and how. Sam is then dismissed.
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Jon thinks it a cruel joke that [[Pyp]] and [[Toad]] (who want to go) are to remain behind while Sam (the self-proclaimed coward) must go in Maester Aemon’s place to tend the two cages of ravens. Sam argues that Jon or [[Grenn]] could care for the ravens, and Jon can write messages as well as he can. Jon insists that he has his own duties as the Lord Commander’s steward. He reminds Sam that he said the vows, but Sam says that a brother of the Night’s Watch should not be so scared. Jon insists they are all scared, and they should be with so many rangers disappearing in the last two years, but what matters is how they face it. Then he offers to help gather up the maps and they depart the library.
  
When he leaves, Mormont asks, without wanting an answer, whether Sam is as big a fool as he seems. He then reveals that he was thinking of sending Sam, because of his father, to [[Renly Baratheon|King Renly]] to ask for support, but Ser Arnell would be better than a quaking fat boy. Ser Alliser should be reaching [[Joffrey Baratheon|King Joffrey]] soon but the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] have never supported the [[Night's Watch]]. Jon points out that they do have the twitching wright’s hand to show Joffrey, and Mormont states he would like another for Renly. Jon tells him that [[Dywen]] claims you can find anything beyond the Wall, and Mormont complains about Dywen claiming to have seen a 15’ tall bear on his last ranging. Then, he asks about Jon’s hand, which Jon says is good enough to wield a sword. He has been using an ointment and following instructions given to him by Maester Aemon; Mormont states that fortunately Aemon knows his stuff even though he is blind.
+
[[File:The wall and Castle Black by Feliche.jpg|thumb|330px|left|The Wall and Castle Black - by Feliche©]]
  
Mormont tells Jon Maester Aemon's story. He was the third son of [[Maekar I Targaryen]], who was himself the fourth son of King [[Daeron II]]. King Daeron, Maester Aemon’s grandfather, sent him to the Citadel when he was nine or ten and ninth or tenth in succession; the Maester is now more than 100 years old. The Crown Prince, [[Baelor Targaryen|Baelor]], died in a tourney mishap, and his two sons died in [[The Great Spring Sickness]] along with King Daeron, so the King’s second son [[Aerys I]] succeeded him. After King Aerys I died without issue, the crown passed to Maekar. King Maekar was killed in battle against an outlaw lord, and his two eldest sons, [[Daeron Targaryen|Daeron]] and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], were already dead.  
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The vault opens onto one of the underground passages called the wormwalks, which bind Castle Black together in winter. Jon thinks of the [[white raven]] that came to Maester Aemon, and knows winter will come soon. He remembers the last winter, which was short and mild, but he can feel that this one will be different. By the time they reach the surface, Sam is out of breath. The sight of [[the Wall]] reminds Jon that it marks the end of the world, and tomorrow they are going beyond it.  
  
A [[Great Council]] was convened to decide on the succession. It passed over Aerion’s infant son and then quietly offered the throne to Aemon. Maester Aemon refused, saying he swore a vow to serve even though the [[High Septon]] offered to absolve him. His younger brother, [[Aegon V]] was then named King. He was called "the Unlikely" because as the fourth son of a fourth son he was very unlikely to become king. Maester Aemon knew that those who would be unsatisfied which his brother's rule would try to use him. To prevent this he became a member of the Night's Watch.  
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The morning sky is streaked by clouds but the [[red comet]] is still visible behind them, even by day. The black brothers have dubbed it “Mormont’s Torch,” claiming (only half in jest) that the gods have sent it to light the way through the [[haunted forest]]. The castle seems deserted with so many gone to the brothel in [[Mole's Town]]. Grenn is among them, since Pyp and [[Halder]] and Toad offered to buy him his first woman. They invited Jon and Sam as well, but Jon insisted on keeping his vow of celibacy and Sam is as frightened of whores as he is of everything else.
  
Mormont’s raven now starts squawking “King” and Jon notes that the raven likes that word, and that it must think that Mormont should have the crown. Mormont states there are already two too many kings for his liking.
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As they pass the [[sept]], they hear a hymn being sung. Jon notes that on the eve of battle some men want whores and some want gods. He wonders who feels better after. The sept tempts him no more than the brothel; the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] have no power beyond the Wall, but the nameless [[old gods]] whom Jon worships will be waiting there.
  
Jon asks why he told him about Maester Aemon, and Mormont explains that Jon and Maester Aemon have something in common, a king for a brother and a humble life for themselves as brothers of the Night's Watch. Jon states that he knew his brother would be a lord, so now he is a king. Mormont tells him a lord is one thing, a king is another, and that if Jon does not admit it troubles him, Mormont will know him as a liar, and then asks what Jon will do. Jon swears he will be troubled, but keep his vows.
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Outside the armory, Ser [[Endrew Tarth]] is training the six new recruits brought in the previous night. Ser Endrew is a gentler master-at-arms than Ser [[Alliser Thorne]], but his lessons can still raise bruises. Sam winces at the sight, but Jon watches closely. From the door of the armory, the one-armed smith [[Donal Noye]] asks Jon’s opinion of the recruits. Jon declares they smell of summer and asks where [[Conwy]] recruited them. Noye says it was a dungeon near [[Gulltown]] and labels the recruits as a brigand, a barber, a [[Hop-Robin|beggar]], [[Arron|two]] [[Emrick|orphans]], and a [[Satin|boy whore]]. Jon replies that they will do; he and Sam did.
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 +
[[File:Brittmartin Donal Noyle.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Donal Noye - by BrittMartin © Green Ronin Publishing]]
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Noye asks Jon if he has heard that his brother [[Robb Stark]] is now a [[King in the North|king]]. Jon admits that last night in the common room there was talk of little else. Jon is still unsure how he feels about the brother he grew up with becoming a king while he remains on the Wall, but he tells Noye that Robb will make a good king. Noye is not so sure and declares that once he might have said the same of [[Robert Baratheon]], but Robert was never the same after he put on the crown. Noye confirms that he forged Robert’s warhammer and claims he knew the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] brothers as well as anyone. The smith compares Robert to a sword: made for fighting and prone to rust if left unused. When Jon asks if Robert’s brothers are the same, Noye considers for a moment then declares:
 +
 
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{{Quote|Robert was the true steel. [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He’ll break before he bends. And [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], that one, he’s copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.}}
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Jon wonders what metal Robb is, but decides it is best not to ask. Noye was a Baratheon man before taking the black and likely believes Robb is a traitor. There is an unspoken pact amongst the Watch not to probe too deeply into such matters since old loyalties are not easily forgotten. Even Sam’s former [[House Tarly|House]] is sworn to [[Highgarden]], which has supported Renly. As Jon departs with Sam, Noye offers a prayer for Jon on the morrow and urges him to bring his [[Benjen Stark|uncle]] back.
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Jon leaves Ghost outside the door of the King’s Tower, where Lord Commander Mormont resides now that fire has gutted his own tower. Sam is disheartened by the number of stairs, but Jon jests that stairs are one thing they will not confront beyond the Wall.
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 +
[[File:Jeor Mormont by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Lord Commander Jeor Mormont- by Rene Aigner©]]
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When they enter the solar, Mormont complains about how long it took them. Ignoring the boys, [[Thoren Smallwood]] argues that the Lord Commander’s place is at Castle Black. Mormont declares that Smallwood can do as he likes if he ever becomes Lord Commander. Smallwood insists that the command should be his as First Ranger, but Mormont will have none of it. He declares that he already sent out two rangings and will not wait and wonder if the third is lost as well. Mormont dismisses Smallwood with the reminder that Benjen Stark remains First Ranger until his death is confirmed. Once Smallwood is gone, Mormont exclaims that he would sooner name Sam as First Ranger and complains that Smallwood called him too old for a ranging.
 +
 
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Brusquely examining the maps, Mormont asks if they were all Sam could find. When Sam stutters, Jon points out that the villages might be gone, but the geography will still be correct. Mormont asks Sam about the ravens and commands that he wants the best, saying that if they are all butchered he means for his successor to know where and how. Talk of butchery leaves Sam open-mouthed and speechless. Mormont declares he is too busy for such behavior and dismisses Sam, who almost trips in his haste to leave.
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Mormont asks, without waiting for an answer, whether Sam is as big a fool as he seems. He explains that he was considering sending Sam as an envoy to King Renly, since his [[Randyll Tarly|father]] stands high in Renly’s councils, but Renly is not likely to heed a quaking fat boy so Ser [[Arnell]] (whose mother was a [[House Fossoway of New Barrel|green-apple Fossoway]]) will go instead. Jon asks what Mormont would have of King Renly, and Mormont replies that he will take anything that is offered.
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Mormont continues that Ser Alliser Thorne should reach King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] soon, but [[House Lannister]] has never been a friend to the Watch. Jon points out that Thorne does have the twitching [[wight]]’s hand to show them. Mormont laments they do not have a second hand to send to Renly. Jon remarks that [[Dywen]] claims a man can find anything beyond the Wall. Mormont scoffs that Dywen also claims he saw a bear fifteen feet tall, insisting a man must believe his own eyes.
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[[File:Maester Aemon.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Maester Aemon - by Amoka©]]
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Turning the conversation back to hands, Mormont asks Jon about his burned hand. Jon explains it is well enough to wield [[Longclaw]] and that he is exercising the fingers as Maester Aemon suggested. Mormont opines that Aemon knows his work and prays they can keep him another twenty years. Then he asks if Jon knows that Aemon could have been king. Jon is taken by surprise; he assumed the maester was a younger son of a king.
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Mormont explains that Aemon ''was'' as younger son, the third son of King [[Maekar I]], who was himself the fourth son of King [[Daeron II]]. Slow of sword but quick of wit, Aemon was sent to the Citadel when he was nine or ten and ninth or tenth in the succession. Jon struggles to imagine the 100-year-old maester as a little boy. Mormont continues that Crown Prince [[Baelor Targaryen|Baelor]] died in a [[Ashford Tourney|tourney]] mishap and soon after his [[Valarr Targaryen|two]] [[Matarys Targaryen|sons]] died in the [[Great Spring Sickness]] along with King Daeron, so the crown passed to Daeron’s second son [[Aerys I]]. Aerys reigned for twelve years (during which Aemon took his vows as a maester) then died without issue and the throne passed to Aemon’s father Maekar I. During his father’s reign, Aemon’s eldest brother [[Daeron Targaryen|Daeron the Drunken]] died of a pox, leaving only a feeble-minded daughter, and his second brother [[Aerion Brightflame]] killed himself by drinking [[wildfire]], believing it would turn him into a [[dragon]]. Less than a year later, King Maekar died in battle with an outlaw lord.
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 +
A [[Great Council]] was convened to decide on the succession. It passed over Aerion’s infant son and quietly offered the throne to Maester Aemon, but Aemon chose to abide by his vows even after the [[High Septon]] offered to absolve him. Therefore, his younger brother [[Aegon V]] was named king, and became known as "the Unlikely" because (as the fourth son of a fourth son) he was never expected to become king. Yet Maester Aemon knew that those dissatisfied with his brother’s rule would seek to use him, so he became a member of the Night’s Watch and remained at the Wall while his brother’s descendents ruled as kings until [[Robert's Rebellion]] put an end to the line of the [[House Targaryen|Dragonkings]].
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Mormont’s raven begins repeating the word “king.” Jon notes that the bird seems to like the word, and jests that perhaps the raven believes Mormont should have a crown. Mormont declares that there are three kings already, which is two too many for his liking.
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Jon asks why Mormont has told him all this about Maester Aemon. Mormont explains that Jon and Aemon have something in common: a king for a brother. Jon points out that they also share a vow. Mormont comments that if he had a man for every vow he has seen broken the Wall would never lack for defenders. Jon says he always knew Robb would be Lord of Winterfell, but Mormont insists that a king is a different thing:
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{{Quote|They will garb your brother Robb in silks, satins, and velvets of a hundred different colors, while you live and die in black ringmail. He will wed some beautiful princess and father sons on her. You’ll have no wife, nor will you ever hold a child of your own blood in your arms. Robb will rule, you will serve. Men will call you a crow. Him they’ll call Your Grace. Singers will praise every little thing he does, while your greatest deeds all go unsung. Tell me that none of this troubles you, Jon... and I’ll name you a liar, and know I have the truth of it.}}
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Jon asks what a bastard like himself might do if these facts did trouble him, but Mormont asks what Jon ''will'' do. Jon declares that he will be troubled, and keep his vows.
  
 
==Character List==
 
==Character List==

Revision as of 23:05, 19 January 2014

Jon I
A Clash of Kings chapter
AClashOfKings.jpg
POV Jon
Place Castle Black
Page 69 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Arya II  ← Jon I →  Catelyn I

Jon II

Jon Snow finds Samwell Tarly in the dark library cellar of Castle Black, where Sam has found a number of maps for the great ranging. Out in the courtyard they watch the new recruits practicing and Jon talks with Donal Noye. After they present their maps, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont discusses Maester Aemon’s past with Jon.

Synopsis

Jon Snow- by Amoka©

Jon calls out to Samwell Tarly amidst the ancient books and scrolls of Castle Black’s library. Jon wends his way down the narrow aisles toward the glow of Sam’s lamp to find the fat boy hunched over a table. When Jon asks if he has been there all night, Sam reveals that he lost all track of time in the windowless cellar. Jon calls Sam a sweet fool and reminds him that soon they will be sleeping on hard ground, not soft beds. Sam yawns and explains that Maester Aemon sent him to find maps for Lord Commander Mormont, but he never thought there would be thousands of interesting documents to read. Jon is unimpressed by the books and asks if Sam found the maps.

Sam gestures toward a clutter of books and scrolls on the table and declares he has found at least a dozen. He shows Jon a faded parchment that marks the sites of many wildling villages. Then he excitedly shows Jon an account of a ranging to Lorn Point by a ranger named Redwyn from before the Targaryen Conquest that mentions fighting with giants and trading with the children of the forest. Meaning to sound encouraging, Jon suggests that Sam can write an account of their own great ranging, but talk of what they are to face on the morrow makes Sam uncomfortable. He shuffles scrolls about and says there are more maps if he only had time to set the library in order, which will take years. Jon remarks that the Lord Commander wanted the maps a little sooner than that.

When Jon picks up a scroll it crumbles in his hand. Sam explains that the most important documents were copied over when needed, and the oldest have likely been copied half a hundred times. Jon says there is no need to copy this one, which is only a list of goods. Sam seems fascinated, but Jon wonders who would care how much pickled cod men ate six hundred years ago. Sam insists that he would, since it can tell them how many men were in the Night’s Watch, and how they lived, and what they ate. Jon responds that they ate food and lived as he and Sam do. Sam disagrees and claims that the vault is a treasure trove. Jon is dubious: to him treasure means gold, silver, and jewels. Sam has also found works even the Citadel does not have: drawings of weirwood faces, thousand year old counts of the seasons, scrolls from old Valyria, and even a book about the language of the children of the forest.

Jon assures Sam the books will still be here when they return, but Sam replies, “If we return.” Jon tries to reassure Sam by pointing out that Mormont is taking 200 seasoned men (most of them rangers), and Qhorin Halfhand will join them with 100 more from the Shadow Tower. He insists Sam will be as safe as back at Horn Hill, but Sam replies that he was never very safe there either.

Jon thinks it a cruel joke that Pyp and Toad (who want to go) are to remain behind while Sam (the self-proclaimed coward) must go in Maester Aemon’s place to tend the two cages of ravens. Sam argues that Jon or Grenn could care for the ravens, and Jon can write messages as well as he can. Jon insists that he has his own duties as the Lord Commander’s steward. He reminds Sam that he said the vows, but Sam says that a brother of the Night’s Watch should not be so scared. Jon insists they are all scared, and they should be with so many rangers disappearing in the last two years, but what matters is how they face it. Then he offers to help gather up the maps and they depart the library.

The Wall and Castle Black - by Feliche©

The vault opens onto one of the underground passages called the wormwalks, which bind Castle Black together in winter. Jon thinks of the white raven that came to Maester Aemon, and knows winter will come soon. He remembers the last winter, which was short and mild, but he can feel that this one will be different. By the time they reach the surface, Sam is out of breath. The sight of the Wall reminds Jon that it marks the end of the world, and tomorrow they are going beyond it.

The morning sky is streaked by clouds but the red comet is still visible behind them, even by day. The black brothers have dubbed it “Mormont’s Torch,” claiming (only half in jest) that the gods have sent it to light the way through the haunted forest. The castle seems deserted with so many gone to the brothel in Mole's Town. Grenn is among them, since Pyp and Halder and Toad offered to buy him his first woman. They invited Jon and Sam as well, but Jon insisted on keeping his vow of celibacy and Sam is as frightened of whores as he is of everything else.

As they pass the sept, they hear a hymn being sung. Jon notes that on the eve of battle some men want whores and some want gods. He wonders who feels better after. The sept tempts him no more than the brothel; the Seven have no power beyond the Wall, but the nameless old gods whom Jon worships will be waiting there.

Outside the armory, Ser Endrew Tarth is training the six new recruits brought in the previous night. Ser Endrew is a gentler master-at-arms than Ser Alliser Thorne, but his lessons can still raise bruises. Sam winces at the sight, but Jon watches closely. From the door of the armory, the one-armed smith Donal Noye asks Jon’s opinion of the recruits. Jon declares they smell of summer and asks where Conwy recruited them. Noye says it was a dungeon near Gulltown and labels the recruits as a brigand, a barber, a beggar, two orphans, and a boy whore. Jon replies that they will do; he and Sam did.

Donal Noye - by BrittMartin © Green Ronin Publishing

Noye asks Jon if he has heard that his brother Robb Stark is now a king. Jon admits that last night in the common room there was talk of little else. Jon is still unsure how he feels about the brother he grew up with becoming a king while he remains on the Wall, but he tells Noye that Robb will make a good king. Noye is not so sure and declares that once he might have said the same of Robert Baratheon, but Robert was never the same after he put on the crown. Noye confirms that he forged Robert’s warhammer and claims he knew the Baratheon brothers as well as anyone. The smith compares Robert to a sword: made for fighting and prone to rust if left unused. When Jon asks if Robert’s brothers are the same, Noye considers for a moment then declares:

Robert was the true steel. Stannis is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He’ll break before he bends. And Renly, that one, he’s copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.

Jon wonders what metal Robb is, but decides it is best not to ask. Noye was a Baratheon man before taking the black and likely believes Robb is a traitor. There is an unspoken pact amongst the Watch not to probe too deeply into such matters since old loyalties are not easily forgotten. Even Sam’s former House is sworn to Highgarden, which has supported Renly. As Jon departs with Sam, Noye offers a prayer for Jon on the morrow and urges him to bring his uncle back.

Jon leaves Ghost outside the door of the King’s Tower, where Lord Commander Mormont resides now that fire has gutted his own tower. Sam is disheartened by the number of stairs, but Jon jests that stairs are one thing they will not confront beyond the Wall.

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont- by Rene Aigner©

When they enter the solar, Mormont complains about how long it took them. Ignoring the boys, Thoren Smallwood argues that the Lord Commander’s place is at Castle Black. Mormont declares that Smallwood can do as he likes if he ever becomes Lord Commander. Smallwood insists that the command should be his as First Ranger, but Mormont will have none of it. He declares that he already sent out two rangings and will not wait and wonder if the third is lost as well. Mormont dismisses Smallwood with the reminder that Benjen Stark remains First Ranger until his death is confirmed. Once Smallwood is gone, Mormont exclaims that he would sooner name Sam as First Ranger and complains that Smallwood called him too old for a ranging.

Brusquely examining the maps, Mormont asks if they were all Sam could find. When Sam stutters, Jon points out that the villages might be gone, but the geography will still be correct. Mormont asks Sam about the ravens and commands that he wants the best, saying that if they are all butchered he means for his successor to know where and how. Talk of butchery leaves Sam open-mouthed and speechless. Mormont declares he is too busy for such behavior and dismisses Sam, who almost trips in his haste to leave.

Mormont asks, without waiting for an answer, whether Sam is as big a fool as he seems. He explains that he was considering sending Sam as an envoy to King Renly, since his father stands high in Renly’s councils, but Renly is not likely to heed a quaking fat boy so Ser Arnell (whose mother was a green-apple Fossoway) will go instead. Jon asks what Mormont would have of King Renly, and Mormont replies that he will take anything that is offered.

Mormont continues that Ser Alliser Thorne should reach King Joffrey soon, but House Lannister has never been a friend to the Watch. Jon points out that Thorne does have the twitching wight’s hand to show them. Mormont laments they do not have a second hand to send to Renly. Jon remarks that Dywen claims a man can find anything beyond the Wall. Mormont scoffs that Dywen also claims he saw a bear fifteen feet tall, insisting a man must believe his own eyes.

Maester Aemon - by Amoka©

Turning the conversation back to hands, Mormont asks Jon about his burned hand. Jon explains it is well enough to wield Longclaw and that he is exercising the fingers as Maester Aemon suggested. Mormont opines that Aemon knows his work and prays they can keep him another twenty years. Then he asks if Jon knows that Aemon could have been king. Jon is taken by surprise; he assumed the maester was a younger son of a king.

Mormont explains that Aemon was as younger son, the third son of King Maekar I, who was himself the fourth son of King Daeron II. Slow of sword but quick of wit, Aemon was sent to the Citadel when he was nine or ten and ninth or tenth in the succession. Jon struggles to imagine the 100-year-old maester as a little boy. Mormont continues that Crown Prince Baelor died in a tourney mishap and soon after his two sons died in the Great Spring Sickness along with King Daeron, so the crown passed to Daeron’s second son Aerys I. Aerys reigned for twelve years (during which Aemon took his vows as a maester) then died without issue and the throne passed to Aemon’s father Maekar I. During his father’s reign, Aemon’s eldest brother Daeron the Drunken died of a pox, leaving only a feeble-minded daughter, and his second brother Aerion Brightflame killed himself by drinking wildfire, believing it would turn him into a dragon. Less than a year later, King Maekar died in battle with an outlaw lord.

A Great Council was convened to decide on the succession. It passed over Aerion’s infant son and quietly offered the throne to Maester Aemon, but Aemon chose to abide by his vows even after the High Septon offered to absolve him. Therefore, his younger brother Aegon V was named king, and became known as "the Unlikely" because (as the fourth son of a fourth son) he was never expected to become king. Yet Maester Aemon knew that those dissatisfied with his brother’s rule would seek to use him, so he became a member of the Night’s Watch and remained at the Wall while his brother’s descendents ruled as kings until Robert's Rebellion put an end to the line of the Dragonkings.

Mormont’s raven begins repeating the word “king.” Jon notes that the bird seems to like the word, and jests that perhaps the raven believes Mormont should have a crown. Mormont declares that there are three kings already, which is two too many for his liking.

Jon asks why Mormont has told him all this about Maester Aemon. Mormont explains that Jon and Aemon have something in common: a king for a brother. Jon points out that they also share a vow. Mormont comments that if he had a man for every vow he has seen broken the Wall would never lack for defenders. Jon says he always knew Robb would be Lord of Winterfell, but Mormont insists that a king is a different thing:

They will garb your brother Robb in silks, satins, and velvets of a hundred different colors, while you live and die in black ringmail. He will wed some beautiful princess and father sons on her. You’ll have no wife, nor will you ever hold a child of your own blood in your arms. Robb will rule, you will serve. Men will call you a crow. Him they’ll call Your Grace. Singers will praise every little thing he does, while your greatest deeds all go unsung. Tell me that none of this troubles you, Jon... and I’ll name you a liar, and know I have the truth of it.

Jon asks what a bastard like himself might do if these facts did trouble him, but Mormont asks what Jon will do. Jon declares that he will be troubled, and keep his vows.

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