I needed to get moving, I thought to myself, as a restless energy had stirred when I had woken this morning, a gut feeling whispering that Benjen would be arriving today, as he did in previous years, from Robb's memories and what I knew from the show. Benjen would usually arrive a month or two before the end of the year to talk with Father, who happened to be the Lord Paramount, about the state of the wall and the surrounding area, and I wanted to be among the first to greet him, to pull him aside and talk. If I could just make him see things my way, I knew he'd understand. A quiet laugh escaped me as I dressed, tugging on my boots. Benjen respected the Free Folk, understood the dangers lurking beyond the Wall, and recognized the fragile cooperation that could exist between them and the North. If I could either nudge him in the right direction or, even better, let him stumble upon the somewhat crazy but not entirely impossible idea that the best way to counter another king beyond the Wall, or to strengthen the Wall and the North entirely was to convince its most advanced clan and Giants that used to serve the starks in the past to cross over and bend the knee to the Starks, it might just work Especially with the way this world Was all about its traditions in ancient ways especially the North Think it might even be easier to let the giant through than the wildlings but With Benjens backing and confidence, this plan could succeed, which would strengthen my position later when I tried to persuade everyone in the North to allow the majority of the Free Folk to cross through when we had proof of the White Walkers. This early integration could help smooth over concerns, as people would see that the plan was feasible. They would join us, their swords turned against the other Free Folk who refused to join in, as well as against the undead when that threat arose.
Once I'd secured more footing in the South, when the War of the Five Kings either ended or quieted enough for me to shift my focus back to the North and the Wall, back to the looming threat of the White Walkers, I'd have the prestige and power to demand things outright. The crossing of the free folk to fight the dead would be simpler when I wore a crown and had Many victories under my belt, and of course, Giants. For now, though, one clan felt manageable, especially one with laws already in place and, most crucially, giants. Those towering figures were a prize I wanted and needed for what lay ahead.
I hated the thought, but I'd likely have to lean on Benjen's insecurities about himself and our family. I knew why he'd fled to the Wall: guilt gnawed at him, convinced he'd caused his sister's death as well as his father's, and brother's, all because he'd kept silent about those letters, about Lyanna slipping away with the prince. Maybe I could frame it as me needing him, his nephew, a Stark, to help save and strengthen our family in the North. It'd go smoother if he believed the idea was partly his before we took it to Father.
Lost in these thoughts, I strode toward the gatehouse, my boots crunching on the frosted ground, and passed through into Winter Town. I'd wait there for him. That morning's hunch hardened into certainty as I spotted Hedwig swooping back to me, his wings cutting through the crisp air. He landed on my shoulder, talons gripping gently, and pecked at me, demanding scraps of bread as a reward for a job well done. I'd told him not to return until he'd seen Benjen, projecting an image I'd shaped in my mind. Through our bond, he seemed to catch the gist, though I still felt clumsy wielding such a clever creature, especially one tied to me by magic. Giving orders with just a thought felt strange, yet he followed them nearly perfectly. Warging was a rare, powerful gift, I mused, fishing out crumbs for him. A pity the show and books hadn't delved deeper into it, sadder still that the North had let the old gods' blessings fade. With luck, I'd revive that legacy, at least a little, in the years to come.
As I stood there, I saw Benjen approaching with a pair of black brothers as escorts, their cloaks stark against the snow. I waved them down. He squinted at me, recognition slow until it clicked. I couldn't blame him; whatever had happened when I arrived in this world had slightly altered Robb's body, my body, giving me a slight edge in growth. I didn't recall his exact height from the books, but I nearly matched Ned in height now, with a year and a half left to grow before the original timeline caught up. My hair and bearing had shifted, too. I'd taken to shaving the sides of my head, leaving a wild mop of red curls atop, like some Viking from those modern shows I once watched.
When he realized it was me, Benjen's face broke into a grin. He leapt from his horse, his escorts following suit. I stepped forward. "Hello, Uncle," I said, scratching Hedwig's chin as he preened. "It's been nearly a year since he saw me last. I had a feeling you'd arrive today." With a flick of my wrist, I tossed a small coin pouch to his companions. "Don't worry, brave and loyal men of the Watch. I'll escort my uncle back to the castle. Make yourselves at home in Winter Town." I grabbed Benjen's arm, tugging him closer, and he snatched his horse's reins with his free hand to lead it along.
"Robb," he said, surprise lacing his tone, "I didn't expect you waiting here. You look so much like both your mother and your father. The rumors you'd been injured in the head and even reached the Wall, but it seems you've made quite the recovery, as well as grown quite a bit. You look strong. too, he added"
I laughed, a warm sound; my relentless training with modern techniques, adapted to the tools here as well as the gift of whatever god had sent me here, had paid off in this unforgiving world. "I train nearly every day," I replied, scratching my head with a grin. "So a horse won't best me again. Got kicked in the back of the head, if you heard the full tale. After that, I decided to take things seriously since I had almost lost it all before I even had a chance to truly live. Though Mother says I'm growing up too fast now."
He chuckled. "No mother wants to see her son, even her firstborn, step into his role too soon. You'll always be her little boy, most likely."
I nodded. "True," I said simply.
His gaze drifted to Hedwig, still perched contentedly on my shoulder. "That's quite a pet you've got there. Seems highly trained."
"He is," I agreed. "Though I'm sure you've seen folk beyond the Wall with sharper skills over tamed beasts." An idea sparked if I could use this to hint at my abilities, I might build a stronger rapport with him, easing into my plans for the free folk. "I actually wanted you here to ask you something about that."
He eyed me warily. "About what, exactly?"
I hesitated, then plunged in. "I might regret this, Uncle, but I hope you'll keep it between us. I haven't told Father yet, though I think he suspects his Vale upbringing might have kept him from all the northern tales clouding his memory, but I'll be blunt: I believe I'm a warg, like the old tales of the free folk, or the Starks of old with their direwolves."
He gasped, his eyes darting from me to Hedwig. "You can skinchange?" he whispered as we trudged up the long trail from Winter Town to the gate. We had time to talk, but I could see his unease even speaking of it here.
"Not yet," I admitted. "But I feel a bond with Hedwig. I can give him commands, sense things around him, or how far he is, like he's a crude spyglass from Braavos. It's growing stronger, so I think it's only a matter of time before I'm able to warg into him fully."
He nodded, his face settling into that solemn Stark mask of ice. "Why bring this to me? I'm no scholar of such history, and I don't chat with many wargs among the free folk."
"I know," I said, meeting his gaze. "But you've got more experience, more rumors and scraps of knowledge than most. And I think you'd be one of the few to accept this gift from the old gods, at least for now." I leaned on those last words, hoping to stir his old faith from his days at the Wall.
He inclined his head. "It can be a gift or a curse, depending on who you ask. Though I'm happy you trusted me enough to tell me, and I'll keep it secret until you're ready. You can trust me, Robb. But some don't care for it, thinking the ability is more of a curse than a gift, though some, especially in the clans of your grandmother, are more reasonable about it."
"I see your point," I agreed. "But the advantages it could bring with ruling the North, scouting, riding, sending messages, or Coordinating and organizing men in large or small-scale battles, I can't imagine a greater boon, save maybe relearning the Old Tongue for our houses."
He nodded again, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Your father mentioned you've been studying the Old Tongue with Maester Luwin in his last letter. Using it as a guarded tongue for our family and a court language for the North's nobles, it's a clear and wild idea all at once. It'd help with the free folk, too. I know a few words, but I've not studied them as I should."
He ruffled my hair, a familiar gesture. "You'll be a fine lord, Robb. From what you've said and how your father described you in his letters, as well as your walk, I can tell you're taking your duties seriously, learning all this, you'll make your parents and family proud."
"Thank you, Uncle," I said warmly. "Speaking of the future, though, I've got some questions and concerns for you."
"Go on, then," he urged.
"I know the Wall's not what it once was," I began. "I've been over the reports with Luwin, Father's permission, of course, and it's losing more men than it gains each year, even with you mostly recruiting from Westeros's prisons."
"Aye," he said, "but don't fret too much. We're still holding the North safe for now. If trouble comes, we'll call the banners, same as always when a king beyond the Wall stirs."
"But I've been mulling ways to slow that, or stop it outright," I pressed. "Have you?"
He raised a brow. "You have? Let's hear it, Robb."
"Alright," I said, steadying myself. "For my plan to work, I need more on the free folk, any clans that might fit. Do you know one with its own laws, beyond just a chief? They don't need to be the strongest", though I knew the Thenns were, "but they should be advanced in rules, maybe less nomadic. I've only got old reports from Winterfell and the Wall, but you're the First Ranger and my uncle. I trust your word."
He studied me. "You call them free folk," he noted. "Not many clans match even half of that."
"But some do dont they?" I cut in.
He nodded slowly. "One or two, maybe. "The Thenns, though," I schooled my face to hide my satisfaction as he named them, "they're the most advanced in law and craft, I'd say." They've got farms, even a walled settlement, or so I've heard. I've never been. They speak the old Tongue, wield bronze, and have giants among them. That's why they're considered the strongest. I'm not sure how you'd weave them into your plans, but they would be your best bet if you could convince them."
"My plan's simple," I said, voice firm. "I want to convince Father to grant them land and a lordship under our house in the North as a direct vassal; we could give them the Stony Shore, it's ours under the house Stark, and just sitting idle, it's also far from the Wall and the noble houses would feel safer, knowing they couldn't threaten it from our side. Free folk also shun water and sailing, and even if they tried, we'd spot whatever ramshackle fleet they could even produce, if they even tried to begin with. But if they bent the knee to us as Starks, the Leader of the North, we'd strengthen ourselves, guard the Wall, and weaken the free folk beyond it. It might even open ties with other clans. I've read tales of old clans crossing for passage and bending the knee when they couldn't keep up with other clans. It's rare now, but there's precedent in our kingdom's past. I just needed your insight and, perhaps, support before I approach Father with the idea. Though with what you've said, the Thenns seem perfect, especially with those giants. Not just for war, but imagine them widening river beds, raising forts, and landcrafting Roads. Logistically, they'd be a godsend. and if we armored, even a few of them and gave them giant bows, hell, if the conqueror ever came again, we might give his dragons more of a fight."
He fell silent, his eyes wide and mind visibly churning. Then he spoke. "I see the sense in settling them far from the Wall, Robb. And", he smirked, "your ambitions with those giants. But I doubt they'd kneel easily, even to a Stark."
"We could try," I interjected. "Could you arrange a meeting, send word we'd allow passage for talks on our honor as Starks, and the old gods, even?"
He considered me. "Aye, your father spoke of your growing faith in the old gods, that'd carry weight. But there's no guarantee they'd agree, Robb, and I'm not sure we should trouble your father with this."
"Please, Uncle," I said, my tone hardening. "Don't just do it for the North, think of our family." I didn't shy from his guilt now. "Imagine if we'd had giants during the Mad King's war. That rapist prince wouldn't have dared take Lyanna, and the king wouldn't have touched my other uncle or grandfather with such a threat looming over him; our family would never have been so broken. It was just you and my father left of the Starks after that war. I never want our family to be broken like that again, Uncle. I finish with a soft voice and a look of determination.
I couldn't know if that held true; the Mad King was unhinged, his son a spoiled fool who thought prophecy justified snatching nobles' daughters. Still, I pressed on. Uncle, this could shield the Wall, the North, and our house. You said the Thenns aren't wanderers; they've got farms and walls. I'm certain we could sway them to join a stronger clan like ours in their own way if I could speak to them. But I need you with me to convince Father. Will you stand by me to help our family?"
We were nearing Winterfell's gates. He stopped, fixing me with a stone-cold stare. A rainbow of emotions coursed through him: Sadness, grief, regret, and calm. Then he burst into laughter, ruffling my hair again. "You've got Ned's best and Brandon's boldness. Catelyn's raised you well as well." I also see you have been thinking about this a lot, which is probably one of the main reasons why you were learning Old Tongue, and that shows me how long you have been thinking about things like this and your dedication. "You've won me over, Robb. If you truly believe this plan has merit, then take my suggestion of the Thenns, and I'll grant it does, I'll back you with your father." He clapped my back. "Now, let's get inside so your poor uncle can rest and eat."
Made our way further inside the castle, I changed the subject to one of our family, Jon, Arya, and Sansa, as well as the wards, with a smile on my face, as a part of my plan was complete.