GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond The Ice

"It's not... a stomachache!" Arya sat wiping her tears, sniffling a few times before speaking with reddened eyes. "My father... died in King's Landing."

Eddard Stark is dead? He was still alive when Stannis seized the city, so how could he have died now? As Aegor puzzled over this, a wave of regret washed over him. Regardless of personal feelings or character, if the head of House Stark were still alive—whether remaining in King's Landing as Hand of the King or returning to Winterfell to rule the North—he would have been an invaluable ally to the Night's Watch in times of crisis. No doubt, even the Greyjoys likely dared to make their move only after learning of his death.

Though he felt sympathy, Aegor was filled with frustration. I'm your swordsmanship teacher, not your elder sister or a grieving confidant. Yes, your father's death is tragic, but why come to me for comfort now? I'm barely managing the food crisis. How can I deal with a heartbroken girl who just shows up out of nowhere?

"It's a pity, but the dead cannot be brought back..." After all, she had lost her father. Aegor's irritation faded. He sighed, touched Arya's head gently, and comforted her in a soft tone. "No matter how painful it is, you have to keep living. It's too dangerous to run off without telling anyone."

"I'm sorry... I know I shouldn't have done that." Arya replied in a muffled voice. "But... I was already heartbroken, and Sansa wouldn't stop saying that it was my fault—'I killed Father, I killed Father.' I got so angry, I ran away."

So the sisters fought, and the younger one ran away and ended up here? Aegor frowned. "You killed your father? What makes her say that?"

"It seems Father... died of poison." Arya wiped away more tears. "They say he was poisoned while imprisoned by Renly and the Tyrells. Margaery replaced the people who were looking after him with her own, and then it happened... Father didn't escape King's Landing with King Stannis that day because he was looking for me. I thought Margaery was my friend... Why would she do that to him?"

So Eddard Stark was murdered while imprisoned... That made more sense than all his retainers being wiped out without resistance. The brutal truth before him reminded Aegor: never let yourself fall into someone else's hands. No matter how harmless they appear, you never know what they'll do once they have control.

(But doesn't that mean Arya really did cause her father's death?)

Aegor almost blurted it out. You caused trouble by running around once already. Why repeat the same mistake?

...

...

If he hadn't known that Theon hadn't been returned to the Iron Islands, he might start suspecting that—given Arya's nature of "trouble follows when she runs off"—by the time he took her back, Winterfell would be flying a different banner.

"I don't think Margaery killed your father. Think about it... what good would it do the Tyrells to murder Lord Stark? All it would achieve is making enemies of House Stark forever." Would Renly and the Tyrells poison Eddard Stark? They'd have to be mad. Littlefinger wasn't in Westeros anymore, so it must have been Varys. It took Aegor only a second to guess the real culprit. "Since you considered Margaery a friend, you should give her a chance to explain. So you rode all the way to the Gift to catch up with Melisandre, and no one from Winterfell came after you?"

Arya thought about it and shook her head. "I left secretly after lunch. Even if they noticed, it would have been night by then. I ride fast, and I'm light. No one can catch me."

"Oh... fine, fine. You win." Aegor rubbed his temples. "Just stay here for now. I'll find someone to take you back tomorrow."

"No. I'm not going back. I... I want to go to Castle Black. I miss Jon."

"Castle Black is full of all kinds of people. How can a little girl like you go there?" Aegor glared at her. "No more running around. Stay here. I'll go to Castle Black tomorrow and tell Jon you're here. If he wants to see you, he'll come."

"...Alright." Arya, still in mourning, didn't argue and was surprisingly obedient.

"Good. Come with me to supper. When you see Lady Melisandre, be sure to thank her for escorting you to Queenscrown. Got it?"

"I don't feel well. I don't want to eat."

"You'll eat even if you don't want to. You're now under the care of the Night's Watch, and that means you follow our rules." Aegor glared at her. "Who was it that crawled into my bed crying in pain and said she'd listen to me from now on?"

Clearly, Arya hadn't forgotten. She pouted, hummed miserably, and nodded.

---

Though food was tight, Queenscrown had not yet hit rock bottom. The kitchens did their best to provide a warm and frugal welcome for the reinforcements. Melisandre had brought more than just herself—her followers all wore robes bearing the flaming heart of R'hllor, signaling their devotion to the Lord of Light. Among them were several of Stannis's bannermen, such as Ser Axell Florent.

When their lord had taken the Iron Throne and marched south to put down rebellion, they had foregone the chance for glory and followed Melisandre north to face the wildlings and the White Walkers. Say what you will about the morals and character of those called the "Queen's Men," but their faith in R'hllor was indisputable.

In addition to believers, Melisandre also brought a group of high-quality "recruits" for the Night's Watch—Westerlanders captured by Eddard Stark during the purge of Lannister loyalists in King's Landing, including some of Aegor's fellow prisoners during his brief incarceration. There were also nobles from royalist houses arrested after Stannis reclaimed the Iron Throne—some of them major contributors to the Night's Watch industry in the past.

Political prisoners. In most places, a troublesome category to be avoided. But here at the Wall, they were a welcome sight. Compared to common criminals—murderers, rapists, thieves of uncertain origin—these men had background, education, and far better discipline. With seven new castles opened and a new town like Queenscrown built, officers and administrators were in high demand. These arrivals would relieve much of the burden.

Many of them were familiar faces to Aegor. He trusted them. He would ask Mormont for a few more. Yam had his hands full managing Backcrown and was constantly running errands for him.

…

Political prisoners were not given the courtesy of a personal reception from the Chief Logistics Officer, so they were absent from the dining hall. After dining with Melisandre and several Queen's Men, Aegor outlined the food crisis plaguing the Wall to the Red Priestess and her followers, openly asking for their suggestions and assistance.

Ser Florent shrugged with regret. "The situation in King's Landing isn't much better. His Grace has done all he can to stabilize grain prices. He even executed two grain merchants... I'm afraid I cannot help."

Aegor nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to another figure. "Lady Melisandre, do you have any ideas?"

"I am merely a humble priestess. I do not have the power to summon grain from thin air." The red-robed woman hadn't touched the food on her plate, sipping only a bit of soup. She wiped her mouth with a napkin, then continued, "But though I cannot solve the food crisis, that does not mean my lord is powerless. You have worked tirelessly to defend the Wall, Lord Aegor. As servants of the Lord of Light, we will not turn a blind eye. I am willing to look into the sacred flames on your behalf, to see if R'hllor has prepared a path forward for the Night's Watch."

With that, Melisandre rose from the table, walked slowly to the hearth in the dining hall, gathered her robes, knelt slightly, and stared intently into the crackling flames.

What now, is R'hllor going to conjure up food from fire? Aegor frowned. Arya looked on curiously... but the Queen's Men seated around the table stopped eating and turned their attention solemnly to the Red Priestess. Some even closed their eyes and began to pray. The hall fell silent.

A few minutes later, the red-robed woman rose again and returned to the table, a confident smile on her lips. "The Lord of Light has heard my plea and given me a vision. Would the Chief Logistics Officer like to hear it?"

(To be continued.)

***

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