Chapter 80 Chapter 79: Jon

Iron Emmett was a tall, lanky young ranger whose stamina, strength, and swordsmanship were beyond Eastwatch.Every time after practicing with him, Jon always felt stiff and sore, and when he woke up the next morning, his whole body was covered with bruises—but this effect was exactly what he was after. Lan Biwu can never improve. Most of the time, Jon thought, he was beaten as much as he was beaten back, but that wasn't the case today.He barely slept last night, and after tossing and turning for an hour, he gave up trying, dressed, went to the top of the Wall, and mulled over Stannis Baratheon's proposal until the sun rose.Lack of sleep took its toll, and Emmett attacked relentlessly, swinging back and forth across the field, occasionally charging with his shield.Jon's arm grew numb, and the blunt, blunt blade grew heavy as time passed.

He was about to hang down his sword to stop, but Emmett feinted off, and then with a ferocious forehand, it went over Jon's shield and went straight to the temple.He faltered, his helmet and head humming at the same time under the blow.In an instant, the world outside the eyes was blurred. Years passed, and he was back at Winterfell again, in a padded leather coat instead of mail and plate.He took the wooden sword and faced Robb, not Iron Emmett. Since they learned to walk, they practiced martial arts together every morning. Snow and Stark circled around Winterfell, laughing and shouting, and even cried when no one saw them.They are not children, but knights and heroes.

"I'm Prince Aemon the Dragonknight!" Jon yelled, and Robb yelled back, "I'm Florian the Fool!" Or "I'm the Young Dragon Lord!" Ser Redwyne!" He was the first to boast one morning, "I am the Lord of Winterfell!" He had called it a hundred times in the past.Only this time, just this time, Robb replied, "You can't be the Lord of Winterfell, you're bastard, and my lord mother says you'll never have Winterfell." I thought I forgot.Jon tasted blood in his mouth. Hodder and the horse had to each hold an arm and drag him away from Iron Emmett.The ranger sat dazed, his shield nearly in pieces, his helmet visor knocked askew, and his blunt sword flying six yards away. "Enough, Jon," Hodder yelled, "he lost, and you disarmed him. Enough!"

No.not enough.Never enough.Jon dropped his weapon. "Sorry," he murmured, "Imet, you're not hurt?" Iron Emmett removed his smashed helmet. "Have you never heard the word 'surrender,' Lord Snow?" His voice was kind, and Emmett liked jousting and jokes. "Bless the warrior," he sighed, "I understand how Qhorin Halfhand felt." This is really unacceptable.Jon broke away from his friends and went back to the armory alone, his ears still buzzing from Emmett's blow.He sat on the bench and buried his head in his hands.What am I mad about? It's a stupid question, he asked himself.Duke of Winterfell.I could be the Duke of Winterfell.become the father's heir.

However, it was not Duke Ed's face that appeared in front of his eyes, but Mrs. Caitlin.With her deep blue eyes and stern, cold lips, she looked just like Stannis.Like iron, he thought, it breaks before it bends.In the past at Winterfell, she would look at him with such eyes as long as he performed better than Robb, no matter in swordsmanship, arithmetic or other things.Who are you? said the blue eyes, you are not welcome here, what are you doing here? The friends are still practicing martial arts, but according to Joon's current mood, he really can't face them.So he left the armory by the back door, down the steep stone stairs, and into the Wormways, the subterranean tunnels that connected the various keeps and towers of Castle Black.It was a short walk to the bathroom, where he washed off his stinky sweat by jumping in cool water before soaking in a warm stone tub.The heat eased the aches in his muscles a little, reminding him of steaming hot springs in the godswood at Winterfell.Winterfell, he thought, Theon will burn it down, and I will rebuild it.It was Father's hope, Robb's hope, that they would never let the castle fall into ruins.

You're bastard, you'll never get Winterfell.He heard Robb's words again.And the stone kings snarled at him with tongues of granite, you're not a Stark, there's no place for you here.Jon closed his eyes and saw the heart tree, its pale branches, its red leaves, its solemn face.This weirwood represents Winterfell, said Duke Eddard... Today, in order to save the castle, Jon had to uproot its ancient roots and sacrifice them to the hungry Vulcan of the red woman.I don't have that right, he thought. Winterfell belongs to the Old Gods. Echoes from the vaulted ceiling carried him back to Castle Black. "I don't know," said one, in a skeptical tone, "maybe when I get to know the man better . . . Lord Stannis doesn't think well of him, you know."

"When did Stannis Baratheon have a good opinion of people?" That's right, it was Ser Alliser's cold voice, "If Stannis decides who is the commander-in-chief, then besides nominal rights, wouldn't we They are all his subjects. Tywin Lannister cannot forget that, and we all know Lord Tywin is the winner. At the Blackwater, he defeated Stannis." "Lord Tywin supports Slynt," Bowen Marsh admitted anxiously. "I can show you the letter, Ocel, whom he calls 'a faithful friend and servant.'" Jon Snow sat up suddenly, and the other three froze when they heard the sound of water. "My lords," he said with dry politeness.

"What are you doing here, Bastard?" Thorne asked. "Bath. Don't let me interrupt your plans." Jon crawled out of the water, dried himself, and dressed, leaving them to continue their discussion. When he got outside, he realized that he didn't know where to go.He walked past the ruins of the conning tower, where he rescued the old bear from the dead; he walked the clearing where Ygritte died smiling sadly; Follard waited with the Magnar and his Thenns; he walked over the wreckage of the great wooden staircase, which had become a patch of charred wood and splintered ice.The inner gates flew open, and Jon stepped into the tunnel, feeling the cold around him and the weight of the iceberg overhead.He passed the place where Donal Noye had died with "Strong" Mag, passed through the new outer gates, and returned to the pale, cold sun.

He allowed himself to stop, take a breath, and think.Oser Awick knew nothing but timber, stone, and plaster, and the Old Bear knew that.Thorne and Marsh would sway him into supporting Lord Genos, who would be chosen Lord Commander.What does all this have to do with the Duke of Winterfell? The cold wind swirled against the wall, tugging at the cloak.He could feel the chill from the ice walls like the heat from a fire.Jon pulled his hood up and continued walking.Twilight was deep, the sun was low in the west.At the camp a hundred yards away, King Stannis kept the wildlings captive with ditches, pickets, and high wooden palisades.On the left are three great fire pits where the victors burned free folk, huge hairy giants, and small Hornfoot men who died at the Wall.The battlefield in the setting sun is desolate today, full of burnt weeds and solidified asphalt, and there are traces of the Mance tribe everywhere: a piece of torn animal skin used to be a tent, and there are also a giant's big hammer, a chariot wheel, and a broken spear. and mammoth dung.On the edge of the ghost forest, in the former Liaoguang camp, Jon found an oak stump and sat down.

Ygritte wants me to be a wildling.Stannis wants me to be Lord of Winterfell.What do I want for myself? The sun climbs down the sky and sinks behind the Great Wall that rolls along the western hills.Jon watched the tall, broad walls of ice glow pink and pink.Should I be hanged as a chameleon by Lord Janos, or should I break my vows, marry Val, and become Lord of Winterfell? On balance, the choice is easy... perhaps easier if Ygritte is still alive.Val was a stranger, but not ugly, and her sister was Mance Rayder's queen, but... To get her love, I must steal her, and she will bear me a child.Maybe one day, I'll be able to hold my own biological son.A son was something Jon Snow had never dared dream of, since he decided to live his life on the Wall.I could name him Robb.If Val wants to keep his sister's son, we can adopt him in Winterfell, and Gilly's son.Sam needn't lie, we'll find a place for Gilly and let him visit her once a year.Mance's son and Craster's son will grow up like brothers, just like Robb and I.

I want, Jon understood, I want this more than anything else.I've always wanted, he felt guilty, may the gods forgive me.This is hunger within the body, sharper than a dragonglass blade.Hunger...he could feel it.He needs food, prey, the red deer exuding fear, the rebellious big elk.He needs to kill, to fill his stomach with fresh meat and blood.Thinking of this, he salivated. It took a long time before he realized what was going on, and he couldn't help jumping up immediately. "Ghost?" He turned to the woods. "He" came, "He" quietly ran out of the dark green shadow, his warm breath turned into white mist. "Ghost!" he yelled, and the direwolf started to run. "He" was thinner, but taller, and the only sound he made was the soft sound of dead leaves breaking under his claws. "He" came to Jon and threw him to the ground, and they rolled and fought in the brown grass and the long shadows, and the stars came out. "My God, little wolf, where have you been?" Jon said when Ghost stopped biting his arm, "I thought you were dead, just like Robb and Ygritte and the others I haven't felt you since I climbed the Wall, not even in my dreams." The direwolf didn't answer, but licked Jon's face, his tongue like a wet file, his eyes reflecting the last rays of sunlight like Two big red suns are shining. Red eyes, Jon realized, but not like Melisandre's. "He" had weirwood eyes.Red eyes, red mouth, pure white fur.Blood and bone, like the heart tree, from the old gods.Of all the direwolves, only he is pure white.Together, he and Robb found six pups in the snow and ice at the end of summer, five of whom were gray, black or brown, corresponding to the five Stark children.The other one was spotless, as white as snow. He has an answer. Below the Wall, the queen's men light the nightfire, and Melisandre emerges from the tunnel, with the king at his side.She will lead the prayers to drive away the darkness. "Come here, Ghost," Jon told the direwolf, "come with me. You're hungry, I feel it, and we're going to eat." Stretching out into the dark night sky like claws. The king's men were so prominent in the Castle Black courtyard that they all stopped and stared at him dumbfounded as Jon passed.None of them had ever seen a direwolf before, and he realized that Ghost was twice the size of the average wolf that roamed the great southern forests.They continued walking towards the armory, and Jon occasionally looked up to see Val standing at the tower window, watching him.Sorry, he thought, I can't be the one to steal from you.Although ordinary suffering, but this is my life. In the schoolyard, he bumped into a dozen of the king's men, each holding a spear and a torch.The leading knight frowned when he saw Bai Ling, and the two subordinates put down their spears to block it. Finally, the knight said, "Get out of the way, let them pass." He said to Jon, "Just came to dinner? You're late." "Yes, just let me go, ser sir," Jon replied, and the knight stepped aside. He hadn't even made it down the stairs before he heard noise: rising voices, cursing, and someone banging on the table.Jon went into the cellar, but no one paid him any attention.The brethren crowded the benches and tables, more stood and yelled, and no one ate.no food.What's up? Lord Janos Slynt is yelling about chameleons, traitors, Iron Emmett is stepping on a table with his sword unsheathed, and Three Fingers Hobb is yelling at a Shadow Tower player The cavalry... There was a man from Eastwatch who kept pounding his fist on the table, begging for silence, but his voice just blended into the din of noise, echoing off the vaulted ceiling. Pyp was the first to spot Jon, and also saw Ghost.He grinned, put two fingers in his mouth, and whistled—a skill he had learned in theater troupe since he was a child.The scream cut through the noise like a sharp sword.Jon walked to the table, and the brethren noticed him and fell silent.Silence spread in the cellar, until at last the only sounds were Jon's footsteps on the stone floor and the crackling of wood in the fire. Then Ser Alliser Thorne broke the silence, "The chameleon has condescended to appear at last." Master Genos blushed and trembled all over. "Beast," he gasped, "look! This is the beast that took Halfhand's life. There is a wolf spirit among us, brothers wolf spirit! This... how can this beast be worthy of leading us! This fierce beast Beasts should not live!" Ghost bared his teeth, and Jon put a hand on "his" head. "My lord," he said, "what the hell is going on here?" Maester Aemon answered from across the hall: "You have been named Lord Lord Commander, Jon." It's ridiculous.Jon couldn't help laughing. "Who mentioned it?" he said, looking at his friends.Must be Pyp's joke again.But the former troupe apprentice shrugged, Grenn shook his head, and "gloomy" Eddie Tollett stood up. "It's me, it's me. Yes, it's cruel to do this to a friend, but it's better for you than me." Lord Genos began to spit again, "This, this is simply unreasonable. We should hang the boy. Yes! Hang him, in my opinion, this chameleon, warg, and his friend Mance Ray Drew. Nominated for Commander-in-Chief? I can't stand it, can't stand it!" Carter Pikehore stood up, "You can't take it? You might be able to train those bloody gold robes to lick your ass, but remember, you're wearing black now!" "Any brother may nominate anyone who has sworn to wear black," Ser Denys Mallister declared. "Tollett has every right to do so, my lord." Immediately a dozen people were speaking at the same time, each trying to overshadow the other, and after a while the hall was once again flooded with shouts.This time Ser Alliser Thorne jumped onto the table and raised his hand for silence. "Brothers!" he shouted, "it's no use arguing, vote. The king who has taken over the king's tower has placed guards at every exit of the cellar to make sure we have nothing to eat and cannot leave until a choice is made. .Okay! We'll vote, one at a time. One night, if necessary, until the leader is chosen...but before the votes begin, I'm sure our chief artisan has something to say." Oser Yawick frowned and got up slowly.The big craftsman rubbed his protruding long chin, "Well, I request that my name be withdrawn from the election. If you want me, I have had ten chances. Obviously, you think I can't, at least many people think I No. I told my friend earlier that it seems that I still support Master Genos..." Ser Alliser nodded. "Lord Slynt is the best—" "Let me finish, Alliser," Arwick grumbled. "As we all know, Lord Slynt commanded the City Watch in King's Landing, and Lord of Harrenhal..." "He's never seen Harrenhal," cried Carter Pike. "Well, yes," said Arwick, "well, anyway, I'm standing here and forgetting why I said Slynt was a good choice. Picking him would be like slapping King Stannis, but What's in it for everybody? Perhaps Jon is better. He's been on the Wall a lot, and he's Ben Stark's nephew and the Old Bear's squire." Arwick shrugged. "Whoever you choose, I'll quit anyway." He sat down. Jon saw Janos Slynt turn red and purple, Ser Alliser Thorne pale.The man from Donghaiwatch beat the table with his fist again, calling for a jar, and his friend followed suit. "Jar!" they shouted in unison. "Jar, jar, jar!" The pot sat in the corner by the fire, a pot-bellied black tin with two huge handles and a heavy lid.Maester Aemon spoke to Sam and Clydas, and they went and grabbed the handle, dragging the jar to the table.Some of the brethren lined up near the barrels of vouchers, and Clydas lifted the top of the jar and almost let it fall on his leg.With a hoarse screech and a flap of wings, a large crow rushed out of the tank and flew upwards, perhaps looking for the rafters, or an escape window, but there was neither in the cellar.The crow was trapped, and it croaked loudly and circled the hall once, twice, three times.Jon heard Samwell Tarly say, "I know the bird! It's Lord Mormont's raven!" The crow landed on the table closest to Jon. "Snow," it called.It was an old bird, covered in mud. "Snow," it went on, "Snow, Snow, Snow." It came to the edge, spread its wings, and flew onto Jon's shoulder. Lord Janos Slynt sat down with a heavy bang, but Ser Alliser's jeers echoed through the cellar. "Ser Piggy thinks we're fools, brethren," he said. "He's the one who taught us the trick. They all know 'Snow,' and you'll find out by going to the Crow's Nest. The birds of Mormont can tell other things." .” The crow looked up at Jon. "Corn?" it said expectantly.As he had neither corn nor answer, he made some noise and muttered, "Jar? Jar? Jar?" All that was left were arrowheads, a torrent of arrowheads that drowned the last few stones and shells, and also the handful of copper plates. When the count was over, Jon found himself surrounded.Some people patted him on the back, while others bowed to him, as if he was a real lord.Satin, "Dummy" Owen, Howard, "Toad" Todd, Provinceboots, Giant, Mully, Ulma of the Kingswood, "Beauty" Donna Hills and dozens of others gathered closely around .Dawen's wooden dentures clicked. "Gods be blessed, we have a Commander-in-Chief in swaddling clothes." Iron Emmett said, "Hope that doesn't mean I can't put you Fuck the shit, my lord." Three-Finger Hobb wondered if he still ate with the crowd, or if the meal should be sent to the study.Even Bowen Marsh stepped forward, and said he would be happy to stay on as Bursar if Lord Snow would allow it. "Lord Snow," said Carter Pike, "if you make a mess, I'll dig out your liver and eat it raw with onions." Dennis Mallister was more polite. "It wasn't easy what young Samwell asked me to do," the old knight confessed. "When Kogel was drafted, I told myself, 'It doesn't matter, he's been on the Wall longer than you, and your chance is next time. ’ I thought to myself when it was Mormont’s turn, ‘He is strong and fierce, but you still have a chance when you are old.’ You were almost a boy, Lord Snow, and now I know I must go back to the Shadow Tower, And the chance never comes." He smiled wearily. "Don't let me die with regrets. Your uncle was a good man, your lord father, and your grandfather. I have high hopes for you, and I hope you are like them." "Yes," said Carter Pike, "you go first and tell the King's men that it's all over and we want a damned supper." "Dinner," screamed the crow, "dinner, dinner." After the king's people learned that the election was over, they withdrew from the door, and "Three Fingers" Habu hurriedly led a dozen assistants to the kitchen to get food.Jon doesn't want to eat, and he walks through the castle, suspecting that he is dreaming.Crow perched on his shoulders, Ghost at his feet, and Pyp, Grenn, and Sam talking behind them.He didn't hear what they said until Grenn whispered, "Sam did it." And Pyp admitted, "It was Sam!" Pyp, with the wineskin on, took a swig and sang, "Sam , Sam, Wizard Sam, Great Sam, Sam, Sam, Miracle Sam. He did it! But when you hide a crow in a jar, Sam, seven hells, how do you make sure it flies to Jon? The bird decided to land on Janos Slynt's fat head and everything went haywire." "I have nothing to do with the bird," insisted Sam, "I almost peed my pants when it flew out of the jar." Jon laughed.He's pretty surprised he still remembers laughing, "You guys are a bunch of crazy idiots, you know that?" "We?" said Pyp. "You say we're fools? We weren't chosen to be the nine hundred and ninety-eighth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Have a drink, Lord Jon, you need a lot of it." .” So Jon took the wineskin and swallowed.Only one bite.The Wall was his, the night sky was dark and dark, and there was a king to contend with.