Chapter 235

Throughout history, negotiations often required the weaker side to send representatives into the territory of the stronger. The same was true in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. In the original timeline, Jon Snow was forced to enter the wildling camp under duress, unable to defend Castle Black against the massive wildling army.

But this time, the Night's Watch could remain safely behind their fortress walls, waiting for the opposition to come to them.

The trope of a lone hero venturing into enemy territory was certainly thrilling, but being forced into such heroics was, in truth, a tragic situation. If given the choice, Aegor hoped he’d never find himself as the protagonist of such a scene.

The Free Folk had no choice. Yet what no one could have predicted was that the one who arrived at the gates of Castle Black, prepared to play the part of the lone envoy, was none other than the King Beyond the Wall himself: Mance Rayder.
----


“Hang the traitor, and this war will be over,” Bowen Marsh said from the top of the King’s Tower, gazing down at the wiry, gray-haired figure below. Mance was being searched for weapons that might threaten the leadership of the Night’s Watch.

“True,” Aegor replied with a shrug. “But if we do, we’ll be watching ten thousand wildlings die in the Haunted Forest, hunted down by the White Walkers—only to face them later as ten thousand wights.” He smiled faintly. “We can discuss that later. For now, I want to know: does anyone actually recognize him? How can we be sure this is Mance Rayder and not an impostor?”

“Mance Rayder deserted the Night’s Watch before I joined,” Mormont said, frowning. While the Lord Commander had been part of the Watch for years, he’d joined only after his son became an adult and took his place as Lord of Bear Island. He’d never met the infamous deserter-turned-king. “Are there any veterans here who knew him before he fled?”

The First Steward nodded. “We could summon every brother who’s worn the black for over twenty years.”

“There’s no need for that,” Aegor interjected. “Even if someone recognizes a younger Mance, more than a decade has passed—they might not recognize him now. The wildlings, however, would know him instantly. Bring him into the yard, tie him up, and then fetch the wildling woman we’ve been holding in the cells. Tell her we launched a strike, crushed the wildlings, and captured their so-called king. Her reaction will tell us all we need to know.”

Mormont pondered the idea for a moment before chuckling. “Good thinking. Let’s do it.”
----


Soon, Mance Rayder, visibly bewildered, was bound to a post in the center of the yard, ropes cinched tightly by the Night’s Watch guards. A few feet away, Ygritte, her face flushed with anger, was dragged from the ice cells and brought to where she could clearly see him. Mormont repeated Aegor’s fabricated tale to her, saying the Night’s Watch had crushed the wildlings and captured their King Beyond the Wall.

The wildlings could never have anticipated the Night’s Watch using such a tactic to verify Mance’s identity. Ygritte, having been imprisoned for days under strict guard, couldn’t possibly know that Mance had come to negotiate. If she sneered and declared they’d captured the wrong man, it would mean this was an impostor. But if she looked shocked or devastated, it would confirm that the man was indeed Mance Rayder.

The plan was simple, and it unfolded smoothly—at first. The result, however, was a bit more dramatic than anticipated.

Upon seeing Mance Rayder tied to the post, gagged and seemingly awaiting execution, Ygritte lost control. She broke free from Jon’s grip and lunged toward Jeor Mormont with a feral intensity, snapping her teeth as if to bite him.

Caught off guard by her sudden aggression, Mormont instinctively raised his arm to block her, and her teeth sank into his sleeve.

Reacting quickly, Aegor and Bowen Marsh leapt forward, pulling Ygritte off Mormont and pinning her to the ground.

“You crows deserve to burn in the Seven Hells!” Ygritte roared, her face pressed against the icy ground. “If you won’t let the Free Folk through the Wall, then when we’re dead and turned into wights, we’ll come back for you!”

“What are you doing, Jon!?” Mormont barked, glaring at the young man. “Gentleness with women may be a virtue, but this is our enemy! Or have you forgotten your vows?”

Jon, red-faced and flustered, hurried to restrain Ygritte once more. “Apologies, Lord Commander. I didn’t think she’d be so strong.”

“Take her away!”

Jon dragged the still-cursing Ygritte back toward the cells. Watching him go, Othell Yarwyck shook his head. “The boy’s too soft. Trying to comfort a wildling woman—it’s absurd. I’m worried she’ll lead him to break his vows.” He turned back to Mormont. “Are you all right, Jeor?”

“My arm’s intact, and the sleeves took most of the bite,” Mormont replied with a dry chuckle. “But at least we’ve confirmed one thing—this man really is Mance Rayder. Honestly... I’m surprised.”

“What do we do with the traitor?” Bowen asked.

“Out of respect for his courage, let’s hear what he has to say,” Aegor suggested. “Besides, we need the wildlings’ grain stores to survive until Braavos’s shipments arrive.”

Mormont rubbed his arm thoughtfully before nodding. “Bring him to the council chamber.”
----


A short time later, Mance Rayder, unbound but still under guard, was led into the hall and seated before the senior officers of the Night’s Watch.

“Quite the show of hospitality,” Mance began, his face pale and weary. “I thought you meant to hang me out there. I’ve faced death many times, but I must admit, this one had me worried. It’s hard to believe this is how my former brothers treat a man who comes to negotiate.”

“You remember we were once your brothers?” Jeremy Rykker sneered. “Then you should also remember how the Night’s Watch deals with deserters and oathbreakers.”

Mance gave a bitter laugh. “The Night’s Watch hasn’t changed at all, has it? No wonder you’ve been reduced to calling on hill tribes for reinforcements.”

“Mance Rayder,” Aegor interrupted, his voice cold and sharp. “Do you really think trading barbs matters right now? If the Night’s Watch decides to deny you entry through the Wall, your ten thousand Free Folk will die in the forest. And when they do, they’ll return as wights, every one of them. Now, you’d best put every bargaining chip you have on the table. Otherwise, we’ll hang you and end this war right here.”

Mance’s unexpected appearance had caught both Mormont and Aegor off guard. As Bowen Marsh had pointed out earlier, hanging the so-called King Beyond the Wall could end the war. But if Mormont chose the simpler path, all of Aegor’s carefully laid plans would collapse.

Aegor knew he couldn’t persuade the others to abandon the easy solution without compelling reasons. He could only hope that Mance Rayder had come with a worthwhile offer—something substantial enough to turn the tide of the council’s decision.