King and King 4

Clip-clop, clip-clop. Hoofbeats echoed through the tunnel, shattering its deathly silence.

Old Bear's face was like rock carved by time, every wrinkle etched with deep worry. After a long while, he slowly spoke. "Lord Eddard, a hundred thousand Wildlings from Beyond the Wall have suddenly marched south without warning. What that signifies is self-evident. It is enough to prove..."

Lord Eddard cut in gravely. "Winter is Coming."

His voice seemed to toll the alarm bell of fate.

Old Bear nodded silently. After another long silence, he said, "Perhaps we should seriously consider how to settle these Wildlings fleeing here."

Lord Eddard's brow instantly furrowed. "The Gift?"

Old Bear's gaze, fixed on the darkness ahead, was profound. "The Gift is vast, but because of its cold and barrenness, even offering land has never drawn people to settle there. My lord, I was thinking... as long as the new lords pay taxes to Castle Black, this might be an opportunity to change the Night's Watch's dire circumstances."

"Lord Commander Jeor."

Lord Eddard called to him first, his voice somewhat stiff. "This is more likely to become a disaster for the whole of The North. The Wildlings Beyond the Wall call themselves the 'Free Folk.' They will not enjoy being bound by the Night's Watch. How could they quietly hunt and farm on land assigned by the Night's Watch? It would surely bring endless unrest and calamity to The North."

After a pause, Old Bear let out a deep sigh, filled with helplessness and weariness. "My apologies, Lord Eddard. I was too hasty."

He rubbed his sparse white hair, his expression slightly pained. "The thought that the Wall of the End might collapse before my eyes has left me deeply uneasy. If only I had enough men..."

By the ancient traditions of the