Jon and Ygritte

Part II

Thud.

Jon hammered in another spike, and clung to the Wall like a mother's embrace. He could see the cold, sharp cracks in the ice where the morning sun fell on it.

"Why aren't we climbing at night? The Wall's like to weep in light like this."

Tormund scowled down at him through his thick red beard.

"Enough with your questions, crow. Orders are orders. We climb in the day because Mance desires it."

They continued steadily upwards throughout the day, as the wintery sun sunk lower in the west. As it drifted beneath the horizon, the wildling party finally clambered onto the top of the Wall. Jon and Ygritte clung to each other in relief, grinning broadly, before regaining their composure and separating slightly awkwardly.

They set up camp far below in the Night Fort, one of the Watch's long abandoned castles, after a much easier descent on the icy steps. Jon moved towards the sturdiest-looking tower, until Ygritte grabbed him and roughly pulled him over to her spot by the fire, where she kissed him slowly, all still without saying a word