𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙍𝙄𝙊𝙍𝙎 (Game of Thrones)

𝙫𝙞.

Jon and Sam were the ones on watch when it happened. A riderless horse running through the snow, returning to Castle Black. Vickon had been in the yard when one of the recruits led in the terrified animal, clutching at the reigns as it bucked and pulled. "What is it?" he asked, running forward to see what the matter was.

The animal seemed to be fine. Scared out of its wits, no doubt, but unharmed. And, curiously enough, still saddled and ready. Lord Commander Jeor made to join Vickon, gazing up at the brown stallion.

"That's my uncle Benjen's horse," Vickon heard Jon say, and he turned to see the bastard approaching quickly, Sam close at his back.

The horse neighed wildly, refusing to be kept in place by the young man who held it. "You're making it worse," Vickon said, and he stepped forward, holding a hand out to the beast. "Easy now," he urged softly. "Easy."

"Where's my uncle?" Jon asked, looking between the horse and Lord Jeor. 

Lord Jeor had no reply.

It was time for the recruits to receive their positions. Vickon was silent as he stood among the other rangers, looking out at their soon-to-be brothers. Jon would become a ranger, of that there was no doubt. He listened as Lord Jeor spoke to the young men, many of whom would not survive the coming winter. "You came to us as outlaws, poachers, rapers, killers, thieves," he said. "You came alone, in chains, without friends nor honor. You came to us rich and you came to us poor. Some of you bear the names of proud houses, others only bastard names or no names at all. It does not matter. All that is in the past. Here, on the Wall, we are all one house."

Vickon glanced in Jon's direction, seeing him in quiet conversation with Sam. Lord Jeor was still speaking. "Here you begin anew," he said. "A man of the Night's Watch... lives his life for the realm. Not for a king, or a lord, or the honor of this house or that house, not for gold or glory nor a woman's love, but for the realm and all the people in it." Vickon bowed his head as Lord Jeor continued on. "You've all learned the words of your vow. Think carefully before you say them. The penalty for desertion is death. You can take your vows here tonight at sunset." He looked out over the boys. "Do any of you still keep the old Gods?" he asked.

Jon spoke, rising from his seat. "I do, my lord."

Lord Jeor nodded. "You'll want to take your vows before a heart tree, as your uncle did."

"Yes, my lord," Jon replied.

"You'll find a weirwood a mile north of the Wall. And your old Gods, too, maybe."

Sam hesitated a moment before he, too, stood up. "My lord, might I go as well?"

"Does House Tarly keep the old Gods?" Lord Jeor asked.

"No, my lord," Sam replied. "I was named in the light of the Seven, as my father was and his father before him."

"Why would you forsake the Gods of your father and your house?" Ser Alliser asked.

"The Night's Watch is my house now," Sam said simply. "The Seven have never answered my prayers. Perhaps the old Gods will."

Lord Jeor nodded. "As you wish, lad."

Sam gave a faint smile, nodding before he and Jon took their seats. Lord Jeor continued. "You've all been assigned an order, according to our needs and your strengths." He began to read from the list in his hands, Vickon listening closely. "Halder to the builders. Pyp to the stewards. Toad to the builders. Grenn to the rangers. Samwell to the stewards. Matthar to the rangers. Dareon to the stewards. Balian to the rangers. Rast to the rangers. Jon to the stewards. Rancer to the builders. Echiel to the builders. Gordo to the stewards. Niko to the rangers. Escan to the rangers. Vorkoy to the builders. Joby to the stables. Mink to the kitchens. Allo to the builders. Nelugo to the rangers." He looked up at the men. "May all the Gods preserve you."