𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙍𝙄𝙊𝙍𝙎 (Game of Thrones)

𝙞𝙭.

Lord Eddard Stark was dead.

Beheaded on the orders of the boy king.

The news spread about Castle Black quickly. Jon had confined himself to his chambers for most of the day, ignoring everyone if he ever ventured beyond them. Vickon had tried to speak with him and had nearly been punched in the face before Grenn took him by the arm and pulled him away.

Jon tried to leave in the night. Vickon woke to Sam standing over his bed, anxiety in his eyes as he said, "Jon's gone to join to his brother."

And that was how Vickon found himself saddling a horse with Grenn, Pyp, and Sam in the middle of the night. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. "How far of a start did he get?" he asked Sam, who shook his head.

"An hour?" Sam replied. "I'm not sure. But we have to get him!"

"Well, obviously," Vickon said. He climbed up onto his horse, letting out a breath. "All right, lads. Let's go, then."

They rode through the darkness, racing across snow and brown grass. At some point, snow gave way to a blanket of leaves. Vickon saw Ghost streaking through the trees. "Ghost!" he called, and the animal slowed, looking back at him.

Jon came into view just ahead. He looked back at the herd chasing him. "Ghost, to me!" he shouted, and he looked straight ahead once more, ducking beneath a low-hanging branch.

Sam was no so quick. The branch hit him hard in the face, sending him toppling backward off of his horse. Grenn and Pyp stopped, but Vickon continued onward. He wasn't going to let Jon get away.

"Samwell!" Grenn said, and Vickon glanced back.

"Is he dead?" Pyp was asking.

"No, he's not dead," Grenn stated.

Vickon looked ahead when he heard Sam speak, "Did we get him?"

Jon had stopped. He was looking back. Vickon watched him take a breath before he turned his horse, riding toward him. Vickon held back a smile as he turned, leading Jon to the others.

Pyp and Grenn pulled Sam off of the forest floor. Pyp's eyes drifted toward Jon. "We're taking you back to where you belong," he stated.

"I belong with my brother," Jon said, but he dismounted his horse all the same, Vickon following suit.

"But we're your brothers now," Sam said.

"They'll kill you if they find out you've gone," Grenn added.

"They'll kill you if they know you came after me," Jon replied. "Go back."

"We all know what's happened," Vickon said. "We're sorry about your father."

"But it doesn't matter," Grenn said. "You took the oath. You can't leave."

"I have to," Jon said.

"You can't. You said the words."

"I don't care about- -"

"Hear my words and bear witness to my vow," Sam interjected, and all eyes fell to him.

"To hell with all of you," Jon said.

He turned back toward his horse, but Pyp caught him by the wrist. "Night gathers and now my watch begins," he said.

Vickon joined. "It shall not end until my death. I shall live and die at my post."

"I am the sword in the darkness," Grenn said, and then they all joined.

"The watcher on the walls, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all nights to come."

Sam moved to pick up Longclaw from the forest floor, holding the blade out to Jon, who hesitated a moment before he took it.

They stood there in the darkness for quite some time, the only light being the torches held by Grenn and Pyp.

Vickon made the first move, slinging an arm around Jon's shoulders. Surprisingly, Jon didn't pull away. "We ought to head back," Vickon said, addressing all of them. "Before Lord Commander Mormont realizes what's happened."

Jon gave a stiff nod. He slipped free of Vickon's grip and returned to his horse.

They rode back to Castle Black in silence.