GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond the Ice

The tension in the room was palpable, a silent battle of wills between Tyrion and Benjen. The air felt thick, almost combustible. Thankfully, Tyrion wasn't the sort to escalate into physical confrontation, and Benjen Stark, despite his simmering anger, wasn't going to throw the first punch either.

It was Maester Aemon who finally raised his hand, signaling for the two men to stop arguing. The old maester's blind eyes turned toward Mormont, who had been quietly observing the heated exchange. "Lord Commander," Aemon began calmly, "Dragonstone has sent a reply. They've granted us permission to send people to mine dragonglass."

Mormont raised his eyebrows. "Over there? Surely we can just send a few workers?" But then something clicked in his mind, and his tone shifted. "Wait… you mean?"

The blind maester nodded knowingly. "Dragonstone is quite close to King's Landing. Since Lord Tyrion speaks so highly of Aegor's abilities, why not give the young man a chance to prove himself? He crossed the Narrow Sea to come here and became a brother of the Night's Watch for something as trivial as stealing a few potatoes to stave off hunger. If he finally has a chance to leave, but we deny him that, I doubt he'll ever truly accept his place here. Even if he stays, his heart won't be in it."

Tyrion silently applauded Aemon's words, nodding along with enthusiasm. He turned expectantly toward Mormont, waiting for the commander's decision.

"If you see it that way, I have no objection," Mormont finally said, his respect for Aemon evident in his tone. He turned to Benjen, passing the decision onto the Chief Ranger. "Ask Stark if he's willing to let him go."

The weight of the decision shifted to Benjen Stark once more. The ranger's jaw tightened. He had no desire to let this clever Lannister get his way, but neither did he want to openly oppose Maester Aemon. After a moment, he voiced his hesitation. "And what happens if he doesn't come back? Who will take responsibility for that?"

"Me," Tyrion answered without hesitation. "If he fails the mission or doesn't make a significant contribution to the Night's Watch after leaving, you can recall him. If he deserts, you can hold me accountable."

Benjen's eyes narrowed. "Hold you accountable? Will you come to the Wall to replace him? Or will you send Lannister soldiers to fill the gap? Neither option seems likely. Instead of playing these word games, why not give us something tangible? The Lannisters are the richest family in Westeros, after all. Surely a little more generosity wouldn't hurt, especially since the Night's Watch protects the entire realm."

Tyrion sighed heavily, recognizing this as a calculated blow to his pride and his purse. He gritted his teeth, knowing he was about to take a loss. "Ah, and here I thought Starks cared little for material possessions," he muttered, forcing a tight smile. "Fine. Since it's for the sake of humanity, I won't be stingy. Let's discuss the specifics of my funding for the Watch, as well as the details of Aegor's responsibilities after leaving the Wall."

---

While the negotiations continued inside, Aegor, standing some distance away, kept his gaze fixed on the commander's office.

The arrival of the Chief Ranger and Maester Aemon shortly after Tyrion entered had not gone unnoticed. It was clear that something significant was being discussed. The sight made Aegor uneasy, though he forced himself to stay calm. If he had to put the feeling into words, it was like waiting outside a birthing chamber, wondering if the outcome would bring life—or death.

The outcome of this discussion would determine everything. If Tyrion succeeded, Aegor would be leaving the Wall, leaving the confines of the Night's Watch, and stepping into the vast, opportunity-filled world of Westeros. If he failed, Aegor would resign himself to a life of patrols, snow, and survival. Even if he rose through the ranks—from ranger to squad leader, to possibly Chief Ranger—he would still be shackled to the Wall, forever facing danger and death. For a man with memories of another life, such a fate was unthinkable.

But leaving… If he left, the world would open before him. The label of the Night's Watch might remain, but life was what you made of it. Determination could overcome any obstacle.

After what felt like an eternity, the door opened again. This time, the steward left the room and returned with two additional officers: Bowen Marsh, the First Steward, and Othell Yarwyck, the Chief Builder. Aegor's heart leapt.

It's settled, he thought with growing excitement. Marsh and Yarwyck didn't concern themselves with anything unrelated to their respective duties. The fact that they had been called in likely meant the negotiations had moved to specifics, discussing resources and supplies rather than arguments over principle. In other words, bargaining over the "price" of his departure.

If nothing unexpected happened, the decision would be finalized soon. It wouldn't do to stand around any longer, so Aegor turned back toward the meeting hall and found a seat. There was nothing more to do but wait.

---

The waiting ended after what felt like hours. The wooden door creaked open again, but this time, it wasn't Tyrion who emerged. It was Benjen Stark.

The Chief Ranger's expression was unreadable as he stood in the doorway for a moment, then addressed Aegor curtly. "Aegor, you won't be joining the next patrol. The Lord Commander has assigned you to a more important mission. Prepare yourself to leave with Lannister once he's finished touring the Wall."

Aegor stood quickly, suppressing the grin threatening to break across his face. Though he'd been expecting this outcome, hearing it confirmed sent a thrill of relief through him. "As you command," he replied, trying to keep his tone measured. "But I was supposed to lead the patrol. Now I'm leaving?"

---

What's there to pretend about? Benjen thought, his inner irritation barely masked. He wasn't blind—he knew exactly what had happened. Tyrion Lannister, for whatever reason, had taken a liking to Aegor. The dwarf had gone out of his way to secure this "mission" as a convenient excuse to remove him from the Wall. And Aegor, the supposed beneficiary, was hardly innocent in the matter.

Benjen had no doubt the boy had struck some kind of deal with Tyrion, manipulating the situation to his advantage. It was impressive, in a way. Despite his low rank, Aegor had managed to befriend one of the most cunning men in Westeros and convince him to intervene.

"When it comes to leading patrols, Will is just as capable as you," Benjen said, his tone neutral. Though he wasn't happy about the situation, he didn't hold any personal resentment toward Aegor. The young ranger had done what anyone in his position would do. "You're a clever man. You've found your way off the Wall, and I have no reason to stop you. Just focus on your new mission, complete it well, and don't look back."

Aegor's face flushed slightly, knowing Benjen had likely seen through him. Still, there was no point in denying it. He nodded respectfully. "As you command."

Satisfied with the response, Benjen gave him one last appraising look before turning and walking away.

***

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