The sound of men whistling signals of passage echoed in the various gusts of wind. Zipporah sensed a curiosity from some, scoffing from others, and lusting from the rest. There was no part of her that was leaning into the light for this introduction. From the stories she had listened into from Old Nan..."What do you know about fear ? Fear is for the winter, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides for years and children are born and live and die all in darkness. That is the time for fear, my little Lord, when the White Walkers move through the woods. Thousands of years ago there came a night that lasted a generation. Kings froze to death in their castles, same as the shepherds in their huts. And women smothered their babies rather than see them starve, and wept and felt the tears freeze on their cheeks. So is this the sort of story that you like ? In that darkness, the White Walkers came for the first time. They swept through cities and kingdoms, riding their dead horses, hunting with their packs of pale spiders big as hounds..." to the nightmares her husband possessed concerning the men who took the black, she was not disillusioned about the premise for their purpose or methodology. Then again, had she dealt with similar men in her previous life? Absolute-fucking-ly.

"That's not lady like." A familiar voice called from the shadows of the force. Ben. Now what was the force trying to teach her? That it is wholly and totally inconvenient? She was trying to mentally prepare to show the men that she knew what she was talking about and to pull rank. Now this.

"You'd feel the same if you were here. I'm entering a place that is the gateway to true darkness."

He openly scoffed, "And what do you know of darkness?"

"Enough to be dwelling in it now." She fired back with slight contempt. Immediately, she wanted to apologize, but she wouldn't.

Sensing him tensing and moving toward her, he warned, "Only one Solo needs to be in that." The sparse light allowed her to see how tired he was. She could tell that whatever life he was leading was wearing him thin. How much time had passed in that galaxy? Was he still doing the whole scary leader of the galaxy bit? She wanted to feel bad for his position, but a part of her was still angry with the First Order—where she was now was because his organization blasted her out of the sky.

Guilt.

How could she be so ungrateful? She had more in this life than she ever did in the other. Another lesson.

"I disagree. Just as I've been saying, balance is the best option." She challenged her older brother all the while throwing in a classic Solo raised brow to finish the dig.

"You have no idea what's going on here." His tone was sad, tense, and anxious. She sputtered. What did he mean? However, before she could dig deeper, he vanished.

Shaken by his last words. She attempted to gain composure. There was no way in hell that she needed to look weak or anxious in front to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.

A crowd of men dressed in black were congregated to one side, and above them was a group of men who she presumed were the Lord Commander and Maester. Both were clearly older. It was easy to sense that one man was no nonsense and proud while the other was humble but possessed immense knowledge. It radiated from him. He understood the world around him clearly even if he could not see well.

Jon climbed off his horse first and immediately motioned for her to do the same. She stood beside him as he began , "Lord Commander Mormont-"

He loudly interrupted, "Lord Jon Stark and who I assume is your sister in law, Lady Stark?"

Jon was speechless. That wasn't how most greetings went. The former Lord of Bear Island had decided not to waste time on formalities. Quickly gathering his wit, Jon continued, "Aye, we have come to deliver a host of new recruits as well as to discuss a very pressing matter concerning the realm."

"What would that be?" The Old Bear bit back causing the men to stir with mumbling.

"Winter is coming." Zipporah asserted with strength, and her tone delivered a dark, visceral warning that silenced the yard. She wasn't sure if it was the force emitting from her that caused the silence or was it the dark, fierce look that she was known to share when the dark side was in control. Nevertheless, the leaders, of the Night's Watch, regained their poise and motioned for both her and Jon to come up to what she presumed was their version of the Great Hall.

As the Old Bear took his seat, Jon, Zipporah, the old Maester, and the Bear's second in command all sat respectively around an old, wooden table. Out of the corner of her eye, Zi caught sight of a young man, around Jon's age, enter and begin to prep to bring the table something to drink. The man was quite large to be in the Night's Watch. She had presumed that the Watch rationed food and conducted rigorous drills. Apparently not. Nevertheless, she sensed nothing but light in the individual. It was easy to tell that he was nervous and not used to his steward's position.

"Lady Stark. forgive me for not having better manners, welcome to Castle Black." Mormont murmured in her general direction. Was he just playing nice in order to gain her favor? Did he sense her power?

"There is nothing to forgive." She replied with a small smile.

"Don't be ridiculous my dear, Goddesses deserve all the reverence common man can afford to give." The old Maester offered. Zipporah stared at the ancient man before her. The force easily and readily flowed through him; he was trustworthy. His force signature was unique, and she knew she'd spend most of her evening trying to decipher all the different elements.

"I don't know about goddess." The second in command sneered. Zipporah decided to be intrusive and read through his top thoughts and glean what she could. Alliser Thorne of House Thorne from the Crownlands. Targaryen Loyalist. He was here as the loser of war. He had one choice: death or taking the black. Bitterness swirled in him, especially for the leaders of House Stark. If only he knew that a Targaryen sat before him.

"Your husband is at war with the Lannisters who sit on the Iron Throne. Technically, Castle Black answers to King's Landing." Thorne stated matter of factly.

"My father in law is Lord Eddard Stark, Warden of the North. My husband is declared King in the North. Independence of the North has been established. Now, House Stark comes to aid Castle Black in the fight for the realm. Winter is coming." She answered. These people clung to titles and history rather than practicality. This was an element of her new life that she knew she'd never get used to.

"Aye. Scouts. who have managed to return, have spoken stories about those with glass blue eyes." Mormont confirmed. It seemed only Thorne wanted to play politics.

"Sir, we have declared loyalty—"

"When dead men and worse come hunting for us, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne?" Mormont interrupted his Sergeant at Arms. No, you idiot.

"Aye, enough of House names. We came to help prepare Castle Black for war against what looks like the undead." Jon pushed with a grim face.

The young man interrupted the tense conversation by awkwardly presenting ale to the table. The men, save the Maester, all received with terse nods. Zipporah shook her head and whispered, "Water?" Getting a good look at him, Zipporah committed it to memory. There was something special about the guy. She could make out multiple whispers of the force telling her about him and his destiny to aide them in the fight against the dark.

"Aye ma'am." He returned with a quiet smile. He did his best scurrying away to fulfill her request.

"We'll need to meet with the Wildlings. The Night King, head of the White Walkers, will take them dead or alive."Jon added causing Thorne to at first sputter then resolutely state, "We are not helping them."

"I'd rather come to an agreement than fight them." Jon returned with poise. Always the diplomat.

"No." Alliser tersely stated. Zipporah swore she could hear his teeth grinding together.

"You're not in a position to say no. It's not your land or your kingdom. My husband has given me negotiating power. I will be speaking with the head of the Wildlings." Zipporah interrupted with very apparent irritation. The force rumbled in her being. It was a warning and calling.

Seemingly ignoring the heated conversation, "Those men need better training." Mormont stated with regret, "They're not ready."

Jon glanced at Zipporah and caught her eye.

You going to offer?

I could use the entertainment.

"We offer our help." Jon stated as he reached for his ale and drank. Mormont raised his eyebrow in response as if to say, 'What can you lot do?' The door burst open revealing the steward again, clutching the mug of water Zipporah had requested.

"Took you long enough Tarly. Get lost or something?" Thorne jeered as the nervous man approached.

"Ah, well, it's funny actually now that you mention it-" He babbled as he cautiously reached to give Zipporah her water. She gave him a thankful smile. He had gotten her clean, cold water. She had expected somewhat contaminated water like what she'd find back on the Resistance Base.

"It was rhetorical." Thorne rudely supplied. Dick.

"Ah." Tarly replied with a disappointed look. It seemed like he had much to say. Like the Maester, Zipporah sensed a thirst and respect for knowledge. Samwell.

Zipporah, acting on the volition of the force, stated with certainty and finality, "Samwell Tarly must be trained as a Maester. It is imperative for the realm." Where the hell did that come from? A part of her was angry with the force. When it took over, not only was it unsettling, it was also clear that at times she was a vessel and nothing more. Her self esteem suffered in these small but significant moments.

Jon remained quiet and waited for the Watch to push back. Mormont seemed to be mulling it over while Thorne simply gave a small shake of his head.

"How did you know my name?" Samwell whispered in astonishment. The steward had so many guesses; a part of her wanted to laugh at most of them. There were some very fake, mythical creatures crossing his mind.

"Something for you to learn." Maester Aemon commented with an entertained expression. He knows, Jon.

Aye.

"Fine. Makes more sense anyway. Tarly, get Tollett to take over." Mormont ordered, sending the larger man pacing away with excitement.

"About this training. What can you offer?"

"We will teach as much as we can before the time arrives. We have much to do." Jon replied with a small shrug of his shoulders. What more could he say?

"A highborn and an alleged queen training the Watch; this shall go down in the books. Maester, be sure that your new ward records it all in detail."

Nodding, the Maester took leave and headed to where Zipporah presumed the medicine or Maester's lair resided. She promised she would go to him later as some questions were fighting their way through. She felt Jon moving, and readily became aware that everyone had stood up. Quickly, Zipporah did the same.

"The yard, 15 minutes?" Thorne questioned with a snide expression. Mormont was much more passive and simply gave a half nod and left.

"Aye, we'll be there." Jon agreed. The men exited, leaving their half drank ale behind-they have much to ponder.

Once the two were alone, Jon let out a large sigh. "These people."

"Yeah, these people. The people you almost volunteered to be stuck with. You're welcome." Mirth danced in her eyes. Her recommendation had changed the very nature of his destiny. He had been hell bent on joining the Watch. She could imagine that he'd probably thrive here and make a profound impact, but he was so much more than a soldier. He was going to be a leader, just like his cousin. Her gut murmured to her, 'A much bigger one.' Sighing inwardly, she had to admit that destiny was going to be a real bitch.

"Ha, I suppose I do owe you." He half laughed as he led her to back to their party, where they could grab their supplies and give directions. It was mindless work for the next 10 or so minutes. She relished in it. There was little anticipation built up. Nothing like practicing with Robb. Kriff, how she missed him. Jon was decent company, but he was not her Wolf. Summoning as much force as she could, she pushed a message across the North, We are safe. I love you. She knew there would be no reply; he couldn't.

Grabbing her dual swords from their sheaths nestled on her back, she entered into the yard. Jon was behind her with his sword as well.

"Live steel?" Thorne questioned with intrigue. He didn't seem opposed, but the men in the yard hollered their discontent.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt any of your men. I prefer the weight of real steel vs the wood." She muttered to the crowd of men.

"Honey, who said anything about you hurting us." One man called from the crowd. Ah, they think they can best me?

We both know they cannot.

"Men of the Night's Watch, House Stark has generously offered to give us some help on the fighting front. House Stark is known for being able to carry its own. Look what they did to the Lannister forces some time ago. Listen and watch. Then we'll practice." Mormont announced with ease. Jon and Zipporah kept their jaws from dropping. He was giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Not missing a beat, Jon took the lead on the lesson, "So Lady Stark and I are going to go through some different sequences and explain how to go about them. No doubt most enemies encountered are going to attacking bluntly, not as much calculation." Especially if they're the undead. Jon held in a snort and explained the parring actions that the men would need to practice and utilize. "Lady Zipporah will defend against my blows. Watch how she parries; please use one sword my lady." Rolling her eyes, she put one back and nodded.

Assuming the high guard, she waited for his hard cut. When their swords clashed, she raised an eyebrow at the amount of weight he was putting into the demonstration. He slashed again, and she easily parried away. They moved back and forth from sometime, mimicking the high and low blows found common in fights with inexperienced soldiers. After sometime, she landed a somewhat blow causing to Jon pull back, and question the men around them, "Any questions?"

Mormont watched his men, what were they waiting for? Zipporah rolled her shoulders and neck. This lot is sure a boring bunch.

One man gained the courage to step forward, he seemed overwhelmed, but managed, "Uh, do we have to practice against her?"