Chương 168: Chapter 167: Benjen Stark
Perhaps others in the Night's Watch may not know the real name of the venerable Maester Aemon, as becoming a maester means giving up one's family name.
However, as the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont may only be a junior to Maester Aemon, but he learned of this information from the last words of the previous Lord Commander.
Maester Aemon's full name is Aemon Targaryen, the third son of Maekar Targaryen I.
Once, in order to uphold his vows, he refused the throne offered to him and handed it over to his younger brother, who later became Aegon V.
Moreover, to prevent himself from being used as a tool to usurp his brother's throne in the future, Aemon Targaryen joined the Night's Watch at the Wall after giving up the throne.
Aemon's brother, King Aegon, emptied the dungeons of King's Landing for his elder brother and provided an 'honor guard' of two hundred men for his journey to the Wall to recite the Night's Watch vows.
"It's shameful to admit... Lord Commander."
"As a sworn brother of the Night's Watch, I should be indifferent to the affairs of the outside world."
"Love is the great enemy of honor and the great taboo of duty."
Maester Aemon said shakily, his hand resting on the cold battlements, his pale eyes gazing at the Haunted Forest in the distance.
However, it was unclear whether his blind eyes could actually see anything.
"But it is truly difficult to achieve this."
As Maester Aemon's words fell, Jeor Mormont, whose hair had also turned white, fell silent for a while before nodding.
"You're right, Maester Aemon."
"Even now, I still miss my family."
In order to ensure his son could inherit the family and title, Jeor Mormont resolutely joined the ranks of the Night's Watch. However, he had recently received news about Jorah.
His son, Jorah Mormont, had distinguished himself in the war to suppress the Iron Islands rebellion and was knighted. He then achieved an impossible victory for a girl in a tournament held in Lannisport to celebrate the war's victory, winning the championship.
"It seems we both have the same troubles, Lord Commander."
Maester Aemon was not surprised by Mormont's answer and merely gave a faint smile.
Afterwards, he walked towards the way back with Mormont's assistance.
"Viserys is doing well, whether or not he can reclaim his throne in the end."
"I want to write him a letter; this child knows I am here but has never written me a single letter."
Maester Aemon, supported by Lord Commander Mormont, descended the towering, steep stairs, still speaking with a trembling voice, and there was even a hint of complaint in his words.
Maester Aemon was getting old and missed his younger relatives, but they never thought of him.
"His uncle, that good boy called Rhaegar, used to correspond with me through ravens many years ago..."
Maester Aemon continued speaking until Lord Commander Mormont gently reminded him, and the old man paused before realizing his mistake.
"Yes, yes... I was wrong."
"They are all the grandchildren of Jaehaerys, Rhaegar is Viserys's elder brother."
"Aerys..."
Although the old man's mind was not yet confused, his age meant he no longer had the clarity of thought he had in his youth.
Mumbling to himself, he finally sorted out his family tree and placed Viserys in the correct position.
Then, he took a long breath, snowflakes still drifting above his head, and exhaled a white mist.
...
The old man slightly calmed his emotions and continued to speak.
His voice remained hoarse and sharp, but it made people involuntarily become serious.
"He has a dragon..."
"Dragons... they have been gone for so many years, they wouldn't just return for no reason."
The old man's voice drifted away in the wind as the two figures receded into the distance.
"I experienced the winter sixty years ago, a long winter that lasted six years."
"I saw with my own eyes women suffocating their newborns in their beds, their tears freezing as they flowed, and people digging through the snow to eat whatever they could find in the ground..."
In the 223rd to 230th year of Aegon's Conquest, there was a seven-year-long summer, and people had even forgotten what winter was like.
However, from the 230th to 236th year of Aegon's Conquest, a punishing disaster arrived as expected; a six-year-long winter enveloped the Seven Kingdoms. Almost every household north of the Neck and even north of King's Landing was empty, and there were even cases of cannibalism.
Maester Aemon's lifespan had indeed been too long, becoming a living piece of history.
He had witnessed and experienced countless tumultuous events.
"Lord Commander."
"I feel the weather has gotten colder..."
...
Half a month later.
The North.
Clopping, clopping, clopping...
The sound of galloping hooves came from the ancient road that stretched beyond sight.
A knight, clad in scale armor and draped in a black animal fur cloak, arrived at the gates of Winterfell. The lookout stationed on the tower had spotted him long ago.
Thwack!
The bowstring released a sound, and an arrow pierced the ground in front of the black-clad knight, causing mud to splash.
The knight's steed was startled, stomping its hooves restlessly, and snorted loudly, exhaling a thick white mist.
"Who goes there!"
The guard on the battlements of Winterfell shouted, holding his bow and arrow.
Winterfell was the stronghold of the Stark family, protectors of the North, and the soldiers stationed here were naturally the bravest of warriors. He was very confident in his archery skills, capable of ordering the other party to stop without hurting them.
However, the black-clad knight standing at the foot of Winterfell heard the familiar voice and reined in his horse, calming its restlessness. He then removed his hood, raised his head, and spoke.
"Marlon, it's me."
The knight's voice was somewhat hoarse and deep. This was his home, the place where he grew up, and he recognized the guard on the battlements.
Marlon, the guard, saw the knight's face after he removed his hood and was initially slightly taken aback.
Then, he became overjoyed.
"It's Lord Benjen!"
Benjen Stark was the younger brother of Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell. After the end of Robert's Rebellion, he joined the Night's Watch on behalf of the Stark family.
It had been five or six years since he left Winterfell, and no one expected him to suddenly return at this time.
The news of Benjen's return quickly spread throughout Winterfell.
...
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