North of the wall was even more trying than the Watch had told, blistering colds and hurtling wind melded with the dwellers and wildlings to create a pretty much inhospitable landscape. You were lucky all those months ago to have escaped from the ambush when your brothers did not, leaving you surviving in the barren landscape and unable to return to the wall.

It was another day of marching without direction, carrying your home with young hopes of spotting the towering structure cutting through the dense clouds but deep down knowing it would be another day of no progress.

Your feet dredged through the shin high snow as the hills around you grew taller and taller, days upon days of silence and whiteness had dulled your senses and you barely heard the hooded man beckoning from above you.

"Don't move." The man called out. You had managed to avoid wildlings since the attack, but your sword was still sharp as was your mind.

"Leave me be, I just seek passage." You held your arms up, your mind was able, but your body had grown frail from a lack of food and even against a lesser opponent your chances were not good.

"I can take you to the wall." He moved closer and made his way down his stoop to you, you pulled your shorts word and held it proudly in front of you.

"I know your dirty tricks wildling, back off or I will not hesitate to stain the snow with your blood." He persistently strolled forward but now his hands protruded into the air, from beneath his hood black strands of hair blew in the wind.

"I can help you, y/n." Your heart sank as he called out your name and slowly dropped his hood.

"Jon?" You dropped your sword into the snow and wrapped your arms around your previous brother in arms. "What are you doing here?" He returned the embrace, holding you tightly before picking up your blade to give back to you.

"I heard about the ambush, when they said there was a survivor, I knew whoever it was they wouldn't stand a chance in this wasteland. I felt like it was my responsibility to help."

"But why are you here?" He shook his head, telling you simply how you wouldn't understand.

"Let me take you to the wall but first, you look as if you haven't eaten in days."

~*~

Written by Aaron.