Shards of snow almost as sharp as glass darted throughout the air, flying between the battlements and falling just short of face and Sam's.

"A bit different from Horn Hill?" Sam's gaze was cast out across the great white expanse, half-heartedly hoping for a reason for the horn to sound.

"Aye, not much snow around there."

"Do you miss it?" Sam laughed dismissively.

"Not really. A ban against women, freezing weather and the constant threat of death is all that greets me here, yet I greatly prefer it to being back home."

"Is that why you joined?"

"It wasn't exactly my choice. 'A disgrace to the family' no right to the family heirlooms and definitely no right to the family name. Shipped off here without a moment's notice and to be honest I'm glad the grumpy old bastard favoured my younger brother. Although it does mean I have to stand next to this stinking pile of refuse for hours on end on top of this behemoth of a wall." He couldn't help but smirk.

"Real funny Sam. Is there anything that you miss?"

"The food at home was a lot better, quite a few more books too. But you know what I miss most about being home? The bed and the food. Let's face it, I never really would have a chance to get into a woman anyway and that seems to be what most people here are complaining about but looking at them they have less of a chance than I do. The pretentious slop I was fed at home doesn't fit too much higher than the grool the 'chefs' serve here."

"There must be more than your bed that you miss, surely?"

"Well, I do miss the citadel, and this armour isn't the most comfortable thing in the world. Not much music either. You know what, maybe there is a fair bit I miss from home, thank you for reminding me of everything I had to leave back home whilst I'm a million miles up, sleep deprived and under the constant threat of a wildling sighting."

"Don't worry about it, it could always be worse?"

"Please, how could this be worse?"

"You could go back home, sleep on something that isn't straw and spend all day reading in a robe."

"And how exactly would that be worse?"

"Well, you wouldn't have the excellent company of myself now would you?"

~*~

Written by Aaron.