NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Dreams and Honour!
As the morning sun climbed higher, casting light through the verdant canopy of the Godswood, Cregan's mind turned over the summons that had come to him to meet Ned in the sacred quiet of the Godswood. The memory of dawn flickered before him, a morning not long past when Benjen had unexpectedly come upon him during his secret training among the ancient sentinels of the wood.
'Could Benjen have betrayed my secrets to Ned?' he pondered, his boots crunching softly on the carpet of fallen leaves as he neared the iron-bound gates of the Godswood. A flicker of doubt danced in his heart, but he quashed it swiftly. 'No, Benjen is no fool to speak without proof. To do so would earn him naught but scorn, branded a madman for his troubles.'
As Cregan approached the gates, he spotted Benjen already there, seemingly awaiting his arrival.
"Cregan, I must know the truth," Benjen implored with a serious tone. "The scene I witnessed this morning with you—was it genuine?"
Instead of responding directly, Cregan deflected with a question of his own. "Why has Ned called me to this place, Ben?"
Benjen's gaze lingered on Cregan, his expression a taut mask of concern that seemed almost out of place amidst the serene backdrop of Godswood. "Ned has his reasons, and it's not related to Hearttree," Benjen replied, his voice carrying a subtle tension, as if the very leaves around them might carry his words beyond their sacred enclave. "But that does not answer my question, Cregan. What I witnessed this morn... was it merely shadows and light, or something more?"
Cregan paused, carefully considering his next words. "Why? Because it's the same as it was this morning?"
"Yes, Cregan, the face, it's back to normal. How can it change in the first place, and now it's... just tell me what's happening?"
"You saw what you saw, Ben," Cregan finally said, his voice steady despite the swirling doubts. "We can talk about this later as its not something I can tell out in the open. Let's not keep our brother waiting."
Benjen's eyes narrowed slightly, the suspicion and uncertainty mingling visibly in his expression. Despite Cregan's evasive answer, his stance remained insistent, rooted like the ancient trees around them. "We will discuss this again, Cregan," he asserted with a firm nod, the unresolved tension hanging between them like the dense fog of a northern morning.
With that, Benjen turned, indicating for Cregan to follow, and they began their walk deeper into the Godswood.
As they made their way deeper into the Godswood, Benjen's voice broke the hushed murmur of the forest. "Ned has requested your presence. He mentioned it concerns your future."
"My future, now?" Cregan responded with a hint of scepticism, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "He hasn't even set foot in the Great Keep since his return. What could be so urgent?"
"I wondered the same," Benjen admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But he gave nothing away, only insisted that I fetch you."
They hastened their steps through the twisted roots and ancient trunks and soon found themselves in the heart of the Godswood. Ned was there, seated solemnly by the dark pond that mirrored the overhanging trees.
Cregan wasted no time as he approached. "What matter requires my attention, Ned? Benjen speaks of concerns regarding my future." His words were direct, brooking no evasion.
Ned's gaze was steady as he replied, "It's nothing trivial, and yet it might be of great consequence. That is why I called you here—to speak in private."
"You haven't arranged a marriage for me, have you?" Cregan jested, though his heart skipped a beat as he saw the gravity in Ned's eyes.
"No, nothing of the sort," Ned assured him. "But as your elder brother, I must consider your future. Benjen here has chosen his path, and I believe it is time to discuss yours. I would rather hear your thoughts and desires than decide your fate for you."
Cregan glanced at Benjen, knowing his brother well enough to guess his decision. The thought of Benjen wasting away at the Wall, despite the honor, was disheartening. "What has Benjen decided?"
Ned hesitated, his uncertainty evident. But Benjen spoke up, sparing his brother the dilemma. "Cregan, I have decided to take the black."
"You wish to join the Night's Watch? But why? Didn't you always dream of becoming a knight?" Cregan asked, a mixture of disbelief and concern coloring his voice.
Benjen's eyes held a quiet resolve as he answered, "Dreams change, Cregan. What I seek now is a purpose beyond knighthood and titles. The Wall may be cold and harsh, but it is where I believe I can serve best and bring honor to our family, as our ancestors did."
"Oh, is that so? Then I want to bring honor to the House too and join the Night's Watch as well," Cregan declared, shocking both his brothers.
"Wait, don't be rash, Cregan. You cannot decide to take the black just like that, without thinking of the consequences," Benjen quickly tried to dissuade his younger brother.
"As, so there are consequences, yet you decide to take the black. If you don't care about them, why should I?" Cregan retorted, leaving Benjen momentarily speechless.
Ned, initially confused, quickly caught on to Cregan's true intent. "What is it really, Cregan? You don't wish for Benjen to decide his own fate, do you?"
Cregan's expression softened slightly as he turned to Ned. "He has every right to think about his future, but not by making rash decisions, especially after we've lost so many family members. Joining the Night's Watch is an honorable choice, but not if it's done reluctantly. What purpose does it serve to fight those beyond the Wall when there is so much to be done here? Benjen could do more good for the North by staying, protecting our people from any trespassers, and helping to develop the land. You can always join the Watch later in life, once you have done enough for the North and our House."
Benjen was momentarily speechless, the conviction in Cregan's voice leaving him at a loss.
Ned nodded, his gaze steady on Benjen. "Cregan speaks wisely, Benjen. Your decision feels hasty. The Wall will always need men of honor, but so does Winterfell. There is much you can accomplish here before making such a drastic choice. Consider the impact of your decision and the responsibilities you may leave behind."
Cregan stepped closer, his voice softer yet filled with earnestness. "Our sister would have wanted you to follow your dream and become the greatest knight there is. That would have been the greatest gift to her memory, and to that of Brandon and our father."
Benjen's resolve wavered as he listened to his brothers. "I-I will think on it," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Benjen had different reasons for joining the Watch, reasons he couldn't share with his brothers. It was his way of seeking punishment and redemption for his mistakes, a burden he carried silently. 'Perhaps there's some truth in their words,' he thought.
Ned, sensing the shift in the conversation, turned to Cregan. "Enough about Benjen. What about you, Cregan? What's your dream?"
Cregan's eyes lit up with determination. "Me? I want to see the North prosper and become the richest land in the world, rich enough to make even the Valyrians jealous," he declared with confidence.
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