The small hall was stifling hot and thick with smoke. Baskets of glowing charcoal sat near the rough-hewn table, casting a faint red light, and thick furs covered the ground, serving as makeshift rugs.
There was food and drink in the cozy hall, along with newly made friends. Tormund didn't think twice about launching into crude jests, even with Val nearby. Soon, Mance Rayder, inspired by the merriment, simply began to sing.
"A Dornish wife is fair as summer sun,
Her kisses warm as the Springtime;
A Dornish blade is made of black iron,
Its kiss a terror to the mind…"
Hearing a song about a Dornish wife north of the Wall felt profoundly out of place, yet it was precisely this exotic flavor that made the tune so captivating—here, a hundred thousand leagues away from the red mountains and warm breezes of Dorne.
"He lies on the ground, darkness echoes all around,
The taste of blood on his tongue is found.
His brother kneels to pray for his soul,
Yet he laughs, laughs as he sings a new song:
'Brother, oh brother, my end has come,
A Dornish hand has claimed my life,
No matter, all men must die, that is the way,
But I once tasted a Dornish wife!'"
Mance's song echoed through the empty hall, this rendition of The Dornish Wife sounding especially carefree from his lips. What else truly matters to a man but wine and women? In this cold land Beyond-the-Wall, nothing held more allure for these northern men than the dance between the sexes.
The short, stout Tormund was so stirred he loudly hollered for another verse, but Mance had no desire to continue singing.
Mance chuckled, "Without a harp, it just feels like something's missing. I learned this song when I was down South, you see".
Tormund scoffed, "No harp, no problem! We ain't those milk-drinking Southron boys. I can't sing as well as him, but my voice is louder, that's for sure!"
Thorfinn, however, was intrigued and asked, "You can play the harp?"
Mance looked smug. "What of it? I know a fair few interesting tunes. I learned a thing or two from a traveling singer when I was just a boy, and after that, I fell in love with singing and playing. I even rambled through the South while I was serving under the last Lord Commander, Qorgyle".
Thorfinn looked eager. "Mance, if I help you, will you teach me how to play?"
Mance paused, then smiled with pleasure. "I'd like that".
Thorfinn returned the smile. "Consider it a pact".
"Done".
Tormund laughed. "You're a queer sort, boy. Wanting to learn the ways of the Southrons?"
Merek chimed in, "There's nothing wrong with the Southron ways. Sounds like fun, at least; they're certainly better players than we are. Thorfinn and I both want to learn their sword skills too, but we haven't found a good teacher yet".
Tormund sneered. "From those self-satisfied kneelers? They're no great fighters, I tell you. The few times I've crossed the Wall, the ones I met weren't warriors. Save for those knights who at least have some skill, they're all just lambs waiting for the slaughter. But they breed like rabbits, and they always have fine things: more steel, hidden grain and wine, and young daughters, ha ha ha!"
Mance chuckled. "Merek, if you're not too proud, you can ask me for sword lessons. I received sword training on the Wall from men using all sorts of fighting styles. The important thing is, I'd be happy to teach you two Skinchanger boys".
Merek was excited. "Then it's settled".
Thorfinn was put off by Tormund's talk of raiding. "Raiding is a fool's game. A true strong man doesn't bully a bunch of farmers. There's no honor in being a reaver".
Mance looked at Thorfinn with some surprise. In his experience, no other Free Folk had ever expressed a distaste for that tradition; Thorfinn was the first.
"Thorfinn, you don't like reavers?" Mance asked, puzzled.
Thorfinn sighed. "I just can't abide by the bullying of the weak. It's not that I 'dislike' it, but given the chance, I'd seize a Stark daughter, just like Bael the Bard did!"
Mance and Tormund burst into hearty laughter. Only Val on the side muttered sourly, "Wouldn't have guessed you had those sorts of ideas. If Morla gets wind of that, you'll be in a world of trouble".
Hearing Val's faintly threatening words, Thorfinn could only give an awkward smile and let the matter drop.
Seeming to notice Val's displeasure at their talk, Merek offered a timely reassurance. "Our Free Folk daughters aren't weak like the Southron ladies. We have remarkable fighters among them. I see a strong, independent girl right in front of me now".
That statement hit the spot with Val. She shot Merek a subtle look of approval, a small smile touching her lips.
Mance and Tormund stayed for a day, then departed. Thorfinn and Merek were a bit reluctant to see them go, especially since Val would also be leaving them. They had all formed a deep friendship during this time, and Merek was particularly downcast about Val's departure.
After agreeing on a meeting place, Mance's group bid farewell to Thorfinn and Merek.
Mance: "Farewell, my friends".
Thorfinn: "Until we meet again".
Tormund didn't waste words; he just stepped up and gave Thorfinn a firm embrace. Taking the chance, Mance moved to Merek's side. He patted Merek on the shoulder and whispered in his ear, "The girl doesn't hate you. Go for it".
With a knowing smile, Mance walked away, leaving Merek feeling awkward. He couldn't figure out how Mance had seen that he liked Val.
As they walked into the distance, Val turned and shouted back loudly, "I'll remember you!"
Hearing the girl's heartfelt words, Thorfinn and Merek exchanged a warm smile.
Only after watching them walk far away did Thorfinn call the distracted Merek back inside. Once they were settled inside, Thorfinn started to look at Merek with a playful, teasing gaze.
Sensing Thorfinn's eyes on him, the very uncomfortable Merek finally said, "What's with that look? I feel like you're hinting at something".
Thorfinn smiled. "You fancy Val?"
Merek shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, I do".
"Then go after her! Once you're strong enough, just take her!"
Merek let out a slight laugh, but then a thought struck him. "But…"
"But what?"
"But Val was stolen by you. Strictly speaking, she ought to be your woman".
At that, Thorfinn, who was about to take a swig of ale, suddenly sputtered it out. After a fit of coughing, Thorfinn stared wide-eyed at Merek, who looked back with an expression of total innocence.
"You mean that's what you've been agonizing over this whole time?"
Merek just looked away.
Thorfinn was so exasperated he almost laughed, but then he understood. The Free Folk hold such traditions dear. If they hadn't been close, it would be one thing, but Thorfinn was his brother. Merek felt he couldn't make a move without knowing Thorfinn's thoughts first.
Thorfinn sighed and finally said, "You can chase Val with a clear conscience, honestly. I don't feel that way about her, or rather, we just don't click. She's pretty, but she's not my type".
Merek smiled. "You truly don't care at all?"
Thorfinn shrugged carelessly. "I don't like her, so why would I care?"
Merek finally let out a breath of relief. "That's good to hear".
Thorfinn: "???"
Merek then looked embarrassed and confessed, "Actually… Val and I made a pact".
Thorfinn finally caught on. "Ah, you rascal, you were testing me? Merek, you're getting slyer by the day. What if I had truly liked Val?"
Merek gave an awkward laugh. "I learned it from you! I noticed you were deliberately holding back when it came to her. I don't know why, but that doesn't stop me from pursuing Val, does it?"
Thorfinn realized he'd been found out. He looked intently at Merek. "You're very sharp, my brother... I knew who Val was early on, and that's why I was a bit wary. We had a good time together, but deep down, I still kept my guard up".
Merek frowned, a little annoyed. He spoke with some heat. "You don't trust her?"
Thorfinn denied it. "It's not that. Val is kind to us, but what about the people around her? That's what I'm wary of. Who knows what sort of man that former Crow who wants to be King-Beyond-the-Wall is? Crows are cunning birds, and you have to be clever when dealing with them".
After hearing Thorfinn's reasoning, Merek nodded. After a moment of thought, he said, "You've been thinking of using Val to get close to Mance Rayder all along?"
Thorfinn shook his head. "I didn't originally. One time, after I sent Lady Owl out, I accidentally found their location. I watched them for a while. That Mance Rayder has been stirring up a lot of trouble. Do you know why the Thenns have started moving out in small groups? I first thought it was because of the Others, but only now did I find out it's Mance Rayder's doing".
Merek was surprised. "How? Surely Mance wouldn't put Val in danger".
Thorfinn smiled and explained. "Val's getting into trouble must have been an accident; he can't be all-knowing. The Thenn Valley has always been easy to defend and very hidden. Being in Thenn territory, they're in the best position to get advance warning about the Others. We talked about it while drinking; Mance has an agreement with Styr, the Magnar of those lands. The Thenns are scouting for the Others' movements".
Merek nodded, but sighed. "It's probably useless. Even we can't track those walking dead, and those wild, barbaric fools… heh".
Thorfinn laughed. "Aye, the gods know how those things move. But those Thenns are not simple folk. Styr rules his men with an iron fist and demands absolute obedience. To pull that off, that Magnar must be a truly exceptional man".
Merek agreed, nodding. He knew how hard it was to get the freedom-loving Free Folk to obey orders. They'd only follow you if you earned their respect.
At this point, Thorfinn leaned over to Merek, his expression full of curiosity, and whispered, "What exactly did you and Val agree to? I'm dying to know, tell me".
Merek's face was strange. He squirmed for a bit before saying, "It's nothing much. She just promised that if I could become the best warrior among the Free Folk, she would be with me".
Thorfinn grimaced. "Sounds a bit like a brush-off. The 'best,' how good is that supposed to be? You'd be better off figuring out how to steal her, honestly. Find a chance to snatch her and hide her away somewhere, then just make an honest woman out of her".
Merek didn't take offense at that. He smiled, seven parts wistful and three parts genuine, "For me… I might not need to. She… doesn't dislike me".
Thorfinn, having just been given a taste of someone else's good fortune, walked sullenly to the other side of the room, ignoring the grin on Merek's face.