CHAPTER 15: JON

Jon rides with Tormund Giantsbane along the Milkwater as giants atop mammoths file past in the snow. Tormund boasts and jokes about his many names while Jon observes the wildlings’ diverse and often fearsome host. Jon struggles with his Night’s Watch vows amid Ygritte’s open desire and Tormund’s ribald urging, even as he grows wary of ruthless leaders like Rattleshirt, Harma Dogshead, Styr, and the skinchanger Varamyr Sixskins.

As the army shuffles toward the haunted forest, Jon assesses their dispositions and imagines how Mormont might strike the column, believing Mance’s fall would scatter the host. He shares songs and banter with Ygritte and Tormund until Orell’s eagle suddenly rakes Jon’s face, spilling blood and sending him tumbling from his horse. Rattleshirt arrives, claiming Mance has sent for Jon; despite Tormund’s bluster, Jon agrees to go, with Ygritte insisting she will ride too.

They cross the Milkwater in deepening snow and ascend the Fist of the First Men, where they find dead garrons, pink snow, and the Watch’s encampment torn apart, the defenders clearly routed by the walking dead. Mance, armored and grim, confronts Jon about his wounded face and his earlier lies about the Watch’s strength. Pressed by Mance and Styr, and urged by Ygritte, Jon admits Mormont commanded at the Fist and that Bowen Marsh holds Castle Black.

Mance concludes the dead broke the Fist and orders heightened patrols with torches while sending Styr and Jarl to ride at first light. When Rattleshirt demands Jon’s death, Ygritte defends Jon, citing his slaying of Qhorin Halfhand and their being lovers. Mance tests Jon’s commitment and then decrees that Jon and Ygritte will join Styr and Jarl to climb the Wall, using Jon’s knowledge of the Watch. After a tense standoff defused by Ghost’s appearance, Jon and Ygritte depart. On the river crossing, Ygritte tells Jon that deeds matter more than words and pointedly arranges to share his cloak that night.