CHAPTER 56: BRAN

Bran arrives at the Nightfort with Meera, Jojen, Hodor, and Summer, unsettled by Old Nan’s grim tales tied to the ancient, ruined castle. Though Bran insists the gates are sealed, Jojen’s green dream brings them here. Meera climbs the Wall’s ancient ice steps but finds no descent; the only open crossings remain at Castle Black, Eastwatch, or the Shadow Tower.

As dusk falls, they choose to sleep in the kitchen, where a spindly weirwood grows beside a deep, ominous well. Bran’s fears mount amid the ruin’s eerie sounds and legends. In the night, footsteps rise from the well. Bran wakes Meera; he briefly wargs into Hodor to stand with a sword, but fear breaks his hold as Meera casts her net over the intruder.

The captive proves to be Samwell Tarly of the Night’s Watch, with Gilly and her infant arriving from the well. Sam explains that Coldhands led them to a hidden Black Gate beneath the Nightfort that only a sworn brother can open. He confirms Coldhands cannot pass the Wall’s ancient spells and agrees to keep Bran’s identity secret after recognizing him as Jon Snow’s brother.

Sam leads them down the well’s spiral steps to a pale weirwood door—the Black Gate—whose carved face awakens and questions him. Sam recites the Night’s Watch vows, and the gate opens to admit them. Jojen, Summer, Hodor carrying Bran, and Meera pass through into the lands beyond the Wall, while Gilly remains by the fire, waiting for Sam to return.