The Wall

"It's a bit of a secret, but I am Jaime Lannister." he brandished his stump as proof. "Must be a bit of a shock, I'm a bit shocked to be here." He sighed heavily "Or alive at all"

Jaime narrowed his eyes. "My brother is unmistakable both for his appetite for wine and women but I assure you Jon Snow, you are mistaken and perhaps a fool, though I'd imagine you're not often taken for one. Do I strike you as a loon? The only lunatic thing I've done is come this far north under my own free will."

Jaime gave a wry smile, and reclined. "I watched your nuncle strangle and your grandsire burn to death before the Iron Throne before I thrust my sword into Aerys. I slew a Hornwood and two Karstarks before falling prisoner in the Whispering Wood, and would have done the same to your half brother if he had the manhood necessary to face me. I dueled your father and put him on the back foot, would have killed him too if there hadn't been interference. I had heard you inherited much of his skill, through I am sure it has less to do with blood and more to do with training. Were my hand still attached to my arm, I may even test myself against you. I might be the most pervasive Stark conservator in the whole of the Seven Kingdoms given that I have failed in killing so many of them yet avenging the same. Why, we might even have been the closest of allies if you weren't a bastard." Jaime paused to add a smirk. "Though I think you and I both know, Eddard Stark sired no bastards."

Jaime laughed. "She did not sever my hand, the goat of Qohor did, curse his hide." He gave a laugh. "I am no jest." He found the fact that his very identity was questioned to be an insult. his mood was rising, his temper rising. "I am Jaime, son of Tywin, and I shall know my vengeance."

"Just so." Jaime replied. "Vengeance married to duty it might be. I am sent by the Lady Melisandre but I do not owe her my loyalty or my face. I am indebted to her nonetheless and I will see my task carried out. Many men have said I have shit for honor, I would prove them wrong now. But first, I require access to your smithy and perhaps a man to train with. I will go beyond the wall and seek your half brother, though it is like to be the death of me. I will do it with or without your help."

Jaime may his way to the smith, selecting some plate that would make due. This would not be enough, however. He enquired about any smith that may be available to fashion a special weapon.

Jaime approaches the man and gives him a winning smile while presenting his stump. "Hail and well met, friend." he began. "I am duly needed north of the wall and yet...I find myself sorely needing of some aid. My sword was once part of my arm, some said. This was a convenient exaggeration, I am sure, and yet I now need a sword that is my arm. Can you accommodate this?"

The horn sounds once, just once, to the relief of those at the wall, and the beleaguered host returns limping, with a very somber and brooding Snow at its head. It had been a tremendous failure and everything North of the Wall was now lost to the Dead. The Warden took the commander's chambers at Eastwatch for a rest before heading back to Castle Black and, then Winterfell, where he had matters to attend to. While on the keep's solar, any of the brothers of the Watch who wished so could be granted an audience. The commanders would also be summoned for a strategic talk between them.