Dolorous Edd #10

The library of Castle Black was expansive, its shelves filled to the brim with books of various sizes and subjects. Maester Aemon stood before one such shelf, carefully placing a book back in its designated spot. As he placed the book, he heard approaching footsteps and turned to face the source of the sound.

"Ah, now those are footsteps I haven't heard in a while," Maester Aemon remarked with a warm smile as he faced Gale. "Took you long enough to grace me with your presence, young man," he added in a light-hearted tone.

Gale shrugged, acknowledging the delay. "That was rather rude of me, but Benjen kept me very busy," he explained. "Did you need something in particular?" he inquired.

Maester Aemon's smile grew wider. "Only to get a better look at you, figuratively speaking, of course," he replied with a chuckle, undeterred by his lack of sight. Gale couldn't help but smile at the jest and shook his head in amusement.

"Now that you're here, tell me, can you read?" Maester Aemon asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Gale scratched his head, pondering the question. "I'm not sure," he admitted. While he did know how to read and write in English, he wasn't certain if his knowledge would translate to the script and language used in Westeros.

He knew the common tongue was akin to English in terms of speaking, but he had no idea if the similarities stopped there or extended to the written form of the language.

Maester Aemon raised an eyebrow, finding the young man's reply puzzling. Still, he quickly got over his confusion without letting it show. "Well, I suppose there's only one way to find out... follow me," he said as he turned around and started walking.

Intrigued by what the old Maester had in mind, Gale followed him to his desk, where the Maester sat down and retrieved an old book from the drawers.

"Can you read the title?" Aemon asked, extending the book toward Gale.

Gale took the book and gave it an inspecting look, his eyes widening as he realized the title was written in English. "Of Flame and Steel... Legends of Valyria," he said, reading the title and giving Maester Aemon a strange look.

"So you can read, after all," Aemon said with a hint of amusement. "Go on, flip to page 50, the seventh line," he added, gesturing for Gale to hurry up and do it.

Gale nodded and started flipping through the pages of the book, his fingers gently tracing the ancient parchment until he finally stopped at the place Aemon had instructed.

As he read the text aloud, he muttered, "The Fourteen Fires were said to be roamed by exactly fourteen men and women in olden times, their skins charcoal black and their eyes glowing with the blaze of dragon fire..." He paused and looked at Maester Aemon with a puzzled expression.

As if sensing Gale's gaze on him, Maester Aemon continued the passage.

"They wielded flames as one would wield a weapon, and the Fourteen Fires bowed before their will. It is unknown from whence these creatures emerged and where they went, but some say they were born from cocoons of molten rock." Maester Aemon remarked.

"Or so the Legen says," The old Maester stated. "Sound familiar?" He asked with a knowing smile.

Gale sighed at those words. "And here I thought my secret would remain between the Lord Commander, the First Ranger, and myself," He said with a sigh as he closed the book.

"The Lord Commander values my discretion as much as he values my knowledge. You need not be concerned," Maester Aemon replied with a shake of his head. "I will take your secret to the grave." He added.

"I believe you," Gale said with a sigh, knowing the wise Maester was not one to deceive others.

"And for that, I'm grateful. Ever since I heard your story, I couldn't help but match it with this one, and so I called you here," Maester Aemon explained, his voice carrying the depth of his knowledge.

"The answers you seek might be held here, so do take the time to peruse the works, and if it's not too much trouble, I'll ask you to read aloud..." He added with a warm smile.

Gale nodded in acknowledgment and respect as he placed the book he had been holding onto a nearby desk. "I can do that," he replied. "Thank you."

Aemon's milky, blind eyes seemed to twinkle with appreciation. "There's no need for thanks," he said kindly. "I'll just take it as you reading for an old blind man, and we'll be even." He chuckled and rose from his seat. "Now, follow me. I'll take you to the section where we store works specializing in the far north."

As Gale followed Maester Aemon deeper into the library, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe for the vast collection of knowledge that surrounded him. The shelves held countless volumes, some ancient and fragile, others more recently added.

Maester Aemon moved confidently, his sightless eyes appearing to take in the world around him with an otherworldly perception. On the other hand, Gale observed the meticulous organization of the library with wonder. Books on a wide range of subjects lined the shelves, from history and geography to medicine and the mysteries of the far north.

After a short walk, Maester Aemon reached a section dedicated to works concerning the northern regions of Westeros. He pulled out a substantial tome, its leather-bound cover aged and worn by time.

"This is the book I had in mind," Maester Aemon said, handing the weighty volume to Gale. "It contains the accounts of various explorations and studies conducted in the far north of the realm. Some details may be vague, but they could provide valuable insights."

Gale accepted the book with a nod. "I'll do my best to read it aloud for you."

Maester Aemon offered a smile. "Good lad. Let's find a quiet spot where you can begin." With that, he led Gale to a more secluded area of the library, where they could delve into the mysteries of the far north together.

...

One year later, Castle Black's mess hall buzzed with activity. Rangers shuffled back and forth, carrying trays loaded with the Night's Watch's customary bland fare, engaged in conversation and laughter.

Among the bustling crowd, Gale navigated with his tray, his destination clear as he approached a specific ranger seated amongst a group of his comrades.

"You Edd?" Gale inquired, coming to a halt beside the man. The ranger, Eddison Tollett, or Dolorous Edd, turned his gaze towards Gale, his eyes widening in recognition.

By now, Gale had become something of an anomaly within the Night's Watch ranks.

Spending the majority of his time with the First Ranger and Maester Aemon, coupled with the entertaining story Gale had concocted about his origin and the peculiar fact that he hadn't taken the Night's Watch oath despite spending over a year at Castle Black, had elevated him to a peculiar form of celebrity.

Although he kept mostly to himself and refrained from mingling with the other rangers, his presence was well-known and had piqued their curiosity.

Edd blinked in surprise before offering a deadpan response, as was his usual manner. "Well, I'd like to think so. I've been Edd for most of my life, as far as I can remember, unfortunately."

Gale chuckled at Edd's dry humor and extended a hand. "Gale, but I suppose you already knew that on the account that I'd heard you whispering about the oathless freeloader on several occasions..."

Edd shook Gale's hand, his expression still somewhat bemused. "Aye, you're the fellow who's got us all guessing and gossiping. Quite the mystery you are. So, what brings you to the depths of Castle Black's culinary delights today?"

Gale settled into the seat beside Edd, a hint of a smile on his face. "Well, we will be going on patrol together, so we might as well get to know one another..."

Edd couldn't contain his exasperation. "Oh, for fuck's sake... my first patrol after two years of sitting wrapped in bandages, and they send me with the oathless greenhorn..." He mumbled under his breath, casting a disgruntled gaze at Gale.

Gale smiled as he watched the seasoned ranger's display of frustration. "The oathless greenhorn and the First Ranger..." he quipped, his tone light and amused. "That should balance things out, no?"

Edd let out a deep sigh at Gale's answer. He hadn't expected such a laid-back response to his less-than-polite grumbling from the mysterious young man.

"Aye, well, didn't mean any offense to you, lad," Edd offered an apology, though his dry sense of humor lingered. He took a bite of the bland Night's Watch meal, the unenthusiastic look on his face never quite fading.

Gale waved off Edd's concerns, showing an understanding attitude. "Don't worry about it. I'd react the same way if I were in your shoes," he said with a dismissive hand gesture.

After a year of intensive training at Castle Black, Gale was far from inexperienced or helpless. However, he didn't feel the need to argue or prove his abilities to the sardonic Edd; actions, as they say, spoke louder than words.

...

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