"I said before, I won't force any free folk. Some are willing to follow me to the 'Land of Long Summer' to spend the winter, and naturally, there will be others who are unwilling to leave their homeland.
The second clause is prepared specifically for them: the Night's Watch will lease the great castles and both the old and new Gift lands to the free folk who remain at the Wall. The free folk will have homes and farmland, giving them a secure livelihood.
House Targaryen will pay rent and land fees to the Night's Watch on behalf of the free folk. In turn, the Night's Watch will use desolate lands and abandoned castles to collect rent—it's not a bad deal for them either.
The free folk will also lease their brave and strong warriors to guard the Wall, to fend off White Walker raids. This not only protects the people of the Seven Kingdoms, but also safeguards their own families."
There are nineteen defensive fortresses along the Wall. Besides Castle Black, Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and the Shadow Tower, there are sixteen other great castles. Once the wildlings move into these castles, it becomes natural for them to begin fulfilling the duties of the Night's Watch.
As for the Gift:
At the founding of the Night's Watch, the Kings in the North granted them a stretch of land 125 kilometers south of the Wall as a means of sustenance.
In fact, Daenerys is not the first Targaryen monarch to be received by the Night's Watch. Over two hundred years ago, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne rode dragons north and came to the Wall.
Impressed by the bravery of the Night's Watch, the Queen persuaded her husband to double their lands, expanding another 125 kilometers southward.
That same Alysanne, who often did "good deeds" and was called "Good Queen Alysanne," was what you might call a classic white lotus—at least that's what the then-Duke Stark thought, since the land she gave away belonged to the Kings in the North.
The Wall is 500 kilometers long, and since the southern land stretches east to west, the Gift must cover over 125,000 square kilometers—larger even than South Korea's 100,000 square kilometers.
But the Night's Watch now only has seven or eight hundred men—how could they possibly manage all that?
Aside from the hills and fields leased to tenant farmers, more than ninety percent of the land lies unused.
At first, Daenerys never considered subleasing these lands to the wildlings. It's so cold, after all. Though winter hasn't officially arrived, it snows every few days—what could possibly grow?
Even the hardiest winter wheat won't survive long enough to reach the spring ripening stage!
And spring won't come for at least five more years!
It was Jon who reminded her: if wheat won't grow, they could plant winter vegetables like cabbage, onions, scallions, radishes, and the like.
They might even take a gamble and try sowing a patch of turnips—maybe they could harvest something before the long winter fully sets in?
Besides crops, there's animal husbandry. Pinecones can feed pigs, and cold-resistant wild grasses can sustain cattle and horses.
Though winter in the North is harsh, it's not a polar night. The sun still shines occasionally. Maester Aemon even requested that Daenerys order a batch of glass from Myr to build greenhouses below the Wall.
And don't doubt it—Winterfell has glass greenhouses too. Even in winter, they eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the main keep sits atop hot springs, House Stark channels the boiling water to serve as castle heating.
"Of course, once winter arrives, just farming the Gift won't be enough to feed everyone. I'll ship a batch of grain from Essos," Daenerys continued.
"This... you pay our rent and land lease, then bring grain to feed us… It's unsettling," said Thenn Magnar anxiously, scratching his greasy, matted hair. "You give so much but ask for nothing in return—how can we trust you?"
"Yes, exactly!"
"Your 'Tripartite Lease Agreement' seems unfair!"
"It's hard to believe!"
"We strongly oppose an unfair treaty!"
The wildlings voiced their discontent in agitation.
"Sigh, you're really making this difficult," Daenerys said in genuine frustration.
I just want to be a decent person—why, why are you forcing me like this?!You poor, miserable bunch have already agreed to fight and die for me, farm and pay taxes for me, guard my borders until there's not even a drop left to squeeze—how can I possibly oppress you any further?
"For the people of the Seven Kingdoms, for all the world to be spared the threat of the White Walkers, I'm willing to make some sacrifices," Daenerys said through gritted teeth.
"No, no, it's still not reassuring," Thenn Magnar shook his head, waving her off repeatedly.
Daenerys glared at him and declared firmly, "You needn't doubt me. I'm not like you. I am the Breaker of Chains, the Torchbearer of Freedom, Mother of Dragons, and Queen of Slaver's Bay. I am also, by law, the rightful Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men.
Protecting Westeros, upholding peace and security in the world—that is my duty."
The wildlings furrowed their brows, deep in thought.
After a moment, the red-bearded Tormund spoke up: "How about this—once we've defeated the White Walkers and summer returns, when you go to war for the Iron Throne, we'll lease you a batch of our warriors to help. What do you say?"
Jon, Melisandre, and Grenn all turned pale. Even Barristan Selmy looked worried.
"No!" Daenerys roared at Tormund without a second thought, "I will not let a single innocent free folk be dragged into a civil war that has nothing to do with them!"
Snow, if you have guts, try copying me—but don't think of asking the wildlings for help!
"The people and nobles of the Seven Kingdoms already hold deep prejudice against the free folk. Perhaps they can barely accept you now, because of the shared threat of the White Walkers and winter.
But if they hear that the free folk are getting involved in political power struggles, at best they'll ostracize and oppress you. The ruthless ones—like the Lannisters, Baratheons, and Tyrells—might stab you in the back and massacre you all."
Without making a sound, Dany quietly dumped a huge load of blame onto her opponents.
"This… this might really be possible," Tormund muttered. "Just look at the Stark's miserable fate—you'll understand how shameless and terrifying those high lords can be. They even violate guest rights. Not everyone is like the Dragon Queen."
Yes, the Free Folk also honor the traditions of guest rights and sacred oaths. After all, they are descended from the First Men.
"Like the Night's Watch, remain neutral and keep a pure political stance—don't get involved in the game of thrones among the Seven Kingdoms. That way, no one will be able to fault you," Dany said.
"Alright, go on," the Free Folk responded listlessly.
Dany shook her head and said, "In theory, those two points are already enough to get us through this crisis. The rest—just some minor details—we'll add as needed based on the situation."
At that moment, Mance Rayder seemed to awaken from a deep slumber. He stood and said, "Dragon Queen, you didn't expect to complete the negotiation in one sitting, did you?"
"Go back and discuss it amongst yourselves. You may pass on my message to all the Free Folk. I won't force anyone—any individual or any tribe.
The Free Folk may, as individuals, single tribes, or tribal alliances, choose to sign the Tripartite Leasing Agreement with me. I will strictly honor the terms of the agreement and ensure the interests of individuals, tribes, alliances—even the entire Free Folk kingdom—are upheld."
"I'll explain the Tripartite Leasing Agreement clearly to every tribal leader," Mance Rayder said, giving Dany a long, deep look before turning and walking back toward the Free Folk camp.
As soon as Dany and her group stepped out of the city gate, a group of Night's Watch brothers surrounded them, eagerly asking about the results of the negotiations.
Earlier that morning, the Dragon Queen had sparred with Jon, Grenn, Ulmer, and two other Night's Watch members in the training yard. She had already worked up a sweat but had no time to wash up before the Free Folk delegation arrived.
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Now, the sweat-drenched undergarments had dried and clung uncomfortably to her skin. Leaving the training yard to Jon and the others, she returned to the King's Tower to change clothes.
Ser Barristan remained at the gate to guard the queen, so the Night's Watch brothers pulled Jon and the other two into the great hall of Castle Black for questioning.
As soon as they sat down, Bowen Marsh eagerly asked, "Well? Did the wildlings agree to surrender?"
Jon had a strange expression. He nodded first, then shook his head and said, "They didn't surrender. It's a lease. The Free Folk will lease their soldiers to help us guard the Wall, and their farmers will go to the Gift to farm. The Night's Watch will collect Her Majesty's rent and lease the Wall's fortresses to the Free Folk. Her Majesty and the Free Folk also have a leasing agreement."
When Jon finished explaining the Tripartite Leasing Agreement in detail, Maester Perestan exclaimed, "Isn't that just a surrender agreement in disguise?"
Ser Melisandre gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "The Free Folk refuse to kneel to lords and kings. They also won't formally surrender to us. But call it something else, and they immediately show immense gratitude to Her Majesty—even suspecting she's being too generous, perhaps with ulterior motives."
"But that doesn't make sense. The other wildlings might be fooled by this little trick, but why didn't Mance Rayder object?" Maester Aemon asked with a puzzled expression.
Jon, Melisandre, and Grenn exchanged glances, all with a look of deep respect.
"Because Mance Rayder had already been won over by Her Majesty. He was planning to surrender."
In the Free Folk camp, inside a tent lined with white bear pelts, Mance Rayder lay on a fur blanket. The firewood crackled softly in the brazier beside him, casting flickering red shadows across his face—just like the turmoil in his heart.
A beautiful, blonde, pregnant woman quietly came and sat beside him. She gently took Mance's rough hand and placed it on her swollen belly, speaking softly: "Mance, can you feel it? He's moving."
"Yes, a strong little lad," Mance said, his free hand tucked behind his head as he looked at his wife. "Dalla, you might give birth to him on the other side of the Wall."
"You—" Dalla's heart trembled as she blurted out, "What about the dragon—and the Targaryen Queen?"
Mance gave a sour smile. "My dear, the dragon is no longer an obstacle. It might even become a shield for you and our child."
"You—" Dalla's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're going to surrender?"
"That's right. I've been convinced by that woman. I'm going to surrender!" As he spoke the words, the King-Beyond-the-Wall seemed to release a great burden, his whole body relaxing.
Dalla slowly calmed down. Gently stroking her husband's cheek, she asked, "How did she convince you? With her dragon?"
"No. Something even more terrifying than a dragon."
"What could be more terrifying than a dragon?"
"Reason," Mance said with a bitter smile. "She explained a simple truth in plain language—one that changed my worldview.
That truth made me realize that the ideals I've been pursuing mean nothing to the Free Folk. In fact, they might lead those who trust me straight to destruction."
"Dalla, the title King-Beyond-the-Wall doesn't bring me much power—only responsibility. If I'm convinced this woman can bring a better future to the Free Folk, shouldn't I let go of enmity and choose to support her instead?"
The King-Beyond-the-Wall looked into his wife's eyes, seeking help, as if her answer could finally free him from confusion.
"I believe in you," Dalla said with a gentle smile.
Just those simple words were enough to recharge Mance Rayder like a car hooked to power—bringing him back to life with renewed vigor.
(End of Chapter)
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