The Free Folk Camps

A/N: Just so you are aware, there is another bonus in the author notes at the end. Now, enjoy the ride!

Jon took a deep breath after he finished explaining the situation to the elders of the Free Folk that were gathered around a fire pit. They did not look amused.

"We said we'd fight with you, King Crow, when the time comes and we meant it, but this isn't what we agreed to," Dim Dalba the Elder stressed. "These aren't White Walkers. This isn't an army of the dead. This isn't our fight."

Tormund chose that moment to step in. "If it weren't for him, none of us would be here. All of you would be meat in the Night King's army," He reminded them. "And I'd be a pile of charred bones just like Mance."

The leading elder frowned, the movement shaking snow out of his red beard. "Remember Mance's camp? It stretched all the way to the horizon. And look at us now. Look what's left of us. And if we lose this, we're gone. Dozens of tribes, hundreds of generations. Be like we were never there at all. We'll be the last of the free folk," He declared, a note of despair creeping into his tone.

Jon sighed. "That's what'll happen to you if we lose."

They tilted their heads at him, tension filling their body language.

"The Boltons, the Karstarks, the Umbers, they know you're here," The former Lord Commander went on. "They know that more than half of you are women and children. After they finish with me, they'll come for you."

There was a thick pause in the camp after that proclamation, the elders glancing at each other. Then Jon stared at them with conviction.

"You're right." He admitted, his tone earnest. "This isn't your fight. You shouldn't have to come to Winterfell with me. I shouldn't be asking you. It's not the deal we made. But I need you with me if we're gonna beat them, and we need to beat them if you're going to survive."

Tormund gestured at the Bastard of Winterfell, intensity flaring through his gaze.

"The crows killed him because he spoke for the Free Folk when no other southerners would. He died for us. If we are not willing to do the same for him, we're cowards. And if that's what we are, we deserve to be the last of the free folk," He said with an air of finality.

In response to that, the giant known as Wun Wun stood up, the enormous man staring down at them.

Tormund tensed, clearly wondering if he just provoked the strongest being in the camp but standing his ground like the Giantsbane he is. However, it was soon apparent that he only had eyes for Jon.

The new god grimaced inwardly. "Well, I guess now its as good a time as any to get on with the next part of the plan I started when I made a wish a few minutes ago," He thought. "And that means its time to lie through my teeth, unfortunately."

The giant sniffed with his huge nose then narrowed his eyes. "You smell of power, Snow. And its scent has been growing every day since you returned from the dead. I had never sensed such otherworldly strength, not from the Children of the Forest, not from Mag the Might, and not even from the Walkers I have fought. Yet...it feels dormant somehow. Tell me, Snow, have the Old Gods made you one of their own? He asked, his deep voice reverberating across the land.

"Maybe," Jon replied slowly, getting confirmation that the giants are a lot more talkative in their native tongue. "I have had my suspicions."

The Elders looked surprised at that response, along with Tormund.

"We did not know you spoke the Old Tongue, King Crow," Dim Dalba said with a raised eyebrow. "Although I must say, it is gratifying to hear that some southerners have not forgotten the original language of the First Men and the Giants."

Jon did his best to look non-puzzled and it wasn't very hard to act the part with his new abilities. "Wait, what?" He said with a shake of the head. "I don't know the Old Tongue."

The glances were exchanged among the Free Folk. Then they turned back to him.

"Then how did you understood him?" The leader asked, scratching his red beard in the process.

Jon looked around, his eyes growing wider. "Because it...sounded like the common tongue to me?" He replied in a bewildered tone.

"And I am not actually lying on that front," The former Lord Commander thought to himself, "I just gave Sansa and I the ability to understand any language in the world."

"Wun Wun is right," The Elder said in agreement. "The Old Gods must have blessed you with more than just your life back. The question is, how did you suddenly learn an entire language since you returned?

Suddenly, Tormund had a look of dawning realization on his face. "I know the Old tongue myself," He reminded them. "Maybe the Old Gods gave him the power to gain knowledge and more when he touches someone that knows something he doesn't, like another language."

Inwardly, Jon was sighing heavily. He knew the conversation was being herded in the direction he wanted but he still felt a bitter taste in his mouth for manipulating them, even if it was for their long term benefit. Resolving to make it up to them later, he looked around.

"Then...how do we know for sure?" He asked, already knowing in advance what was going to happen next.

As an answer, Wun Wun extended his long, long arms and placed an open palm directly in front of Jon's face.

"Touch," The Giant said briefly with a guttural accent, this time in the common tongue.

Jon could feel the whole camp's eyes on them as he extended his hand, before tentatively, pressing his own palm against his.

After a brief pause, Jon made his wish.

Then, he cried out, as he had rehearsed inside his head. He collapsed to one knee as his entire body started trembling. Tormund immediately reached out to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Snow, Snow," He called out, concerned. "Are you okay?"

Abruptly, the tremors stopped and Jon gasped out. Then he froze.

"I...yes," He said slowly. "In fact, I feel better than ever."

The Elders looked at him with a lot of curiosity evident in their expressions. Then, one of them moved towards a nearby horse and brought it directly in front of Jon. The new god didn't even have to ask what he meant since the implicit message was clear. Taking a deep breath, Jon grabbed the horse and, to its chagrin, effortlessly raised it above his head, the quadruped's legs flailing helplessly upside down.

More than one shocked expression filled the camp right then and there.

"So," Tormund said, whistling. "Now you can gain the magical strength and skills of others when you touch them, including their language so you can comprehend the spells unique to that tongue."

Then he roared in laughter. "My Crow friend," The Free Folk warrior said with a wide grin, "You may not have the pecker of a god but I have to admit that's impressive!"

As if a dam was broken by those words, everyone starting laughing around the campfire. Then, Dim Dalba got closer to the former Lord Commander and offered his outstretched hand. Jon took a deep breath and accepted it, his grip deliberately loosened so his new giant-sized strength wouldn't hurt him unnecessarily.

"Very well," He said. "We will help you retake your home, King Crow."

"Thank you," Jon replied with a nod, grateful despite the deception. "I promise that I will compensate you for your help somehow since this wasn't part of our original agreement."

"Good to hear," The Elder said, hope showing in his gaze. "Because more and more, I believe you were chosen by the Old Gods to lead us through the Long Night."

Jon sighed softly. "You may be half right," He thought. "Now let's hope I won't let your people down by restraining myself."

And the known world as a result.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the developments of this chapter. Now, I got two announcements. First, I made some major edits/expansions to the Rules post after I added the Avatar thread so, if anyone has considered writing their own branches for this story, you may want to check that out. Also, while I am almost done with the outline of the chapter request FreeKing earned, I have another little contest that opens up now:

Whoever guesses correctly what is the next in-universe magical property that Jon will "absorb" gets a one-off chapter from me that can be fitted either in the storyline itself or in alternate branches. The winner will be informed by a private message. If no one guesses correctly in the comments' section of this chapter, then the contest will be extended to the next chapter or until Jon openly gets the new ability.

May the odds be ever in your favor!