Fffc Bingo Card - First impressions

[m_findlow]

Title: First impressions
Fandom: Game of Thrones
Characters: Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon
Author: m_findlow
Rating: M
Length: 500 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Bingo Card Prompt - Impression at fffc
Summary: Sam has yet to find his feet at Castle Black.

'Samwell Tarly.'

The sound of having his name called out made him jump out of his skin. He twirled, trembling slightly at what might happen next. Castle Black was even more terrifying than he'd expected, and no one was happy to have him here. Perhaps, with any luck, he was being asked to leave. He hadn't taken any vows yet, which meant he was free to go. That much at he at least knew about the Night's Watch. What then, however? His father had promised death for him if he did anything less than take the black. Could he really find anywhere to hide from that threat?

When he did turn around, there was no burly Night's watchman, but rather a hunched old man with hair white as snow. 'That's me,' he stuttered.

'I know, boy,' the old man replied. 'I am maester Aemon. Clydas is unwell. I thought you might help me feed the ravens.'  

It wasn't what he expected, but he nodded and obediently followed.

'Do you know your way about the castle yet, Samwell?'

'No, maester.' He'd only been here a day, yet it already felt interminable.

'No matter. Even a blind man finds his way around the castle eventually.'

The master lead him up to the tower where the ravens were already squawking horrendously loudly. Thet seemed to know food was on its way with the maester's arrival. 'Take that bucket over there and throw a handful into each cage,' he commanded. Sam cringed at the bloody mess inside, seeping into his deerskin gloves.

'I am always interested to hear the first impressions of men who arrive at castle black,' maester Aemon said. 'Southern men and women fear us for what we were before we came here. What is your view, Samwell?'

'I don't think I'm the best person to ask.'

'And why is that?'

'Because everyone hates me. It was only lucky their training swords had no real edge.'

The maester stopped and seemed to stare right down into his soul, despite his blindness. 'Everyone? Did you not receive a single kind action?'

Samwell fidgeted with the bucket. 'Well, I mean, that boy Jon did stand up for me, I suppose, even after Ser Alliser looked like he wanted to stick his sword through both of us.'

Maester Aemon hummed quietly. 'They stay that the Starks are winter born and cold as ice, yet it is the this northern boy who has given you the warmest welcome.'

'I wouldn't say it was warm, maester. All he did was not whelp the living daylights out of me.'

'And what of the other lads?'

'Well, I suppose they might have done. Some did. Until Jon stared them down, at least.'

'It seems he did you a great kindness.'

'Delayed me facing them until tomorrow is all.'

'A word of advice for you, Samwell Tarly. Brothers do not always claim to love one another, yet family they remain despite. Do not let first impression be the end all.'