Necessity is the mother of all invention. I believed in this phrase until I realised how hard it is to invent anything.
Who could have thought that even making something as simple as a gun or a cannon would be so darn hard when it comes down to it? How the inner mechanism of a gun works, how big a cannon has to be, its diameter or its barrel thickness for it not to blow up in our faces. It's fascinating how seamlessly things work around those who don't understand how they work.
But the moment we wish to recreate, it suddenly becomes rocket science. Sigh.
I had the same kind of feeling once I attempted the same. During the time when the northern lords came up with a plan of action, I had some free time. Besides my training and networking with the northern lords, I also decided to do what most transmigrators think is their birthright.
Leeching off of other people's work in the name of innovation. Technically, introducing technology and methods from their world. The only problem is, I don't know how to.
I tried, but perhaps it was Thor's influence, or I'm the one who is an idiot, but I couldn't come up with how a fucking gun works. Quite an embarrassment, seeing how much I liked first-person shooters back on Earth.
How do those other transmigrators even do those kingdom-building things?
Odin knows that I wouldn't build a dog house if my life depended on it. I'm good at smashing things, but building things just wasn't my jam.
So, after a few days of annoyance, I just gave it a rest. I wished to make those things to help out the North ultimately. If not that way, then I'll do it the old-fashioned way like everyone in this world does.
"Ser Thor... Lord Stark wished to see you," I heard a servant call to me, and with a sharp nod, I got up from my place, the small parchment I'd been using to draw designs and come up with ideas left forgotten.
"Very well, let's proceed then." I nodded and followed the servant.
One thing I have noticed is that I think and talk differently for some reason. While I think exactly how I used to back on Earth, with a little bit of Thor's tone mixing in, when I'm talking, it's like Thor takes over there. The speech I speak and the words I use are vastly different than my previous life. This was one of those things which I only figured out when I observed intently, something I didn't have the time to do before.
This free time, though boring, did me good in terms of grounding my ideas and mental order.
"Lord Stark, you asked for me." I entered the main hall, pretty much walking like I owned the place at this point, not how I used to behave. However, I'll consider it a welcome change from my earlier somewhat timid personality. I doubt anyone in this old castle minds me acting like that. At least none would tell me so. Until then, I'm not changing.
"Yes... Come in." Ned looked a little tired, from the dark circles under his eyes to clear signs of lack of sleep.
"I assume lords here in the North have a strong disposition towards the Wall and what's beyond it."
"That's one way to put it." Ned poured himself a drink and intended to do the same for me. However, I waved my hand, taking the water placed on the side instead.
I have been overdrinking recently, a cheat meal of sorts in this free time, but I gotta stop. This body is a little too addicted to alcohol.
"Some say we fortify the Wall and some say we take the war to them," Ned grumbled, taking a sip of his drink.
"The first is a necessity while the second should be our priority." I shrugged. Fortifying the Wall makes sense, but having the intention to let the Night King even make it up to the Wall gives me bad omens.
Not to mention we have yet a hundred thousand men, women, and children beyond the Wall. The more time we waste, the bigger the army of the dead will grow.
"They won't listen. They're called wildlings for a reason. They don't sow, they bow, they have no faith." Ned shook his head, not even considering that those men beyond the Wall could be saved.
This was another problem with most of the northern lords. They despise the wildlings just as much as they do the Greyjoys.
"I'll go."
"..."
"Pardon?"
"I'll go beyond the Wall. Meet with those wildlings," I said with determination.
"You don't have to. We need you here at the Wall."
"Why?"
"You know."
"No, no, I don't."
Stark looked at me, a long, intense stare before he finally sighed.
"We never talked about what happened in King's Landing," he said, taking another sip of his stronger northern ale, seemingly like he needed one to continue where the conversation was heading.
"Aye, we didn't. Though, do you really wish to know?"
"Ask the man who could bring down lightning on top of this castle any minute he wishes. What am I to think about you? A man, a god, or a demon? What are you? What do you want? Who are you?" Ned finally asked. It was clear that this thing was eating away at him.
Perhaps the only thing stopping him from seeking the answers was the safety of his family, the known fact that if I wished, then none would be able to stop me, that I ultimately am not hostile to them.
"True, I have not been very forthcoming with my origins with any of you. You putting as much belief as you did is already more than I could ask for.
My name is Thor Odinson, that I didn't lie about, nor did I lie about the fact that I'm from a place called Asgard or that I'm lost, finding a way back home. On that, you have my word I didn't lie," I said and waited until I saw some form of recognition in Stark's eyes before continuing.
"What I didn't tell is that I'm the Crown Prince of Asgard. Odin is indeed my father and he is the king. The reason I help you all out still now is also regarding this. I can't go back until I defeat the enemy beyond the Wall.
He holds something which I need to go back." I said, essentially telling him everything useful for him but not delving much into my own powers or my origins.
Ned at this almost paused. For once, he knew that Thor was not someone ordinary but a crown prince. Suddenly a pressure ended up building around him. When he didn't know better that was fine, but now since he knew he was in front of royalty, he can't just act like a lord as he does unconsciously.
In fact, Ned was better in this regard. He hardly acted all high and mighty like other lords. Nonetheless, this changes things.
Stark didn't look surprised or taken aback. Part of me says that he was expecting something more, like a god descending on Earth to help mankind survive the coming winter.
"And what was that, back in King's Landing?" he asked again, no doubt asking about the lightning and the flying hammer.
"Magic..."
"Magic." He repeated my words, like testing me.
"Dragons used to exist in Westeros not even a few hundred years ago, Stark. This very castle you stand in was built using magic from the First Men. How do you think the Wall was built, or the fact that it's even standing after thousands of years?
It's just that where I come from, magic still exists, not pillaged, lost, and forgotten."
This description seemed to make him nod. Recently he has seen way too many impossible things become possible to doubt my claim about magic.
"So, doesn't that explain it? We want you at the Wall. Someone of your strength—we need you if we wish to defeat the dead. Our goals align," he said again.
"Why do you think I saved you, Stark?" I asked nonchalantly.
Ned looked at me and pondered. Yes, Thor was an honourable man, but even Ned could tell that just honour wouldn't let Thor act as a nanny for him and his daughters, especially after knowing that he was a crown prince.
After a long time when he didn't reply, I finally spoke up.
"I did because I wanted someone to help me protect the Wall. As you said and I confirm, fortifying the Wall is a necessity. However, I can't stay behind and do it myself. I need someone who could.
That's you, Stark. I saved you and your family because you are the only one that the northern lords will hear, and I want you to ready the North."
"And what will you do?" Ned asked, after a brief pause.
"I'll take the fight to them, of course." I grinned.
"You intend to go to the True North?" Ned's eyes slightly widened.
"With you, the Wall has strong leadership, so I can go and see what we're up against. And honestly, I'm a little excited to... you know.
Just let loose a little."
xxx
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