After being banished from his home in the Reach, Samwell Tarly of Horn Hill, the son of the famous Lord Randyll Tarly, travels north to join the Night’s Watch at Castle Black. Unfit for taking the black, Samwell is overweight, a pampered highborn and spends most of his time studying, as he’s interested in becoming a Maester someday, an order of intellectuals who focus on science. Upon arrival, Samwell’s first practice fight goes very poorly as the master-at-arms, Ser Alliser Thorne, orders fellow recruit Rast to spar with him, but Sam immediately drops his sword and falls to the floor, screaming that he yields. Thorne has no time for his weakness tells Rast to keep hitting him until he gets up again and also directs the other recruits to attack “Ser Piggy”, but another recent recruit, Jon Snow, finds this cruel and unfair. Jon intervenes, pointing out he's yielded already. Annoyed, Thorne sets Grenn, Pypar and Rast on Jon simultaneously, but Jon quickly beats all of them. Now infuriated, Thorne orders Jon and Sam to clean up the armory, as that's all they are good for. Jon, Grenn and Pyp then interrogate the new arrival. Samwell admits that he is a coward; he wanted to fight but could not face it. He thanks Jon for his help and leaves.

Atop the Wall, Jon stands watch when Samwell joins him. Ser Alliser has ordered Sam to be Jon's new watch partner, although he warns Jon that he’s not good with heights. Jon asks him what he is doing on the Wall since he is scared of everything. Sam says that on the morning of his eighteenth nameday, his father came to him and said that he was not worthy of his lands and title. Lord Randyll told Sam to take the black and forsake his inheritance. If he did not, they would have a hunt, and somewhere in the woods Sam's horse would throw him and leave him to die, or so he would tell Sam’s mother. Sam realizes that Ser Alliser will make him fight again tomorrow, and he tells Jon he won’t get any better. Jon then notes that he can’t get any worse. The following day, Jon joins Pyp and Grenn for lunch and asserts that Samwell is the same as all of them, someone who has no place in the world. He is their brother now and they will not hurt him again in the training yard, no matter what Thorne says. Pyp and Grenn agree, but Rast informs that the next time he is told to fight Sam, he will enjoy it. That night, Rast wakes up to find Jon's direwolf, Ghost, at his throat. Jon threatens him that Sam will not be touched. The next morning in the training yard, Thorne sets Rast against Samwell, but Rast only touches him with the flat of his blade. Thorne then sets Grenn against him. When Sam barely touches him, Grenn drops his sword and falls to the floor yelling that he yields. A furious Thorne insists that this is not a game and he is training them to save their lives when they are beyond the Wall.

Later on, Samwell and Jon clean the kitchens. Sam is annoyed that, although there are vows which forbid fathering children or taking wives, many of the officers sneak off to the brothel in Mole's Town on a regular basis. Jon is surprised that he cares, but Sam says that although he’s fat, he still likes girls as much as Jon. He informs Jon that he's never been with one. Jon surprises him by saying the same, explaining that he once tried with a beautiful prostitute but did not want to risk fathering a bastard, as his father, Lord Eddard Stark, did with him. They are then interrupted by Thorne who informs them that he spent six months beyond the Wall during the last winter. It was supposed to be a two-week mission, but they were trapped by a storm. The horses died first and were eaten: “That was easy.” He adds that when the men started dying: “that was harder.” Thorne then cruelly asserts that it is a shame they didn't have someone like Samwell along, who’d have fed them for two weeks. He then informs them that soon there'll be new recruits and Jon and Sam will be passed on to Lord Commander Jeor Mormont for assignment. However, they will not be ready, and come the winter, they will die like flies.

Some weeks later, Samwell and Jon are standing watch atop the Wall. Sam informs Jon that he misses looking at girls, since he was not one for talking to them mostly. Jon then sees a horse return to the Wall without a rider. Down in the courtyard, to Jon's horror, he realizes it is his uncle Benjen Stark’s horse. Afterwards, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont names the trainees as men of the Night's Watch. He hands out assignments, but to Jon's disgust he is being sent to the  stewards, not the rangers. Jon will work directly for the Lord Commander as his personal steward. His attempts to plead his case to Maester Aemon, who has selected Samwell as his own steward, are met with indifference. In private, Sam suggests to Jon that while this move was possibly orchestrated by Thorne to punish Jon, it is also an opportunity for Mormont to groom Jon directly for Lord Commander, come the time. Both are surprised when Pypar admits that he was sent to the Watch for refusing to give sexual favors to a lord, not for stealing a wheel of cheese to feed his sister. Pyp notes that there isn’t anything fair about being sent to the Wall.

Afterwards, Samwell and other worshipers of the Old Gods of the Forest recite their oath of fealty in front of a heart tree in the Haunted Forest and are officially acknowledged as men of the Watch. Shortly after, Ghost finds a severed hand in the woods and brings it back to Jon. They all then return to Castle Black with two dead bodies in tow, who are identified as members of the missing Benjen Stark’s ranging party, Jafer Flowers and Othor. Though the deceased appear to have been dead for some time, Samwell astutely notes that the bodies do not smell like they have been rotting. Jon and the others urge Mormont to burn the bodies, but he refuses, wanting Maester Aemon to examine them. Some time later, following the arrest of his father, Lord Eddard Stark, in the capital of King’s Landing, Ser Alliser Thorne taunts Jon that his father is a traitor, calling him: "not just a bastard, a traitor's bastard." In front of Samwell and the other Black Brothers, Jon angrily charges at Thorne with a knife, and Alliser is only saved by Grenn and Pyp, who hold Jon back. Commander Mormont has also witnessed the incident and confines Jon to his quarters for his trouble. That evening, one of the dead bodies they’ve brought back to Castle Black has been resurrected and tries attacking Jon and Mormont. The following morning, the two bodies are thoroughly burned, as Samwell informs that the dead are animated by the touch of the White Walkers and only fire can destroy such creatures. He hopes the Wall is big enough to hold them back when the army of the dead come in force.

Some days later, the other recruits make a fuss over a Valyrian steel sword Commander Mormont has gifted to Jon Snow, but Samwell seems distant from the revelry. Sam then takes Jon aside and informs him of the news that his half-brother Robb Stark is leading an army south to war against House Lannister, who are responsible for their father’s arrest. Shortly after, news of Lord Eddard Stark’s execution reaches Castle Black. A grieving Jon saddles a horse, preparing to depart from the Watch in order to join his half-brother’s army and seek vengeance for his father, ignoring Samwell's pleas to stay and fulfill his oaths. Jon then departs Castle Black, but is pursued. One of his pursuers hits a tree branch and is unhorsed, and Jon realizes that it’s a clumsy Samwell. He turns back to help Sam and informs him, as well as Grenn and Pyp, to return to Castle Black, as it is punishable by death to desert the Night’s Watch. They, however, surround Jon and recite their oath, as Jon then realizes that they are right. Leaving would make him an oathbreaker and Jon doesn't even know if his brother Robb would accept his help or turn him over to the authorities. Jon then agrees to return to the Wall with them, in time for Mormont to announce that he is leading the Night's Watch through the Haunted Forest to learn more of the White Walkers and wildlings, as well as find the missing ranger, Benjen Stark.

Some time later, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's rangers arrive at Craster's Keep, now having passed several abandoned wildling villages. Samwell, Jon, Grenn and Eddison Tollett are repulsed by Craster, who has several wives, most of whom are also his own daughters, but who seemingly has no sons. Inside the hall, the Lord Commander questions Craster about the missing Benjen Stark, noting his plan to stay with Craster on his way to the Frostfangs. Craster informs that he hasn’t seen Benjen for three years and has not missed him because of his superior attitude. Craster then reveals that the other wildlings have all gone to join the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, a former man of the Watch, calling him Jeor’s old friend. Jeor objects to the characterization and decries Mance for breaking his vows to the Watch. Jon then challenges their host, who is low and crude, but is demanding and demeaning when he is talking to the noble Commander Mormont, who ignores his insulting behavior. When Craster refers to them as southerners, Jon argues with him. An angry Jeor then reprimands Jon outside, noting that Craster may be disgusting, but the Watch needs him. Mormont explains that Craster’s information, as well as shelter in the harsh conditions, have helped them many times. Mormont tells Jon that if he wants to lead someday, he needs to "learn how to follow."

The following day, Samwell walks past Gilly, one of Craster’s daughter-wives, cowering from Jon’s direwolf Ghost, who was drawn by the rabbits she is preparing for dinner. Samwell shoos Ghost away and then walks over to check on Gilly. She warns Sam not to touch her, one of Craster’s conditions, and he apologizes. She asserts that he is very brave, as Sam then brings Gilly to meet Jon, introducing her as one of Craster's daughters. They tell Jon that she is pregnant and Sam insists they have to take her with them. Jon is angry at Sam for considering violating their orders to stay away from Craster's wives. Gilly interrupts their recriminations to reassure Jon that she can run. However, Jon informs that it’s not possible and Gilly begins to say what she is afraid of, but stops short of telling Jon what will happen if her child is a boy. Jon is annoyed that she wants them to risk their lives for her yet won’t say what she fears. Gilly runs off and Sam asks Jon why he was cruel. Jon again criticizes Sam's lack of regard for their orders with his desire to steal Gilly. Sam says that Gilly can't be stolen- “she's a person not a goat.” Jon wonders what Sam was planning to do when Gilly went into labor, though Sam claims to have read about the delivery process. Jon apologizes, however, emphasizes that they cannot help Gilly.

Later that evening, Jon is violently pushed through the door of Craster's Keep with his wrists bound and face bloodied. Craster follows his captive inside and rouses the men of the Night's Watch. He tells them to get out, blaming Jon for meddling. Mormont and the others rise from their beds, as Craster declares that he wants them all to leave. Jon starts to speak but Mormont sends him outside. When Jeor exits the building, he finds Samwell cleaning Jon's injuries. He dismisses Sam, as Jon admits to following Craster into the woods to see him leave an infant as sacrifice to an otherworldly creature. Jon realizes that Jeor has known all along that Craster is sacrificing his sons. However, Mormont considers Craster too valuable a contact to risk offending, as he is one of their few sources of information and shelter beyond the Wall. He himself is disgusted by Craster's human sacrifices and incestuous relationships with his daughters, but he will not interfere, and forbids Jon from doing so. Mormont predicts that whatever it was Jon has seen, he will come upon it again. He hands him the sword and instructs him not to lose it again. The next morning, as the Night’s Watch prepare to leave, Samwell gives Gilly a thimble that once belonged to his mother, Melessa Tarly. He promises to come back for her when they make the return journey to Castle Black.

Some time later, the men of the Night's Watch struggle to march through deep snow to the Fist of the First Men. Mormont informs Jon that Qhorin Halfhand cannot have arrived to meet them or he would have sounded his horn. Then, having reached the fortified summit, the rangers prepare their camp. Samwell is amazed at being in such an ancient place, telling his companions that it was fortified by the First Men during a long winter thousands and thousands of years earlier. He considers all of the major historical events that have happened since in wonder including the invasion of the Andals and the conquering of Westeros by House Targaryen. A horn sounds, halting the rangers. Grenn listens intently and wonders if it is a warning about the wildlings. Jon pauses before saying that a single blast is for rangers returning while wildlings would have triggered two blasts. Sam adds that three blasts are used to signal White Walkers. Jon turns to look at him and he explains that it has been a thousand years but the horn is only blown three times for White Walkers. Grenn asks how Sam knows if so much time has passed. Samwell begins to say that he read it in a book but Eddison Tollett pre-empts and mimics his answer. Jon says that he can see Qhorin Halfhand  approaching. Edd says that they will live another day, punctuating his monotone with a sarcastic cheer.

Later, during their trek, Qhorin reports sighting something on a distant mountain to Mormont. Sam says that he does not see well, but Jon is able to discern a fire blazing. Qhorin nods and agrees. He cautions that if the wildling scouts see them the fire will grow into a warning beacon for Mance Rayder. Jeor asks how many wildlings have joined Mance, as Qhorin informs that it seems that they all have, cautioning that they can’t march on the wildlings or expect to defeat them from their current position. He adds that because Mance was once a brother of the Watch he will have instilled more discipline into the wildlings than they have known before. He insists that they must fight more like the wildlings in response and should sneak in to the wildling camp to kill Mance. Jeor realizes that to achieve this they must first overcome his lookouts. Qhorin says that it is a task for a small group, not for four hundred men. He calls for his men and prepares to descend from the Fist. Jon then requests to join Qhorin and Jeor reminds him of his responsibilities as a steward. Jon confidently counters that he has killed a wight, unlike many rangers. Samwell offers to take on Jon’s duties as Jeor eventually agrees to let him go. He tells Jon that he hopes he will make a better ranger than he did a steward.

Some weeks later, the great ranging of the Night’s Watch maintain their camp at the Fist of the First Men. Samwell, Eddison and Grenn are digging latrines as Sam complains that he is not cut out for hard labor. Edd deadpans that he always imagined himself doing something much worse. Samwell then wonders aloud where Jon is as a considerable amount of time has passed with no word of the ranging party Jon left with. Edd says that he is probably dead. Sam refutes the assertion citing Jon’s skill as a warrior. Grenn agrees that Jon is better than him, and much better than Sam. Samwell adds that Jon has a valyrian steel sword and is with Qhorin, the greatest ranger alive. Edd counters that great rangers do not get old and nor do bad ones, adding that it is the mediocre ones who last a long time. Grenn’s spade then strikes stone and he pushes back the snow to reveal a carved stone tablet. Sam recognizes it as being made by the First Men as Grenn pushes it back to reveal a black bundle. Edd warns them that it is best to leave things you were not supposed to find alone. Sam recognizes the bundle as being a Night’s Watch cloak. Inside of the bundle they find a cache of black stone weapons and a carved horn. Sam recognizes the weapons as being made of dragonglass as Grenn wonders why a brother would leave the cloak there and Edd sarcastically notes that they would have wanted someone to find it, alluding to having a purpose.

Days later, Samwell, Grenn and Edd are foraging for fuel nearby the Fist of the First Men, as Sam tells his companions that he finds Gilly particularly interesting because she still has hope despite the hardships that Craster has inflicted on her. Eddison counters that Sam finds her interesting just because she spoke to him, to which Sam then retorts that there is nothing interesting about Edd at all. Suddenly, they hear three horn blasts, which Samwell previously mentioned was the warning call for the arrival of White Walkers. The three start sprinting back towards the Fist but Sam is left behind, caught in a sudden blizzard. As Sam collapses in the snow the blizzard picks up around him, as he shouts to his brothers to wait for him. He loses sight of them in the sudden maelstrom. Samwell then sees figures shuffling through the haze. He ducks behind a rock just before a large force of wights slowly emerge around him. To his horrified amazement, a White Walker riding a dead horse stops alongside him and stares at him. Samwell cannot hold the creature’s gaze and begins to cry, however, the White Walker ignores him and raises his spear towards the Fist, screeching at the large horde of wights. Hundreds of wights and more Walkers march steadily towards the camp of the Night’s Watch.

Shouts and sword clashes are heard in the darkness as the White Walkers and their army of undead wights attack the men of the Night's Watch in the battle at the Fist of the First Men.  Meanwhile, Samwell wanders through the blizzard in search of safety. He sees another man of the Night's Watch up ahead, but soon finds that he has been decapitated and his head has been placed in his own dead hands. Just then, a wight approaches Sam and is about to attack him with an axe when Jon’s direwolf, Ghost, knocks it down. Ghost continues to tear at its legs as it pulls itself forward inch by inch towards Samwell. The wight then suddenly bursts into flames, destroyed by a torch wielded by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, killing it. In the aftermath og the massacre, Mormont has managed to rally the few dozen survivors out of his original three hundred men at the Fist of the First Men. Mormont is angry that Samwell wasn't able to send off any messenger-ravens in the confusion of the attack. He then announces that the surviving members of the Watch must retreat back to the Wall, not simply to save their own lives but because Castle Black and the rest of Westeros must be warned of the coming threat that marches towards the Seven Kingdoms. The Lord Commander urges that otherwise everyone they've ever known will die.

Some days later, following the slaughter at the Fist of the First Men, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont of the Night's Watch leads the few survivors remaining further south in hopes of reaching the Wall. An exhausted Samwell tires from the trek through the rough terrain and eventually collapses. When Grenn and Eddison try to pick him up, Samwell cries out to them that they left him in the blizzard during the arrival of the White Walkers and their army of the dead. In their defense, Eddison bluntly informs Samwell of the fact that, as he is fat and slow, they wanted to survive. An angry Rast then joins the trio and is annoyed that Samwell hid during the battle, asserting his opinion that the Watch should leave him because he's been slowing them all down. Though Sam is upset that Grenn and Eddison abandoned him at the start of the attack, they refuse to leave him now. Lord Commander Mormont then informs Samwell that he has to keep moving, and sternly forbids him to die. Mormont then orders Rast to keep Sam alive until they reach the Wall, adding that if Samwell doesn’t make it back than neither does he. As they carry on walking, an annoyed Rast tells Sam that they’re not dying for him and calls him “piggy”.

Later on, and now farther south, Lord Commander Mormont leads the ragged survivors of the Night's Watch expedition back to Craster's Keep. Upon arrival, Craster mocks the survivors of the battle at the Fist of the First Men when they reach his keep. He initially wants to refuse them shelter until he notices some of them stroking their weapons. Fearful that in desperation they might try to rush him, he relents. As the black brothers warm by his hearth, Craster mocks them. Craster insists that the black brothers should be grateful for his generosity, and that he is a "godly man" for helping them. Mormont tensely questions Craster's claim to be a godly man, but Craster insists that he is - to the "real gods," the White Walkers, who consume entire armies on their way to the Wall but will spare Craster for his loyalty. He admits that he's feeding his pigs better than them - as pigs are valuable to him - and half-seriously suggests to his guests that they should eat the fat Samwell. Craster is also annoyed by Gilly's wailing from birthing pains. Sam quickly leaves the main house to a birthing hut where he witnesses Gilly giving birth with the aid of a few other women. To her horror, the baby is a boy, as she knows first-hand growing up with Craster that the infant sons are given up as sacrifice to the White Walkers. Samwell and Gilly exchange a look and wordlessly realize that Craster will want to sacrifice her son as well.

At Craster's Keep, tensions run high among the members of the Night's Watch who sought shelter there after escaping the defeat at the Fist.  Samwell visits Gilly, who is deeply distraught about the fate of her newborn son. She yells at Sam not to draw attention to the fact that it's a boy by calling it a "he" so loud, as Craster will want to offer it up as a sacrifice. He asks her if she's decided on a name, but she responds that there's no point in naming her baby if he's only going to be offered up as a human sacrifice. She gives Sam back his mother's thimble and says she doesn't care about such stupid things, all she's focused on is protecting the life of her baby. Later, as some of their wounded have died from their injuries, Commander Mormont leads a funeral service as they burn the corpse of a man on a pyre. Then in the main tent, Craster continues to crassly berate the men of the Night's Watch. A Black Brother named Karl Tanner, comes in to complain about the food Craster is providing which results in a fight, as Craster then lunges forward at him. In retaliation Karl slits Craster’s throat. Suddenly, Rast comes up behind Mormont and stabs the Lord Commander in the back. The entire room then explodes into pure bedlam. The injured Mormont sinks to the ground as Rast grabs a knife and repeatedly stabs him to death. Meanwhile, amidst the mutiny, Sam rushes to Gilly's hut and orders her that they have to escape now or they never will. Sam runs out of Craster's Keep with Gilly and her baby, as loyal Night's Watch members fall to the mutineers.

Some weeks later, Samwell, Gilly and her newborn son stop to camp during their journey to the Wall. Having troubles stoking the fire, Gilly instructs Sam on how to let the fire breathe. He then compliments her on her knowledge of fires. When Gilly asks about fires back home, Samwell explains that the Reach isn’t a cold place, then adding he also did have servants. Gilly asserts that she assumed correctly of his highborn status. Quickly changing the subject, Samwell shows Gilly the dragonglass dagger he found at the Fist of the First Men. She asks Sam what does it do, as he then assumes it doesn’t have a purpose but marvels at it’s beauty anyway. When Sam then mentions they are a few days away from the Wall, Gilly asks if it is as big as they say. Samwell exaggerates it’s size and informs that on a warm day one can see the Wall weeping. He then tells her about Castle Black and how they keep a fire burning throughout the day and night, as well as eat venison stew that is served to the Watch. When Samwell mentions some of the Night’s Watch members singing as well, Gilly then insists on Samwell singing to her and the baby. After an initial resistance, Sam begins singing “The Song of the Seven” to his new travel companions.

Some further weeks later, Samwell and Gilly continue on their journey to Castle Black, taking refuge in White Tree, a destroyed village with a singular cabin left standing. Once settled and sat by the fire, Sam suggests that Gilly name her son, but she does not know any boy names. Sam gives her some examples, and also explains the difference between first and last names. Gilly likes the name Randyll, Sam's father's first name, but Sam asks her not to give the child that name. Samwell then shares the truth about his father and his upbringing that was marked by cruelty, which they both have in common. Suddenly, they are interrupted by a thunderous  squawking of the crows. Sam and Gilly go outside to investigate and Gilly is then horrified to see a White Walker approaching them, and knows that it is after her child. Sam recognises it as the same one that spared him before the battle at the Fist. Samwell draws his sword but the White Walker grabs his sword blade with a resounding clang. There is a crunching of ice and then the sword itself shatters in his grip. The creature swats the much heavier Sam aside with one backhand, then continues towards Gilly. As the monster reaches out to seize the infant, Samwell pulls out his dragonglass dagger, and runs at the White Walker in desperation. With a mighty howl that mixes with Gilly's screams, Sam plunges the glass blade into the Walker and it lets out an unholy guttural screech of agony. Whirling to face Sam, its face blanches as it recognises him and screeches again, this time in disbelief. It falls to its knees, and shatters, leaving nothing but white dust. The dagger is then left behind. as Sam and Gilly race away in a panic. The crows fly out of the trees and chase them, screaming their hatred.

Some time after, Samwell and Gilly continue on their march south, after barely escaping their encounter with a White Walker during which Sam actually managed to kill the creature using a dragonglass dagger. As they walk, Sam informs Gilly that they are a considerable distance west of Castle Black, but this isn't a problem, because this means they are close to the Nightfort, the original headquarters of the Night's Watch, which was abandoned centuries ago as the organization's numbers dwindled and was impossible to maintain. Sam then explains that he plans to get them across the Wall using a secret sally-port which leads right into the deserted fortress. Gilly is amazed that Sam knows so much history just from reading books, insisting that he is a wizard, much to Samwell's delight. Gilly is then awestruck when she finally catches her first glimpse of the Wall. She states that rumor has it, no wildling has ever looked upon the Wall and lived. Gilly then expresses gratitude for gazing upon it and still breathing.

Days later, in the middle of the night, Samwell and Gilly arrive at the abandoned Nightfort. Sam breaks into the structure by climbing up through a well, but he is quickly confronted at knifepoint when he realizes the Nightfort is already occupied by startled guests upon his arrival. A girl named Meera Reed puts her knife away when Gilly enters, who screams out not to hurt Sam. Meera deduces that the pair are not a threat to their group. Meera’s brother Jojen Reed asks them who they are, as Samwell explains he is a member of the Night’s Watch and is headed towards Castle Black. A young raven-haired crippled boy then exclaims that his brother is also in the Night’s Watch. With this information, and also noticing a large direwolf in the room, Samwell quickly realizes that the boy is Jon Snow’s younger half-brother, Bran Stark. The Stark boy eventually asks Samwell to take him and his group north of the Wall, and though Sam protests the idea, given the threat of the White Walkers and their horde of wights approaching, he eventually relents and takes them through the passage. Before they separate, Samwell then gifts the group the rest of his dragonglass supply and tells them that it has the power to kill White Walkers.

Some time after finally arriving to Castle Black, Samwell and Gilly meet with Maester Aemon, and Gilly introduces her newborn as Sam, much to Samwell’s delight. Aemon, however, is furious at the prospect of Sam having violated his vows. Sam defends himself by reciting the Night's Watch oath to protect the realms of men whatever side of the Wall they are on and asserts that the Wall was not built to keep out barbarians. Aemon's demeanor softens upon learning that Gilly was one of  Craster's wives, and acknowledges that she is now a refugee and should be sheltered. Aemon then orders Samwell to begin writing letters immediately and make sure that all forty-four of Castle Black's ravens are well-fed, as every one of them is to fly that night: the White Walkers have returned, and Westeros must be warned. The following morning, a horse carrying a limp body walks up to the gates of Castle Black. After the gate is commanded to be opened members of the Watch drags the body inside the castle, where Samwell, Pypar and others run out into the courtyard to investigate the commotion. When the guards flip the body over it is revealed to be a badly-wounded Jon Snow. Jon opens his eyes at his amazed comrades and mustering as much energy as possible recognises both Sam and Pyp, as he fades in and out of consciousness. Samwell, who is overjoyed to see him, informs Jon that he is home and tells the guards to bring him inside so he can be treated for his wounds immediately.

Some time later, Jon has largely recovered from his injuries inflicted by a wildling woman named Ygritte. At some point, Jon has been informed about his half-brother Robb and adoptive mother Catelyn Stark’s murders at the Red Wedding. Though wanting vengeance for his family, Jon decides to stay. He shares with Samwell that he’d always been jealous of Robb for having more of their father Eddard’s affection and for being better than him at riding, fighting, and the attention of other girls. Still, he says he could never bring himself to hate Robb, as he was also always a good friend and honorable person. Sam responds by saying he has felt the same way about Jon, that Jon is better than him at everything, except for reading. It turns out that Samwell had been sent to retrieve Jon, who has been summoned to testify before a panel of five sworn brothers, including Maester Aemon and acting Lord Commander Alliser Thorne, as Jon has also learned since his return of Lord Commander Jeor Mormont’s brutal murder at Craster’s Keep by renegade Watchmen. A new member to the Watch joins the panel: Lord Janos Slynt, who was exiled to the Wall by Tyrion Lannister in the capital. At the hearing, Jon admits to killing Qhorin Halfhand, living amongst the wildlings, and sleeping with one. He also provides intel on Mance Rayder’s plans for attack. Both Slynt and Thorne are openly hostile to Jon, disbelieving much of what he says and call for his execution. Aemon, however, realizes that Jon is speaking the truth, and the hearing ends with Jon being allowed to keep his head.

Some time later, Samwell complains to Gilly that no one believes that he has killed a White Walker. Gilly is the sole witness, however, as most of his Black Brothers assumes she is a wildling this also prevents from the belief of his other-worldly encounter. She insist to Sam that she has received looks from the Night’s Watch but assures him that no one has touched her. Sam grows increasingly concerned of Gilly’s safety and decides to take her, for the time being, to the nearby village of Mole’s Town on the outskirts of the Wall. Although initially concerned that Sam may be bored of her he asserts to Gilly that he wants to protect her. When they later arrive to Mole’s Town, Gilly is instantly confronted with the fact that it is largely a brothel. When Sam insists to a local townswoman and prostitute that Gilly will clean, cook and look after the other children, she immediately tries convincing Gilly that there is paid work she can partake in. Sam remains firm that Gilly will not be involved in any other “work”. Before departing back to Castle Black, Samwell tries consoling a distraught Gilly, who feels like she is being abandoned. He insists that this is for the best and for her to trust him. Before turning away from Sam, Gilly retorts by saying that this is what is best for him.

Days later, at Castle Black, while Samwell travels back from Mole’s Town, Grenn and Eddison Tollett finally return from their narrow escape from the mutineers at Craster’s Keep. After Samwell returns as well, he frets to Jon about Gilly's safety in Mole's Town, the largest village in the Gift, now having learned that the wildlings are raiding nearby. Jon sympathizes, telling Sam he knows how hard it is. He confides that ever since Sam told him that his younger brother Bran Stark was alive and going beyond the Wall, he has wanted to go and find him. Sam explains he really tried to bring Bran back with him but Bran was determined to go beyond the Wall. When Sam and Jon think that Bran must have found shelter at Craster's Keep, they are interrupted by a new Night’s Watch recruit named Locke.  Locke brings Jon to the acting Lord Commander, Alliser Thorne, who sanctions his mission to Craster's Keep. Jon gives an impassioned speech, insisting that not only must the mutineers be dealt with for Castle Black's safety, but Lord Commander Mormont deserves justice. Though having just returned, Grenn and Eddison, along with a few other Watchmen, decide to join Jon to deal with the mutineers.

Some weeks later, Jon and his fellow brothers return from their successful raid on Craster's Keep, which resulted in the deaths of the rogue brothers of the Watch who had turned on the late Commander Mormont. However, this is to the dismay of Ser Alliser Thorne and Lord Janos Slynt, given the rising tension between them and Jon, as the election for the new Lord Commander is near. After Jon hugs a pleased Samwell, Thorne threatens that if Jon does not escort his “beast” from Castle Black, his direwolf Ghost will be thrown into their evening stew. Jon begrudgingly takes him away. Afterwards, in the hall, Jon informs the Night’s Watch that Mance’s army was closing in on Craster’s Keep when they left. He adds that the wildlings will reach the Wall before the next full moon. Janos Slynt slights Jon by saying he’s surprised he didn’t stop by and say hello, as Mance is his “old friend”. Jon pays no mind to Slynt’s comments and suggests they seal the tunnel to much of the Watch members chagrin. Thorne angrily informs Jon that he is suggesting to cower behind the Wall and hope the storm to pass. Grenn supports Jon by asserting that they cannot defend the gate against 100,000 men. Under pressure, the First Builder, Othell Yarwyck, reluctantly agrees with Thorne's assessment of their chances of defending the tunnel and Jon is denied as well as reminded of his place in the Watch. Jon and Samwell are then sent to serve as sentries on top of the Wall until the wildlings arrive.

Some time later, news of the wildlings attack on Mole's Town has arrived at Castle Black, where Samwell worries about Gilly, blaming himself for bringing her to the village instead of keeping her with him at Castle Black. Grenn is angry at them cowering in the castle instead of helping their brothers in neighboring towns. Jon, however, insists that they can't go out to fight against the wildlings, as that is exactly what they want. Pypar and Eddison try to comfort Sam by saying she might be alive and hiding, as she has survived worse situations, such as living with Craster, making a long march to the Wall and even surviving a White Walker. This gives Samwell hope that Gilly and Little Sam may have survived the massacre. Jon then notes a bigger problem: if Mole's Town has been destroyed, Castle Black is next, and the few Black Brothers who remain are outnumbered a thousand to one by Mance Rayder's army. Eddison notes that if the wildlings don't kill them all, there is even worse behind them that will finish the job, and asks whichever last man of the group is still alive at the end to burn the others, as he doesn't want to come back after he is dead.

Some time later, atop the Wall, Samwell and Jon are standing watch and awaiting the imminent wildling invasion. Sam attempts to interrogate Jon about what it was like to be with a woman, stating that as their deaths are likely imminent, it may be his last chance to find out. Sam brings up that the vows only explicitly forbid members from taking wives or producing children, and that other "activities" are open to interpretation. Jon replies glumly that Thorne most likely does not care about their interpretations. When further pressed by Sam to describe lying down with the wildling Ygritte, Jon attempts to explain but is unable to properly express it, proclaiming that he's "not a bleeding poet." Jon offers to take the watch up alone so Sam can go below. Afterwards, Sam is caught reading a book about wildlings by Maester Aemon, who correctly surmises that Sam has shown such a keen interest in her fate because he is in love with her, despite Sam's protests to the contrary. After being dismissed by Aemon, Sam leaves only to hear Gilly at the gate begging to be allowed inside, revealing her survival of the Mole's Town massacre.  Pypar attempts to deny her and Little Sam passage into the castle, saying he’s not allowed to open the gate, however, Sam roars at Pyp to allow her in. Sam promises Gilly wherever she goes next he will go too, but their reunion is cut short by two blows from the horn, indicating that the wildling army has finally begun their assault. Sam then rushes to get Gilly and Little Sam safely inside the castle.

Sam brings Gilly and her baby to a storage room where she can hide. Gilly wants Sam to stay with her as he promised, but he cannot as he swore to defend the Wall as a brother of the Night's Watch. Before he leaves her, Gilly begs Sam to promise her that he won't die and the two finally share a kiss. Then, as Sam and Pypar are preparing arrows at the southern gate, Pypar laments that he has never seen a real battle before or ever even held an edged blade. Pyp asks how Sam is not afraid, but Sam replies that he is, as there are thousands of wildlings about to overrun them.  Pyp asks how he managed to kill a White Walker while being afraid, and Sam says that at that moment, he just had to do something or Gilly would have been killed and her baby would have been taken. Sam further explains that at that moment, he wasn't himself; he was nothing, and when you are nothing there is nothing to be afraid of. However, he explains the reason he is afraid now is because "I'm not nothing anymore." Meanwhile, the wildling Ygritte spies on the castle to scout numbers of defenders. The group immediately take off towards Castle Black's southern gate, while Ygritte seems to have second thoughts. North of the Wall, the massive wildling army emerges from the woods, their numbers including giants riding atop mammoths.

The wildling army charge the gate while Ygritte, acting as a sniper, manages to pick off several men defending the gate with her bow. Pypar is firing a crossbow as Samwell assists by reloading another crossbow, but Pyp's aim is poor due to inexperience and nerves so he repeatedly misses his shots. The band of wildlings manage to reach Castle Black's walls and begin scaling them using grappling hooks and ropes, forcing Samwell and Pyp to retreat. Alliser Thorne arrives with reinforcements from the top of the Wall and gives an impassioned speech, which rallies the Black Brothers. Thorne then personally leads the charge against the wildlings, who have breached Castle Black's defenses, causing an intense battle to erupt in the courtyard. At one point, a group of wildlings breach Castle Black's dining hall. One wildling is killed when a brother throws boiling stew in his face and beats him to death with the pot. Hobb, Castle Black's cook, calmly enters the dining hall and kills a wildling with his massive butcher's knife. Outside, Pypar then manages to kill a wildling with his crossbow, but is then shot through the neck by Ygritte. A distraught Samwell comforts Pyp and stays with him until he dies.

The brothers defending the Wall manage to repel most of the wildlings attacking the outer gate, but one giant ties a large rope attached to a mammoth around the gate with intention on pulling it open. In the courtyard, Alliser Thorne is locked in a vicious duel with the wildling Tormund Giantsbane on the catwalk, both seem evenly matched in skill. However, Thorne suffers a grievous wound and is forced to retreat, being dragged to safety as he continues to shout orders to his men. Meanwhile, Samwell is forced to leave Pypar's body and as he heads to Castle Black's lift system, but he is spotted by a Thenn warg. The warg charges at Samwell as he desperately attempts to load his crossbow, managing to do so and firing a bolt into the warg's head just before he reaches him. At the gate, the giant manages to make it through, greatly weakening the gate by repeatedly smashing it with his fists and managing to single-handedly begin lifting the gate. Jon, knowing the inner gate won't hold against the massive giant, sends a group of Black Brothers, led by Grenn, to hold it at any cost. Samwell arrives atop the Wall to ask Jon for more men to defend the castle, and Jon tasks Sam with releasing his direwolf Ghost from his pen to assist in the battle. Arriving at the inner gate, the brothers are faced with the giant charging at them, but Grenn bolsters the others courage by reciting the Night's Watch oath. The Black Brothers ready their weapons just as the giant slams himself into the inner gate.

Meanwhile, Samwell and Jon both descend the Wall in the lift and Sam is instructed to release Ghost from his cage, to which Samwell quickly arranges the direwolf’s release. Ghost and Jon himself then enter the fray of battle in the courtyard, quickly dispatching several wildlings and catching the attention of a Thenn leader named Styr. Jon and Styr meet in a vicious and evenly-matched single combat where Styr eventually picks Jon up and begins strangling him. However, Jon spits blood in Styr's face and distracts him long enough for Jon to grab a blacksmith's hammer lying next to him. He then buries it in Styr's skull. Upon killing Styr, Jon turns around to find his former wildling lover Ygritte pointing her bow at him with an arrow drawn. He smiles at her, causing Ygritte to hesitate. Before either can say anything, Ygritte is shot near the heart by an arrow fired from Olly, a young Night’s Watch recruit who joined some weeks ago after seeking refuge, as the wildlings had slaughtered his entire village. A devastated Jon cradles the dying wildling woman in his arms as he begins to sob over her. Meanwhile atop the Wall, Eddison Tollett forces the wildling army to retreat for the night by dropping a massive scythe. A huge section of ice suddenly falls away from the Wall, revealing a massive anchor-like blade attached to a chain that swings along the Wall, mowing through the wildlings attempting to climb its face. Eddison then notices the wildling forces are beginning to withdraw into the  Haunted Forest, proclaiming that they have stopped them for now. Down below, Jon deals with the heavily wounded Tormund Giantsbane, who continues to fight despite being the only surviving wildling left in the castle. Jon subdues him with a crossbow and orders his fellow brothers to take him prisoner and interrogate him. Meanwhile, Samwell returns to the storage room where he has hid Gilly and Little Sam, to find that they have shared their secret hideout with a cowardice Lord Janos Slynt, who hid in fear during the entire battle.

The following morning, Jon discusses with Samwell his suicidal solution to end the wildling threat: he plans to assassinate Mance Rayder, noting that he is the only thing binding the disparate wildling clans that make up the army, and his death will rob them of that purpose and leadership. Sam tries to stop him, but to no avail. As Jon prepares to leave via Castle Black's tunnel, they discover the bodies of the Black Brothers who held the inner gate against the giant. Grenn is amongst the casualties, and Jon solemnly tells Samwell that all bodies must be burned. Sam then urges Jon to come back, and Jon looks at Sam, giving him an unsure smile before stepping out into the wilderness on the other side of the gate.

Some short time later, Jon returns to Castle Black with Mance Rayder, who has been arrested by King Stannis Baratheon and his men after their surprise attack on the wildling camp. Jon’s attempt to assassinate Mance at his camp was interrupted upon the arrival of Stannis, however, when Stannis asked Jon what would he have done with Mance himself, Jon informed Stannis that his father Eddard would have taken Mance prisoner and listened to what he had to say. After their return to Castle Black, a funeral is held for the slain Night's Watch, who have been arranged in a funeral pyre in the castle courtyard. Aemon delivers a eulogy, saying that they died to protect the men, women and children of the south, who will never even know who they were, and that it is their duty to keep their memory alive. Samwell then aids Aemon in setting the pyre alight, which is continued by Jon and the rest. King Stannis and his advisor Ser Davos Seaworth look on, along with Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen Baratheon. Jon looks across the flames and catches the gaze of a Red Priestess named Melisandre, who is standing on the opposite side of the pyre. She seems intrigued by Jon, her piercing stare clearly making him uneasy.