Is there any other way to reach Winterfell without crossing the wall?
In S01E01 of Game of Thrones, Eddard passes death sentences on a deserter. In a conversation, the desserter says:
I know I broke my oath, and I'm a deserter. I should have gone back to the wall and warned them, but I saw what I saw.
My understanding is there is only one way to enter Winterfell and it is through the Wall. So how did this guys manage to escape the White Walker without going through/crossing the wall?
Please watch both the videos for the reference:
Best Answer
The Wall is sparsely manned and there many places where a living man can get through. We see a few instances in the show, namely:
- Jon and the group of Wildings climbing the Wall. S3E6, The Climb
- Bran and Co. passing through the Wall at the Nightfort through a secret gate that can only be opened by a man of the Night's Watch. S3E10, Mysha
I would think the second option is likely how Will made it past the Wall without crossing a manned castle.
The White Walkers still need a full on assault or other option as there were magic spells cast into the during its construction that prevent the direct passage of the dead.
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Can the White Walkers get past the wall?
It got there because someone dragged it through the gate believing it was dead only to have it come back to life. The White Walkers might not be able to cross the wall on their own volition, but they can cross the wall with someone's help. That means if someone allows them in they could essentially get past the wall.How did they get a white walker past the wall?
Tormund and Beric freeze in horror, watching Viserion continue to topple the Wall. A breach is created, allowing the White Walkers and the massive wight army of the dead to cross into the Seven Kingdoms, marking the return of the Long Night once more.Does winterfell get rebuilt?
The Boltons settle in at Winterfell and bring in work crews and timber to start rebuilding the burned-out parts of the castle.Proof that Bran Stark knows about a Secret Tunnel in the Walls of Winterfell
More answers regarding is there any other way to reach Winterfell without crossing the wall?
Answer 2
When he says "the wall", he means Castle Black (or one of the other two manned posts). He doesn't mean The Wall proper. So yes, you are correct in that he would have had to cross The Wall to get to Winterfell from where he was, but he likely did this at an unmanned point.
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