Game Of Thrones:Lady Blackthorne

CHAPTER 17

It took a couple of months for the baby to get stronger and Aldarra to heal. When they finally set out with their full provisions, Aldarra had set up to have several wagon loads of supplies to follow them up to the Wall traveling behind them. She bought horses and plenty of furs to keep everyone warm including the soldiers. They traveled through The Neck by way of passing near overlooking Moat Carilan to get to the King's Road.

By the time they reached close to Winterfell, the dragons had appeared and Aldarra used them for reconnaissance to fly above and see if anyone was in the area as a threat and to clear the road ahead for faster travel. Every day she made sure the supply wagons from White Harbor were safe as well coming up behind them. Clearing the roads of snow made travel much faster for everyone. Instead of it taking six to seven weeks it took a month.

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In the meantime at Castle Black, Olly, Jon's steward, opens the door for Stannis and Davos Seaworth to enter the Lord Commander's study. Jon sits at his desk.

Stannis said, “Lord Commander.”

Jon stands up and says, “Your Grace.”

Stannis looks at Olly as he closes the door and says, “I'd like to speak alone.”

Jon replied in control, “Olly is my steward now, as I was Lord Commander Mormont's. I want him to attend my meetings, to learn from men with experience. One day, he might command.”

Stannis relents sitting down and said, “Very well. Have you considered my offer?”

Jon replied, “I have. And I thank you for it. You do me great honor. All my life I wanted to be Jon Stark.”

Stannis said, “Say the word and you will be.”

Jon pauses and said, “But I have to refuse you. I'm Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. My place is here.”

Stannis doesn't understand and says, “I'm giving you a chance to avenge your family. To take back the castle where you grew up. To rule the North.”

Jon said standing firm on his decision, “I wish I could fight beside you. Believe me, I do. But I swore a sacred vow at the Godswood. I pledged my life to the Night's Watch.”

Stannis growled, “You're as stubborn as your father and as honorable.”

Jon smiled and said, “I can imagine no higher praise.”

Stannis still growled saying, “I didn't mean it as praise. Honor got your father killed. But if your mind’s made up, I won't try to persuade you.” He stood up.

Jon asks, “May I ask, Your Grace, how long you plan to stay at Castle Black?”

Stannis replied, “Are you bored of us already?”

Jon stated, “You saved us from Mance Rayder's army. We will never forget that. But it's a question of survival. The Night's Watch can't continue to feed your men and the wildling prisoners indefinitely. Winter is coming.”

Stannis said, “I know it. We march on Winterfell within the fortnight. Before the snows trap us here.”

Jon asks, “And the wildlings?”

Stannis said, “They'd rather burn than fight for me, so be it. I leave their fate to you. You could execute them, that's the safest course. *pause* Or you could see if this Tormund fellow is more willing to compromise than Mance ever was. I assume the brothers of the Night's Watch would rather see the wildlings dead.”

Jon said, “Most of the brothers, yes. There's little love for the free folk here.” Olly stares at him.

Stannis said, “You're the Lord Commander. Your decision.” Stannis begins to leave. Olly opens the door for him.