Stormbringer | Jon Snow

Chapter 23

Time had run out.

"You're certain?" Jon sounded like he might be sick, his grip on Melyse's hand tight enough that she could scarcely feel her fingertips. "You saw it?"

"Yes," said Bran. His voice was steady, he felt no fear. "I've been scouting beyond-the-Wall through the eyes of the animals left there, even the eyes of some wildlings who did not join Tormund. The Night King will be upon the Wall very soon. We've no choice but to go up and meet him. We cannot wait any longer."

Melyse knew how much this upset Jon. He'd been so excited, thinking that no matter what Stannis said, he could show the wight to their allies then use their combined forces– particularly the dragon– to take Casterly Rock and force the men of the Crownlands to lay down their weapons.

She could assume how her uncle would reply to Jon's news of being Rhaegar and Lyanna's son. He'd still insist he was the rightful heir, that was indisputable. But she assumed he might speak with Ser Davos, her aunt Selyse, and Shireen to determine the succession. Jon had been transparent of Olenna's feelings, as Sansa had been earlier, which might convince Stannis to name Jon his heir. An older man and younger together to unite the realm and see it into a new age of prosperity.

But there wasn't time to be waiting for responses. They'd already heard from their allies that a dragon had been sighted heading North, and now there wouldn't even be a chance to show him off or make a statement of their new power before the war had to begin. It was with a heavy heart that Sansa, Jon, Melyse, Samwell, and Maester Wolkan got to writing letters to ask for armies to begin marching up immediately.

The wight was here; he'd be shown as an example to everyone who would be coming to fight. They would have to make do with what they had and hope that Cersei would make no moves in the meantime, for convincing her was going to take an eternity, and it was unlikely she'd hear them out. Most likely, if they tried coming to the capital, she'd murder them.

The priority to viewing went to their most powerful allies. The Northern lords and most of the Knights of the Vale had seen it already, but private audiences would be held upon the arrivals of Lady Olenna, Lord Randyll Tarly, Yara Greyjoy, the Blackfish, and Stannis himself. From there, they hoped to show as many men as possible what the dead looked like. Melyse remembered her fright, beholding them for the first time. Everyone should know what to expect.

Stannis replied to Jon in a compound letter that informed them that he and his men were on their way to Winterfell. While Sansa was worrying about where they were going to house everyone, Melyse joined Jon in reading the letter.

Lord Stark,

I'll wish to see the evidence procured by Samwell Tarly upon arrival to Winterfell. While I recall the boy to be too honest for his own good, I will make no concrete decision until I've seen it with my own eyes and seen you fulfill this apparent role of Prince Who Was Promised. Lady Melisandre has been wrong before, and I will not change my mind until it has been proven that she was right at last.

As I told you on the Wall, Ser Davos once guided me to reason by telling me the truth: I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne. I still believe that these demons made of snow, ice, and cold are the ancient enemy– the only enemy that matters. I do not deny that there must be one person– Prince or not– who will accept their destiny (for no one chooses theirs, we simply do our duty, great or small, we must do it). I do not know if this person is you. I do not know if I believe that, should you be this person, it makes you the person who should sit the Iron Throne.

I am the rightful heir, of this there is no question. It is indeed the law. I never asked for the crown I bear. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but it is my burden to bear. It is the law that I am Robert's heir, and that after me, my crown should pass to my daughter unless my wife should finally give me a son. It seems the crown could even pass to my niece, for she is a truer heir than you, but even she would not rule until after I've sat my throne.