Aurelia watched Jon, concerned any sudden movement or noise might disturb his connection. She heard noise in the yard. "Tormund, no," she whispered. She slipped from the bed, quickly pulling on a dress and wrapping herself in a heavy cloak. She cast Jon a glance before going outside.
Tormund stood with a group of wildlings around him. Though he wasn't shouting, being Tormund he wasn't quiet about his proclamations either. As Aurelia came nearer, he turned his attention on her.
"And you, girl. What do you think of this mess?"
"To which mess are you referring?"
"The crows owe us a debt. We remain here to see it paid, but our patience with this place wears thin. I long for a warm fire with the Wall separating me from what lies beyond."
"I cannot speak for the Watch, Tormund, nor would I presume to. But do you think once you cross over away from the Wall all your troubles will be over? How many times did you scale that Wall? You think it will keep the walkers and their masters out forever? Even for your lifetime?"
"Yet you plan to leave this place. And will you run south to the land of kings to protect yourself?"
"Why, do you want to run with me?"
Tormund grinned. He strode toward her, staring her down as his smile faded. "Whatever you have planned, girl, you need more than the boy and his wolf to help you. And they aren't yours to command."
"They're not yours either. Nor are they the Watch's."
His voice lowered so only she could hear. "What are you planning, you and the boy?"
"You're not a bad man, Tormund," she replied. "But right now the only person I trust to know my true intent is Jon."
He continued staring at her for a brief moment, eyes flashing with several emotions. Just before he spoke, he seemed to settle on one in particular. "You're a smart girl. Maybe too smart. The crows owe my men a debt, but paid or not, we'll not linger here much longer. You and the boy have an idea of where we should go, where you might like us to go, you let me know before you go yourself, hmm?"
"I will." She raised herself up and kissed his ginger cheek. "And thank you." She glanced back toward her room. "I shouldn't leave him alone for long."
"You can't protect him from himself forever." Tormund's tone was almost sad, and with a depth of knowledge that stung Aurelia.
"I know. Someday- Ghost?"
The direwolf sprinted through the courtyard toward Aurelia's room. He did not look to her when she called but kept running to the door. Aurelia ran after him. When she reached the door, Ghost was pawing at it. She moved a hand to her hip before remembering she had dressed in haste without taking any weapon. She steeled herself, then opened the door. Jon sat up in bed. Ghost bounded to him, and hopped on the bed, turning several times as he licked blood from his chops before settling next to Jon.
"He's had an adventure," Jon smiled as he patted the direwolf's neck.
"Has he now?"
"Well, we have."
Aurelia closed the door, glancing for some unforeseen danger before returning her gaze to the bed. "I thought- Did you have him run back like that?"
Jon nodded. "I heard you, but was trying to keep control until he reached the door. Sorry if it startled you."
Aurelia removed her cloak and approached them. She reached for Ghost, scratching behind his ears. "What am I going to do with you two, hmm?"
"Love us," Jon smiled.
Aurelia shook her head, then crawled up on the bed. She went to put Ghost between her and Jon, but he clasped her hand with a knowing smile. She scooted around the direwolf and Jon pulled her onto his lap. He kissed her once, soft and sweet.
"The wildlings are scattering from the Gift. They don't know the terrain as well as they think, though they are equipped for the weather. At least for now. They're scared. More scared than before."
"They don't have a leader now."
"They'll be at one another's throats soon."
"You're planning," she replied, running her fingers through his hair before folding her hands behind his head. Aurelia dropped her gaze. "Tormund offered help. Well, inasmuch as he would ever make such an offer, I think."
"You think he would join us if we asked?"
"If you asked. If you tell him enough..." She drifted off. "Stannis is not going to be pleased with any of this."
Jon shifted her from his lap. "That concerns you?"
"It should concern us both." She sighed, running her hand along Ghost's side. "Making Stannis our enemy is not going to help anyone. If the wildlings give allegiance to us, even a tenuous one..." Aurelia shook her head.
"I'll speak with Tormund. And her. She holds sway with Stannis still. Perhaps if we have her blessing-"
"Jon, you know what will happen if we tell her our plans."
"I don't plan on divulging everything. Not in the least. I'll lie if I must. The truth that matters is we are not against Stannis, and we are for Winterfell and a united North, not to rule but to unite and hold strong for whatever winter will bring. In that much, I hope, she will see our goals align with Stannis. Regardless of the outcome of these conversations-"
"We lose time the longer we delay. The Boltons will not wait for me for long."
Jon clenched his jaw at the mention of their name and Aurelia lifted her hand to run her fingers along it. "I hate this. I do. But to see justice done, for your house, for Robb and every Northman who fought with him and was betrayed- Jon, we owe it to them to try. If the North is not united soon-"
"I know." He nodded and she slid her hand around his shoulder. "I know," he said again, more firmly.
He looked to her, his face inscrutable.
"Jon," she tried, hoping to get a read on his demeanor.
A second of silence passed. He took her other hand in his and held it to his chest. "I will fight for you, for us, with my last breath. For my family, for Winterfell and the North, yes. I want- I want to save it all. But without you..."
She kissed him, slow, lingering, deliberately guiding them so Jon positioned himself atop her as they lay on the bed. "I trust you to do all that and more, my love. Trust me to play my part. I know the risk in this. I know it could mean my life, but what we have to gain is worth the danger. The marriage is priority. It has to be. But if it looks to fail, if the danger overwhelms and that plan crumbles, we must be prepared for a fight. It must be swift and brutal, uncompromising in our vengeance. Yet I don't want that to be our legacy."
Jon tucked a section of her hair. "The Watch has been fighting wildlings and more for centuries. Since arriving here my life has been little other than violence. And then you... we..." He sighed. "If it comes to a choice between you and- there is no choice. It is always you."
"As it is you for me, Jon. It always will be."
She pulled him closer, her embrace pressing her chest against his. Her heartbeat pounded against him and he felt her begin to tremble. He pulled back to look at her.
Tears had pooled in her eyes, and yet they shone bright with affection. "Speak with Tormund, and Melisandre. Whoever you think will help us. But we musn't linger much longer."
