Game of Thrones: A Wolf Comes Home

Chapter 36 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah, it's pretty sad; as I've always felt, Stannis cares for Shireen, just doesn't know how to express it.
Ruxi23: What plot, there wasn't any plot?
Boris Yeltsin: We can only wait and see.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks, well, we won't be seeing it anyway.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; yeah, it's pretty sad for Stannis, but glad you like Davos' plans now :)
Pop: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; why would they, do remember why Davos is going to Winterfell after all.
C Elise: Yeah :(

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Jon

Jon let out a slow careful breath; days had passed since the end of his trial. He was now free again; and a hero of the Night's Watch. He had slain a White Walker before the very eyes of those present in Castle Black and had captured Mance Rayder for them. He smiled slightly as he recalled the death of the White Walker; his defeat of it lent credence to Sam's claim. Now those that doubted him before believed his story, seeing now that it could be done.

'However things aren't entirely back to normal yet.' Jon noted ruefully. 'We need to elect a new Lord Commander, and those traitors that killed Commander Mormont are still out there, beyond the Wall.'

Jon shook his head; at this rate, they weren't going to get anything done. While he stood outside, noting the remains of the battle had been cleared away, inside the common room, the election was going on. In truth, Jon wasn't sure it could be called that; it sounded more like three parties trying to shout over each other and present their candidate as the best choice. Or at least, it had been; now things were quiet in the common hall. Jon sighed as he considered; things had been pretty neatly split into three camps, each proposing a different candidate and each being of equal number. The candidates were Cotter Pyke from Eastwatch-By-The-Sea; Denys Mallister from Shadow Tower and Janos Slynt.

Due to the equal size of the three groups each attempt to elect a Lord Commander was deadlocked.

Jon couldn't help but feel they were wasting time with this. 'At this rate, we'll never be ready for the next attack by Wildlings or the White Walkers; no will we be able to avenge Commander Mormont.'

He sighed began walking; keeping an eye open for any trouble. The more he considered the problem regarding a new Lord Commander, the more he felt that, given the way they were actin, none of the three being elected would be suitable. A balance needed to be found; yet none of the three of them offered that. He felt however that at least, with Cotter Pyke or Denys Mallister, it would be possible to talk to and convince them to try and find that balance. With Janos, the Night's Watch would sink to its lowest, leaving Westeros to its doom, of that he was certain. He stopped suddenly as he found himself standing in the very courtyard his trial had taken place in. The execution block was still there, not yet cleared away, right in front of him. Subconsciously his hand went up to feel Longclaw's pommel.

He let out a long slow breath as his thoughts changed. 'Ygritte; she escaped unharmed, I wonder what she's doing now. I can't get that moment out of my head. I was really going to do it, if only to save her from worse.'

This was surprisingly true. The last thing Jon had been thinking about when it came to being ordered to execute Ygritte, had been himself.

He found that he didn't care less about being branded a turncloak and oathbreaker. His main motivation in carrying out the execution was to save Ygritte from a worse fate, a worse death. If he failed to carry out the execution, he knew he would be killed. However regardless of circumstances, if the Wildling attack hadn't happened, Ygritte would have been killed anyway.

'It was like tearing my heart in two.' He ruefully noted. 'But it was either I killed her quickly and cleanly, or she suffered a slow agonizing death at Slynt and Thorne's hands.'

True or not however, he felt that wasn't enough to justify it, but it was all he had. He could not deny his feelings for her, but he had made his choice. There was nothing he could do about it now; he would have to close off that part of his heart forever. His duty to the Night's Watch had to come first, for the good of the realm.

'Sometimes I wish I never met her.' He thought sadly. 'Then, the thought of losing her wouldn't hurt so much.'

Shaking his head he turned away, stopping when he saw Sam approaching him in a hurry. Jon stood waiting as Sam hurried up to him; he wondered why his friend was in such a rush.

Finally Sam stopped in front of Jon, fighting to catch his breath.

"Jon…" He gasped. "You need to; you need to come back to the common hall."

Jon was confused and gave voice to his confusion. "Why?"

Sam straightened up and explained. "The election, they're going to be casting the votes soon; they'll likely finish by the time we get back. But we'll be there to hear the result."

"It'll just be another deadlock Sam." Jon remarked instantly.

But Sam shook his head. "It won't…Remember how I said I had things to do; I've been busy talking to people…Even Cotter Pyke and Denys Mallister. They've pulled out of the election; it's come down to Janos Slynt and a compromise candidate."

Jon suddenly froze, this certainly changed things. Yet he couldn't begin to fathom why Sam was so insistent on him coming back. All the same he agreed and together they hurried back to the common room. When they entered, they saw everyone assembled; nobody looked their way except for Janos who was smiling smugly. Jon ignored him and stood, along with Sam, as part of the crowd. Sam seemed insistent on them standing in the front though, although wouldn't say why. Jon conceded however.

Bowen Marsh looked up and spoke. "The votes have been counted and verified; the vote has come down to two people, Janos Slynt and our compromise candidate, suggested by Samwell Tarly."

There was a hushed silence as Bowen prepared to make the announcement.

He finally did so and his words were the last Jon expected to hear.

"With a majority of votes, our compromise candidate has won the election and is now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Step forth, Lord Commander Jon Snow!"

Jon gaped, stunned; he couldn't have heard right; but all eyes now turned to him, Janos' almost bulging out their sockets as his face purpled. Sam lightly pushed his back and urged Jon forwards. He did so; still in disbelief. However as Bowen spoke, it gradually became more real to him. He finally understood what Sam had been trying to accomplish, all the people he had been talking to, he had been winning support for Jon and offering him as a compromise to ensure Janos didn't become Lord Commander. He had faith that Jon would be found innocent; Jon had to repay that faith. So he did everything he could to prepare himself and spoke formally accepting the role. Many people bowed; including members of Janos' group; his supporters reduced now to a mere handful. Then, to the shock of Janos and Jon, Alliser stepped forwards.

"Alliser, what are you doing?" Janos hissed.

Alliser merely shook his head. "The Night's Watch comes before all else Janos."

With that he too bowed, acknowledging Jon as the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.