Jon tuned out the Lord Commander as he spoke to the recruits who were to take their vows that evening. He didn't need to listen because he wasn't going to be a man of the Night's Watch either way. He would be forced to act as the Lord Commander's steward and after he made a trip beyond the Wall, be sent away. Jon was angry, there was no question of that. He came to the Wall because he felt he would no longer have a place at Winterfell now that his father went to serve as Hand in Kings Landing.

Jon was perplexed as to why Maester Aemon and Lord Commander Mormont refused to allow him to take the black. It was odd really; the Watch was short of men, good men especially. Jon had considered leaving now that they refused to take him in but he didn't want to face his Lord father and Robb, he was scared that they would think him a coward.

To add to all his frustrations, his uncle was missing. Benjen Stark was supposed to have been back for a long time and Jon was incredibly worried. But, Jon liked to believe his uncle was alive.

Jon vaguely heard Sam tell him quietly that there was no reason for him to be so serious as he was going to be a ranger and that it was a steward's life for himself. Jon hadn't told Sam and the others about the arrangement the Lord Commander had made, as he was commanded to.

Jon gave him what he thought was a smile, "There is an honor in being a steward."

Sam smiles, "Not much really. But there's food."

Jon watched as the Lord Commander tell the recruits that penalty of desertion was death. Something I won't need to worry about. Jon tried to cheer himself up.

When the Lord Commander asked if any them kept the old gods, Jon took a deep breath and stood up.

"I do, my lord."

"You want to take your vows before a heart tree as your uncle did?" The lord Commander asked, betraying nothing of their conversation the day before.

"Yes, my lord." Jon answered, trying to keep the bite out of his voice.

"You'll find a weirwood about a mile north of the Wall and your old gods too maybe."

Jon nodded as he felt Sam stand up beside him,

"My lord, might as I go as well?"

Mormont's eyebrows furrowed, "Does House Tarly keep the old gods as well?"

"No, my lord. I was named in the light of the Seven, as my father was and his father before him."

It was Ser Alliser who spoke up from the podium, "Why would you forsake the gods of your father and your house?"

"The Night's Watch is my house now. The Seven have never answered my prayers. Perhaps the old gods will."

"As you wish." Mormont said, glancing at Jon through the corners of his eyes.

The lord Commander went on to assigning everyone to their divisions. Jon watched as Grenn and Sam were assigned to the rangers and stewards as expected. He himself was then assigned to the stewards, he felt a surge of fury fill him but he suppressed it quickly. Jon noticed Sam and Grenn looked surprise at Jon's appointment. He looked up to see Ser Alliser looking smug and Jon would've done anything to wipe that look on his face.

After all the recruits were grouped, Jon went to join the other stewards who were being instructed by Measter Aemon. When it was his turn, Jon looked up with all the contempt he could muster but then realized there was no use as Maester Aemon wouldn't be able to see his face.

"Jon Snow, Lord Commander Mormont has requested you for his personal steward."

"Of course, Maester Aemon." Sarcasm dripped off Jon's voice as he stalked off.

He heard Sam stubble after him, "Jon, wait! Listen to me. Mormont is lord commander of the Night's Watch, you'll be with him from day to night. He asked for you himself! He wants to groom you for commanding."

Jon whipped around, "You don't understand, Sam. I won't even be his steward. Maester Aemon and Mormont won't let me take my vows, that's why He summoned me yesterday. To tell me this."

Sam looked at Jon dumbfounded, "You are not joining the Watch?"

"No, they won't let me. They said I have other stuff that I need to do. Help rally the north or something. But you can't tell anyone. They forbade to tell anyone."

"But. But you want to join the Watch. Why wouldn't they-"

Jon ran a hand through his hair in frustration, "Don't you think I've been asking myself the same question? I'm to go beyond the Wall once and then they'll send me away."

Sam struggled for words, "Perhaps they have a reason for that."

Jon shook his head and let out a deep breath, "I wish they would at least tell me that reason, instead of keeping me in the dark."

The Flames Of Winter

Jon watched as Sam took his vows. They were accompanied by only two brothers. A ranger, Eddison Tollett and Denys Mallister, both of whom were picked by Mormont himself. They didn't comment on Jon's predicament, which Jon suspected was because Mormont already told them.

Sam finished his vows and Jon couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy but he pushed that down as he embraced Sam.

Jon noticed Ghost make his way out of the woods with something in his mouth. Jon knelt down and motioned for Ghost to come to him.

"To me Ghost."

Jon felt his stomach turn as he saw his dire wolf unclench a hand.

The Flames Of Winter

They found two bodies, bodies of the brothers of who had accompanied Benjen Stark beyond the Wall. It made Jon feel uneasy and he started to expect the worst of his uncle's fate. Jon and the others brought back the bodies to Castle Black, for the lord commander and Measter Aemon to study.

Jon was in the middle of recounting what had happened to Grenn and Pyp, when he was summoned to the lord commander's office.

"Bring me a horn of ale, Snow. And pour one for yourself." Mormont ordered.

Jon nodded, figuring that his temporary duties have begun.

"The king is dead." Mormont informed.

Jon froze but quickly recollected himself and handed Mormont his ale, "Is there any word of my father?"

"Sit."

Jon took a seat and braved himself for whatever news that lord Commander had for him.

"Lord Stark has been charged with treason. They say he conspired with Robert's brothers to deny the throne to Prince Joffrey."

Jon was taken aback, his father a traitor? Jon knew better than that. He reached for the letter and Mormont handed it to him. He read it and couldn't believe it. This had to be some plot against his family. His father was an honorable man and would die before he betrayed his friend, Robert. Jon stood up and made his way to leave.

"Sit, Snow. I didn't say you could leave." Mormont told him gruffly.

Jon considered walking out all the same, for a moment he was happy he didn't take his vows. He would go back to Winterfell and he and Robb would find some way to save their father. But he also knew that only a few knew that Jon had not taken his vows and it would be unwise to anger the lord commander.

Mormont studied him and as though he had read Jon's mind, "I hope you're not thinking of doing something I promised I will let you go eventually. But for now your duty lies here."

"I'm not a brother of the Night's Watch. You made sure of that. I should be free to go." Jon said.

"Aye. But I said you leave only when I let you leave. Let me be honest with you, boy. This whole idea was proposed by Maester Aemon and he was quite set on it. He told me to do this for the same reasons I told you yesterday, but I suspect there is something else to it. I don't know what that is. But I do know one thing, Maester Aemon is one of the most honorable men I know and I trust him. And I believe he's doing this for the Watch and realm."

"So listen to me, Jon Snow. Winter is coming and we are going to need all the help we can get. So if you do as I say, the quicker you get to run back to Winterfell."

Jon stayed silent. He couldn't fathom for what reason Maester Aemon did not want him taking his vows. But it was true, winter was coming and something horrible was coming with it. Seeing the bodies beyond the Wall, reminded him of what the deserter had been muttering about before he was executed by his lord father: White Walkers.

Jon felt a shiver run down his spine and he nodded. He would stay at Castle Black and play the part Maester Aemon wanted him to.

At least for now.

Author's Note: So another update. It might take a chapter or two for the story to really really start. But bear with me please! I hope you guys liked it!

And thank you so much for all the follows and favorites and of course the reviews! So until we see again, follow, favorite and review!