Snow crunched beneath her boots as she crossed the yard. The sound which once brought her an odd comfort now only made Aurelia think of bones crunching beneath her feet. Stannis' arrival had come in time, but not swift enough. Too many had died before her eyes and at her hand. She'd killed four men while involved in the campaign with Robb, and the Thenns who attacked Jon and Ygritte, but now she could not count them all and did not want to. And before she could regain her bearings, Jon was taken from her again - sent on a suicide mission, which he survived thank the gods, after being imprisoned on crimes which no one could defend but Jon himself. Jon's word and explanations meant nothing to Janos Slynt, but Aurelia knew the truth. Though she could not free him (she could, but it would not help them if she did), she worked to sway other brothers to his innocence. Those who saw Jon fight, saw him command and defend the Wall, they were the easiest to sway. Of course, none of them had enough sway to release him and Aurelia had to work against Slynt in secret, her presence already endangering her safety. When Jon returned from Mance's camp, Aurelia had to restrain herself to the extent that she could not allow herself to see him. Until she got her emotions under control again, one look and her secret would be out. She was summoned after battle almost immediately by Stannis, and remained in his keep except for the occasional errand when she was certain Jon would not be about.
This errand had been for Melisandre, to deliver correspondence to Maester Aemon. Over the past few days, the red woman had seemed more accustomed to Aurelia's presence, and they had dined together twice. Melisandre said it was because being the only free women there they should take comfort in one another, but Aurelia could sense more. The way Melisandre looked at her sometimes, as though she truly did see Aurelia's future, was unnerving.
As she continued across the yard, she glanced up to one of the catwalks and saw Melisandre. The woman beckoned Aurelia with a glance, and she followed. Melisandre walked slowly to allow Aurelia to catch up. Once they were together, Melisandre gave Aurelia one of her knowing looks.
"His Grace requests your presence," she said softly.
Aurelia nodded.
"He has requested to see Jon Snow as well."
Aurelia's insides knotted, but she replied coolly. "Has he?"
"His Grace grows a bit impatient with certain matters and believes the young man might be an ally." Melisandre looked to Aurelia, but she gave no reply. "I believe you and I have had some influence in that conclusion."
"I am honored that His Grace receives my words openly, but I do not pretend to have influence."
"That is partly why you do," Melisandre smiled.
"Partly?"
The red woman smiled a secretive smile. "Yes, partly."
Aurelia eyed her before continuing. "Why tell me of His Grace's request to see Jon Snow? Or include me in the meeting at all?"
"Do you not wish to see him? You have avoided him since His Grace arrived."
"Many matters required my attention for His Grace's needs."
"Indeed…" Melisandre trailed off and for a brief moment Aurelia glimpsed a flicker in the woman's face that surprised her. Something akin to jealousy flared in Melisandre's eyes.
"I am at King Stannis' disposal," Aurelia commented, "and yet I can find little reason why he continues to seek my opinions."
"Truly?" Melisandre asked, the smile creeping back into her features. "Then perhaps you are not as perceptive as I had believed."
Aurelia wanted to ask more, but held her tongue. Yet she wondered what Stannis' plans were for Jon. She could play her part, especially to keep Jon safe, but would Stannis have any care for Jon's safety?
Entering the room in which Stannis chose to hold his court, such as it was, Jon contemplated what awaited him. Janos Slynt had locked him away for treason, and done so only after he had the support for it; treason enacted at the command of a senior member of the Watch. His freedom awarded, the battle won and Mance captured, he wondered what chastisement he was meant to receive from the potential king, and what Stannis might ask of him.
He never expected to see her standing by Stannis' side. She had sent him two notes since his return from Mance's camp, and he had not seen her at all. In truth he ached to see her, but he could not let those emotions show. They would see one another again in time, soon, but he never expected it to be like this.
With concerted effort, Jon bent his knee to Stannis, looking him in the eye as he forced himself to avoid looking to Aurelia. When he rose, Stannis regarded him with cold, blue eyes, similar in color to Aurelia's, but hard and bitter where hers tended toward exuberant and warm.
"So you are the Jon Snow everyone's been assaulting me with accounts of," Stannis remarked, sounding unimpressed with whatever had been recanted to him about Jon.
"I am the only Jon Snow of the Night's Watch that I know of, Your Grace," Jon replied, trying not to address Stannis in a sarcastic tone. He felt vindicated slighting Janos Slynt, but Stannis Baratheon he knew at a glance was not one to suffer sarcasm without repercussions.
"Indeed," Stannis muttered. He looked to Aurelia, drawing Jon to gaze at her as well. Dressed in a simple, fitted gown of an amber tint with a dark brown hooded cloak fastened around her shoulders, Aurelia regarded Stannis with an air of respect and humility. Yet Jon thought he saw in her eyes a look of pity. "Lady Aurelia, now that the man stands before us, perhaps you could enlighten me on these disparate accounts I hear of him. He is, I understand from prior conversation, known to you."
Aurelia bowed her head. "Yes, Your Grace. I knew Jon Snow throughout my youth."
"And did you find him as treacherous and deceitful as some of his black brothers would have me believe?"
Jon's eyes flicked to Aurelia, but she held her gaze with Stannis. "No. I always knew him to be honourable. Truthful, but cunning as well. A bit impulsive at times, stubborn – especially when he believed a cause to be just."
"Craven?" Stannis asked in an impudent tone which made Jon twitch.
"Never, Your Grace," she asserted.
"Disloyal?"
"No," she replied firmly.
"Mmmm…" Stannis mused as Jon stole another look at Aurelia.
"If I may, Your Grace," The red woman standing on Stannis' other side, his right, finally spoke.
Everything about her unnerved Jon and from the few whispers heard around the Watch, he was far from alone.
What is Aurelia doing in this court? He wondered. What else has she not told me?
Melisandre continued, "Though the accounts of Jon Snow differ among his black brothers, those who hold him in regard think of him much as Lady Aurelia does. And he led the Watch in its defense against the wildlings until our arrival. If not for him, it is likely there would have been little if any Wall left for us to aid when we arrived."
Stannis looked to Aurelia for confirmation. "Not wishing to laud him further if it displeases Your Grace, but Melisandre is correct. Jon held the Wall firm against the attack where many of the men who now decry him could not be counted upon for much beyond having orders shouted to them."
"Yes, so you've both told me before," Stannis replied. "You have a mind and mouth of your own, Jon Snow," Stannis addressed him. "What do you think should be done now?"
"With me, Your Grace, or the Wall?" he asked.
As he regarded Jon, Stannis' eyes narrowed. "Clever boy." He remained silent a moment longer, studying Jon.
"Very well," he finally acknowledged. "I am inclined to believe the more favorable accounts of your character, for now, though your stubbornness and sharp tongue may yet undo you. I have great respect for the Wall and its defenses, for without it there would be no kingdom for me to fight for."
Another man, less embittered, might have smirked at that, but Stannis expression remained like a stone. He gestured to Aurelia. "My lady, would you accompany the young watchman back to his quarters and provide him some information once you are alone?"
Aurelia nodded. "Yes, Your Grace." She stepped toward Jon as Stannis addressed him.
"We shall speak soon, Jon Snow. On a great many matters. For now, I suggest you ruminate on where your loyalties to this realm lie and listen to our friend about how I came here and why."
"I will, Your Grace," Jon said, bowing.
Aurelia held out her arm, and Jon slid his hand up to take her hand from below. Walking out of the hall, Jon felt Melisandre's gaze follow them.