They did not speak until after reaching the main corridor out of the wing of the keep. Once outside in the crisp air, snowflakes lightly darting to the ground, Jon moved his hand away to pull up his hood. Before Aurelia raised hers, he did it for her, taking a step to face her as he pulled the soft fur up over her long waves. His gaze pierced her, but he did not ask what he thought.

"Soon," she said, moving his hands away from her face. She breezed past him along the walkway and he followed, unsure of what else to do.

"That's all you have to say to me?" He asked after a few dozen yards.

"Until we reach your chambers and I'm certain we're alone, yes. This is a perilous time for you, Jon. Too many eyes watch you and ears listen for you to speak out of turn. I will not risk you being imprisoned again for a hasty word."

What else are you not telling me? Jon wanted to demand. Can I believe anything you say to me now? He knew, deep within himself, that she was his most trusted friend and would never betray him. Yet seeing her as a member of Stannis' court, standing there as proper a lady as he'd ever seen her, conversing with the would-be king at such ease… and she never spoke a word of it to him. Why is she hiding? And what lay hidden still?

When they reached Jon's rooms, Ghost sat in the doorway, wagging his tail. He stood and nuzzled Aurelia's leg when she entered as she smoothed a hand over his head. Once inside with the door locked, Jon removed his coat, hanging it on the wall. Aurelia removed hers as well, placing it on the back of the large wooden chair in the corner. Jon stalked to the fireplace, stoking the coals and logs to bring life back to the flames. When a pleasing blaze resumed in the fireplace, he turned to regard Aurelia.

He meant to chastise her, but when he turned to look upon her, her wavy hair loosed by the wind, the blush on her cheeks from the cold, the way her dress draped over her form, and the sadness in her eyes as she met his gaze, the words caught in his throat. Before he could regain his thoughts, she moved to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him to her. He reflexively returned her embrace, then felt her melt into his body and gave himself over to her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I swore not to tell you anything of Stannis' approach in case they never made it," she said as she pulled back from him, running her hands down his sides to rest at his hips.

"He never really told me why he desired me to go first, and all I got from Melisandre was that it was necessary that I did. His ability to become her whipping boy without realizing it never ceases to astonish me."

She looked at his face, a map of confusion, frustration, and amazement, and stifled a laugh. "I'm sorry. I started in the middle. I don't even know where the beginning is, really." She ran her hands over his, stroking them with her soft fingers.

"Wherever the beginning is, know this: Stannis came here to assist the Wall. I came here for you. Whatever mummer's farce I need to play to know your safety is assured, I will. In front of those faces, your brothers, Stannis and Melisandre and their court, I am what they make of me which is only as stable as how I present myself to them."

She kissed his burned hand, sending a not at all unpleasant tingle through him. "I lost Robb. Winterfell is gone. My own lands are caught up in a battle for their worth and my place with it, but I am no longer a slave to the duties others would impose on me. There is only one loyalty I now hold as my sole point of honour. My loyalty to you."

He opened his mouth to speak and she placed a finger on his lips, silencing him as another shiver rippled through him from her touch. "It cannot be public, for your safety as well as mine. It must be hidden away as our secret for who knows how long. Possibly forever, though I do not wish such. But if you believe anything about me, Jon, believe in my feelings for you. Your life is more precious to me than anything." She ran her finger across his lips, gazing at him with a look of such sincerity and passion it made him dizzy. She whispered, "Now, and always."

"You freed me," he uttered barely above a whisper as she moved her hand away from his lips.

She shook her head. "Though I made a compelling case for you… as did Sam, and several other brothers. And Stannis would have, had you not been released before." She smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I don't believe Stannis cares much for Ser Alliser, or Janos Slynt either, so any way of undoing their work brings him a certain amount of satisfaction."

Jon regarded her, his eyes brightening at her smile. "Why do I think you may be the only person able to make Stannis smile?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Perhaps it's because I know how to find the light in people."

"The lady Melisandre must appreciate that," he remarked, hoping to bait her into discussing her obvious dislike for the sorceress.

"Appreciate is a strong word. We define inner light in different ways." Aurelia said, her face darkening briefly. "But she sees me as someone worthy of imparting some of her secrets to and it has not entirely served me ill thus far… Though I am one of few able to make that claim." She moved to one of the chairs near the fire and sat down, Ghost moving from his position near the door to lay at her side. "Still, I should not speak so much of her to you. She's one woman about whom the less you know, the better."

"The better, or the safer?" he asked as he sat in the chair beside her.

"Both," she answered.

They sat for several hours as Aurelia explained to Jon how Stannis decided to assist the trials at the Wall when none other did. She spoke of his desire to obtain the Iron Throne while using the Wall as a stronghold to defend the realm from the wildlings and other creatures Melisandre insisted to him were more than just legend and were a true threat to the North, and thus the entire kingdom. Aurelia recounted to Stannis her own knowledge of the Wall and that its paltry numbers would not survive more than one full wildling attack, and its captains knew this but were always refused aid from the rest of the kingdom. Some information Jon had inferred, some intrigued him, yet everything she spoke carried an underlying tone of her own feelings. She told true when she admitted her reason for coming to the Wall. Why he ever doubted her now filled him with guilt. She played her part well, and would need to continue doing so, but he knew now as much as ever that she loved him.