By the morning, the chaos which threatened them all edged closer to erupting. Several fights had broken out during the night and whenever one argument burned out, another flared. Aurelia did what she could to mediate, between the wildlings and the Watch, between everyone and Selyse's guards, and still Bowen Marsh did not show his face.

Once she had gotten a few hours sleep and bathed, Aurelia went to Melisandre's chambers. The woman was absent from the outer room, so Aurelia moved to the inner door and knocked softly. When no response came, she steadied her nerves and opened the door.

Aurelia crept into the chamber, as silent as she could. The room was illuminated with fires; torches blazed, a large hearth roared with flames, tables were littered with candles, and several iron pits held piles of wood burning brightly. In the center of the room, a body lay on a high bed, surrounded by furs and pillows, and Ghost stretched out at the foot. His eyes locked on her as she entered the room, but he made no other movement, nor any sound.

Moving across the floor, Aurelia did not look at the flames, kept her focus on the figure lying on the bed. As she neared it, the legs stirred, but the eyes remained closed. Only once she stood to the side of the bed, staring at the face she knew well, wondering if the spirit inside it would know it, did the eyelids flutter and open. She reached out and ran a hand through the unruly curls. He smiled.

"I thought you'd come sooner," Jon said softly.

"I'm the first to be here other than the lady Melisandre."

"The first in two days," he corrected. "Did you fear to find me grotesque?"

She tilted her head and pursed her lips, and he chuckled.

"I know you better than that." He raised himself on his elbows and scooted himself up. "You feared to find me changed."

"You died," she whispered. "Are you going to tell me that doesn't change you?"

"It changes a great deal," he replied. He then took the hand which ran through his hair and held it in his. "Yet some things it could not."

Aurelia looked down, then across the bed, unable to look him in the eyes.

"You don't believe me," he said after a moment.

"I want to... and that is why I do not think I should."

"What proof is there that I could give?"

Aurelia shook her head, fighting away tears.

"When I was dying, you told me my family was not lost. You told me to hold on for them, that they still needed me. The realm needed me. I heard you, and yet it didn't matter. Everything was cold, muddled. Then I felt your breath, the warm sting of your tears on my cheek. You told me you needed me. That there could be a life for us. And you would fight for that life, but I needed to fight, too. I love my family, the family of my blood and those at the Wall... those who did not do this to me." He reached out his other hand and tilted her chin, making her look at him. "But nothing could have saved me in that moment, except you."

Aurelia heard the doubt screaming in her mind. She knew of what returning from death could do. Not as Jon did with a Walker, a mindless being bent to the will of the dark forces of the Others. Not as the Ironborn knew of it with their faux-magics and Drowned God. She knew one could be possessed and not even see it, by another being or by a powerful motive like revenge. The more magic gained a hold in the world once again, the higher the chance that one returning from the dead would be subject to the rule of forces beyond themselves. She wanted Jon back more than anything, but only her Jon. The possibility that the man Melisandre brought back would be something other than Jon she knew, and took that risk. Yet how could she know? What proof could he give?

Aurelia gazed at him in silence, and he looked to her, his eyes soft and warm. She only knew one way, and would have to act quickly should she have any doubts. Aurelia steeled herself, then relaxed. She climbed upon the bed, straddling Jon. He rose up a bit more, now sitting, and wrapped an arm around her waist. Ghost had not moved, but whined softly on the end of the bed.

Aurelia leaned closer to Jon, "All I have ever desired in life is Jon Snow. His life and mine, intertwined."

"Now and always," Jon whispered, and Aurelia kissed him. Her lips connected with his and he instantly put a hand on her neck, caressing her cheek with his thumb. She shifted her weight forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders, pulling his body as close to hers as she could without straining his still healing back. She let his kiss fill her up, released her worries, fears, doubts, and let the feelings emanating from him guide her. Jon moved his hand from her face and wound it up her from behind, cradling her shoulders and entangling his hand in her hair. His lips and tongue caressed her with abandon.

He did not speak between kisses, but Aurelia's head swam with the words he did not utter. Do not leave me again. I need you with me. Now. Then. Always. Nothing in this life matters above you. No oath, no spell, no cause will release me from you.

"Nothing will command me but your love."

Aurelia pulled back, realising these words he spoke aloud.

"I have paid what most would see as the ultimate price for the sake of my oath, my vow to protect the realm. Yet my life is nothing without you. All other oaths be damned."

Aurelia wanted to chide him, to remind him words like those could be dangerous, yet she knew he was aware of that.

"Jon-" she tried.

"I love you," he interrupted. "Alive, dead, anything that exists in between, I love you, Aurelia. Nothing will ever -"

This time Aurelia cut him off, with her lips. As they kissed, Ghost shifted up the bed to lay alongside Jon, pressing his back against the side of Aurelia's leg. He gave her butt a playful nudge with his nose and Aurelia giggled, looking to him.

"I suppose that goes for Ghost as well, then," she smiled as the direwolf ran his large, flat tongue over her thigh, then settled his head between his paws, stretched out beside them.

"You did kiss him," Jon smirked.

Aurelia blushed as she looked back at Jon. "I kissed you inside of him."

"He felt it," Jon whispered. "Though not as I did." He moved a hand to her arm, gently stroking up and down it. "Do you believe me now?"

Aurelia nodded, running a finger over his lips, down his chin to his chest. She ran a gentle hand across the wounds on his abdomen. He did not flinch, but his breathing quickened.

"Do they still hurt?"

"I think they always will," Jon replied. "Even if not physically."

Aurelia frowned. "There's not enough torture in this world -"

"Shhhh," Jon urged. "I'm not strong enough to think about that yet."

"I've done plenty of thinking for you. Strategizing. Plotting, even."

Jon smiled as he ran a hand along her spine. "Then perhaps I'll entrust you to their fates."

"Perhaps you should," Aurelia smiled. "But not now."

"I've been awake, you know."

"She lied, then."

Jon sighed. "Yes. I'm not sure what to do about it."

"Don't worry about it right now. For now," she pressed her forehead against his, running her hand further up his chest, her fingertips playing with his pectorals. "I intend to stay with you until you're strong again. And help you get strong."

Jon's eyes flamed with desire, and Aurelia felt him swell between her thighs. "I suppose you have thought of ways to help me already."

Aurelia pressed her hips down, the fabric of her dress rubbing against Jon's swelling cock. "I have indeed," she smiled. "But I don't want to exert you too much yet."

Jon put his hands on her hips and pulled her down further so he could feels the swell of her lips on him through the dress. Aurelia shifted a bit, the friction causing Jon to moan softly as she felt the strength of his arms holding her in place.

"I'm not that weak," he said.

"Your oath-"

"Was ended by my death. I know we said only that night, for all the nights that could never be. But much has changed, and if you would have me..."

Aurelia placed a finger on his lips. "I would have you always."

Jon moved his head, placing his lips on her neck and kissing it softly. "And now?" He whispered as he trailed his lips up to her ear.

She wound a hand through his curls, sighing. "We're insatiable, you realize."

Jon nibbled her neck. "Coming back from death shifts one priorities. Particularly when all you desire is so tantalizingly perched in your lap."

Aurelia smiled. "I suppose, if you think yourself capable."

In a swift motion, Jon shifted back and grasped the hem of Aurelia's dress. He tugged it up and Aurelia raised her arms, letting him lift it off her and drop it beside the bed. His mouth latched onto her left breast and she moaned as he flicked his tongue over her nipple.

"You wore no bodice. No stays. No undergarments," he whispered between kisses, licks, and nibbles. "Your breasts swell and move with every breath you take."

"Are you accusing me of being wanton?"

Jon moved one of his hands from her hips and slid it down between them. He cupped her moist lips and inserted a finger inside her. "As long as it's only for me."

She arched her back slightly, as he removed his finger and rubbed it over her clit before moving his hand back to her hip.

Aurelia began sliding her hips, moving herself along his shaft. Jon moaned into her mouth and squeezed one of her cheeks with his hand. She reached between them and took hold of his manhood, easing it inside her.

Jon pressed his hips upwards, pushing himself deeper inside her. Aurelia shifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, then began rhythmically rocking against him as he thrust into her. Their lips met again and again, the heat in the room building as they panted and moaned together. Jon's thrusts became more insistent and Aurelia closed her eyes, feeling her climax building. Jon ran a hand between them again and stroked her as he pushed deep into her. Aurelia moaned and heard Jon whisper, "Look at me."

She opened her eyes slowly and gazed at him. He pressed against her clit again and her eyelids fluttered.

"Don't stop looking at me, love."

Aurelia forced herself to lock eyes with him as she sped up her hips. Now it was Jon who moaned, then grunted as her breath hitched and her breasts bounced, her nipples rubbing his chest as she moved up and down.

"We are one..." he breathed.

"Yes," she agreed as the heat inside her grew, and she neared release.

"Now," Jon said, then grunted as Aurelia's cunt tightened on his cock and she moaned in ecstasy as she came. Jon erupted into her, still thrusting as he cried her name.

When both their climaxes began to subside, Aurelia pulled his head toward hers and kissed him. As their lips parted, she sighed, "And always."

Jon smiled. "Always," he echoed.

Just then, the handle clicked on the door and it clanked open. The lady Melisandre strode into the room. Ghost raised his head and sniffed the air. He emitted a sound which almost sounded like a grumble, turned his head to nuzzle Aurelia's hip before scooting his whole body over, then settling down again. Aurelia detached herself from Jon and slid into the gap between him and Ghost. She pulled her legs up then slid them beneath the blankets, leaving her breasts exposed as she settled back against the headboard of the bed and Jon draped one of his arms around her shoulders.

"You seem to be recovering your strength, Lord Commander," Melisandre said with a sly smile.

"You now that is no longer my title, lady Melisandre," Jon clipped. "And my recovery would speed itself along if I knew my situation better."

"All in good time, ser," she replied, casting a warning glance at Aurelia.

Aurelia's eyes narrowed. "Have you not told him?"

Melisandre's lips tightened into thin lines. "I thought it best to let him regain some strength."

"And so he has," Aurelia returned. "Now, shall you tell him, or would your prefer me to do it?"

Melisandre approached the bed, giving a small head shake at the sight of the rumpled furs and glowing young couple. "There are certain aspects of life which still evade my understanding, and yet I cannot deny the desire to understand them fuels me."

"Is that envy I see in your eyes, my lady?" Aurela smiled. "Envy for a type of warmth the Red God cannot give to you."

"The Red God gives me all the warmth I shall ever require," Melisandre said somberly. "Though that does not mean I don't occasionally yearn for understanding of what others feel who have not accepted his warmth." She ran a hand along the side of the bed, near Jon's thigh.

"Perhaps it is only the chosen few who can receive all that warmth," Aurelia smiled. "The rest of us must make do with finding warmth in one another."

"Not all are warm."

"No, but some are, and some can be warmed by connecting with those in whom they find warmth."

Jon's eyes darted between the two of them, and he gently pulled Aurelia closer to him as his gaze finally rested on Melisandre. "What is it the lady Aurelia thinks you should share with me?"

Melisandre cast her glance aside for a moment, as though formulating the best response. "You are correct, young ser," she said as she reconnected her gaze with his. "You are no longer Commander of the Night's Watch. There have been fights, and little talk of electing someone else. And Bowen Marsh has hidden away."

Aurelia squeezed Jon's thigh beneath the furs as she felt his body stiffen at the mention of Marsh's name. "What else?" Jon nearly growled.

"Tensions between the black brothers and wildlings are nearing a head. Queen Selyse has partitioned herself off from everyone except her guards. Three of them died fighting the giant before..."

"I know," Jon replied. "What else?"

Melisandre's eyes shifted to Aurelia. "The lady Aurelia has her own thoughts on certain events which I do not necessarily share."

Jon sighed. "My lady, you know that I was preparing to leave Castle Black when events led to my current state. For two days I have done little but reflect on my actions. I know what errors I committed, and which I have not, though others may not see it in the same terms. All I did I did to try and ensure the protection of all - wildlings, black brothers, King Stannis's attendants, everyone. Save for my hasty desire to fly to Winterfell there is nothing I did which was not carefully considered and sometimes advised by others. I took your counsel along with others, including the lady Aurelia's. I would ask you now, what thoughts do you have that do not align with others?"

Melisandre stood straighter, her head poised and mouth relaxing. There may have been a battle waging between herself and Aurelia for Jon's heart, a war she would never win, but this would not stop her from engaging his mind.

"Very well. It would do you well to remain here at Castle Black and work with all to repair the rift created not only through the misunderstanding of your actions, but to prepare all for the coming of that which threatens to overshadow all."

Jon nodded, then turned to Aurelia. She straightened as well, looking into his eyes, seemingly unconscious of the fact that she was naked, exposed from the waist up, with her hand gently rubbing his thigh. "While I agree with Lady Melisandre that the rift between the black brothers, wildlings, and King Stannis's followers needs mending, it is for the new Lord Commander to do so. Your watch ended when your brothers killed you, and while protection of the realm is the responsibility of all, you were dedicated to not only protection of the entire realm but to your family. It is to your family you should now return. Your reaction to the letter you received from Winterfell may have been hasty, but it was the right decision."

Jon pondered for a moment, head bowed. Melisandre tilted her head to look at him while Aurelia looked to Ghost and moved her other hand to pet him. The direwolf lifted his head and nosed Aurelia's arm, sniffed at the furs, then laid it down again.

When Jon spoke again, both women turned to him, Melisandre with an expectant and somewhat arrogant glint in her eye, Aurelia with openness and curiosity.

"You both make sound arguments. I confess myself torn, though leaning more towards one course which I will not state yet lest I should change my mind. I ask now, am I in immediate danger here?"

Aurelia cast her gaze to Melisandre for the answer. "No, Jon Snow. You are not. If anything you are safer in this room than anywhere in the world for all factions fear places where the Red God is strong."

"That men fear your God so concerns me," Jon commented, continuing before she could interject. "But thank you for being honest. I would like to think a day or so on this before deciding. May I ask, what has become of Tormund Giantsbane?"

Now it was Melisandre's turn to cast a glance at Aurelia, who answered, "He is for all purposes the leader of the wildings, and incensed at what happened to you. If there is to be a true war between the Watch and the wildlings, all Tormund must do is give the word."

"Then why has he not?"

"Because your lady has a talent for diplomacy and the man genuinely likes her," Melisandre stated.

Jon started to object to Aurelia being called his lady, then realized he didn't need to. A small smile crossed his lips at this realization before he looked to Aurelia.

"It's true, Tormund has listened to me thus far. He believes in you Jon, and by extension me."

"Do not discount your own charms, my lady," Melisandre smiled.

Aurelia glowered. "I do not discount them. Tormund is not an easy man to win favour with, and had Jon not garnered it before me I do not believe he would entirely trust me."

Jon kissed the top of her head. "He would be unwise not to trust you."

Aurelia's smile broadened as she tilted her face to look up at Jon. Neither spoke, but their eyes said a great deal. Melisandre shifted uncomfortably before taking a step back from the bed.

"I shall see that food and drink are brought, Jon Snow," she said. "Do you require anything more?"

Jon shook his head, turning to look at her. "Not at this time. Thank you, my lady."

Melisandre nodded with a gracious smile. "Lady Aurelia, should you not give him some time to rest?"

Aurelia had not taken her eyes off Jon as she reached a hand up to place on his chest. "What is your will, ser?"

Jon placed his hand over hers, the warmth of his skin and strength in it causing Aurelia to flush with joy. This hand was strong, protective, devoted. If his kisses, declarations, and lovemaking had not convinced her that he truly was hers, this simple gesture did.

He did not look back to her, but Aurelia heard the emotion in his tone. "I will rest better with her by my side."

Melisandre's gaze flickered between them. She looked about to speak but seemed to think otherwise and so nodded, turned, and left Jon and Aurelia with Ghost in the glowing room. In that moment Aurelia knew whatever the cost, she would not be parted from Jon ever again.