Castle Black, 303 AC

« Open the gates ! »

Stannis, with Robb by his side, is watching the heavy gates of the Night's Watch castle opening slowly. He glances at the young man by his side, who smiles slightly, happy to see Jon again. When they have left Winterfell, Margaery has wept, just like Aylis has, years ago, when Stannis has left to fight in the Greyjoys' rebellion. It has struck him, suddenly, that he had not that many peaceful years with Aylis. They have been married for fifteen years now, leaving in peace for, what, eight years only? Stannis is tired to fight, he has never liked it, never enjoyed it, but he cannot miss this battle, the most important battle he had to fight since he was born. His whole life has seemed to lead him here, in the coldest part of the realm, leaving his family behind, to fight an army of unnatural beings.

He spurs his horse to get in the courtyard, and the men of the Night's Watch cheer when they see him, with all this army. Standing among his men, Jon Snow, now the commander of the Night's Watch, smiles as Robb gets down from his horse to hug him tight.

"I told you: next time I'll see you, you'll be all in black. I didn't expect you to become the Lord Commander, though", he chuckles and ruffles Jon's hair as he used to do when they were children.

Jon does not answer, just hugging him tight as well, happy to see his brother again. Stannis has not gotten down from his horse, and is looking at them, puzzled between admiration for such a sweet brotherly love, and irritation, because they have to leave as quick as possible. Robb ends up breaking the hug, and turning to Stannis. Jon kneels immediately:

"Thank you for coming, your Grace. My men and I are at your disposal."

Stannis reaches for him:

"I should hope so. Which news do you have from beyond the Wall?"

Jon licks his lip nervously:

"We… I had to take a crucial decision, your Grace."

Getting off his horse, the King walks up to him and makes him rise again:

"Crucial decision?"

Jon nods:

"The Others have also attacked the Wildlings. I have decided to offer them protection and asylum."

Stannis stares at him, his teeth grinding furiously:

"You have offered protection and asylum to murderers?"

Jon glances at Robb, but his brother does not help him. As the commander, he has to take responsibilities for his acts.

"They have sworn to help us fighting the Others, your Grace. The Night's Watch is not numerous enough", Jon weakly protests, and Stannis's hand grasps his chin, making him looking around:

"I have thousands of men here, who joined me to help you save the Realm. What have you promised else? How did you even dare making promises to these people?"

Jon gasps and gives a desperate look to Robb:

"Your Grace, maybe we should discuss this privately…" the young man softly says, hurt to see his brother treated like this.

Stannis nods briefly, and releases his grip:

"I will show you your chambers", he whispers and walks in the Lord Commander's tower. Stannis immediately follows him, Robb walking by his side. Climbing up the stairs, Jon lets them getting in, inviting them to sit down and proposing them drinks. Robb asks for ale, Stannis for water. Jon stands in front of them:

"Your Grace, I know it may be difficult for you to understand but…"

"Which promises have you made, Lord Commander?" the King retorts, sipping water slowly, his eyes staring at Jon.

"The Free Folks…"

Stannis interrupts him again:

"You are talking like one of them…" he says, despising.

"When you live here, you learn that things are not as simple as you thought", Jon firmly says.

"You think?" the King smirks. "I think they are very simple indeed. Listen to the promise I give you: when I will return to King's Landing, when I will have destroyed this army of dead, I will send as many men as you will ask to hold the Wall. For now, if the Wildlings want to fight with us, let them do. I will not spit on more men. But, as soon as this battle is over, they cannot go south. They will remain North of the Wall, and I do not want arguments about this decision."

Jon stares at him and nods slightly:

"Very well, your Grace."

"Now, I guess you want to spend some time with your brother" he points the door with his finger and the two men know it is more an order than an invitation.

As they walk out, Jon turns to Robb:

"Still a charming man, our uncle"

Robb cannot hold back a smile:

"He is a good king, fair and smart. But, yes, his social skills are not very developed."

Jon chuckles, and looks at the men who have suddenly invaded his stronghold:

"Very impressive army…" he whispers before swallowing hard.

"Do you think we will be enough against the Others?" Robb turns to his brother.

"Which weapons do you have?" he asks back.

"Some Valyrian swords. Dragonglass weapons as well. Arrows, pikes, some men have even replaced the steel of their swords by dragonglass", Robb shakes his head, afflicted by the perspective of war.

He has helped his uncle against the Lannisters, but this battle is another story, with enemies not made of flesh and blood, but of ice. Robb aspires more than everything to go back home, see the birth of his child, and raise Eddard.

"Margaery is with child again", he smiles slightly, thinking about his lovely wife. Despite the fact that this wedding was an arrangement, the couple has, right from the start, gotten along well, and Robb is more than thankful for Stannis' choice.

Jon turns to him:

"Congratulations, brother", he smiles warmly. "I am going to see the King to propose him that I talk to his men about the Others. Maybe knowing more about them will help them, don't you think?"

Robb approves:

"Good idea"

Jon smiles again, and climbs down the wooden stairs, his brother smiling as he watches him leaving.

Stannis, as he is in the King's Tower, hears someone knocking on the door:

"Come in", he sighs, fearing it would be Melisandre.

But this is not a red dress that crosses the door: it is black boots, breeches, and coat. Stannis looks up and a smile enlightens his face:

"Donal!" he exclaims and stands up, reaching in a few strides the previous smith of Storm's End. He embraces him warmly, leaving Donal Noye surprised, but happy.

"My King", Donal greets him, not without emotion. He has seen the boy growing up, becoming a man during the siege. Stannis has been the one cutting his arm off when it has festered. Like Cressen, he has grown fond of the boy, not ignoring his flaws, but knowing his qualities.

"How have you been? Please, sit down", Stannis shows him a chair.

The old blacksmith obeys, sitting facing his master.

"It is good to see you again, your Grace."

Those words sound weird in his mouth, he who has always been used to call him "Lord". But he is proud of using them.

"Thank you", Stannis smiles slightly. "Same here, I can tell", he lets his look wander over the folded sleeve on his left side. "Are you well treated here?" he inquires.

"Aye, my King. We have good lads here. Some better than the others but yes, this is the place where I want to die. And you? How is the Queen and your family?"

"We have four children now. One I have never seen", he adds after a sad smile.

"And Renly?"

"My brother has joined Storm's End to defend it in case… the battle in King's Landing turns out badly for us."

Donal nods slowly:

"I am eager to know some peace at least", he sighs.

"You do not need to tell me", Stannis sighs as well.

His lips curl into a smile:

"Let's share memories together, would you?"

Stannis looks at him with a smile too:

"Gladly"

They meet before dinner, in the courtyard, as the common hall is too small to gather everyone. Jon stands on a wooden crate, so he is sure to be heard by everybody.

"First of all", he starts as Stannis watches him from a battlement, his Red Witch by his side. "My brothers and I want to thank all of you for coming here, and answering our call. I am sure a lot of you thought the Others did not exist, still a few years ago. I was like you, until I joined the Night's Watch. When you will see them, you can be paralyzed by fear. Nothing looks human on them. They are very tall, and their bodies have the color of milk. When they kill a man, they can bring him back as a wight. These ones are the easier to kill. The Others, however… they are very skilled with a sword, quick and gifted. Arrows are our best chance, or pikes and fire. During the battle, it is best to try to kill them first, and then taking care of the Wights."

A gasp makes Stannis' face turn, and he sees Melisandre laying a hand on her belly. As Jon keeps talking about the Others, now letting them know about giant spiders they are riding, Stannis whispers:

"Are you alright, my Lady?"

"I feel strange here…" Melisandre says softly, her face pale as snow. "I cannot explain it…"

"You should go rest in your chamber", Stannis advices her as he can see her belly moving under her robe but she shakes her head.

"I need to stay. I can be useful to you during the battle, if I have information about our enemy."

Knowing it would be useless to argue, Stannis nods slightly, and focuses back on Jon, not without glancing from time to time at Melisandre.

The night before they leave for beyond the Wall, it is obvious the Red Lady is not okay at all: she is sick, throwing up a lot. Stannis has no idea if it can be linked with her "pregnancy", or whatever she calls the fact that she carries in her womb a red shadow. Stannis spends time by her side, very worried about her. He may not love her, but losing her would be a blow, and he cannot imagine leaving to fight the Others without a priestess of fire. Thoros does not leave her side, either, but, when Stannis asks him what is going on, he is unable to answer.

When Stannis gets on his horse, the morning they have to leave, he is surprised to see Melisandre riding her chestnut mare. The witch is pale, but forces herself to smile at her King. As a signal, Stannis rides through Castle Black, heading towards North. Robb rides by Jon, and the Wildlings are the least of the army. They pass the door, but a loud neigh makes them stop. Melisandre has fallen on the ground, and her horse gallops back in the castle, shaking like a leaf. Thoros gets off his horse, and joins her quickly.

"I… I cannot go further", Melisandre whispers. "Something is repelling me from going with you", she tugs Thoros' clothes, and Stannis rides to her, worried.

Jon watches silently, remembering what the Wildlings have said of the North, the real North. The Wall was the last magic allowed there, and he has noticed how large the robe of the witch was. He feels sorry for his aunt, Aylis, but, somehow, thinks this is a sweet revenge that Stannis' proof of cheating is also preventing Melisandre to accompany her King. He sees Stannis chatting a short moment with Melisandre and then taking her in his arms to take her back in Castle Black.

Silently, the King gets back on his horse. His blood curdles, his stomach knotting painfully. The loss of Melisandre sounds like bad omen.