JON

"So do you really trust that prick?" Tormund Giantsbane asked.

Jon Snow leaned back on his chair, doubts clouding his head.

"He's strange," Tormund admitted. "The way he looks, the way he talks... everything. And to send Sansa with him..."

Jon shivered inspire of the warmth of the great hall. The cold had gotten worse. Even Ghost could not sleep without furs.

"She'll be fine," Davos Seaworth said. "Brienne is going to accompany her."

Tormund looked disappointed.

The doors of the hall opened bringing in a blast of frigid air. Sansa walked in followed by Brienne and Littlefinger.

"We are here to bid farewell," Baelish told Jon. "At least she wanted to."

Jon got up as Sansa approached him at the high table. "Safe travels," he said meekly.

Sansa looked stern. "We need to talk."

Jon didn't have the need to make any gesture to Tormund and Davos. They walked away on their own.

"Remember Lysa Arryn?"

"Lady Catelyn's sister? She died jumping from the Moon Door?"

Sansa shook her head. "Petyr pushed her."

Jon stared back at her.

"He forced me to tell everybody that it was suicide. He's a vile man, Jon. He poisoned Joffrey with the help of Olenna Tyrell and blamed it on Tyrion."

"I would have never sent you with him if I had known," Jon whispered. "I shall execute him myself for his crimes..."

"Yes," Sansa said softly. "But not now. We need him to seal our alliance with the Freys whether we like it or not. It won't take long, I promise. And when I return after fixing the deal..." A cruel smile formed on her lips. "We will kill him."

Jon couldn't help but smile. "Be safe, sister," he said, wrapping her in a tight hug. She hugged him back.

They broke off a few moments later. Jon felt a mixture of anger and terror as he watched his sister walk towards Littlefinger. He glanced at Brienne. The woman looked back at him and nodded solemnly. Jon felt relieved.

They started their small council meeting an hour later.

"Umber and Karkstark," Robett Glover said. "They are traitors. They deserve to die."

"The way seems too harsh," Wyman Manderly told him. "We'll distribute their lands as rewards."

"Which requires killing them in the first place."

"That wouldn't be very kingly," Davos Seaworth admitted.

"And who is going to own those lands?" Lyanna Mormont questioned. "Wildlings?"

Jon Snow massaged his forehead. "We do nothing. Let their heirs take over their castles."

"And what if they rise together?" Glover asked.

"Then they'll have to wait the whole winter before attacking us," Davos said laughing.

Wyman shook his head. "And how are we going to deal with Cersei Lannister?"

"We are not going against Cersei," Jon said firmly. "We need her on our side."

"I mean no disrespect," Glover told him. "But this woman killed your father and our liege lord.

"She brought shame to House Stark," Manderly agreed. "Vengeance won't be a bad choice."

"This isn't about revenge," Jon told him. "If we don't have enough force, we won't survive the long night."

"Your brother fought for this his whole life," Glover said. "You can accomplish what he couldn't."

"...for Ned..."

"...the north remembers..."

Davos intervened. "I respect all your decisions but I think Jon Snow is right. If we don't cast aside our enemities and band together, we'll die. And then it won't matter whose skeleton sits on the Iron Throne."

Silence hovered in the air for a long time. Jon spoke up finally. "If we are decided..."

He was interrupted by a messenger. "A message from the Night's Watch," he said handing Jon the scroll.

Jon Snow unfurled it hastily and started to read. A smile spread on his face.

"What news is this good?" Davos asked.

Jon's smile grew farther. "Bran."