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Layla stood beside Jon, cradling Eddard in her arms, Willam and Rickard to her other side. Behind her stood her guards as well Greywind, creating a foreboding presence. Selyse would not like that, but they had refused to leave her side since Eddard's birth.

The Queen was just as Layla remembered her to be, from that brief time they spent together at Eastwatch. A haughty woman, who clung so desperately to her title. And why would she not, for it was all she had. No real power was granted to her. She was the queen of a king without a kingdom, one who did not suffer her presence.

I can understand why, she thought, Selsye is an intolerable woman. Still, she pitied the woman.

"Your Grace," she greeted, curtsying as much as she could with a child in her arms, "It is a pleasure to see you again."

"You have given birth, I see." Selyse said, "Boy or girl."

"A son."

It was clear to Layla that this news caused confliction to the Queen. A son would help in Stannis' goals, but it only reminded her that she had not given a son to her own husband. The king's only heir was a girl, and one with afflicted with greyscale at that. Though, she had seemed a pleasant child to Layla, much more pleasant than either of her parents.

"He is the rightful lord of Winterfell, Stannis will see to that for your loyalty." Selyse said, "His name?"

"Eddard."

The introductions of the lords meant little to her, though she made sure to smile at each of them. She had met them before at Eastwatch, and found them similarly insufferable. What did interest her, however, was the fact they were joined by a Braavosi banker. If he were here that meant one thing, she realized, the Lannisters had failed to pay their debts. Perhaps it was time for another to earn such a reputation.

But the Iron Bank were dangerous backers, that she knew, and not to be taken lightly. It had to be Cersei's doing, she thought, Tywin Lannister would not be so imprudent. Of course, that left her to wonder how indisposed the Lord of Casterly Rock must be for that insipid fool to be ruling.

Though she paid little mind to the others, she could not help but watch the fool they had brought with him. Melisandre had spoken of her dislike of the boy, and it was the one thing Layla agreed upon with the sorceress. There was something disquieting about Patchface, though she felt for his circumstances.

"In the dark the dead are dancing," Patchface sung, "I know, I know, oh, oh, oh."

As much as she tried to convince herself it was nothing more than a merry tune, she could not help but wonder if there was a warning behind his words.

Once the party had set off to their new quarters, the ones that Layla had been forced to vacate to make room for them, she returned to her own new room. Jon had moved them into the tower for the Lord Commander, though it remained a burnt husk on the upper levels. Still, she would rather her privacy then to have the Queen's prying eyes watching over her.

It was in her room that Jon called on her later that day, much to her surprise, for he had not come to her private chambers since their last argument. The tension had lessened between them, though there were still moments of unease, but perhaps that was due to how little she saw the Lord Commander.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked, gesturing to give Taenella leave

"Alys Karstark just arrived here," he informed her, "Looking for me."

"Rickard Karstark's daughter?" She asked, he nodding in response, "But why?"

"Her uncle seeks to force her into marriage, so that he may lay claim to Karhold." Jon explained, "She asks for my help."

"But her brother's still alive," she replied, "At least last I heard he was."

"He's a prisoner of the Lannisters." He said, "Arnolf Karstark hoped that by declaring for Stannis, he would be killed. He had planned to betray Stannis to the Bolton's."

"We must get word to him." She said, hastily standing up

"I have already sent a raven." Jon said, holding out a hand to calm her, "That's the best we can do right now. Neither you nor Eddard are fit to travel yet."

She knew it was the truth, but it did nothing to ease the feeling of helplessness that had haunted her these past months. Stannis' campaign, her campaign, was in danger and there was nothing she could do.

"But what does Alys Karstark want from you?" Layla asked, "The only way to stop Arnolf from forcibly marrying her, is to marry her to someone else. Why would she come to the Nights Watch for that?" She asked, "Its not exactly like you have a surplus of eligible bachelors."

"No. But perhaps we might take Stannis idea." He replied, "And its Cregan Karstark who wants to marry her."

"I did not learn the Northern family trees intimately enough to know who that is." She told him, "But who is it exactly that you plan on wedding her to?"

"One of the Free Folk." He answered, "I had thought the Magnar of Thenn. They would take to our ways easiest."

"The way of kneelers you mean." She said with a slight smile, "Alright. Tell me why this is a good idea."

"The Magnar has men, which Lady Alys will need to take back Karhold." Jon explained, "It'll be a step towards bringing the Free Folk into the realm."

"I think it's a wonderful idea, if all parties consent. Though there is one rather obvious problem." Layla said, clutching her hands in front of her, "If you arrange this marriage it will be seen as you meddling in the affairs of the realm." She explaimed, "Let me take the credit. They will not doubt my right to make the arrangement."

"The Northern lords may not like you wedding Alys Karstark to a wildling." He warned, "It could be just as dangerous for you."

"It's a risk I must take." She said, "It'll give my leadership legitimacy, and hopefully grant me a sorely needed ally. Though I do not know how well she'll respond to me, given I watched as her father had his head hacked off."

"If she does not begrudge me, she will not begrudge you." He assured her, "I will speak with the Magnar, you speak to Alys, and I pray that this works."

"It seems we have an arrangement," she smiled, "Lord Commander."

But when he made to leave she called out his name, causing him to turn back to cast his eyes upon her concerned face.

"Is it growing warming?"

"Yes." He confirmed, "The snows are moving south."

"Towards Stannis."

"Most likely."

They both knew that did not bode well for the march, though Jon was resigned to his inability to affect nature. But she was not so content. And so, once he had gone, she searched her belongings for a book she had not read in many moons. It had what she needed, just as she knew it would. Of course, there would be a cost, there was always a cost. And she did not know if it was one she was willing to pay.