Chapter 11. Stannis Baratheon

Before the two men could depart company a horn sounded. Thousands of men came riding out the west led by Stannis Baratheon. Mance looks at Jon, "They are not mine…"

Mance waves his hands to his men ordering them to not fight. Stannis rides up to Mance and Jon. Then he dismounts his horse with Davos and Milsandre at his side. "Identify yourselves…"

"I am Jon Stark Lord Commander of the Night's Watch…This is Mance Rayder the King beyond the Wall…"

"There is only one King and you are looking at him…Stannis Baratheon…" Davos said.

"Why are the two of you meeting?"

"We were in the middle of negotiations when you interrupted…" Mance said speaking up.

"Ending negotiations…is more like it…Mance here wishes safe passage beyond the wall as the White Walkers are approaching…" Milisandre whispers into Stannis' ear.

As they speek Sir Vanstone walks up and joins them, "And who are you?"

"Sir Myles Vanstone of House Karstark at your service…"

"Then you should bow for this is the one true King of Westeros…"

"I have a King…His name is Robb Stark King in the North…"

"Arrest him!"

Mance backs away as Jon draws his sword, "This is the wall a domain of the Night's Watch…Sir Vantose and his men bravely helped us to defend the wall…Your claim to the Iron Throne holds no power here Lord Stannis…"

Stannis looks at Jon, "Your father…"

"I know well what my father did…He died supporting your claim, but the laws of the Night's Watch are absolute and any man or group of men who bleed defending the wall fall under the protection of the Night's Watch…Now I ask that you put away your sword your grace…"

"I would speak with the high council and challenge your leadership as Lord Commander…"

Jon puts away his blade, "That is your right your grace…"

Then Stannis looks at Mance, "If I offer your clans sanctuary will they fight for me…"

"We already had an agreement that I could speak with all the Kings…" Jon says speaking up, "Joffrey who actually sits on the Iron Throne…The King in the North, and you Lord Stannis…I advise Lord Mance to wait and see what the other two Kings offer…"

Mance smiles at Stannis, "I have already agreed to hear offers from all those who claim to be a King…"

Main Hall

Jon sits at the table with the High Council members, three on his right and three on his left. Stannis addresses them all. "Jon Stark cannot serve as your Lord Commander…His oath is in direct conflict with his kinship to Robb Stark…I ask that the council remove him from his post…"

Aemon Targaryen stood up, "Lord Stannis…You have a legitimate claim, but the Night's Watch is sworn from getting involved in politics…That being said. It is not within our power to remove anyone from position…The brothers must vote…"

Lord Pyke stood up, "Those who wish Lord Stark removed from his post raise your hands…" All the Frey men raised their hands 42 in all as Lothar and many others died defending the courtyard last night. "All those in favor that we keep Lord Stark as Lord Commander raise your hands…" The rest of the nights watch brothers which numbered 45 raised their hands along with the council members. "Jon Stark shall remain our Lord Commander.

Jon stood up, "We shall send Ravens to King's Landing and the King in the North…"

Stannis' Suit

"I say we leave…" Davos said.

Stannis was looking out the window, "This is a great opportunity…" Milisandre said, "When the White Walkers come and they will the people will hear how their true King fought to keep them safe…They will spit on Joffrey's sigil…"

A knock came at the door and a guard entered, "Milord Ranger Stevron Frey to see you…"

"Show him in…"

He drops to one knee, "May King Stannis Baratheon live forever…"

"What do you want?"

"I want what is mine…by birth…If my brothers and I can kill Jon Stark and all who have sworn to him…Will you restore our lands…"

"Why should we help you when you made deals with Tywin Lannister?" Davos said.

"My father was fool for helping the Lannisters…Robb Stark has close to a hundred thousand men at his back…I heard Karstark men talking as we traveled up here…Let us Kill Stark and make my brother Lord Commander of the Night's Watch…Then the Wildlings will follow you milord…You have an army…"

"Of undisciplined Wildlings…" Davos said interrupting.

"Then make a deal with Balon Greyjoy…Make him Warden of the North…"

"I stopped by Balon Greyjoy on my way here…His daughter is held captive by the Starks he will not fight until he has her back…"

"Give me what I want and we will kill that bastard…"

Stannis looks at Milisandre who shakes her head no, "I am sorry Lord Frey the answer is no…And if you speak of this again I will have you hanged for treason…"

Two Days Later

When Jon receives word from Robb and Joffrey he invites Mance to the main hall to read the letters before the Night's Watch and Stannis. "King Joffrey offers you all the North as your lands if you fight his enemies…The King in the North offers you lands in the Wolf's Wood, the neck and as far as Harranhal all he asks is that when the North…And I quote the real North is in danger that you rise up and fight…"

Mance stands up, "I must speak with the clan lords first…You shall have my answer tomorrow…"

That night Yara is taken from the dungeons in secret and brought to Jon's room by Karstark men, "Leave us!"

"Jon Snow! What do you want?"

"Resolution! I want to look into your eyes when I ask if you truly are pregnant?"

"If you think I would lie about that then you don't know me Jon Snow…"

"How would you like to live in a castle and have our child referred to as Lord Stark…"

She stares at him for a few seconds, "I'm listening!"

"My cousin Robb Stark has agreed to take you on as a ward…You and your child will be given the Stark family name…"

She walks up to him, "Why should I accept it?"

"Because I still love you and I don't want my son or daughter to grow up a bastard…"

She walks up to him, "Make love to me Jon Snow…and I will do whatever you wish…"

He stares at her for a few minutes then they start ripping each other's clothes off. They make love on the desk then the floor. As he throws her onto the bed a horn sounds, "The White Walkers!" Jon mutters. He kisses her and quickly dresses. Then he grabs his sword and walks to the door. He stops, "I will always love you Ygritte…Stark…"

Jon arrives on the wall where Stannis and Vanstone are waiting, below an army of White Walkers approach the wall. "Light'em up!" Jon yells. Thousands of arrows are set ablaze both on the wall and below where the bulk of Stannis's forces are in front of the wall. A skeleton looking warrior howls pointing at the wall and they rush it. "Fire at will!" Jon shouts. As the battle unfolds Ygritte is escorted to Karhold by a hundred men. The battle is bloody, but after three days of fighting the White Walkers are defeated.