The next day, Aldarra was alone in her room with her son changing his diaper on the bed after feeding him and there was a knock on the door. Aldarra picked up her son wrapping him up warmly and opened the door. Jorah was standing outside guarding the door.

Stannis and Melisandre were standing there. Aldarra said, "Yes?"

Stannis said with authority in his voice, "I wish to speak with you." Aldarra stepped back and let him enter the room but kept a close eye on the red witch.

Stannis said with authority, though he had none in this room, "I came to ask you for help in the battle I am leading down on Winterfell?"

Aldarra had her eyebrow raised and answered, "Why would I involve myself in that? I already told her that I am sick of king's and most men in general trying to control my actions."

Stannis said standing tall, "I intend to take the Iron Throne eventually because I am the rightful heir to it."

Aldarra said flippantly, "You, your brother Renly and Daenerys Targaryen all had a claim, even Robert's children state they have or had a claim. Why would I get involved with such sordid politics? I trust nobody, not even my husband, but the few people I have around me when I arrived here."

Stannis said arrogantly, "I am the next of kin to Robert, therefore all rights pass to me in succession."

Aldarra said condescendingly, "Your brother, Robert, obtained the throne by conquest. Daenerys wanted it because of her father, Aerys, by birthright before Robert. You want it by succession because of your claim that his children are illegitimate heirs. I don't care about any of these matters. It's all about posturing, possession and war."

Stannis said, trying to sway her, "If you help me take Winterfell and then King's Landing, I will greatly reward you."

Aldarra said scornfully, "You deceive yourself, Stannis, because you do not know me at all, obviously. I am probably the only person on both continents that seeks no power or money for the influence of position or greed. I just want to be left alone."

Stannis asked, getting a bit frustrated with her answers, "Then why did you come to The Wall then?"

Aldarra said annoyed, "To bring my friend to her possible last relative and bring supplies to the Night Watch to help them, nothing more. I have no ulterior motivations. I am as you see me, a woman with a child, a few good friends, who likes to help the deserving and has the love of a few dragons."

Melisandre casted a spell quickly and suddenly was holding Aldarra's baby. The red priestess said, "Now you will do as my king asks."

Aldarra shouted and Jorah pushed into the room. She had instantly grabbed her dagger and she grabbed Stannis, taking him to the ground on his knees. She had him in a choke hold around the neck with the dagger at his throat, "You give me back my baby or I will end your king and then burn your army to the ground with a mere thought to my dragons. Do you wish to gamble with me?" They heard dragon roars outside the castle getting louder. Jorah was frozen in place blocking the door with his sword drawn. He was unsure what to do so he shifted right and put his sword tip to the priestess' neck under her ear, as the priestess looked with her eyes at the sword. Jon and Tyrion were standing outside the room in the hallway panting from running.

Jon said panting heavily, "I came to ask you why the dragons were growling angrily at the castle, but I guess I know why now."

Aldarra said angrily, "They thought it was a good idea to take my son magically to make me do their bidding with my dragons in their fight from Winterfell to the Iron Throne." Aldarra glared at the priestess.

Stannis said scared at knife point, "Stop this Melisandre, now! I told you I didn't want to do this."

Tyrion yelled, "Give her back her son!"

Melisandre said, doubting herself briefly, "Ok, perhaps this was not a good plan. Let me just place him on the bed and we will leave peacefully." Jorah watched every move of every muscle on this woman because she was a magic user. The red priestess laid the baby on the bed, she lifted her hands up and backed away. Aldarra slowly took the dagger from Stannis' neck. They both went to walk out of the room.

Aldarra said as they paused, "Try this again and I won't hesitate to kill you next time." Aldarra clamored to get to her son sheathing her dagger. She gathered him up in her arms checking him over. The roaring stopped outside and Aldarra thanked them for helping her in her mind. Jon, Tyrion and Jorah sighed in relief.

Later on that day, Davos is sitting down carving away at a piece of wood. Stannis approaches him.

Stannis said seriously, "It's time."

Davos said hesitantly, "Uh, Your Grace. Wouldn't it be better to wait? When Jon Snow returns with the wildlings, we could have thousands more men."

Stannis said, "If Jon Snow returns with the wildlings. We can't wait that long. We have the advantage, more men, more horses, all fed and rested. But every day we wait, the odds shift in Bolton's favor. This could turn to winter at any moment. We have to act now. Give the order. We march at sunrise." Davos knew what happened last night in Lady Aldarra's room. The whole castle was talking about it.

Davos said, "I'll choose a dozen men to stay and guard the queen and the princess." He didn't let on what he had overheard about Princess Shireen and what they might do to her. He just couldn't believe Stannis would hurt his only child to be successful in war.

Stannis said, "No need, they're coming with us. I tried to convince lady Aldarra to join my cause but she said no." That made Davos Seaworth worry about Shireen.

Davos said, "It's a tough road ahead, Your Grace. Won't they be safer…"

Stannis said condescendingly, "Here? Half these watchmen are killers and rapists. No, they march with us." Davos' hands were tied, so he stood up and followed Stannis outside.

Davos said, "As you wish, Your Grace." Stannis walks away from him and sees him going towards Melisandre standing in the courtyard.

That night Davos knocks on Aldarra's door and is invited in. The door closes.

—--

The next morning in the courtyard of the castle, Stannis's men prepare to ride out. Sam and Gilly watch. Gilly is holding her baby. Olly, Edd, and some other watchmen are also watching the assembly departing. Aldarra was nearby watching and listening to the exchange with Shireen and Davos. She was worried, leaning in while holding on to a doorway.

Shireen was on horseback and said to Davos, "Do you think Father will let me go down into the crypt?"

Davos, deep in his thoughts, asked, "Beg your pardon?"

Shireen said smiling, "At Winterfell. All the Kings in the North are buried there. Bran the Builder and King Dorren and…"

Davos said smiling at the little girl he adored, "First things first. It's a long march ahead. And then we have to take the castle."

Shireen asked frowning, "Is there going to be a battle?"

Davos said with affection, "Aye, princess, but you won't be anywhere near…"

Selyse said, cutting him off, "That's enough talk of battle, Ser Davos. You'll scare the child."

Davos said after being chastised, "Yes, my queen."

Shireen innocently said, "I'm not scared."

Davos said teasing, "Well, I am. When the battle comes, promise you'll protect me."

Shireen giggled and said, "I promise."

Shireen looks back at Gilly and then spotted Aldarra watching her. Aldarra gave her a smile and a little wave. Shireen waved and smiled back at the friendly woman with the dragons. Her parents wouldn't let her talk to her. She wondered why because she seemed so nice. Selyse catches her, and Shireen looks down and away. Jon walks through the courtyard. He and Stannis meet on some stairs.

Stannis said, "I hope you know what you're doing with these wildlings. I need those ships."

Jon said, "You'll get them back, I swear it. Have a safe journey, Your Grace. And thank you."

Jon watches Stannis walk away and get on his horse. He makes eye contact with Melisandre, but she looks away. Stannis and his army begin leaving.

—--

The next morning, the men of the Night's Watch prepare the horses as snow falls on Castle Black. Tormund is brought before Jon. Jon looks at him, nods, and walks away to a horse. Jon walks over to Alliser.

Jon said, "First Ranger, you have command of Castle Black."

Allister said, "Lord Commander, it is my duty to tell you I believe this mission to be reckless, foolhardy, and an insult to all of the Brothers that have died fighting the wildlings." Olly watching their conversation from afar.

Jon said, "As always, thank you for your honesty." Allister nodded and walked away.

Sansa and Aldarra walk up to Jon. Sansa said, hugging him, "Be safe, please. I love you, Jon." They had talked together and realized that they only had each other right now.

Jon said, patting on her back, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon." He kissed her cheek and let go of her. Aldarra shook his hand and wished him luck. Jon walks away to Sam.

Sam said a bit worried for him, "Safe travels, Lord Commander."

Jon smiled and said, "Thank you, Sam."

Sam smiled and said, "Oh, and…" Sam hands him a wrapped package. Jon opens it to find a sword.

Sam said, "It's Dragonglass. It's what I used to kill the White Walker. I hope you don't need it."

Jon looked at it in appreciation and said, "Me too." They hug. Jon gets on a horse next to Tormund and rides away.

—--

That night, the old blind man Aemon was in a delusional state of dementia. Aemon says, "Egg! Egg! Mothers looking for you! Egg!"

Gilly said sadly, "Get some sleep, Sam. You'll have to speak for him tomorrow."

Sam said, "You don't know that."

Gilly said, "Get some sleep. I'll watch over him."

Sam said sadly, "I'll stay too. He's always been good to me. I can't leave him now."

Aemon panicked and yelled, "Egg! Egg.. I dreamed... that I was old."

—--

The next few days later, Maester Aemon passed away at 102 name days old. They lit a funeral pyre.

Sam said solemnly, "His name was Aemon Targaryen. He came to us from King's Landing, a Maester of the Citadel, chained and sworn. And a sworn brother of the Night's Watch, ever faithful. No man was wiser or gentler or kinder. At the Wall a dozen Lord Commanders came and went during his years of service, but he was always there to counsel them. He was the blood of the dragon, but now his fire has gone out. And now his watch has ended."

All the Night Watch brothers said together, "And now his watch has ended." Sam lights the pyre, then hands the torch to Alliser, who lights it then passes it along.

Allister said snarkily, "You're losing all your friends, Tarly." Sam looks up to see a Brother glaring at him. Aldarra watched the funeral from an obscure place. The old man was well beloved.

—--

It had been over a week since they left Castle Black, Davos rides through the camp on horseback, observing the men as they cough and huddle around each other. The snow is falling hard and heavy.

In Stannis' tent, Davos is reporting, "40 horses died in the night. We'll lose more come sunset. We're running out of food. We can't open the supply line until the snow clears."

Sannis said, "What else?"

Davos said, "The Stormcrows rode off last night." Any loss of men was devastating.

Stannis mumbled, "500 men." Davos nods. Stannis removes a Baratheon piece from his Cyvasse chess board.

Stannis said coldly, "Sell swords, loyal to nothing but gold."

Davos said, "We still have a hard march to Wintefell and we won't be marching anywhere in this weather."

Stannis asked bitterly, "And?"

Davos pleads, "This isn't our time, we should head back to Castle Black when the snow clears."

Stannis said bitterly, "I retreated from King's Landing, Ser Davos. If I retreat again, I become "The King Who Ran.""

Davos said, "Your Grace…" He pleaded.

Stannis said angrily, "Winter is coming. Those aren't just the Stark words, it's a fact. If we march back to Castle Black, we winter at Castle Black. And who can say how many years this winter will last."

Davos said, trying to get him to listen, "It's better to wait for the right time than to risk everything."

Stannis said with conviction, "This is the right time, and I will risk everything. Because if I don't, we've lost. We march to victory or we march to defeat, but we go forward only forward." Davos looks to Melisandre, lurking in the back of the tent.

Davos said giving up, "Your Grace." He stands up and leaves the tent.

Stannis said to Melisandre, "I've trusted in your visions, in your prophecies for years."

Melisandre said, "You saw it yourself, my king, when you stared into the flames. A great battle in the snow."

Stannis said angrily, "I don't know what I saw."

Melisandre said, trying to make him trust in her, "You do know. Trust yourself."

Stannis asked, "And you, do you trust yourself?"

Melisandre replied confidently, "I trust in the Lord."

Stannis questioned, "Are you sure?"

Melisandre said, "I have seen myself walk along the battlements of Wintefell. I have seen the flayed men's banners lowered to the ground." She flips the Bolton pieces over on Stannis' Cyvasse board.

Melisandre said confidently, "But sometimes sacrifices must be made to ensure victory. I have shown you the power of the king's blood. The Usurper Robb Stark. The Usurper Joffrey Baratheon."

Stannis said he was trying to dissuade her, "We don't have Robert's bastard here."

Melisandre said, narrowing her eyes, "No, we have someone better, and your blood runs through her veins."

Stannis asked in ridicule, "Have you lost your mind?"

Melisandre replied arrogantly, "Do you doubt me still? After all that you've seen?"

Stannis said solemnly, "There must be another way. Leeches or something."

Melisandre said urgently, "There is only one way. You must become king before the Long Night begins. Only you can lead the living against the dead. All your life has led us to this moment. To this decision."

Stannis said harshly, "She's my daughter." Melisandre walks up and embraces him trying to use her wiles to persuade him.

Stannis stiffened angrily and said, "Get out."