ASOIAF/GOT : Grey Dragon

Jon Snow POV

I looked at all four of them. Rob was the only one still gawking at me in disbelief after seeing that I was alive. "Any last words before I repeat what you did to me?" I challenged him. Rob was the first to meet my indifferent stare, and he opened his mouth to say what he'd claimed in the show: "You shouldn't be alive. It's not right."

"Neither was stabbing me in the back," I retorted. I walked toward the second person, who had requested that I send a letter to his mother in White Harbour. I ignored him and came face to face with the man who was behind all of this: Lord Commander Aliser Thorne.

"I had a choice, Lord Commander: betray you or betray the Night's Watch," he said as I stepped onto the wood they were standing on. After a short jump, I stood beside Ser Aliser Thorne, who looked at me with a mix of confusion and anger.

I leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Do you want to know a secret, Ser Aliser?" His face twisted in rage as he overheard my mocking voice, but I paid no heed to his expression. I began to recount what happened at the Tower of Joy, including the last words of my mother, which revealed my full name. His expression shifted from rage to horror and denial.

"Lies. You are lying to make me regret my decision. I didn't expect this from you, but given your last name, it shouldn't be surprising. All bastards are liars and deceivers."

I stepped down from the wood to stand face-to-face with Ser Aliser again. "Look at my face and tell me you don't see any similarities between us. You're the only one here who has seen him." After a minute of scrutinizing my features, Aliser recognized the similarities, and his hardened expression softened slightly, likely recalling the Silver Prince he once served. He composed himself and asked, "Why? Why tell me all of this now?"

"I didn't want to, but during my time here at Castle Black, I've witnessed your devotion and loyalty to that House. It was only after my death that I discovered what I just shared with you. One of the reasons for telling you was that I needed confirmation, which I received from your expression. My intention is not to make you regret your decision; if that were my goal, I wouldn't have told you this, as it only proves that, even unknowingly, you served that House by releasing me from my vows. The reason behind all of this is to let you know that if I ever decide to claim what is mine, I will ensure that the realm knows about your loyalty and deeds until the end of your life."

Hearing me, Ser Aliser's lips twitched upwards, and he wore a proud, satisfied look, a stark contrast to his previous expression.

Although some of what I told Ser Alliser was a lie, my admiration for his loyalty was genuine. The man was steadfast—unyielding in his devotion to one house and one purpose. If you looked past his flaws, and there were many, you could see the strength of his conviction. But what man doesn't have flaws?

I would have spared him if I could. But mercy was a luxury I could not afford. So, I gave him one last look and stepped forward toward the others.

Olly met my gaze next. Fear and defiance warred in his eyes, but beneath them lingered confusion—confusion sparked by the change in Ser Alliser's expression moments ago. I drew Longclaw from its sheath, the blade catching the dull light as I prepared to cut the rope that would end all four lives.

"Lord Co... Jon." Ser Alliser's voice broke the silence, steady but weighted. "I need you to go to the grove north beyond the Wall. Walk east for half a mile, and you'll find a tree with three long gashes on its bark. Dig at its base, and you'll uncover something Maester Aemon entrusted to me—a thing I was unworthy to hold. I buried it there, hoping that I would live long enough to see the rise since I have seen their fall."

His eyes locked on mine, unwavering. "If not for your birthright, then do it for the realm... and its people."

With those parting words, he raised his chin, ready to face whatever awaited him on the other side.

I committed his words to memory, letting the weight of them settle, and then raised Longclaw. One clean stroke severed the rope. I met each of their eyes as life slipped from them—one by one.

Turning away, I walked toward Edd. His gaze shifted between the lifeless bodies and me before settling, uncertain, on my face.

"What was that about?" Edd asked. "You and Ser Alliser talking like old friends. And I swear, Jon, at one point, he almost smiled. I must be losing my mind—what with you coming back from the dead and all."

He paused and then added, "We should burn the bodies."

I handed him my black cloak before he could say more. "Don't pretend you didn't hear me telling him that he released me from my vows," I said. Edd opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off.

"My watch has ended."

The words hung in the air, final and unyielding.

Without another glance, I turned and strode toward my chambers. I had no time to waste. Sansa would arrive any day now, and I needed to prepare. The battle against Ramsay awaited, and if I wanted to win without sacrificing Rickon—or relying on the Vale's knights—I had to come up with a plan.

***_***

I held Dark Sister, the infamous longsword of House Targaryen, in my hands. This is the sword that Ser Alliser spoke about. After packing my belongings, I convinced Edd that my watch had ended and that it was best for me to go south to warn the lords that the Others were coming. I then traveled to the location Ser Alliser had mentioned and, after digging a hole, I found the sword carefully wrapped. It took me more than a minute to unwrap the various layers that Ser Alliser had placed around it.

Dark Sister is a longsword and Jon rarely used Longswords after acquiring Longclaw. However, he was trained to wield all types of weapons by Rodrick Cassel, the Master-at-Arms of Winterfell. Unlike most longswords, Dark Sister has a hilt long enough to be wielded with two hands. Fortunately, the entity that placed me in this current body also granted me all the skills Jon had, including his remarkable skill with a sword and his tendency to brood.

Sansa arrived at Castle Black with Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne just as I returned from beyond the wall with Dark Sister. I placed the sword in a chest near my bed and closed the lid; it wasn't the right time to display it. I walked out of my room and headed toward the chambers, which had been temporarily transformed into dining quarters after Sansa's arrival. I couldn't take any chances given the backgrounds of the black brothers. One of them met me on my way, informing me that a meal was served.

I opened the doors and entered the chambers. Edd and Tormund were already present, looking at each other awkwardly. I took my seat between them after greeting both. "Jon, what did you find there?" Edd asked, breaking the silence.

"A sword and nothing else," I replied. Edd was about to ask more when the doors opened again, and Sansa entered with Brienne closely following behind. Tormund immediately straightened his back, trying to appear attractive, which did not go unnoticed by Brienne. However, she pretended not to notice and resumed her duty of guarding Sansa.

The meal was already served, so once everyone had arrived, we started to eat. Unlike in the show, where Sansa didn't get much to eat, this time the deer I had brought was on the table. Although it wasn't as good as what the lords typically enjoyed, it would have to do because there were no better options for her. I was also expecting a letter to arrive, which would provide me with a valid reason to leave and initiate the plan I had devised.

The sound of a horn and the opening of the gate echoed through the chambers, and after a few minutes, the doors opened again. A black brother entered, handed me the letter, and took his leave without correcting himself when referring to me as Lord Commander. The seal was enough for me to understand the contents of the letter, but the expectant gazes from everyone else compelled me to read it aloud so they could hear.

After reading, I stood up and announced my first plan: "I will be leaving Castle Black after I speak to the Free Folk about their decision. Sansa, I want you to go with Ser Davos to ask for help from all the northern houses. I know they are all loyal to House Stark, but we both do not bear the Stark name. They are likely to rally behind the Stark name more than Stark blood. That is why I want you both to request their aid in joining this war to save our king, Rickon Stark."

Sansa appeared angry when I pointed out that we did not carry the Stark name, but it was true, and she knew it. "But we don't know if Rickon is alive or not, Jon. If Ramsay announces that Rickon is dead before the fight, the morale of the army will plummet, and some lords might abandon our cause outright," Sansa protested.

"Do not worry about that, Sansa. Just do as I say, and you will see that my goal aligns with yours: to reclaim our home, which will be vital when winter arrives." With that, I made my way out, and Tormund followed me toward the Free Folk camp.

How did you find my plan of him getting a Black sister? I think Jon getting Dark sister either directly from Aemon or Three-eyed-raven is kind of overused from my perspective. From now on the war with Bolton will start not directly but indirectly. However, due to that, he will not be participating in convincing the bannermen to ally with the cause of the restoration of House Stark. That part will be done by Ser Davos Seaworth, Sansa, and Lyanna Mormont.

The flow of power Stones and comments should not stop.