Falling Like || Jon Snow ✔

26| 𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔡 𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔟𝔯𝔬𝔨𝔢𝔫 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔱

castle black, the wall

— "YOU MIGHT'VE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS BEFORE DROPPING IT ON THE ENTIRE WATCH." Nymeria suggested as she and Jon strode through the castle towards his study.

"Half the brothers here hate me, and at least as many hate you too." he replied. "I didn't want them to see you as a conspirator if they accused me of bringing more war to the Watch." He sighed, turning to face her outside the door. "And I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it. I know what I'm doing is right, and I didn't want to give myself the chance to reconsider."

"Well, I think it's the only right thing to do."

He raised a brow. "You do?"

Nymeria shrugged. "I have no hatred for the Free Folk. Bringing them south of the Wall is right. They don't deserve to suffer more than they already have, and if they die, we only add to the already extensive army of the dead." She opened the door to the study, shutting it again once they were both inside. "I'm with you."

He nodded slowly. "Well, I'll need the men kept tight in line while I'm gone. There's no telling what might become of their anger if its left unchecked-"

She chuckled softly. "No. No, I'm with you. As in, going with you to Hardhome."

His brows shot up as he stared at her. "No. Absolutely not, it's too risky."

"There's nowhere safe in the world anymore." She reminded him.

"Nymeria, if we die North of the Wall, who takes charge here?"

"Thorne, probably." She mused. "But I'm the best warrior you've got. You need me. If you die North of the Wall because you didn't bring the help you needed, do you really think they'll hand over command to a woman so easily? Haven't we had this conversation before?"

There was a long silence as he weighed the idea in his mind. He hated that he had to admit that she was right. Of course, Nymeria being the smartest person he knew was nothing new to him, but the last thing he wanted was to drag her off into more danger. She'd lost too much. She didn't need to lose her life, too. But... she was right. Not to mention the more the Free Folk saw the ever-feared Huntress as an ally, the less frightened they might be to board the ships that would bring them back to the Wall. "Fine." He sighed, leaning down on the desk. "You should start preparing. This is going to be a rather long and unpleasant journey."

She gave him a little nod. "So should you." She crossed paths with Olly as she left, the boy looking nervous and a little at war with himself. She offered him a small smile before brushing past and heading down the walkway to her room.

"Lady Mormont." She paused, turning to see a now-familiar Onion Knight approaching her.

"Ser Davos." She greeted. "I hear you're leaving us soon. Headed south."

He nodded. "Aye. And I imagine you're heading North." She shot him a questioningly raised brow, and he explained, "You're a good ranger, I hear. One of the best. And you're the Lord Commander's second in command." She observed him for a quiet moment, trying to determine where he was taking this. "I asked you once if you thought your grandfather was mistaken to bring you here, and you told me there was no room for regrets. Do you believe Jon Snow will regret this decision?"

She shrugged lightly, hands grasping the rail to overlook the courtyard as she spoke. "Perhaps, but I doubt it. You heard what he told the men about the army of the dead. And he was right. Maybe it's not the best plan, but it's the best we've got, and with winter drawing near every day, the best we have is the best we can hope for. Jon is doing what he believes is right, and I believe in him."