Jon waited two days before he decided to put his plan into action. He needed time to plan what words he would use, the justifications he would gives, and the promises he was willing to concede. All of this was vital to him, Val and Ygritte as Jon's solution to their situation was simple and risky; and it involved Stannis.

On the third day since the cancellation of his march south, Stannis' composure was no better than it had been when Melisandre had forced him to change plans. The awkwardness of her panicked display and his apparent submission to her advice in front of all the men currently crowding Castle Black had left him seething with humiliation and frustration. Jon had hoped that the passage of a little time would have soothed the man's wounded dignity.

Perhaps Jon had forgotten who it was he was dealing.

Nevertheless, Jon had to talk to Stannis. He walked up the steps that led to the King's Tower. He came to the door finding two Baratheon men-at-arms barring the door. He told them he wished to speak with the King and nothing more. One of them went inside to announce his request and returned quickly to permit him entrance. Jon had left Longclaw and his dagger in his locked chambers to safe time being stripped of his arms.

Entering the main room below the King's chambers Jon found Stannis sitting at the central desk glowering at a bundle of maps strewn over the surface. Melisandre stood in the corner, seemingly distant from the man for the first time since Jon had seen them for the first time. It seemed as though the red woman had failed to justify her embarrassment of her king. She must have still been Stannis' favourite however, as she was the only one keeping his company in the room. Jon liked it that way. He did not want to be in the same room as Axell Florent anytime soon.

Stannis looked up from his desk of maps to grace Jon with his glower instead. "I assume this is important Lord Commander. You're not one to waste time, especially if it's your king's. At least you've seemed that way since I arrived. Say your piece quickly then. I'm in no mood for time-wasting today of all days."

It's good to know you're still open to visitors your Grace. You do need the time-wasters that surround you.

Jon breathed deeply before speaking. "Your Grace, I have a request to make. Rather, I have a proposal for you that may assist you when you march south."

Stannis visibly perked up at the sound of those words, though his looks only showed curiosity rather than happiness. His eyebrows twitched slightly upwards and he leaned back in his chair. Melisandre showed interest in her look but did not move from her corner.

"This doesn't sound like a waste of time. That might change depending on your next words. I hope you've chosen them carefully Lord Snow. Please continue." Stannis betrayed nothing more than the mildest interest in his speech but Jon hoped it was just a front. He wanted Stannis to be desperate to move south in order for his proposal to work, and what he had seen so far made him hopeful.

"You asked me once if I would consider joining your side in your war. Help you reclaim the North and it's people as your rightful subjects to oust the pretenders in the south. You had a particular role set for me in this plan."

Stannis' brows began to furrow as he recalled the conversation he and Jon and had shared all those weeks ago. "You speak of my offer to make you lord of Winterfell, don't you." It was no question but Jon still answered "Aye."

Stannis customary frown returned to his face but he still said "Go on".

Jon took another deep breath and exhaled before continuing. "The weeks since you offered me that honour have given me time to think. And I have done so. I have thought of my actions so far as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, my standing amongst my men, and the future of my father's legacy."

And that is all true Jon reminded himself. Yes, he was doing this to marry Val and get her and Ygritte closer. Yes, he was doing this to have the family he now so desperately wanted. But the deciding factor for him had been his family's future. For all the times he had felt an outsider in the Stark household, he was still a part of their life and legacy. Why should it all pass into nothing because of its last son's fear of the name 'bastard'.

That was what Jon had told himself, as well as Val and Ygritte. They had understood and heartily agreed, and so did a reassured Jon. Now he was to discover if Stannis could possibly be convinced to feel the same way. For his part, Stannis seemed to read Jon's mind and spoke without warning.

"Are you saying you have reconsidered my offer Lord Snow?" He betrayed no feelings in his voice.

Jon replied. "Yes your Grace." He knelt down on one knee, bowing his head so that his eyes were lower than the table's surface. "I humbly ask if you can find it within your royal mercy to renew the offer. If it is still open, I wish to tell you that I will take the responsibility of the lordship of Winterfell. Not for myself, but for the good of the North and of your course. I swear to become your man by oath or by any means you deem fit.

I also ask that I may be given the hand of the lady Val of the Wildlings in marriage, as you once offered me. I hope by doing so to bring her within your kingdom's glory and to civilise her, according the customs of our realm"

Jon had to fight so hard not to smile as he spoke those last words.

He dared to look back up at Stannis' face, which was still a blank slate of stoicism. "Your Grace, I wish to serve you and your cause, but I cannot do so as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Again I say that I do not wish the prestige and status of the North for myself. If that was all I wanted, I would not have refused you weeks ago. If however the door you opened for me has closed, and you wish it to remain that way, I will humbly accept you decision. You may decide what your will is whenever you wish-"

"I don't need you to tell me that." Stannis broke Jon's speech suddenly. "I will give you my decision now."