100 Careful Planning

Tapping his finger anxiously against the table, Jon looked out across the table filled with maps and parchment holding reports from all over the North. At one time, it had all been a little overwhelming, the work he had helped Joer Mormont do seeming easy in comparison to what he was doing now.

Yet it was something he was gradually getting used to.

Right now, as it had been for many months now, the North was at a tentative peace. Neither side could move and were all focused on hunting for food that could feed their armies. All things considered, out of all the sides stationed in the North, he and the Stark loyalists were in the strongest position. They controlled the most land and while not possessing the largest force, had a much more stable position.

Stannis Baratheon was the next biggest threat, he was stationed at Castle Black as well as a few more keeps along the Wall. However, he was facing resistance from the Night's Watch, they were displeased with him taking their food stores to feed his army. He also had limited places to hunt for food, Mance Ryder and his army of Wildlings acting as a buffer that stopped him. The fact that Stannis couldn't just ride out and crush them was a major problem for Stannis as he would be stuck beyond the Wall.

From reports that Sam had given him, Stannis had already launched a few expositions to force the Wildings back. Each met with success, the Wildlings seemingly fleeing and giving Stannis a hunting ground. Only for the Free Folk to return and ambush them. It was a drain upon men and resources, something Stannis couldn't afford and had since stopped.

The Greyjoys were in a few keeps along the coast, mostly concentrated further north held within Deepwood Motte and Ironrath as well as in Torrhens Square. Jon had already ordered for the food stores of all nearby keeps to be emptied ensuring that hunting would be the only lifeline the Ironborn had to feed themselves.

The Boltons were of a similar line, though they at least had the food stores of both Winterfell and the Dreadfort.

Overall though, things had reached a tentative peace, one that would eventually break at some point. It was just a matter of who would break the peace first. Jon hoped it would be them, with the negotiations going on in the south, it was very possible that any time soon he would receive news that Robb was marching north to end this war once and for all.

Without so much as a knock or announcement, the door to his office burst open and in strode Val. "I see you've returned, successfully I hope?" He questioned, no longer caught surprised by her sudden entrances. "Where's Owen?"

"Still outside, overseeing the food being brought in." She replied. "Any news yet?"

Jon shook his head. "Nothing yet, but soon."

"That's what you said before I set out with the hunting party." Val retorted and Jon frowned.

"Do you expect information to just instantly travel across the world?" He questioned. "Ravens have to travel from where they were released to here. It takes time and in a war such as this, it's very possible they could get shot down. For all we know, Robb could already be marching up north but the raven was intercepted. Patience is key."

Val didn't seem overly convinced, but pulled out a chair and sat down. "That may be the case, but this is hardly what I expected when sailing south of the Wall. Mance Ryder said we'd be joining you and your brother because you offered us the chance to live south. We all agreed because we respect Mance Ryder and he seems to respect your family. But I'm not totally convinced. Tell me, what is your brother planning to do now?"

Jon looked to her, brow raised in questioning as he read the undertones of her question. "Are you asking me if I trust him? If so, don't insult me or my brother again. I was born a bastard and Robb always treated me as a friend and brother. He legitimised me, something I never even dreamt would happen and gave me the duty of protecting the North. I've failed where he has succeeded. I trust my brother; completely."

"Well that's all well and good, but it does very little with the situation we're in." Val would admit though that how quickly he came to his brother's defence and how sharp his tone was, it at least told her that Jon's bond with Robb was strong. Though she couldn't be sure it was the same on the other end. "But I'll ask properly now. Does your brother have a plan?"

"I don't know," Jon said. "As I said, I have yet to receive any information on what is going on in the south. Until I do it will be pure speculation."

"You must have some idea, you know him don't you?"

Jon frowned in response to that because as much as he knew Robb, that had been who he was, before the war. The Robb back then and the Robb he had heard tales about now didn't match up. War had changed him, so Jon knew it would have changed Robb as well, far more deeply as well. To say what Robb was thinking and what he was going to do next was difficult.

"If the negotiations succeed, Robb will march north and this war will come to an end." Jon stated firmly.

"And if negotiations don't work?" Val pressed.

Jon hesitated. "They won't."

It was then that Owen entered the room, a letter clutched in his hand. "News, from Lord Mallister." Quickly Jon extended his hand, Owen rushing to hand the letter over as both he and Val watched Jon read over its contents.

"What does it say?" Val asked, noticing the look upon Jon's face, already having an idea of what it might say.

"Summon the Castellans," Jon ordered. "Negotiations in the south have failed."

Nodding his head, Owen turned and left leaving Val and Jon alone once more. "I guess you should start trying to figure out what your brother is going to do now."

-X- Line Break -X-

"As you all know, negotiations in the south have failed." Jon proclaimed, frowns being shared all-around at the news. It was hardly the most promising or wanted of things. After all, it meant that their problems in the North were still far from over. "Lord Mallister is marching south under the request of King Robb. I will to assume command of the Northern front."

"Why is Lord Mallister marching south?" Castellan Umber asked.

Many around the room shared the same concern, Lord Mallister was a recognised and accomplished military commander. His arrival had tipped the tide in their favour and given them the position of strength they currently enjoyed. Without him, they were worried about what that could mean for their position.

"There was no explanation as to why, only that it was a request from King Robb. However, I know that Robb would not make this decision unless there was no other choice." Jon said, trying to put the Castellans at ease. "We must not forget that Daenerys Targaryen has Dragons and Aegon has the Golden Company. He would only move Lord Mallister if he believed it would bring a more speedy victory."

"So it will be up to us to maintain the peace here?" Castellan Mormont asked. "That won't be easy with the forces at Moat Cailin gone. What of Lord Bracken and the forces at Castle Cerywn, are they gone?"

Jon shook his head. "No, they are still there. Lord Mallister is marching south with two thousand men to link up with Lord Tytos Blackwood and his forces at the Ruby Ford." He explained, looking around at the displeased faces of the Castellans, Lords and Ladies. "But I would like to propose a different plan?"

His words earned many surprised faces, some concerned as well. "What kind of plan?"

"One that will force the Ironborn and the Boltons into battle against one another. One that will force Stannis Baratheon into making a move that will rob him of his position of strength." Jon explained, a small smile coming to his face, trying to showcase his confidence. "One that will make removing them from the north that much easier. What say you all?"

Those gathered looked towards one another, silently deliberating and gauging peoples reactions to the news. Jon himself watched on anxiously, trying to portray an image of confidence. He had failed before, made his mistakes, but he had learned from them and he wanted to make amends. This plan of his, it had been one he had been thinking of since forced upon Bear Island. A plan that would tip the scales even further in their favour and if possible, even earn victory over the Boltons, Ironborn and Stannis Baratheon even without the help of Robb and the armies of the south.

All he needed was the full agreement of the lords, ladies and castellans around him. "What's this plan of yours?" Val asked.