What If Jon Snow Took Stannis’ Deal to Rule Winterfell

What If Jon Snow Took Stannis’ Deal to Rule Winterfell? Let’s explore the depths of it in the video. Jon stares at Stannis for a long moment, wondering if the king might be jesting, but quickly dismisses that notion. One look at the man is enough to tell him that this is a man who doesn’t make jokes. That means…what he’s offering is true. To establish him as the Lord of Winterfell. For a moment, the young ranger cannot speak. This is everything he has ever dreamed of, and yet it has always felt so out of reach. But now…all he must do is bend the knee. Yet he thinks back to these last few days and all the chaos Castle Black has endured. Jon: Your grace, what of my vows and the Night’s Watch? Stannis: You vowed to guard the realms of men. You are the shield, but I am the sword. You will help me guard it by uniting the kingdoms. Besides, I mean to leave a garrison to aid them. I did not make it to the Wall just to see it fall after I depart. Even the likes of Bowen Marsh will accept losing one sword for a hundred. Jon: You will leave men here? Stannis: And the Red Woman. At least for a time. You are right about one thing, Jon Snow. The wildlings cannot be allowed to remain on that side of the Wall. I mean to let them through, at least those willing to see reason. If they bend the knee and pledge their swords to our cause, they will be allowed to march through, and I will instruct the men of the Wall accordingly. Jon: What of the Lord Commander? Stannis: I will not interfere there. Let them pick whichever fool they wish so long as they heed my instructions. So what do you say, boy? Will you trade Castle Black for Winterfell? Though tempting, it is something he thinks long and hard on. He spends hours rationalizing it in his head. Stannis was the only one who came to the Night’s Watch's aid, his support is the only thing preventing the Wall from falling. And as Lord of Winterfell, he can do more to aid his brothers and ensure a peaceful transition of the wildlings. After hours of contemplation, he accepts that offer, but naturally, many of his brothers are appalled by this, seeing it as outrageous. Even when Stannis vouches for him and points out that he releases Jon from his vows, others are less convinced. The promise of a hundred men is helpful for some, but others are less convinced. Stannis also promises to take the wildlings with him to bolster his forces and ensure the Night’s Watch will not have to feed them. This is another tempting offer, but the Night’s Watch are not fully satisfied. They demand new elections and that prisoners Stannis takes be sent to the Wall to bolster their numbers and that they have the right to refuse wildlings should they deem them a threat. However, they will try to allow as many as they can through. Melisandre will also not try to convert anyone to the Lord of Light. All of these are harsh terms that leave Stannis grinding his teeth. But in the end, they agree and new elections are held. Unfortunately, the winner of this round is none other than Janos Slynt. Although Jon is horrified, he can do nothing as he is no longer a member of the Night’s Watch. The new Lord Commander stutters his promises and vows to help Stannis in whatever way they can, but Stannis knows better than to trust him and warns Ser Axell not to trust him. With that, the King’s army departs, accompanied by Jon Snow, now Jon Stark, who commands over three hundred wildlings. Stannis wishes to march on Winterfell right away or the Dreadfort and challenge Roose Bolton’s claims openly, but his new Lord of Winterfell advises against it. The North does not know him, and attacking their domains will only rally them against him. Instead, he suggests gathering the mountain Clans and promising to liberate Ironborn-controlled castles. Though some knights are skeptical, Stannis agrees, and they detour through the northern mountains. There, they meet with each chief and champion, asking for their aid while Stannis presents Jon as the last living born son of Ned Stark. Though weary of the wildlings he brings, Jon quickly puts their worries to rest when he speaks to them. Jon: I know I am only a bastard, but I grew up in the same halls as Ned Stark’s trueborn children. Arya is as much a sister to me as she was to Robb. I will not abandon her. I know you have years of bad blood with the wildlings, but they respect strength as much as any man, and I’ve beaten them fairly. Now they offer their swords to me. All I ask is that the brave men of the mountains do the same. If not for my sake, then for Ned Stark’s daughter. Hearing these words, many clansmen are moved and pledge themselves to Stannis and Jon. By the time their army descends, they have swollen ranks by thousands more. Their next point is to strike at Deepwood Motte, one of the last major holdings of the Ironborn. Jon leads the attack #gameofthrones #gameofthroneswhatif #whatif #jonsnow #baratheon