AN: I don't own nothing…etc…etc…etc.
James returned to the Winterfell three weeks later, returning to the Wall in the meantime to wait out until the arrival of the royal family. The kids were overjoyed in hearing the news of the King Robert Baratheon coming to Winterfell with his family, they'd only heard about the man through stories. Him and Ned fighting off the Targaryens for his one true love, everything Sansa loved and more. She was especially excited out of everyone else at the prospect of meeting the young prince Joffrey. However, James understood the true nature of the King's visit, to ask his father to be hand of the king, and it was something he wasn't reluctant to say yes too. He'd have to leave Winterfell and his family, with only Sansa, Arya and Bran joining him down at the rat's nest they call a capital…King's Landing. He secretly hoped his father would just say no, but he knew in his mind he would say yes.
He is above this petty game these people play at the capital, scheming, ass kissing, betrayal. A man of honor does not belong there. Thought James as he and Jon were standing side by side in the courtyard, one wearing a grey and black tunic, the other Night's Watch black. They were watching Bran climbing the walls.
"He looks so small from down here, you can hardly see him." said Jon with a sense of concern in his voice, putting a hand over his eyes to see. "Hopefully he won't fall."
"Not to worry, we've seen him climb thousands of times, he is sure footed." Thats when Bran slipped for a second but regained his footing. James heart leaped out of his chest, and by the look of it, Jon's too. But he only looked down at them and smiled, continuing to climb.
"If your lady mother had seen that she would've died." Jon japed, when they heard a voice from behind.
"If she would've seen what?"
Like a ghost they both turned around to find Lady Catelyn herself, staring at both of them. Jon as always never met her eyes.
"Seen what"? she repeated looking for one of them to answer. When serious; his mother was an intimidating sight for sure. Her auburn hair worn down with those Tully eyes, she could get the truth out of anyone. Than Jon spoke,
"My lady, me and James were watching Bran climb that tower, he slipped for a second but kept his footing. That's all." James was standing there noticing his younger brother's scared demeanor.
"I…didn't ask you." she said cold as ice.
"And its Lord James and Lord Bran to you." putting the emphasis on you. Ice cold…that stare is ice cold.
After a few moments of silence James decided to break the silence.
"No brother, it's quite alright you don't need to call me Lord."
That's when he got two stare's at once. Jon giving him this look of shock, and Catelyn anger. He had called him brother on purpose, it irked his lady mother, but he did it because he never approved of how she treated Jon Snow.
"Well James, you tell your brother to get down immediately and you two need to shave and get a haircut, you need to look presentable to the royal family. And Jon…" she said as the boy looked up to finally meet her ice cold gaze.
"You are welcome to join the feast at your lord father's request, but I feel it would be inappropriate to have a bastard seated amongst the royal family, I'm sure you'll understand."
"Yes, my lady." he said still looking at his feet.
"Good." was all she said and just walked off.
When she was well out of ear distance, James began to speak.
"I'm sorry she still treats you like that, after all these years you'd think she'd treat you as one of her own. Even though you are a constant reminder of my father's infidelity, she should realize it isn't your fault, you didn't ask for this." Than Jon met him with that stare that reminded him of his father.
"It's quite alright James, I understand why she hates me. I may be a bastard but I'm not stupid."
"Jon I didn't mean it like that."
"I know, see you later James." Than he walked off. James kicked a stone when he heard two feet land behind him. He turned around to find Bran staring at him.
"What happened? Mother treat Jon bad again?"
"Yeah Bran she did, you know how it is." James said with a frown on his face.
"I don't know why she hates him so much. I think of him as my brother, just like you it isn't fair to him." Seven hells, are you sure you are ten? James than got to Bran's eye level, putting a hand on each of his shoulders.
"It's complicated Bran. One day you'll understand why mother doesn't like Jon so much."
"Because he is a bastard?" the innocent child said, still listening intently.
"It's more complicated than that, but its a big part of it." James took in a breathe. "Jon is a constant, living, breathing reminder to mother of when father loved another women. She can't bring herself to love him like you or I. But I chose to love Jon no matter what, I've known him all his life, he is my brother." After a moment of silence James could tell something was bothering Bran, and than he spoke.
"But will mother stop loving me if I don't hate Jon?" Bran asked still looking at him. James laughed and smiled.
"No Bran I'm sure mother will love you until the day she dies. Now…go clean up you're dirty. Off with you child." Bran ran off and turned around.
"Thanks James."
"Anytime buddy, now go clean up before mother yells at both of us." Then he ran off to the baths.
James turned around and was making his way to the great hall, going to give his mother a helping hand at preparing the feast when an all too familiar face appeared out of the shadows.
"You look good in black, although I miss looking upon your face. That messy hair; just gets in the way." James turned around to find the women who took his virginity, who taught him everything he knew about loving a women. Even though she was just a common whore, Ros was different to him. He had been infatuated with her since he laid with her at fourteen. James went after her again and again, but she wouldn't pay him any attention. This time any of his tactics didn't help, and Ros frustrated him; it made him want her even more. Over time however their relationship had blossomed into something James considered love, although he didn't believe in such nonsense. Ros created friction for him and his vows, but he didn't care and always chose her over his duty's. She was a drug to him, and it was one he couldn't shake off. Lord Eddard knew about her, as did all the men along the Wall. Standing there in a blue wool dress, with the long red hair sitting on her shoulders, looking as beautiful as she did on his fourteenth name day.
"Ros? What are you doing here? You know you aren't allowed inside the castle walls." James said half concerned as Ros just stood there, her eyes looked him up and down as if he was a piece of meat.
"Since when have you been concerned with where I have been? You haven't seen me in six months, or not as much as you used to since you took the black. The eldest son of Lord Eddard Stark clad in black, a funny sight if you ask me. You could of been Lord of Winterfell, ya know. This castle could have been yours but you gave it all up, and for what? honor? glory?"
"Quiet Ros. I did it for reasons a…"
"A whore?" she said with a bit of malice in her voice. Still so beautiful. Kissed by fire. From his time at the wall, James knew that having red hair was lucky in wilding culture. "Kissed by fire" they called it.
"No….a woman like you couldn't understand."
"A woman? Don't make me laugh Lord Stark, I'm a whore don't you forget that, this WHORE took your virginity do you remember? This whore, FUCKED you every weekend until you screamed. Why don't I just tell everyone here that this WHORE took the little Lords virginity and fucked you raw, huh?" She does that to bother me, calling me 'Lord Stark' in a mocking tone. She began to yell when James grabbed hear by the forearm and drew her close. "Enough woman." he growled at her.
"What are you gonna do Lord Stark…hit me?" He just kept looking at her in silence, staring into those green eyes. She looked back even harder.
"You know, the folk say that when men get to the wall….they chop off their manhood with a knife." She then grabbed his manhood. Fondling for a second or two.
"Looks like I was wrong…" she said with a bit of surprise in her voice. More silence passed.
"Well are you going to keep staring at me like an idiot or say something you…." Than James began to kiss her with so much fury. She kissed him back, playing with his hair as she opened her mouth letting their tongues collide. His hand behind her head holding it ever so gently, pulling it closer to his.
I better stop, I'm half hard by now. James felt the slight bulge in his breeches when he heard someone clear their voice.
"Excuse me, James."
They both parted from each other as Lady Catelyn and Maester Luwin stood before them, making it an incredible awkward situation. She had a look of shock in her face as did Maester Luwin. "Mother….Maester Luwin….funny to find you here." he said with a clear tone of embarrassment. Not wanting to lock eyes with his mother out of embarrassment, a hand behind his head scratching to cope with the situation. All Ros did was laugh and curtsey. "My lady." Catelyn curtsied in return. Than Ros whispered in his ear.
"Godswood, meet me there." And walked off.
James watched her from behind as she walked away, every step a seduction that brought thoughts of what had just transpired, or thoughts to four years ago. He found himself growing even harder. Stop James or your lady mother will see the bulge in your breeches. James turned to face his mother.
"How much of that did you see?" his face wincing with embarrassment as if he were a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.
"All of it." she said with a look of disgust on her face. Maester Luwin trying to hold back an obvious smile. James was about to speak when she waived a dismissive hand in the air.
"James Stark, I don't want to know what happened between you two just now, but please dear gods be careful, preparing for this royal visit has already caused me to age ten years. You fathering a bastard would cause another twenty. And you know how I feel about bastards."
"Yeah speaking of bastards, what happened earlier with Jon….mother."
Maester Luwin's smile completely wiped off as James brought up this topic.
"Mother will you never look past that? Must you continue to punish the boy for the sins of his father? Jon is a good lad, why can't you see that? Everyone else does, except you…if you'd just show him some..."
"JAMES STARK THAT IS ENOUGH!" she yelled at him with all her might. Her blue eyes wide open and stance firm, burning a whole right through his chest. James than went silent and looked down at his feet. Thinking back to the days when he was a child when him and Robb would get in trouble. After a minute she spoke again,
"I'm sorry to have yelled at you my son, but we have had this conversation a thousand times before. You know how I feel about him and I fear nothing will ever change, now you must excuse me as I must continue to prepare for this ridiculous visit. Now give me a kiss." James kissed his mom on the cheek and they walked off. She turned around to yell, "Oh and don't forget to get a shave and a haircut! Robb and Theon will be waiting! Be there in an hour." Than he made his way to the godswood.
-x-
He walked into the godswood as excited as ever, not knowing what to expect. This is where they would meet sometimes in his youth, when there was no where else too go, they couldn't be seen with one another. It had been six months since he lay with her, the excitement was almost too much to bear. Now which tree did we use to meet at? The one with our names on it….ahh there we are. James walked over to the tree yelling her name. "Ros? Where are you?" I'm sure this is the spot.
"Here I'am." she said. James turned around to find her completely naked. Her red hair let down to almost cover her creamy full breasts, her pink nipples poking through. She sported a big smile and those green eyes melted through him. With the slightly brighter red hair covering her sex. "Gods…" James moaned out loud just taking in the sight of her. They embraced each other and kissed. Kissing her fast and rapid, making his way down her neck to her chest. Taking each breast in his mouth and than back in her mouth. Making up for every time he couldn't at the wall. She was already making work on his breeches. Removing an article of clothes in-between each kiss. Finally getting his shirt off she let her fingers trail his muscles. "Are you sure you're allowed to kiss a woman?" she said in between the rapid kisses. "Bugger the oath." was all James could muster. Soon one thing lead to another and they were having sex on the cold ground in the godswood. She was riding him as wild as well…a wilding. Her hips rotating in coordination with his hips thrusting, each time meeting her. James had sex when he was on the wall, often visiting the brothel that was nearby. But none of those woman compared to Ros. My first…he thought and he couldn't hold it in any longer. Her moans, combining with the sheer beauty made it impossible for him to hold back any longer. He spilled himself inside of her with a loud moan, practically screaming her name…she smiled and laid ontop of his chest. Her breasts pushing up against his chest. James just taking in the smell of her red hair. Such a sweet smell….They just laid there in silence taking in the tranquility of the godswood.
"Don't forget about me James Stark. Never again." was all she said. He began to kiss her head repeatedly saying,
" I don't think I can, such beauty leaves an imprint on the mind." She looked up at him and smiled. Kissing him on the lips. James than thought of what they had might be something near love. It was folly, she was a whore, him a man of the Night's Watch, she slept with a different man every night. Only a whore but I seem to love her all the same…
That's when he told her to get up and turn around. She faced him pushing some of his hair behind his ears when he presented her with a gift.
"Do you remember this?" he asked looking into her eyes. He presented a silver bracelet with the sigil of house stark on it. The dire wolf in the middle.
"I used to wear it as a kid, but stopped after I took my oath at the wall." he than began to put it on her wrist and gently placed it on. She only smiled and told him how beautiful it was.
"I wore it the night I first laid with you, and I want you to have it." James said just looking at her reaction.
"I'll wear it everyday and think of you." she said kissing his lips. While some other man is inside of you… Striking that imagine from his mind he opened his eyes to find her kissing him again. They went another round and when they finished he suddenly remembered,
" Oh seven hells, the haircut! I completely forgot!" he said darting up as fast as ever, beginning to put on his clothes.
"The haircut?" she said half startled at how fast he had gotten up. By the time he was dressed, she was still naked.
"Yes, the haircut! I forgot, they are probably so mad. SHIT!" James said as he was rushing to leave. But not so fast as to insult Ros. Before he left he turned around and kissed her again.
"Thank you…for everything, I won't forget you. I'll see you tomorrow." he winked at her and she smiled. He than made his way to the baths where he knew Robb, Jon and Theon were waiting.
James made it to the bathes just in time. They were standing there all without shirts on, clean shaven looking like a twelve year old boys. They talked for awhile, which eventually lead to some teasing as they pointed out how James glowed when he arrived. Trying to prod the truth out of him, but James would not budge.
"So who did you fuck?" Theon said with that smug smile that he was famous around Winterfell for. All fathers hated Theon Greyjoy. Many millers daughters fathers, but yet again James had no room to talk. He'd have his run in with whores too. Even Ros…
"He probably just fucked his hand!" Robb said, and than a loud laugh followed from all the boys, including the barber who decided to join in. Soon it was James turn and he gave his immaculate hair a trim, but not so much as to cut it too short for his liking.
He spent the rest of the day riding with Arya and than in the practice yard with the boys. Trying to get in the best shape for the royal family.
"I hear the queen is a little minx." said Theon while he was sparing James. Each going blow for blow. James blocked a blow to his side and quickly countered. Theon struggling to keep up.
" I hear that little prince is a right royal prick." Robb japed, watching at them with intent. "yeah but think about all those southern girls he gets to stick that prick into." Theon continued. This time James parried the blow, knocking the greyjoy to the ground and put the wooden sword to his neck, making him yield.
"Aye, the queen is the most beautiful women in the seven kingdoms. What I'd give for a night with her." Jon said looking into the sky as if he were dreaming of the day.
"Guarantee I could get her to lay with me. Nobody can resist a Greyjoy. Especially me." Theon arrogantly said with both arms open and a smile on his face. Wiping the dirt off his tunic and breeches.
"The King would chop off your head and put that smile on a spike Greyjoy." Jon quickly replied. "Aye, he would and as if you could get her too." said Robb as well looking at Theon as if he were crazy.
"What about you James?" Theon asked, "Do you think you'd have a chance with the Queen?"
"Probably not," said James, "I don't think she'd like a man of the Night's Watch,"
-x-
The rest of the day went by fast and it wasn't until later that night when James was sitting in his room at his desk reading that he got a knock on the door.
"James? James? open the door."
He recognized the voice immediately as his fathers. He got up and opened the door. His father was standing there in his nightclothes, waiting for James to let him in. He entered the room and told him to have a seat.
"Why father, what are you doing still up?"
"Your mother is putting Rickon to sleep so I'd use this time to talk to you about what happened in the courtyard today."
"With Jon?" James asked wondering why his father would talk to him this late about that.
"No…well yes, actually that and something else that took place in the courtyard today."
That's when James knew that he was talking about Ros.
"What have I told you many times before James? Respect the way your mother feels about Jon. I don't like it as much as you do, trust me. But I still respect the way she feels about him and I don't push him on her. That is something you haven't learned yet, and ontop of that you breeched the subject in the courtyard where everyone could see! Are you mad son?" James let a few seconds pass before he formulated a response. Good, so maybe it wasn't Ros after all…
"Father I'm sorry but I can't stand that way she treats him. All cold, her voice full of malice and hate. I can stand the way she treats me, while I have to stand there and watch the way she treats Jon. It isn't fair, father it truly isn't."
"I know son, I know. Hopefully one day it will change." he said putting a hand on James's shoulder.
"Oh yeah and your mother told me what also happened in the courtyard with that red haired woman. Kissing her in the middle of the courtyard as nobody would see! Do you have no honor James? You should be embarrassed."
" I was more embarrassed that mother had caught me." His father couldn't help but laugh at that comment.
"Be that as it may son, I don't want you seeing her again. She is low born and you are not to take any woman as part of your Night's Watch vows."
"But father, I understand my oath…I took it. But at the end I'm still a man. I can't help myself." James responded.
"I don't care boy, learn to control yourself. You are a Stark, and Starks have honor. While you're in Winterfell you aren't to see her. Put an end to it son, she is no good. Tell her you can't see her no longer. Do I make myself clear?" Lord Eddard said expecting an immediate 'Yes' in reply.
"But father…" James began before his dad cut him off.
"Do….I…make myself clear?"
"yes, I understand."
"Good, that is all for now. Tomorrow the royal family should arrive and I want everyone on their best behavior for Robert."
Than he left the room as James just fell flat on his bed. A thousand thoughts racing in his head about once. Never being able to see Ros again. Today had re-kindled something I hadn't felt for a woman in quite awhile. How can I never see her again? She won't ever talk to me again. I'll have to tell her slowly, this won't go by easy.
James than put his head down on his pillow and began to dream. Dreaming of the royal family, but most of all dreaming of her.
