Snow everywhere. A blanket of it covered the ground in an entirety save for the main roads. It had fallen overnight and it was predicted to come again later into the days that followed. There was a beauty in it all as it contrasted drastically against the grays of Winterfell. The Starks' home stood iridescently, appeasing the sight of those who passed. Winter was not yet there but soon it would come. The telltale signs like the snow showed that before the current season would come to pass, those in residence of the North needed to prepare.

Winter is coming. The Lord Stark would always say.

Jon Snow looked out of the window of his chambers. He'd opened it to inhale the crisp air that left his face slightly flushed. It was rather cold that day but he welcomed it. Living in the North, one grew accustomed of its weather. Though he did not bear the name of Stark, the blood coursed through his veins and he believed that it was because of that as to why he'd come to enjoy the cold so much.

Looking down into the courtyard, he could see his father and half-brother, Robb, making conversation with those who resided securely around the castle. Farther to the right, he saw Hodor make his runs from the stables and back; the benumbing weather doing little to affect him. All around, someone was doing something and at some point, he would as well.

Closing his window, he pulled away.

Within the castle walls people took to their duties in something that was akin to silence. But outside of them, the hustle and bustle of the crowd was livelier. And apparently much louder as of that day. That more than anything intrigued Jon.

His feet padded along the halls and steps of stone making light tapping sounds that one would have to strain their ears to tell of his presence. Almost as quietly, his cloak billowed softly behind him as he fastened the cinch several times. The bastard's nerves were slightly on edge with hints of excitement and curiosity. It had been a while since he heard the townspeople of Winterfell in a collective chattering nonsensically. A long, long while.

Breaking free of the confined walls, the chill air bit at Jon's cheeks as he wounded around to find the one man who could answer the question that was set on the tip of his tongue.

"Lord Stark," he called.

Turning his head away from the woman he'd been conversing with, Eddard Stark bore in the appearance of his illegitimate child. The boys soft curls swayed side to side from the light winds. It startled the Lord for a second for it was a past that came to him and not the boy he'd brought with him many years ago.

"Lord-"

"Jon." Ned acknowledged after having come to his senses. There were some things he believed he would never get used to. Not that they were entirely bad.

"Jon."

The boy of seventeen looked to his half-brother at the mention of his name. Robb smiled at him and the two exchanged a nod before Snow let the question that burned his very being out.

"What's gotten the crowd in such a fuss?"

Giving a final nod to the woman he'd been talking to, Ned answered his child with a look of interest.

"We're expecting visitors. The Oardens will be here by the morrow."

"The Oardens?" Jon's face bore more curiosity at the mention of the family. "What for?"

He knew little about the Oardens but he knew enough thanks to the studies he was made to have growing up with his half-siblings.

"Yes, I received a raven the other day. They make their way as we speak. "

"But what for?"

What the boy knew of the Oarden family was of their residence, their rise to prominence and their connection to the Tullys. The main name of Catelyn Stark. His father's wife. Jon frowned at that.

"Business." Ned gave a quick smile before walking away, leaving his sons behind.

Business. What sort of business? He wanted to question further but the idea of something-of people so close to the very woman who, in spite of his father's commands (which were rare, he believed), treated him poorly; Jon felt rooted to the ground with pessimism.

"Don't look so glum." Looking to his brother, Jon gave a defeated sigh. "Gods, you're such a worrier."

"As bad as a woman, I should say."

Robb and Jon took in the sight of Theon Greyjoy who marched over to them, a mischievous smirk plastered onto his face.

"For someone who loves women, you talk a lot of shit." Snow bit back in a mumble.

"What's that bastard?"

"Theon leave him alone." The smile Robb once held diminished at the Greyjoy boy's jibe.

"I'm your friend Robb not your sweetheart."

"Then as a friend; leave him alone."

Not attempting to rile the Stark boy anymore than necessary, Theon looked back a Jon with a slight twitch to his eye. It hadn't gone unnoticed on the latter's part but he bit his tongue before he made a remark about it.

"So," Theon started looking back to Robb. "You must know about the Oarden family coming here."

"Of course."

"I hear they have daughters." Jon sighed wearily and rolled his eyes as the other continued. "One our age and the other not much older."

Knowing his friend well, Robb gave a tired smile urging the boy to continue. "And?"

"Not much on the younger one but there's talk that the older one is keen on spreading her legs for every man that crosses her path."

"Too bad for you then." Robb smirked. "If she's keen on men then where does that leave you?"

"I am a man."

"Just because you stick your cock in every girl you see doesn't make you a man."

Not willing to be a part of their banter, Jon walked away from the two. If there was one thing he could handle it was but small doses of Theon Greyjoy.

The snow crunched beneath his feet as he made his way over to the stables to greet his horse. Thoughts on the Oardens had yet to leave his mind and it wasn't as if he would be able to forget now with the town in a flutter. There was a side to him that was interested in meeting these people but the other side of him dreaded if they were anything like Catelyn Stark...

Robb was right. He was a worrier. But it was best to have one's wall up than have one's ego worsen in its already wounded condition.

Approaching the stables, Jon could see the snout of his horse peeking out. It was as if the beast heard his master coming his way to see him. Horses were such astounding creatures. And though animals they may be, but just as clever they were.

Jon reached out and stroked the head of his horse once he was within reach. It whinnied at the contact whilst his master hushed him lovingly bringing the beast to a calm.

In this state of peace, Jon was caught off guard as he felt a cold take over his head. Something had been pelted at him and soon he noticed it was a ball of snow that had been thrown his way. He swung around in search of the perpetrator to see his half-sister Arya with a frown and her hands curled around yet another mass of snow.

"Arya-"

She threw the snow against his chest, the pieces flying up and around Jon's face. Furrowing his brow in anger and confusion he opened his mouth to scold her.

"I'm mad at you." Arya spoke before he could.

"Why?"

Without answering him, she knelt down to scoop more of the substance and began rounding it out with her gloved hands.

"Arya," he said in a warn.

"You told me you would teach me how to ride." She threw the ball of snow narrowly missing his shoulder. "Months ago."

"Liar, that was weeks ago."

"Same difference." She stomped.

Just as she leaned down to scoop up more snow, Jon did the same and pelted his bunch at the girl. Hitting her on the arm, Arya gasped. If it wasn't for the playful laugh she gave him in response to his attack he thought he might've hurt her.

"I'll teach you how to ride."

"Liar." She raised her arm ready to launch her ball.

"No, I promise." Jon said with his hands raised in defense. "Tomorrow. I promise."

As much as she wanted to hit him, the love for her brother overpowered the urge. True, it had only been but a week or two that he promised the youngest of the Stark girls that he would teach her how to ride and true he'd been backing down from that promise. Now though with the arrival of the Oarden family, if father permitted it, he would take the child out. Any way to avoid eyes of judgement.

Dropping the snow, Arya cleaned her gloved hands over her skirts. "Don't break your promise, Jon."

"I won't," he said with a small smile.

She returned his smile with one of her own before she took off.

Jon wondered if her Septa knew she was out there with him and smirked at the idea that the tutor may have had an idea. Arya was constantly rebelling against her teachings to become a noblewoman and it was almost a routine for her to escape the castle walls so she could play with the boys.

Turning back to his horse, Jon gave him one last pat before walking off to find something-anything to do for the preparations of the Oardens' visit. It was a feeling that plagued him, leaving him to believe that if he were to do nothing, it would be yet another reason for his father's wife to despise him.

A bastard is a bastard, he thought bitterly. But it does not make him incapable of work.

AN: So there goes Jon's side of the story. I do plan on making the OC, Amariah, and him meet in the next chapter even if it's briefly.

There really is not much else to say besides the usual apology I give whenever I post a chapter. I'm sorry for any grammatical errors there may be. Until the next chapter, thank you to anyone who reads this and can actually stomach it.