Jon
Jon awoke to a wracking cough. He pulled his furs tight around him. He thought of covering the crack in the window, but the thought of standing sent more coughs through his been frame. He lay awake coughing occasionally until finally driving off to a fitful sleep.
He awoke to light streaming through his cracked window. It took all of his resolve to crawl out from under his furs and pull his clothes on. He knocked on Robs doornail when he herd no answer he realized how truly late he he was. Jon always woke Rob up up on his way out to practice before their shared sword lesson; he would practice on a dummy for an half-hour until Roderick Cassel would arrive. Most days Cassel would coach him for a little before Rob got there. He thought of passing through the kitchens to grab a piece of hard bread. But the thought of food made churn. He mustered the the strength left in his aching body and ran to the practice grounds.
When he arrived he found Cassel coaching Rob at the practice dummy with Lady Caitlyn looking on. The sight of Lady Catlyn gave him pause. He knew she loved her children greatly but she had always made it was very clear Jon was not her child. Afraid of what she would say about his lateness he began," I'm sorry for.." until a coughing fit caught him off-guard.
When it finally subsided Cassel started," If you're feeling unwell I can send for Master Luwin if…."
Lady Catlyn cut him off, "I'm sure that is unnecessary, Sir Roderick." As Cassel and Rob began to protest she continued," Now that he is finally here how about we begin sparring," in a tone that broke no argument.
Jon saw a worried look pass between Robb and Cassel. Jon knew he must look bad if Cassel was concerned, Cassel was usually a huge proponent of 'pushing through weakness,' as he called it. Usually Rob was on the ground as often as Jon, but not today. Jon could feel Rob taking it easy on him until Lady Catlyn ordered him to, "Finnish it."
When it was finally over Jon could barley bend over to pick-up the wooden sparring sword. As they walked back to the armory, Rob put his arm around Jon's shoulder and whispered in his ear," I'm sorry."
As Jon went to exit the armory Robb cut him off," You're going back to bed now right?"
"Yah," Jon lied. That was what he wanted to do, to curl up under his warm furs and never come out. But he couldn't he had to be tuff, his father was coming home today and he didn't want be seen skipping his job in the stables.
Jon saw a flash of anger on Rob's face,"Jon, I can tell when you're lying to me. You are sick wether you acknoldgle it or not. You don't can't possibly work in those stables!"
Jon loved his older brother to death but he didn't understand. He was air to Winterfell, Lord Starks first born son, his worth was proven the day he was born. Jon was a bastard, he couldn't seem weak, not in his father's eyes. He had to earn his worth.
"I can and I will," Jon said through gritted teeth while trying to push past Rob, but Jon was to slow, Rob grabbed his arm.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn," Rob all but shouted. Jon could see color raising in Rob's checks, almost matching his hair. With thrust of his arm Jon ripped free of his brothers grip.
It stung Jon as Rob yelled after him,"Fine go and die for all I care!" Jon hated being at odds with Rob. Although Lady Catlyn refused to call Jon son it never stopped Rob from calling Jon his brother and for that Jon loved Rob, hotheaded as he was.
Jon smiled when he saw Arya crouched behind a bail of hay.
"What's up, little sister," he said trying not to cough.
"Shh..I'm hiding," she whispered as he crouched down next to her.
"What has Sansa done this time?''
"She wants me to help her dress her stupid dolls."
"Well, if you help me with my work, you won't have to dress any dolls," he said as ran his hands through he dark down hair.
"Stop it," she said batting his hand away before jumping up.
Although Jon did the vast majority of the work, Arya's endless chitter-chatter made it almost bearable. Never the less Jon was relived when it was over and was ready to lay under his furs for the rest of the afternoon. Just as he was getting ready to go Arya called after him.
"Jon can we please on a walk in the fresh snow?''
Jon was about ready to say no, when he realized that she would know something was up, so instead he tried a different approach. "You know we're not allowed, Little Sister."
"We can just tell Jorey that we were grabbing some extra fire wood as punishment."
Jon knew she had him there. It was a good plan. He couldn't turn down his little sister no-matter how much his body ached and his head hurt so at-last he agreed,"Fine, a short walk."
As soon as he finished the last word he broke-out into a full-on coughing fit. Anya's eyes grew wide, "Jon, you're sick. How dare you let me force you on a walk in the cold."
"No, it's fine little sister," he said as the they turned towards the gate.
"It's from yesterday and the cave isn't it?!"
"No it just a little cough," Jon said trying to hide a shiver. He had dressed himself as in as many furs as he dared, but still he felt as if was naked.
"Ugh, Jon you're so stubborn," Arya said as a cough came unbidden wracking Jon's body. "You are not walking me anywhere, you are going to you chambers to rest," she continued as when he finally stopped coughing. Jon thought he must look really bad if Arya was turning down a chance to adventure. Jon was by now too tired to protest anymore,
"fine, little sister but tomorrow we'll go on a nice long walk," he said turning from her to head wearily back to his chambers. "Ok, Jon get some rest, I could get Luwin for if you want," she added hesitantly.
'No' Jon thought; He was fine with Arya knowing he was sick but no one else could think him so weak. "No, it's just a little chill as you said," he finished firmly adding a little smile for effect.
"Have it your away," she said before turning to run towards the stables.
Jon smiled for real in-spite of himself as he saw Arya tackle Bran. As Jon walked he felt a twinge of something stomach, 'hunger' he thought knowing he hadn't eaten since last night after he got back. As he walked the feeling grew until he felt the bile rise to his throat. It was all he could do to run behind Micken's before emptying the the contents of his stomach on the hard-packed snow below.
When he was finally empty, his gut didn't seem to understand as it kept heaving as if there was something left. When that as last ended Jon wiped his mouth and quickly stood up. To quickly it seemed as his feet were lost under him as gripped the wall for support. When the dizziness passed he stepped back out onto the pathway. As entered the backdoor into the kitchens the smell made him sure he was going to be sick again right there. Thankfully nobody noticed as his cheeks puffed up and him swallow before quickly walking out into the corridor. When finally got up the stairs and into in chambers Jon all-but collapsed into his bedding. He didn't care about the crack in the window or even care that it was freezing in his room.
