Part 3

It was still early when Jon headed to the woods, looking to spend some time alone in the small pond near the heart tree. The water was warm there and he could enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. It was the place where he could gather his thoughts and relax. Right now he had many things on his mind and he couldn't talk about those things to anyone. Usually he could talk to Robb or Lyra, but not this time.

Lyra was the problem and Jon was afraid what Robb would say if he would know. He would probably say that there was something wrong with Jon. Lyra was their cousin and they had grown up with her. Jon should see her as his sister, not as a girl. Yet he didn't. He wasn't completely sure when he had started to see her as a girl. She had always been just like one of the boys, wrestling and playing with him, Robb and Theon.

In fact, it had been Theon who had been the first to notice her budding breasts and teased her until she had kicked him between the legs. That had been two summers ago when she had been 12. Now she was 14 and her breasts were much bigger. Jon was 16 and he had never even kissed a girl. Theon had, he kept bragging about his conquests. Jon knew that Robb had also been in the brothel with Theon, but unlike Greyjoy, Robb didn't tell that to everyone who bothered to listen.

Of course Jon was also more than curious about girls, but he didn't want to be with just any girl. Sure he enjoyed looking at pretty girls and his body reacted to them sometimes, but he didn't want a girl who he didn't care about. He cared about Lyra. She was his dearest friend, the only person who knew almost all his secrets. She understood him. All of that made his feelings for her even more wrong. He was a terrible person. He sighed as he pulled his shirt over his head. Slowly he waded in to where the water was up to his thighs. It felt nice; he closed his eyes, allowing his body to relax when he suddenly heard Lyra's voice.

"Jon?"

A surprised gasp escaped his throat as he turned around to face her.

"Lyra," he murmured, trying to hide his embarrassment. "What…what are you doing here?"

She looked at him somewhat strangely and he realized that she could see all of him. Quickly he took a few steps back, submerging into the pond until water reached his waist. His face was probably red, he was more than embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," she said after a moment of silence. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't scare me," he argued defensively. He was almost a grown man already; of course she hadn't scared him.

"What are you doing here?" he repeated.

"I saw you coming here, so I thought I could join you," she replied. "You could have told me that you're coming here, you know I love to swim."

"I don't think that's a very good idea," he murmured.

She crossed her arms, looking hurt.

"Why not? Don't you want to spend time with me anymore?"

"Of course I do, but not now."

"Why not? We used to swim together all the time."

"Yes, but…"

He really didn't know how to continue. Shouldn't she understand why it wasn't appropriate for them to see each other naked anymore? Perhaps not. Perhaps she was still much more innocent than him. And she probably saw him as her brother, not as a boy. That made him feel even worse.

"You've been avoiding me," she said, sounding even more hurt. "Just like Robb and Theon. They don't tell me things anymore or spend time with me. I thought that we are friends."

"We are," Jon assured quickly. "I'll always be your friend, Lyra, you can count on that."

She smiled.

"Good. I've missed spending time with you."

"Well, how about we go riding today?" he suggested.

She nodded.

"Sounds good, but now I want to go swimming with you."

He didn't have time to say anything when she was already lifting her gown, revealing her undergarment. No, no, no, he needed to tell her to stop. Yet he didn't, not before it was too late. Seeing her breasts made him feel that he was about to faint, he couldn't tear his eyes from them.

"Don't," he finally managed to say. "This…this is improper."

She looked at him and frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're a lady, you shouldn't be naked."

"Stop being foolish," she snorted. "You sound like Septa Mordane. First of all, you know I don't care about being a lady and second of all, do you really think that ladies swim fully clothed?"

"But it's not safe…"

"I can take care of myself," she huffed and grinned. "Besides, I have you protecting me, don't I?"

He swallowed, unable to say anything. What could he possibly say? That he was in love with her? That she was the only girl he had ever wanted? No, he couldn't say that. Instead he forced himself to look away as she took her clothes off and jumped into the water, letting out a joyful giggle.

"Come on, Jon!" she cheered. "I bet I can still swim faster than you."

"I'm sure you can," he murmured. "We really should get back before someone wonders where we are."

"I think most people are still asleep," she argued. "No one is going to miss us for a while."

Jon watched her as she swayed her arms in circles, enjoying herself in the water. His heart ached, knowing that he could only watch, he would never be able to touch her. She would never be his.


"Did he try something improper?" Jon asked tensely as he and Lyra headed inside.

She glanced at him and smiled.

"No, he didn't. And even if he would have, you know I can take care of myself."

Jon pressed his lips together; he didn't want to say what he was thinking. He wanted to wipe the arrogant smile off Jaime Lannister's face. Did Lyra find him handsome? Had something happened before Jon had arrived? No, he needed to stop this. Otherwise his jealousy would drive him mad. Lyra didn't belong to him; he had no right to be jealous. Perhaps not, but he did have the right to protect her from men like Jaime Lannister. He had the right to keep her safe.

"Nothing happened, Jon," she said and kissed his cheek. "But thank you for looking after me."

"I'll always look after you," he murmured. "You can count on that."