Chapter 4

Jon had just seen his father and sisters off. He stood there in the courtyard with Robb and Rickon waving their goodbyes. Damaris had fallen ill and was currently on bed rest. She had said her goodbyes from her chambers. Catelyn also had as she refused to leave Bran's side. There were no cheers or smiles or applause for the new Hand and his departure. It was a sad day. No one wanted the Starks to leave.

. . .

Damaris was asleep in her chambers. Jon needed some time to think about everything she had told him the day before in the woods. How could he make this better for Damaris? She would have to live with the pain that was inflicted upon her by her tribe for the rest of her life. Jon was secretly glad they were all dead, every single one of them. They were guilty for their atrocities. Jon found Robb deep in thought, at the training ground. He was sitting on one of the benches. He noticed Jon approaching and gave a small smile.

"Hello dear brother, how have you been?" asked Robb, embracing him. "I feel like it's been forever since we've talked properly."

"And whose fault is that Lord of Winterfell?" Jon laughed.

"Not just mine, I have heard you have become quite close with that Damaris girl." Robb questioned, arching an eyebrow. He looked at the expression of Jon's face and immediately frowned. "What is it Jon? What's happened?"

"Aye, we have become close yes." He paused for a moment. "She has informed me of what her life was like with her tribe. Robb it was awful. I don't know what I should. I don't know how to comfort her or make her better or forget." Jon looked at Robb and noticed the puzzled look on his face. "She was raped and whipped among other things."

Jon could see anger rising up in Robb. "But she was a princess!" He stammered.

"That is why it happened. The law for them is the chief picks whoever he wants to be his wife. The girl must accept or be dealt with accordingly. Damaris was picked and she refused. He had his guards pin her down and then he publicly raped her in front of everyone. Once he was finished he flogged her. She was 14 at the time. No one stopped what was going on. They all thought she deserved it. Her own mother couldn't even look at her. So she agreed to marry him after that. He raped her every night before the wedding saying that's what she deserved for denying her leader." Jon was full of rage by now. "But the night before the wedding she smothered him. The people then looked for a new chief and Damaris was betrothed to that one. She agreed but only if he could wait till she was 15. He agreed and then on her fifteenth name day she ran away. She was imprisoned by Wildlings, Robb. Wildlings! She escaped and then she found her tribe. She had been gone for a year; they all thought she was dead. They forced her to marry the chief or they said they would kill her this time. She did. A week later, the chief ate a handful of poisonous berries. He died. And Damaris was appointed their leader. She had been for a year before we found her here. Robb I don't know what to do."

Robb was silent for a few moments, pondering everything Jon had just told him.

"She is strong to have gone through so much. It is obvious that you care deeply for her Jon and I will not hold it against her that she killed someone. In my opinion it was necessary. I think all you can do is be there for her. She is welcome to stay here Jon. To live. I mean you gave up your 'dream' of taking the black for her."

"I gave it up because father asked me too."

"You gave it up without a second thought because you wanted to be near Damaris."

Jon was silent, he didn't want to have this discussion with Robb anymore. He had a point though, Damaris was strong and he would have to be there for her. But he did not want to admit he stayed for her. He had only really just met Damaris. Known her for only a couple of weeks. And yet, he knew all the troubles she had to face. She should never have had to suffer so much like that, Jon thought to himself. His thoughts were interrupted when they were interrupted.

"Lord Stark, please come quick there is a fire in the library!"

Jon and Robb looked at each other worried. How on earth did a fire start there?

"Jon, go check on Mother and the boys. I will go to the fire. Make haste."

Jon nodded and made his way to Bran's chambers. He passed Rickon who was fast asleep in his chambers. He then continued on. The door was wide open and Jon unsheathed his sword. It was a bloodbath. There was a man dead on the floor with his throat ripped out. Jon noticed Summer covered in blood sitting on Bran's bed. He rushed to him making sure he was okay, that's when he noticed Lady Stark. She was clutching her hands and Jon saw the cuts. He ran over to her, ripping some cloth from his tunic. He wrapped it around her hands. She glared at him, but it there was no real spite. He figured the ordeal had taken the hate out of her.

"Who was that man?" Jon asked, still dressing the wounds.

"An assassin." That was all Lady Stark would say to him.

"What in the seven hells has happened!" Robb yelled as he stood in the doorway.

. . .

Jon had taken his leave from the chamber. He knew that he was not welcome there. Besides, Robb would tell him all that had happened after. Jon needed to check on Damaris to make sure she was alright. He found her chamber and knocked on the door. There was no answer. He knocked again. Same result. He pushed the chamber door open only to find an empty bed and no Damaris. Where was she?

He racing around the castle looking for her, he checked the stables first and her horse was still there. He went to the kitchens and hall, still no sign of her. He asked her handmaiden who said she had not seen her since she retired that night. The handmaiden kept avoiding eye contact with him until he realised that his shirt was dipped with blood and could start to see his stomach from the piece he had torn off. He needed to change quickly. He ran to his chambers. He flung the door open and began stripping off immediately when he noticed someone in the chair.

"Don't stop on my account." The girl giggled. Jon realised it was Damaris' voice.

"I've been looking everywhere for you! Why are you here?" Jon asked, before quieting down. "What's wrong, are you ok? You're not hurt are you?"

"I'm fine Jon." Damaris interrupted. "I came here to find you, I heard all the commotion and one of the servants told me there was a fire. I was just checking you were okay. I decided to wait in your chambers until you returned."

Jon laughed. "I guess we both had the same idea."

He went and sat next on his bed facing her and noticed the worried look on her face.

"Jon, your shirt." She stammered. "There's blood, are you hurt? What happened!"

"It's not my blood, I am fine. Lady Stark and Bran were attacked when the fire was going on. I don't think the fire was an accident. To be truthful, I think it was a diversion. I think the main target was Lady Stark and my brother."

"But why would someone do that?"

"We never thought Bran fell from the tower, we think he was pushed. This really only confirms our suspicions."

Damaris didn't know what to say so she just nodded. This had been seven hells of a day.

"Jon?" Damaris began. He looked up at her smiled. "Can I sleep here tonight?"

He was quite taken aback by her request but nodded when he realised she was scared. She got off her chair and gave Jon a quick embrace before climbing under the furs. She noticed just how exhausted he looked and felt on twinge of guilt for asking to share his bed. Jon got up and quickly took off his tunic, replacing it with a new one. Damaris had caught a quick glance at his naked chest for the second time that day and felt her stomach flutter. She hoped the dim light masked her blush. Jon got into the bed kind of self-consciously and blew out the candle. He turned to face Damaris. He whispered so softly Damaris nearly didn't catch what he said.

"Goodnight, my love."

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has been following along with this story! And also a big thank you to those who reviewed it! I would love to know all your thoughts on this story and the relationship between Jon and Damaris. I think I want to try and establish stronger ties towards the other family members for Damaris, but we shall see. Reviews would be greatly appreciated so I have an idea if you love/hate it! Thanks everyone (: