Amariah was short of a bad mood in the early hours of the day. Her bare feet tapped against the cold floors in agitation of the chambers she shared with her sister as her handmaiden made do with her hair. It had been washed the night before and was now being undone from its braid to cascade down the young girl's back. The waves were soft as fingers ran through them and Amariah's voice was stiff as she halted the handmaiden, Neerie, from twisting it into some form of a bun.
"No, leave it. It'll probably help stave off the bloody cold," she all but grumbled.
The woman thrice her age chuckled. For the many years she worked for the Oardens, Amariah was the one who made mornings unbearable for the others. Having gotten used to it though, she nodded with a "Very well" and walked to the chest that encased the girl's dresses.
If there was one thing that really got under Amariah's skin it would be the cold. She enjoyed warm weather with a breeze to keep the people cool. Not the freezing cold that left her sweltering beneath heaps of garment.
She walked on the tips of her toes to retrieve the dress she would wear that day. She would probably change it as the day would slowly come to a pass but it was fine for now. She wasn't dressing to impress anyone. Besides, not much of Winterfell was awake.
Even though she was intolerable in the mornings, Amariah always found herself almost always awake before the rest of her family. Sometimes her father or eldest brother would be seen treading through the fields of their home in the early hours but who was to say they were doing such here now in the blasted cold. And no matter how hard she tried, it was hard for the youngest girl to bring herself to sleep after having woken.
Amariah tried dressing quietly seeing as her sister was still fast asleep and she'd done well as she left the chambers without so much as stirring the other girl from her slumber. Now if there was one thing Paige Oarden could not tolerate it was lack of sleep. Something other members of the family have learned of the hard way.
Her steps were practically soundless against the stone floors of the Winterfell castle as she made her way through the halls. The ends of her cloak dragged over the floors just as quietly all the while she hoped she knew what she was doing. Or at least knew where she was going.
She was on her way to look for her brother Sam in hopes of spending the usual quality time with him. Quality time being him resting in bed as she poked and prodded at his belongings until he couldn't take any more of it. Then he would accompany her for something to eat and soon after they would go their separate ways. It was a routine of theirs because it was apparent that Amariah could not and would not rest easy until she pissed someone off in the mornings just so they could be in the same foul mood as her. The problem was that Sam was always the victim hence why she went searching for his chambers.
He'd taken her there yesterday after having the Arya incident. He knew she would search for him the next day and made sure to tell her where it was he would reside with their brother Edmund. Now though, Amariah couldn't seem to remember much of the way he'd taken her and was silently cursing herself for not having paid much attention. She only remembered the smallest of details like how and where the torches that brought light into the castle that was yet to awaken were placed.
Amariah counted each flame she knew someone would put out once the sun was fully set upon them. She did remember there would be four flames to her left then a door. Passing that would be another four flames and then another door. Or were they all supposed to be to her right?
The girl came to a halt and bit her lip in frustration.
She was beginning to hate Winterfell and their maze of a castle.
With as much confidence as she could muster, she continued until she reached the hall with the four flames to her-currently her left. She came to remember the area quite clearly and took to the door she knew her brothers were staying in. She knocked in a pattern only known to her and her twin so that he would know of her presence before she entered the chambers.
There were little things such as knocking patterns the twins shared. Though their sex be different, the likeness they shared after having shared a womb together made them almost inseparable. Because of that, during their years of training, the two found themselves often times separated. When they would sneak out to find one another they would use codes to let the other know they were coming. Soon the adults of the castle knew that if one of them were missing surely the other was as well and that they went off to do foolishness only children were known to do.
After having knocked, she entered the room with a huff. It was dark save for the little light coming through the window and it made Amariah even more annoyed.
"Sam," she called stiffly.
The boy groaned and she could see him roll over onto his stomach.
"Sam. Get up." She tried again more loudly. She didn't want to wake up the other boy but if having to do so to get the twin up then so be it.
Amariah walked over to the bed to see him covering his head with a pillow. She couldn't make out much in the dark but she knew what he did because this was a usual thing between them and it left her feeling disgruntled.
Sighing loudly, she did to him what she would always do to bring him to attention. The girl ripped the pillow from him and slammed it against the boy's back.
"Get up." She spoke loud enough to startle him but not so the rest of the castle would hear her.
"For once," Sam started with a grumble. "I would like to start my day without your bloody tantrums."
He reached for his pillow, pulling it with a furiosity that left his sister's hands raw and itching from the emptiness.
Edmund Oarden stirred with a heavy sigh. This, per say, was not a usual for him. Overhearing the bickering twins was one thing. Hearing it within his chambers was another and he made a point to show he did not care for their problems as he flopped onto his back with a huff of frustration.
Without a word, Sam pushed off from the bed and searched for his furs in silence. He wore nothing but his sleeping clothes and it was something a lordling was not to be seen in lest he wished to be mocked, but a lordling like him never gave a damn. After having it within his grasp he wrapped himself and led his sister out in the silence the littlest of the siblings left them in.
The hall was brighter than before with the sun starting to rise just higher than it was. It was enough for Amariah to see the scowl her brother had. It was deeper than usual; the lines on his face so pronounced to the point where he looked older than his age.
She saw him shiver from the cold and regain his composure as he stalked off to the only place she could think of him to go: the great hall to feast.
Food was a comfort to him. It could be to any man. Warm his belly and he'd be in your debt. You could end a rebellion possibly even a war with food. Though it can well enough start one as well.
The two traveled in silence much to Sam's gusto. Amariah must have sensed the tension and did well to keep her mouth shut. She knew how unfair she could be and there was a sliver of regret at how unjust her actions towards her brother had been. It was when the two entered the great hall where she felt an easiness slip over them as Sam made a sound of appreciation at the smell of breakfast that wafted through the air. It warmed the sister's heart to see how quick his mood could shift from something as simple as food.
There weren't many who occupied the seats in the hall but the two found themselves drawn to the table they'd sat at the day before as maidens came with plates and drinks to fill them with.
Amariah soon found her mood shift into an easiness just like her brother's as they were presented with bowls of soup. She bit her lip as she staved off the urge to burrow her face in it just as she had done yesterday. All to give her family a good name.
It was here that she knew better than to interrupt Sam who ate away in content. Though he smiled softly at the taste of his own bowl it did not mean he was ready to hear her mouth yet again. It really was too damn early.
The two ate in silence before Amariah decided to look around. Some people came and went, the hall soon filling itself with those who'd awaken to enjoy the chilly day.
Not many paid mind to her stares as she took to remember whether she'd seen some of these people the day before. All the while she looked, she felt a pair of eyes on her person. She searched the owner of those eyes and felt warmth surge through as she saw who it was that had been staring at her so intently.
Jon Snow watched her every move. He'd gone to bed with the image of her beauty embedded into his mind and awoke to believe he'd exaggerated it but now seeing her just feet away from him, he felt his stomach leap. All the while that he allowed his eyes to take her in, he remembered in full the words exchanged between he and his brother. On how if the match-making between Robb and Paige would not work out, that he should be set up with Amariah. The very girl Jon felt himself growing fond of.
He wanted to believe all would be well between Paige and his brother but he would then scold himself on his stupidity. Even if things went well, why would his father agree on letting a bastard like him marry someone of nobility like Amariah? Who was to say her father would even come close to allowing such a travesty to happen? Why was he even talking about marriage? So soon.
He watched her as she watched him. She did little yet it did so much to him and yet again there was another scolding he gave himself.
You're a bastard. You belong with Night's Watch. Not with her.
Yes, the Night's Watch. He'd been telling himself this for quite some time now. After his incident with Ros he knew then what was best for him to do. So there was no need for him to become so attached to a girl who since day one would never nor could ever be his.
Without a word, Amariah stood and for a second Jon thought she would approach him but instead made her way to the doors.
Sam rolled his eyes at the fact that after she had her fill of lighting his morning on fire with her fury she would come to abandon him. As per usual.
Before exiting the hall, Amariah looked to Jon once more. Her eyes beckoned for him to follow and the bastard found himself looking around nervously and wondered if he should pursue her. The girl left and it took a couple of minutes of her idling by the stables before she felt a presence encroach behind her. Turning around, Amariah was a bit stunned to find not Jon but a giant instead who smiled at her with warmth.
His height was beyond startling as he looked menacing yet his smile gave him a charm that she couldn't help but react positive to.
"Hello." She smiled.
"Hodor."
Her brows shot up and was momentarily confused at what he'd spoken.
"Hodor? Is that your name?"
"Hodor." He nodded in agreement.
Amariah chuckled before reaching out a hand to which he grasped and shook in greeting.
"My name is Amariah."
"Hodor."
She frowned slightly and was about to say something before a familiar voice rang aloud. "It's all he knows how to say."
Jon slowly made his way to the two all the while berating himself in coming out to her at all. Her eyes were alight with something he could not guess and for a second there, he foolishly thought she was actually happy to see him.
Hodor nodded to Jon before looking back at her. He spoke his name once more as a way of goodbye before he entered the stables and began to work in feeding the horses.
"Interesting," she mumbled.
Looking back at Jon, she felt a smile creep upon her lips. And with sudden shame, she averted her eyes to the snow covered ground as she voiced her thoughts.
"I thought you would not join me."
Jon frowned and instead of telling her the truth, that originally he did not want to join her for a more selfish reason, he found himself humoring her.
"Why did you think that?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. You seemed hesitant."
To this he nodded and Amariah watched as he battled with himself over a truth he seemed to wish to tell.
"You thought about not coming."
Jon could do nothing but nod again and he instantly regretted it as he saw how her face grew solemn to this truth. Though she quickly covered it with a knowing smile.
"It's okay."
"No, it's not." Jon sighed.
He didn't know why he was trying to excuse himself and he visibly cringed at how desperate he became in front of her.
She laughed before reaching out a hand to which he stared at in confusion.
"Walk with me?"
It was definitely a wish she wished to be fulfilled and one Jon obliged to willingly. He approached her with his arm crooked for hers to hook around and felt the o' so familiar leap in his belly as her hand rested on top of his.
She did not know where to go and so instilled all her trust unto Jon as he lead her away to somewhere, anywhere unknown. Their steps were slow and easy and they walked past the people of Winterfell whose shops were beginning to open and welcome all those who would come by. It was cold out and Amariah took the chance to lean further into Jon who didn't seem to mind. Though now she had furs of her own, it didn't change the fact that she was more susceptible to the chill air.
Bracing herself for a conversation, Amariah began to speak to kill the quiet that settled between them.
"So what has you up so early this morn'?"
He'd been thinking to himself before she spoke. He was telling himself to be calm and mindful of her. Mindful that people were watching the bastard and the lady make way through the town. Jon wanted to put some distance between them for he knew gossip would form but he chose to answer her question instead.
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
Amariah smiled before placing her other hand on his bicep. She felt the urge to run her fingers along the leather that covered his arm but stopped herself from doing so lest she make him uncomfortable with her forwardness.
"I find it hard for me to sleep in."
"So do I." Jon agreed.
Though impossible as it had to be, he could feel the warmth radiating from her hands and he forced his lips to fight the oncoming presence of a smile.
Not wanting to end their talk, she asked question after question no matter how dull they be in hopes to hear his voice. She really enjoyed the sound of it and once or twice she found herself giggling over silly little things he said. They kept on like this as she let him sweep her away. Farther still they went until feet away from them stood a white tree with leaves a bold color of red like blood having just bloomed. The branches twisted and rose up like claws reaching, grasping for anything.
Side-eyeing her, Jon took note of the curiosity and awe that lit the girl's face and he almost gave himself a pat on the back for bringing her here to the weirwood tree.
As they drew closer, Amariah could see a pool of water just in front of the tree that had frozen over by the cold. Around it were greens that were somehow untouched by the snow except for a hint of frost that glazed over it. Bringing her over to the opposite of the pond, Jon brought her directly before the weirwood and heard the little breath of wonder escape from her lips as she eyed the very thing that made these trees unique. There was a face seemingly carved into the bark and it stared back at them with a look to haunt the dreams of children and with sap seeping from the eyes in the same shade of red as the leaves.
"This is a weirwood heart tree. It is where we come to worship the old gods."
Before she could let the image take her away completely she spoke of its beauty and drew herself ever closer to take in the face.
Jon stepped in time with her and marveled in the sight himself. Though he grew up around it, the tree always left him breathless. And even more so now as the girl next to him seemingly fought the urge to reach out and touch it. Without asking if that were what she wished to do, he took her hand in his and placed it on the bark to make it seem as if she were cradling the face of a child. As she ran her fingers slowly over the wood Jon recanted what he knew of the weirwoods.
"The faces, it is told, were carved by the children of the forest. From here, the old gods watch us and bear witness to their followers and all that they do."
To this, Amariah pulled back hurriedly. There was a slight panic that took over her at the idea of the old gods watching as she caressed their very face. She was quick to back away, feeling her arm graze Jon's and her foot twisting around his own. The awkward collision forced her to trip back into the ground and Jon who she grasped at for help, fell beside her. Part of him lied on top of her and before he could utter an apology, he could feel her shake beneath him as she began to laugh. He eyed her as if she had gone mad but her laughter was contagious and soon he joined in with laughter of his own.
Amariah placed her hand over her eyes as she continued to laugh. How stupid was she? Her fear of the gods had her running off and here she was, in all her clumsy glory, on the floor with Jon there to laugh with or at her. Either way, the sound of it was glorious to her ears. She brought her hand back down beside her and looked at Jon whose laughter began to die down just as hers did. Neither noticed how close their faces were and it was when he saw the way she bit her lip that Jon pulled back in the same hurried fashion as she had done just moments before.
He did not get up from the ground but he made sure to place some distance between them before she lifted herself up on her elbow to even out their height.
Looking directly at him, Amariah could feel the same blush that shown on Jon's face flow through her cheeks and up to her ears. There was a shyness in her that made her heart beat heavily against her chest and she forced it down with a little boldness.
"Sorry," she laughed.
"No, I'm sorry." His eyes did not wander up to meet her own.
With another laugh, Amariah looked to the weirwood and watched as it watched the two of them sprawled on the ground like children at play.
"They're watching us, you say?"
Jon looked up to the tree and hummed as he nodded.
With a deviousness she could not pin on where it must have came, Amariah leaned in and placed a kiss on Jon's cheek. It was soft and chaste with her hand having grabbed his chin in a light hold. It was everything she knew she shouldn't have done and everything he knew he shouldn't have enjoyed. Before he could look her in the eyes, she stood and her back was to him with her skirts leaving a trail in the snow as she left him alone on the ground.
His eyes still wide with surprise took to stare back at the tree and for once he was at a lost for words.
AN: Sorry I left it off here. The chapter got way longer than I meant it to so consider this part 1 and the next chapter will be part 2.
Amariah can come off a little flighty and Jon of course is the opposite and that will be something that will continue to play in the story.
It's sad how you all don't know whether Robb will end up with Paige or Amariah and I of course won't say a word until later, later on. Plus, this will follow pretty closely to the timeline of the books/show so there will be a lot of angst, pain, moments of happiness and love and so much more.
Thank you for the continuous support. Although the updates are not constant I'm still receiving follows, favs, and reviews and that's always appreciated.
Reviews:
The Unfamiliar: Thank you! Ah yeah Catelyn can be very overwhelming, haha. I'm glad you love Amariah and Arya is a favorite who I'm sure got into plenty more trouble than what we've seen and read in the books so it's fun to write about her little antics.
amrawo: Thank you! Sorry the update took long but here it is. Hope you enjoy it as well.
harrylee94: Thank you and I'm interested in where I'm going with it myself, haha. And thank you again. I always feel a bit of giddiness when I write her and Jon's interactions because they're so different from one another and it's just so. much. fun. Well I hope you enjoy this chapter and the others to come!
electrogirl88: Gah! Thank you so much. It's always hard to write out a character that's already been written. You don't want to make them to OOC and to know that you feel like I'm doing a great job with writing him means a lot. So again, thank you.
Savannah's Angels: Thank you! And you'll have to wait and see ;)