Jon

When dawn broke, Jon had taken his lady wife to the Wolfswood the next day as promised. Summoning a score of men as protection should anything happen on their journey. He set the pace, driving his black destrier in a gallop along his wife.

Narella had been found in the courtyard with Sansa in conversation. The words spoken of younger days of loved ones missed. His sister spoke little in contribute although the hint of a smile replied.

"You know, my brother was quite smitten with your beauty. He could never stop speaking of that fantasy wedding he so hoped for! Do you remember him well?"

In notice of his presence, his wife's short smile ended the one sided verse in respect. "Free you go sister. I shall keep you no more."

"Have a pleasant hunt, my lady. Jon."

After exiting the gates of Winterfell, Jon thought of something clever to say to his brown beauty. Anything to pursue the feeling he felt when he is with her. Though I'm guilty of thinking of Ygritte. "Do we have to slowly ride? I want the wind lashing at my face and then the feel of a bow in my hands, it has been so long!" Narella said, interrupting his thoughts.

He liked this side of her. She wanted no pretty words but the adventure. "No pretty words for you then," Jon teased.

Laughing, she smiled to him brightly. "I have years to hear them husband. Who knows, maybe you'll woo me later." Before thought, she sped her palfrey ahead. Laughing loudly as Jon trailed behind.

The wolfswood stretches across the northwestern part of the north toward the edge of the wood the party dismounted. Setting five men with the horses and the rest to follow. Jon had been wary of danger since the Wall. The beginning of his family's downfall.

Narella had wore riding clothing for the occasion and he found himself wishing she'd wear it all the time. I don't deserve it or her. They walked around the bare pines finding game on the trails. She strayed away in search though Jon saw the hare ahead too late. Her keen eye quick she loosed before he could see notch.

She smiled widely retrieving her rabbit. "Where's that challenge Lord Snow?"

The wind cold and fierce they trudged together against the push. Day had yeilded to dusk quickly to it's bloody surrender. In the prowl of the ground the lovers hunted their fill of game.

"No fair! Ghost helped you with the last boar. The sneak! I see why'd you called him that."

Their laughter filling him with happiness. He brought his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. I think that's a draw."

"Tell me true... Who's Ygritte? I-I heard you when we..."

Stunned, "she was my love. I met her before. Beyond the Wall." Had I talked of her? "When we, what?"

"Our wedding night, my lord." Narella had said walking off. Memories of the first night ended in a slumber of bliss. Guilty of using her body for comfort. Like a boy during his first woman.

What? Stupidly, he stood planted. Thinking back to that night he hadn't remembered saying her name. "I did not know of saying her-"

Catching up to her near the stream she waved him off in silence. "-Stop. I shouldn't have brought it up. I just wanted to... She's lucky."

"She was." His answer brought a sorrow to her features in one steady swoop of words. Immediately, his guilt overcame him of the sudden sadness he caused. "I could never ask anything of you but your time... For however long we have. I'm trying... Miserably, I know."

Jon knew his words didn't ease her. He didn't think they would. Brown eyes casted to the ground told all to him of the bastard he was walking back toward the steeds. The ride home had been silent between the two.

Entering the Hall had been a solemn march together pass the lords and ladies of the north. Many of the houses that were summoned had been seated on long tables below the raised dais. Sitting there felt odd to Jon. Having always previously sat beneath the platform. Jon remembered when King Robert was a guest at Winterfell, he had sat with young squires getting drunk for the first time. It seemed a lifetime ago.

A knight of Lord Umber's retinue spoke aloud them in a commanding voice in start. "You can't expect the North to side with Wildling invaders!"

"We didn't invade. We were invited." Tormund spoke in ragged sheepskins eating a chicken in one fist.

Jon stood abrubtly, "the Free Folk and the northerners fought bravely, fought together, and we won. My father used to say we find our true friends in the battlefield-"

"The Boltons are defeated, the war is over. Winter has come. If the maesters are right, it'll be the coldest one in a thousand years. We should ride home and wait out the common storms." Lady Cerwyn said, homely.

"The war is not over, and I promise you, my lady, the true enemy won't wait out the storm. He brings the storm."

The Hall once again erupted in murmurs amongst the men and women.

"Your son was butchered at the Red Wedding, Lord Manderly, but you refused the call. You swore allegiance to House Stark, Lord Glover, but in their hour of greatest need, you refused the call. And, you, Lady Cerwyn, your brother was killed during the sack of Winterfell, still you refused the call. House Umber remembers, House Firestone remembers, and House Mormont remembers. The North remembers. We know no king, but the King of the North who's name is Stark. I don't care if he's a bastard. Ned Stark's blood runs through his veins. He's my king from this day, until his last day." A few cheers had been heard and many murmured at Lady Lyanna Mormont's speech.

"Lady Mormont, speaks harshly and truly. My son died for Robb Stark, the Young Wolf. I didn't think we'd find another king in my lifetime. I didn't commit my men to your cause, 'cause I didn't want more Manderlys dying for nothing. But I was wrong. Jon Snow avenged the Red Wedding. He is the White Wolf. The King in the North." Lord Manderly had said, bending the knee.

Lord Glover stood, "I didn't fight beside you on the field and I will regret that until my dying day. A man can only admit he was wrong and asks for forgiveness."

"There's nothing to forgive, my lord." Jon replied, stunned.

"There will be more fights to come. House Glover will stand behind House Stark as we have for a thousand years. And I will stand behind Jon Snow... the King in the North!"

"The King in the North!"

"THE KING IN THE NORTH! THE KING IN THE NORTH! THE KING IN THE NORTH!" The Great Hall erupted in the same chant as the men drew their swords, raised.

Looking to Sansa for assurance, Jon seen the nod and smile she directed at him. Turning, he embraced his title with honor.