Leaving home

Although the victory against the wildlings had noticeably lifted the King's spirits, he decided that his party would not delay much further in their departure from Winterfell. He wanted to leave while the woods were still relatively free of them so as to avoid another scuffle as they would be travelling with women and children.

This was how Alynna found herself saying goodbye to the only home she had known so far. She would miss Winterfell dearly but it was nothing compared to pain of the separation with her twin and her half brother, no matter how temporarily. As she was leaving with the King's party, Jon was taking the black and Robb would be staying to act as lord of Winterfell, they would all be separated from one another for the first time since they were babies. Alynna could not remember ever being without them. They had learned everything together, how to walk, talk, ride, fight, dance and all the other things that had helped them become the persons they were today.

She took one last look at the room she had slept in since she was twelve years old, the age at which she had begged her mother for her own room so that she would not have to put up with her little sisters bickering. Everything had been packed away with great haste by the servants. Only her weapons and fighting gear had been packed by Alynna herself with the utmost care. All her things were already loaded on the carts leaving the room bare except for her bed. Everything except what she was wearing of course. She knew that her mother probably wouldn't agree with it but Alynna had decided to wear some of her weapons and her fighting gear on top of her dress under the excuse that if they were indeed attacked she would not have to go rummaging through her chests.

She was wearing a blue woolen riding dress with slits on both sides all the way up to the top of her legs. It forced her to wear breeches underneath so as not to be improper, or cold, but it would give her the mobility she needed to ride astride. On top she wore a thin but flexible armor covering her chest and her upper legs and arms. She also wore a cloak against the cold that was specifically designed to allow her to access her twin blades.

She wasn't wearing those today however. Instead she had strapped her normal sword, which was still shorter and lighter than most other swords, to her hip and she wore her bow and quiver across her back. After all, if they were attacked by wildlings it might come in handy to be able to shoot them down from a distance. Finally she wore a set of four throwing knives in her belt.

As Alynna turned around she saw Tala bouncing up to her and a smile broke out across her face. "Are you excited girl?" she asked, stroking her head. She no longer had to bend down to so as the wolves were now as big as a normal sized wolf. They clearly weren't done growing though and Alynna again wondered at the eventual size her darling little puppy would grow to be.

Seeing as she couldn't put it of anymore, Alynna made her way to the court yard to say goodbye to her family. She went to her mother first and hugged her lightly, weary of revealing the weapons she was wearing. It didn't went by unnoticed apparently as she received a brief disapproving look but no further comment.

"Be careful Aly." Her mother warned.

"I always am mother." At that her mother smiled "I'm sure you are."

"Where is Rickon?" Alynna asked scanning the crowd for him.

"In the crypts. He refuses to say goodbye." Alynna felt a pang of hurt at that. There was no more time to go look for him which would mean leaving without seeing him. Alynna looked to her mother and saw her hesitate.

"You should see this trip as an opportunity as well Aly." She said eventually.

"An opportunity for what?" Alynna asked surprised. To get myself killed?!

"To find yourself a husband." Alynna opened her mouth to protest but was interrupted "It is best you do this yourself rather than have it done for you." Her mother lectured. It took everything Alynna had not to pout like a child, the thought of marriage to some stranger being truly abhorrent to her. Instead she just nodded.

Catelyn could still feel her daughter's reluctance and so smiled at her reassuringly and let the topic slide. She kissed her on the forehead one last time "You had best see to your other goodbyes now sweetheart."

"Alright. Goodbye mother." Alynna took one last look at her mother and then turned to find Robb and Jon.

Those two were waiting at the stables apparently waiting for her. They just looked at one another for a few awkward moments. "You both be careful alright?" Alynna said softly "We'll see each other in a few months so don't do anything stupid in the meantime."

"I don't think I can promise that. With the both of you and father gone, I'm bound to make some mistakes." Robb said with a rueful smile. Alynna could see he was scared of the responsibility which would now be resting on his shoulders. She had no doubt however that her brother would do an excellent job of it.

"Yes well if you don't know what to do in a situation, you think about what father would do. If that doesn't help you think about what I would do. If that doesn't help, don't do anything at all." She said flippantly.

Her brothers burst out laughing at that and her twin pulled her in his arms and gave her a bear hug. Alynna freed one arm and pulled Jon towards her as well. The three of them stood like that for a long time, just taking in the comforting feeling of each other's presence for one last time.

After a while they heard Benjen calling for his group to leave and so they broke apart. Alynna and Robb smiled at their half brother. She gave him a kiss on his cheek and Robb clasped his forearm for a moment. Then Jon walked away and there were only the two of them.

"Please be careful of the Lannisters" Robb asked her beseechingly. Alynna nodded "I will and I'll let you know if anything happens."

They broke apart so Robb could go to the cart where their younger siblings would be riding on and say his goodbyes while Alynna went to retrieve Midnight. She took her back to where her siblings were standing and noticed that the front of the caravan had already started moving. When she arrived at the cart she saw Robb lifting both Arya and Bran up in turn to help them climb on, takng the opportunity to hug them both. The cart started moving and Alynna turned to Rob. They clasped forearms and hugged that way one last time. Robb released her but Alynna didn't pull completely away and rested her forehead against Robb's for a few moments, looking in his eyes.

When she couldn't stand it anymore she brusquely pulled away, mounted Midnight in one swift move and steered her to follow the caravan. She didn't dare look back and so urged Midnight into a faster pace hoping to catch her Uncle Benjen's group and say goodbye to him before he left.

She was in luck, the little group was waiting on Jon who was talking with their father. Not wanting to intrude on their conversation, Alynna rode to her Uncle who smiled at her approach. "Ah Aly! Come to say goodbye to your favorite uncle?"

"Yes I have." Alynna said steering her horse beside his and clasping his hand for a moment. "You'll protect him won't you?" She asked quietly since Tyrion Lannister was within hearing distance.

"Aye I will." Her uncle smiled reassuringly. "You be careful down south niece. It's an unforgivable place and it has swallowed to many Stark children already." He warned.

"I promise, though you be careful as well!" Aly replied to which her uncle burst out laughing. He motioned to Jon who was watching their father ride towards the caravan. "Go say your goodbyes little one, we'll wait a few moments more." Alynna nodded and quickly rode down.

When she reached him she leaned of Midnight to hug him a little. "You'll write me?" She asked when she released him. He smiled "I will if you will."

"Deal." She said. Jon smiled sadly and motioned for her to ride on "Go on, off with you." She nodded and bowed as much as she could "Lord Snow." Jon returned the gesture "My lady."

After that last moment Alynna turned Midnight around and looked at Winterfell one last time. She then drove Midnight's fastest pace to catch up with her siblings cart, startling many of the foot folk along the way.

Author's note: Here's the next one. I hope you like it! I have received very few reactions to the last 9 chapters so I'm not sure people even like this story. Please review if only to ease my mind! Even if it's just a few words, I would love to hear them!