Disclaimer: I do no own any part or parcel of The Song of Ice and Fire series. That right belongs to the talented George R.R. Martin. I am just using his skills as a muse for my own entertainment. The character of Misha is mine and does not appear in any of the books or the television.

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Misha was right when she had said Lord Eddard would be generous in their wedding gift. Several days after the wedding, they were requested to join Eddard for a ride to a neighbouring cluster of villages that was just beyond the convenience of Winterfell, north of Holdfast and northeast of Tumbledown Tower, on the edge of the Wolfswood near the White Knife

They came upon a fair-sized keep made of stone. To both Misha and Jon, it resembled a much smaller Winterfell, right down to the Glass Garden. Misha was choked with gratitude and happiness. As soon as they had dismounted, she threw her hands around Ned thanking him a thousand times for his generosity.

Ned led them into the house where they were met with their new household. Some were familiar faces from Winterfell and others were new people, presumably from the neighbouring villages.

"Well Jon, you are the Lord of your own keep now." Jon couldn't speak. He never imagined in a thousand years that he would be presented with such generosity. He had gone from a bastard to a Lord in just over a years' time. "Well son, what shall it be called?"

Jon looked at Misha who was standing at the window, taking in the landscape the Woods and road on one side and marshland leading to a bay on the banks of the White Knife far to the right.

Without turning, she responded "Fenmere, my dear Husband."

Eddard laughed. "Happy wife, happy life, Jon. Do you agree with the naming?"

Smiling, Jon responded, "Yes, father. Fenmere will do well."

"Good." Ned bent over some parchment on the table and signed in the name Fenmere on several blank spots on various pages. "Now, Lord Jon of Fenmere, do you swear fealty to House Stark and Winterfell? To come to our aid whenever it is asked of you without question knowing that desertion of this oath will result in being stripped of all lands, titles and should the prevailing lord see fit, your life?"

Jon took a knee in front of this father and bowed his head, "I swear fealty to House Stark and Winterfell. To come to their aid whenever called without question or hesitation, I swear it on the Old Gods." He knew his father would not insist he swear it on the new Gods.

The documents were signed, witnessed and sealed. Ned went over their holdings so both Jon and Misha knew what was now theirs and left them.

Over half a year had passed in peaceful quietude. They had ridden to the villages that were now theirs to keep and learned the names of the persons on the councils in those villages, learned of any concerns and did what they could for those concerns. They were happy and peaceful until the sight of a raven on a cloudy day made Misha's blood run cold.

Dark Wings, dark words. Lord Eddards words came easily to her mind at the sight of the raven flying towards Fenmere. Quickly, Misha walked back to the keep from the garden where she had been tending to the weeds, preparing it for planting.

Jon was already waiting in the yard for the raven to land. He deftly pulled out the small scroll tied to the creatures' leg.

"What is it? News from Winterfell?" She asked nervously. There had been word from Lord Eddard at Kings Landing that things hadn't been going so well since King Roberts' death. Misha knew better than to trust Joffrey to have anything remotely close to honour and he made his dislike of the Stark family plain when he stayed with them, despite being betrothed to Sansa.

She feared the worst when she saw his face.

"They've taken my father prisoner and named him a traitor. He is being charged with high treason and accused of attempting to usurp the throne. Robb has called the banners and is riding south with an army intent on bringing them home." He pulled her into his arms as he finished.

"And you are to go with him?" she asked into his shoulder. She knew the answer; there was no question in her mind. They had only been married for barely six months. It hardly seemed fair that they would be separated so soon.

"I must go with him. He is my brother going to save our father. I can't let him go alone. Besides, our house belongs to Winterfell. I am honour bound to go." He held her at arm's length. They had just started their lives together, he didn't like leaving her alone so far from Winterfell but he had his fathers and sisters to think about also. He knew Misha would be safer with the small guard at Fenmere than his sisters would be with a whole army in Kings Landing. "I will leave Ghost here, he will protect you."

"No, Ghost must go with you. As long as he will with you, I will know you are safe," she replied, making it clear in her tone that there was to be no discussion about it.

Jon only nodded in resignation. Part of the reason he wanted Ghost to stay was so she wouldn't see him die, if it came to that.

He called for his mount and had it saddled and bridled as Misha collected a few provisions and packed them in his saddle bags. With a hurried kiss and a tight embrace, he was gone with the men and Ghost tight on his heels and Misha was left alone. Again.