I was awake early. With the men going North, there was a great deal of preparation and much to oversee. Robb was enthusiastically giving orders. For a moment, he stole my attention. There was something so appealing in his confidence and how he managed to maintain this easiness in his mannerisms.

"Lady Analysa."

"Sorry?" I replied, turning around.

"You wanted to send more supplies to the Night's Watch?"

I nodded, feeling my face redden as I realized this poor woman had probably been calling my name for quite some time. I could tell from that patient smile she gave me.

"Y-yes, um, I spoke with Ser Rodrik; the men in armory should know what additionally is to be given to the Watch."

The woman bowed, "Milady."

I felt a pair of cool eyes on my back and glanced to see that Robb was grinning at me. I returned his smile before turning away to go to the kitchens. We were to have a massive farewell feast that evening for the royal family and much of our family, and I was curious where that would leave Winterfell. Likely, Robb would get his wish to finagle a hunt for himself soon. He could certainly pass off the duty, but he wouldn't.

"Well…" I looked up to see Jon rounding the corner.

I stopped dead in my tracks, "Well…"

We both stood there, looking towards each other, but avoiding eye contact. I could feel the tears stinging my eyes and my stomach starting to tighten. Maybe if I could look away for long enough, I could push the emotions away. Finally, I just shook my head, knowing I would lose the battle, and closed the gap between us, hugging Jon. I let out a cry as the tears came tumbling from my eyes onto his shoulder; he pulled me a bit tighter.

"I'm going to miss you," I said softly.

"I'll miss you too, but I will see you again, Ana," he swore.

I nodded into his shoulder. Jon pulled back just slightly, looking at me until I forced myself to gaze up at him.

"You have been every bit as much of a brother to me as Willem and Philip, and I've barely known for half a year," I stumbled through my tears, watching Jon's eyes start to well up as he bit the inside of his mouth. "I can't thank you enough for everything, Jon, and I'm so sorry you're leaving."

Jon exhaled quickly, trying to keep his composure as he sniffed back some tears. "No matter what happens, you will always be my sister. I will need you to look after Robb. He gets so hot headed sometimes, and you need to cool him down."

I nodded.

"He's going to rely on you, and I'm going to rely on you."

Again, I nodded as Jon brushed away my tears.

"I could never have left if I didn't know he'd have you."

My tears started to slow as I pulled out a small wooden token from my pocket and handed it to Jon. It had the crest of my house carved into it.

"Just so you don't forget me," I said softly.

Jon hugged me once more, "That's not possible, but thank you."

I kissed Jon on the cheek and gave him one more look, squeezing his hand. I would see him as he rode off, but I would have to be strong out there. Safely hidden within the halls of Winterfell, I still could show what I truly felt.

"Be careful," I whispered.

"You too."

I continued onto the kitchen. My breathing steadied as I brushed away the last remnants of my tears. When I returned to the courtyard, the party to the North had gathered in the courtyard. I found my space next to Robb, who was stationed at the right hand of his father. Lady Catelyn was nowhere to be seen.

Jon seemed to be averting everyone's gaze until the last moment. First to me with a confident smile; then, to Robb with a look of disappointment at losing so many memories; and finally to his father, with gratefulness. And with a swift turn of his horse, Jon left Winterfell.

Instinctively, my hand found Robb's. Standing together for a moment, we watched as the last of the dust fade from the horse hooves. I stole a glance at Robb; he managed a smile before we returned to our busy day.

I was in a daze for much of the afternoon but made a point to have a final archery lesson with Arya. She was already beginning to move the target into the middle of the room when I stopped her.

"Not today," I replied.

Arya furrowed her eyebrows, "I thought—"

"—Moving targets," I interrupted.

Arya's eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at me, "Really?"

"Oh, why not?" I teased with a smirk.

Arya was extremely enthusiastic as I tossed different objects into the air for her. Unfortunately, enthusiasm did not convert to accuracy. Her sparkling eyes slowly darkening with each miss.

"You need to remember your breathing," I cautioned. "No matter what you feel, whether your target is moving or stationary, big or small, you have to stay calm."

She shrugged a little, kicking at the some invisible dirt on the floor.

"I miss him too," I added, knowing she was thinking of Jon.

I watched Arya for a moment. She refused to meet my gaze, but I could tell her expression was softening.

"It's hard when you are worried about family or friends, but you have to find a way to concentrate," I added, sitting down along the window ledge.

I glanced outside. Robb and Joffrey were sparring; Robb appeared to be getting the better of him as usual.

"How do you do it?" Arya asked quietly, sitting next me.

I shook my head, thinking of my tears this morning. I certainly was not calm then, but ultimately, thinking back to the morning reminded me of what kept me going on. "I think what's always helped me is when I know other people rely on me. Do you remember the day when my family was to leave Winterfell?"

Arya nodded, "When you were attacked?"

"Yes…when I found out that my father and sister were gone, I stayed strong as I rode back to Winterfell and as I told Robb and your father what happened because Willem needed me. My little brother, Philip, needed me, and my mother needed me. Even when things are very frightening or hard or you are completely terrified, it helps to remember that people are trusting you, relying on you."

She scoffed, "No one relies on me."

"Of course they do. Your mother will rely on you to represent the Starks in King's Landing. Your father will look to you to grow and become more independent. I will rely on you to look after Sansa."

Finally, I got a laugh from Arya. "I will try, but she is too in love with Joffrey to be bothered with me." Despite her giggle, there was disappointment, almost hurt, hiding behind her dark eyes.

I brushed her hair out of her face, adding, "Then, I shall need you to ground her a bit."

"Like you with Robb?" Arya asked a small smirk.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, brushing her hair back into her face. "Your brother and the crowned prince are a far cry from each other. I can afford to have my head in the clouds a bit more than she can."

"Fine, fine."

"Now, are you ready to go again?"

Arya was on her feet before I could even register a reaction. Before the session was over, she had managed to hit one target. It may have been more luck than anything else, but her elated smiles and leaping celebration was too infectious to stop.

At supper, I tried to pay extra attention to Sansa; however, I could see what Arya meant. She was lost looking at Joffrey, all smiles and blushes. It seemed nearly impossible to get her attention until one moment as she leaned close to me.

"Oh Ana, I think we shall be as happy as you and Robb," Sansa whispered.

I smiled softly at her, "I hope so."

"Who will be happy?" Joffrey asked, inserting himself into conversation.

Sansa blushed as I replied, "Oh Sansa was simply saying that she felt she would be most happy in King's Landing."

Joffrey glanced around the room, "No, not much to miss I imagine here in the ice, especially when faced with everything we have to offer."

"Don't suppose you will have much to miss, Joff; you've lost every sparring match, nearly fell from your horse in the hunt, got spooked from my direwolf. Winterfell has been a cold place for you," Robb spoke up as Joffrey's expression darkened.

He had enough of the prince and was more than anxious to get the whole royal family out of our halls. Although I whole-heartedly agreed, I did thump him on his leg, giving him a warning stare. Robb reproached me with a look and turned away to Theon as Sansa gracefully found a new topic of conversation for the prince.

"What was that?" Robb snapped as we left the Great Hall.

"I suppose it was my fault for thinking you were finally being the man you have to be to lead Winterfell," I returned, whirling around to face him.

Robb seemed to almost laugh as he stared at me except there was no humor in his eyes, "Excuse me?"

"Your sister is going to marry that boy!" I exclaimed.

"And? You want me to be nice to him? He's horrible. When we were hunting, he went after small animals for fun. Who does that?"

"Someone who is terribly sick and wrong in the head. And you decide it is a good idea to antagonize and humiliate him just before he leaves with your little sisters!"

A look of realization briefly passed over Robb's eyes. It did not last, though, as his stubbornness kicked out the recognition, replacing it with a hardened stare.

"That was to remind him it would be a bad idea to hurt my family," Robb retorted.

I raised my eyes to the heavens, "Yes, I'm sure that will be successful when he's practically a month's journey from Winterfell."

"How would you like me to behave in this situation, Ana? Tell me, what would you most like to hear?" Robb demanded.

"I would like you to not stoop to the level of a child with taunts. You don't have to be nice to him, but whatever you do, remember, there are always consequences; you just might not be the one to feel them."

With that, I turned away. I knew Robb would return to the Great Hall, find Theon, and probably drink much more ale. I heard him stumble into our chamber in the middle of the night. His steps seemed oddly measured for someone who was supposed to be drunk as though he were pretending, doing so only to wake me up.

I lay still, my back to him, as Robb sat down on the corner of the bed. I could feel his cool eyes on my back, but I remained still. With a long sigh, I heard him pull of his shirt and pants and collapse underneath the blankets before blowing out the candle I left for him next to our bed.