Hello! Guess whose back with a chapter later than she intended because of college classes? This chick!:-D Anyway, thank you so much everyone for the massive support that you've given me since last post. As always, there would be no new chapter without the amazing input of my super beta xXRoweenaJAgustineXx, whose writing skill is unmatched, so please check out her work. And to all of you wonderful people, I appreciate all of the favorites, follows, and just the time you take to read. It really does make me happy knowing that something I created provides even a little enjoyment to another person. Everyone who reviewed, I give you a massive digital hug. I got way more reviews for the latest chapter than any of the ones before, and it means a lot to me. Actually hearing your thoughts and opinions about my posts, whether positive or negative or anything else, is something I look forward to just as much as I hope you all look forward to the updates.
You'll notice that this chapter is a part one, because it's not all of what I intended to be the last pre-canon chapter. But since I don't want to dump an obnoxiously long chapter on you and don't want you to wait any longer because I'm too slow, I'm posting the first scenes now and will be out with the last of the pre-canon chapters within the next week or two. Please enjoy, leave a review to share what you thought of this update and what you might want to see with the canon timeline, or anything else, and know that CANON IS COMING!
Chapter 24: The Passage of Time Part 1
She found herself in the godswood, still and beautiful under a blanket of snow. All the trees but the evergreens had lost their leaves many moons ago, and now a thin layer of ice coated their bare branches with icicles sparkling like diamonds in the weak northern sun. She picked up her skirts as she treaded lightly over the snow with bare feet. The cool slush felt soothing against her aching, swollen ankles.
Glancing down, she couldn't see her feet over the broad curve of her belly. She sighed and rubbed her bump absently, making her way to a little, green garden hidden away among the trees. She studied the rows of wheat, potatoes, carrots, and greens carefully as she passed them. Green stalks, shrubs, and vines poked out of the snow, and though a fine layer of frost covered their leaves, they looked vibrant with life. Stopping when she reached the berry bushes, she plucked a few red holly berries from a branch and popped them into her mouth. She closed her eyes and chewed slowly, savoring the sweetness on her tongue and the cool against the soles of her feet.
"You and your odd habits." She didn't even flinch as his fingers gripped her hip. Brushing her hair aside, he tucked a delicate flower behind her ear, a winter rose probably. He always called her his winter rose, a beautiful blossom sprung up from an icy waste. "Are you sure it's safe for the baby?" He asked as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Of course, I would never risk our child," she huffed fondly, only slightly incensed. She smiled as he turned her around in his embrace.
And everything suddenly went dark. She lay in the dirt, her bare skin freezing against the brutal winter air. They stared at her with those unnatural eyes as agonizing pain continued to burn in her chest. She screamed as the sensation spread throughout her entire body, making her limbs contort in unnatural ways. She could feel the life leaving her as shadow danced at the edge of her vision. She was going to die, just like the ones before her had, and the others after her would. She was going to die without ever saying goodbye... The pain started to ebb as everything faded away... but then abruptly, something yanked her back from the brink of death. She breathed in sharply as the cold fled from her skin. Her eyes shot open to reveal a pale hand splayed on her chest and a pair of star sapphire eyes staring down at her.
Hazelyn gasped as she opened her eyes, clutching at her chest. The dream had already started to fade, but vague sensations of sweetness, light, and darkness, and an echo of horrific pain lingered, along with the crystal clear image of a pair of unnatural eyes that caused a deep chill in her bones. No natural creature had eyes like those.
Despite the heat of the large body curled up next to her and the heavy furs covering them, her teeth chattered and a shiver went up her spine. She extricated herself from the strong pair of wrapped around her waist slowly in an effort to not wake her bed mate.
She smiled when she looked down at Robb's peaceful, sleeping face, his mouth hanging open and some of his curly, bronze hair swept over his forehead. He hated it whenever anyone called him a boy, but he really did look like one laying there, totally vulnerable and at ease with the world, no fear or worry weighing his heart heavy.
He'd begun to help his father govern Winterfell and would be a father himself soon enough, but he really was just a boy in so many ways. And she was just a girl. They were both so young, but here they were, married, playing at being a lord and lady, and about to have a child. True, other boys and girls their age were already settled, starting a family, just as they were. But things would be different if she and Robb were lowborn; Hazelyn had no illusions life would be easier, but they wouldn't have to concern themselves with an entire region of people, and the inter workings of the lords, if Robb had been a simple sheep herder. Would they be able to handle all of it? Hazelyn bit her lip. Robb, she had no doubt would be a wonderful father and had the makings of a great leader. It was herself that she worried about.
Slipping on her robe to cover her naked body, she hugged herself as she crept over to the hearth. She tossed some wood from the grate on its dying embers and prodded the logs to bring the fire back to life. She then got her knife and some wood from the side table, curled up by the flames, and carved. Staring into the flickering light, she tired to recall the hazy images of her nightmare. Her fingers moved intuitively and after a few minutes, she looked down to see she'd etched a circle with a line slashing through it into the hard material. She frowned, turning the wood chunk over in her hand so her fingers could trace along the odd mark.
"Hazel?" Hazelyn looked up as Robb slowly sat upright, rubbing his tired face. "Why aren't you in bed?" He yawned.
"I just felt a bit stifled," she called out quietly. "You can go back to sleep."
"I will as soon as my wife joins me," he smiled, patting the empty space on the mattress beside him.
"I'll probably be up for awhile, and you have to rise early to ride to Torrhen's Square with your father," she reminded him. "You need to get some rest."
"You're growing our child inside of you, so you need rest as well," Robb retorted playfully. He smirked. "And if you were really concerned about me getting sleep, then why did you jump me as soon as we turned in?"
"I didn't hear you complaining," Hazelyn snorted as she rolled her eyes at him.
"I definitely didn't," Robb chuckled, "But since I wore you out, I won't get any rest unless you're getting the sleep you need."
Hazelyn stood, tilting her head to the side. "I believe I was the one who wore you out. You fell asleep first." She smiled.
"Fine," Robb laughed. "But that just means you slept less then me, and I'm not going to fall asleep knowing something is bothering you, so," he patted the bed again.
"Nothing is bothering me," Hazel denied even as she slowly walked back towards the bed.
"Hazel." Robb raised his brows and looked at her knowingly, reminding her of the promise she'd made a moon before.
Sighing, Hazelyn untied her robe and dropped it on the floor before getting into the bed. Robb rolled onto his side and propped his head on his hand. "This isn't the first night you've gotten up. You looked exhausted."
Hazelyn laid her head back on a pillow and stared the grey stone ceiling. "I've just felt restless, you old nag."
She glanced down when she felt his hand on her. "Is it something with the baby?" Robb asked gently as he rubbed her still flat stomach.
Hazelyn turned her head to look at him, biting her lip. "No, I've just been having strange dreams."
Robb's brow furrowed. "About your father and that man? You know I'd never let-"
"No! I know you wouldn't," she smiled at him before frowning again. "They're different. I can't remember what they're about. I only recall vague feelings. Sometimes they're good, but sometimes..." She closed her eyes as she recalled the echo of pain, the cold she'd felt. "They're unsettling."
"Maybe Maester Luwin can give you something to help you sleep," Robb murmured. His hand stopped moving as he stared at her. "You know, you're safe, right? I won't ever let anything happen to you, either of you." He pressed on her belly to prove his point.
"I know that," Hazelyn smiled. "And I promise you they're not about that anymore. It's probably just a side effect of the pregnancy. I'll ask Maester Luwin for something tomorrow."
"Good," Robb sighed in relief. A smile crept back onto his face as he looked down at her stomach. "I think she's starting to show," he rubbed over her naval fondly.
Hazelyn snorted. "I'm not even three moons along yet Robb. I still have a few weeks yet until I start to grow fat. And what makes you think the babe is a girl?"
Robb grinned, reaching an arm around her to draw her closer to him. "Firstly, you're not getting fat. You're having a child, and second, I'm her father, I can sense it."
"I am getting bigger," Hazelyn scowled, hands falling to her belly. She swore the supple flesh felt rounder. But she didn't think Robb would notice so soon! "And the baby is literally connected to me, so I'd know better, and I say it's a boy."
"Well, whatever the babe is, I can't wait," Robb leaned in press to a kiss to his wife's hair. "And I actually like that you're getting bigger."
Hazelyn frowned in confusion but when Robb's eyes slipped down to her breast, as well as his hand, she grasped indignantly. "Robb Stark! Don't you even-"
Robb silenced her with a deep kiss, his hand still on her breast, fingers pinching at the nipple. Her eyes widened as he rolled her under him. Panting hard as they separated, Robb grinned wolvishly at her. "I don't want to sleep anymore tonight," he breathed.
"Well, as long as you don't act grumpy when you have to rise in a few hours," Hazelyn smiled as she stroked his hair.
"As long as you don't get cross with me. In fact, Let me show you just how much I like the bigger parts of you."
Hazelyn's giggle turned into a whimper as he kissed down her neck, her strange dreams slipping from her mind.
A thrill rushed through Jon's veins as he swung his wooden sword again at Theon's side. He let out a laugh of victory in response to the ironborn's pained grimace.
"Theon , you need to move quicker so you don't leave your side exposed to attack. Armor won't always protect you!" Rodrick instructed firmly. "And Jon," he directed his stern blue eyes at his lord's base born son, "Don't ever act cocky in a fight. You already let you guard down, see?" He nodded at Jon's relaxed sword arm. "If you grow overconfident and underestimate your opponent, you'll be cut down before you can blink." He crossed his arms. "Alright then lads, no one's yielded yet, so keep on!"
Jon jumped back into the brawl with joy, pivoting quickly as Theon jabbed at his back. It took a great deal of effort not to smirk as he easily deflected the parry and advanced on the Greyjoy again. Every lunge and strike Theon made, he readily met with one in return. The iron islander made it far too easy, always glancing at where he'd strike, giving himself away. Jon could end this sparring match in an instant, but he wanted to savor the moment. Sword fighting was one of the only activities that he bested the cocky ward in. It was the one thing that Theon couldn't taunt him about.
Jon almost let out another laugh as Theon sneered and over extended himself in a desperate attempt to trip his foe. Side stepping the wooden blade easily, Jon swung his practice sword with force at the back on Theon's legs. When the ironborn stumbled, he rammed his elbow down hard into the center of his Theon's back, making the ward fall face first into the dirt. He couldn't hold back his triumphant grin any longer as he pointed his weapon at Theon's neck. "Yeild."
"Fine, I yield," Theon wheezed as he pushed himself up on all fours. Jon 's grin only grew wider as he extended an arm to help the older boy up. They might always compete in the tiltyard, but Rodrick and his father had always taught them that once an opponent yielded, you treated them with fairness.
"Well done Snow!" Robb praised his brother with a firm clap on the shoulder.
And even Rodrick gave him a slight smile of approval. "Very good, Jon. Since you won, you and Robb can go a few rounds with steel swords. Theon, you need to work on your footwork with one of the guards. Now get on, I've had enough of looking at you three this afternoon," The old master at arms said with a cheeky smirk as he left the trio to attend other duti es.
As soon as Rodrick walked out of hearing range, Theon huffed, "Well I'm done with blades for the day! I'm going to the archery range."
"Can't handle another blow to your ego, Greyjoy?" Jon laughed. He knew he shouldn't goad Theon, but couldn't resist. When else did he have the upper hand?
"You beating me in one sparring match hardly dents my pride, Snow. I just think archery is a more practical skill to invest my time in," Theon retorted. "You need to see the whites of a man's eyes to strike him. I only need to see his shape. And women love a man who knows how keep his aim steady far more than those that just know how to jab with their swords. It's no wonder why all of them love more me than you," he smirked. "Either of you," he glared at a snickering Robb.
"Not all women, Greyjoy," Robb shot back. "I convinced Hazel to marry me, where as you could only get a slap and knife to the face from her."
"That's one woman, Stark," Theon held up a finger. "You fucking one girl from outside the brothel doesn't suddenly make you King in the North. And the only reason you can make your woman scream so bloody loud is because told you how."
Robb's face and ears grew redder than Sansa's hair. Even though Jon felt for him, he had to chuckle his brother's expression.
"What are you laughing at Snow? You're as hopeless as eunuch," Theon snapped. A slow smile spread across his lips as Jon scowled. "I guess you could say that I'm more skilled at using one kind of sword than you, so in the end, I win out over both of you. Have fun swinging your toys around lads, and I don't mean the ones in your breeches." He laughed and sprinted towards the archery range before either other man could strike him upside the head.
Jon stared after him darkly. Why did Theon always have to win? "You did well," Robb said resolutely to him, seeing the storm brewing in his face. "He just doesn't want to admit defeat." He grinned and shoved Jon lightly in the shoulder. "No brooding this afternoon. Let's get our swords and have ourselves a real fight."
Jon chuckled at his brother's persistent optimism. "Aye, lets."
"Anyway," Robb continued as they trekked towards the armory. "Neither of us are hopeless with girls."
"Well, you certainly aren't," Jon said with a smile. "Theon did have a point about the noise. You and Hazel aren't very shy about what you do at night. Everyone's just too polite to tell you we're all tired of hearing it."
"And you're completely innocent?" Robb raised a brow at Jon skeptically.
"What do you mean?" Jon's eyes widened, he could already feel his cheeks heating. True, he wasn't completely innocent anymore. A certain blonde maid had seen to that. Not that his brother or anyone else would know.
"You sneak away an awful lot these days, and then my wife always complains she can't find her maid, only to tell me later why."
Jon's jaw dropped. Surely Myna hadn't told someone. "Myna's a friend, we don't do anything like that."
"I said the same thing to you about Hazelyn moons ago and you knew it wasn't true. Besides, you're not half as convincing with that lie as I was. And your friend tells Hazel all about what you do when you spend time together. Not details, but we both know Jon. Does this mean you're not joining the Night's Watch?" Robb frowned curiously.
Jon opened his mouth but couldn't think of a proper answer. "I...don't know." He thought of Myna and her soft hair and sure hands, her mouth soft but heady against his. He thought of the Wall and the honor he'd earn for himself, thought of the life he'd always wanted to leave behind in favor of it. Hesitation twisted inside him, and Jon wondered for which path it was for. He had only known Myna for three moons. He liked her a great deal, and always looked forward to spending time with her more than anything else. And gods, she was good kisser. He felt warmer just thinking about. But he still wanted to join the Night's Watch. He didn't have anything offer Myna in terms of a future. How could he dare dream of a life with her when he knew full well other men could offer her better, offer her more?
Robb must have seen his conflicted expression, because he said, "I won't interrogate you about something you don't want talk about Jon. Just be careful, because I really don't want Hazel getting upset at me over you jilting her friend." He then smiled. "Now let's get to sparring so I can beat your arse."
Jon laughed and shoved Robb. "I wouldn't get your hopes up Stark."
Once they fetched their swords and donned some light armor, they found a less busy spot of the tilityard and began. The clash of metal on metal sounded like a song to Jon's ear. His blood coursed with excitement as he and his brother exchanged blows.
"You can yield any time, Snow," Robb taunted as he easily blocked another one of Jon's parries.
"Feel free Stark," Jon barked with a smile. Robb always used to beat him, but as they'd grown older and Jon had spent extra hours practicing with a blade, he had begun to win almost as many matches as his brother did.
"Beat him already, Jon!" The pair looked over to see Arya running towards them.
Gesturing to his brother to hold, Robb looked at his little sister and frowned sternly. "Arya, you're supposed to be in lessons with your septa, aren't you?"
"She was, but I got her and Sansa out so we could sew outside. Its to lovely a day to waste inside the castle walls," Hazelyn called as she walked up from behind Arya.
Just like a woods witch, she immediately caught Robb under her spell. "Hello there," the Stark heir grinned as he went to rest his hand his wife's already slightly rounded stomach, his fingers rubbing over the dark material of her gown.
"Sickening, aren't they?" Jon glanced up to see Myna standing in next to him smirking, a basket of sewing supplies over her arm.
"They're having their first child, so I think they get an excuse," Jon smiled back. Winterfell's bastard didn't think he'd ever seen his brother so happy.
"Perhaps," she nodded before turning to Arya. "You have to sew, little wolf, remember?" She fished out a sampler and offered it to the dark headed girl.
"Can't you or Hazel do it for me? I want to watch the sparring," Arya pleaded.
"No, you're already behind on your cross stitching, and if I did it for you, I'd lose my job," Myna pushed it into her hands. "Maybe if you finish the border pattern today, I could convince Hazelyn to get you out of lessons early tomorrow so we could shoot a few arrows."
"Fine," Arya sighed dramatically, snatching the sampler and trudging off.
"You sure bribing her is the best way to go?" Jon teased Myna.
She glanced up at him with a faux annoyed expression. "You do it all the time, so don't question my judgement."
"Of course, my lady," Jon mockingly bowed at her. "I'm sorry for causing offence."
"Maybe you will be sorry if I decide to not meet you in the godswood tonight," Myna challenged with a playful gleam in her eye.
"You don't show up, and I'll track you down," Jon shot back, trying not to laugh.
"That sounds fun actually," Myna raised her brow, making Jon flush. He started to grow heated just thinking about what Myna implied.
"Jon, help me move a bench so the girls can watch," Robb called to him.
Jon jumped a little, turning towards his brother with abruptly. "Right."
Placing a bench where the girls could see, Jon and Robb then resumed their match. As Jon suspected, his brother started attacking him more aggressively. He always did that when he knew Hazelyn was watching, to show off Jon supposed, but now he had someone too show off too as well.
Eventually, Robb did win the first match, but then the brothers fought another round and Jon won that one. The girls cheered them on in background.
The two men decided to go one more round to break their tie for the afternoon. Robb asked Hazelyn for a favor, and after she slipped a small bit of cloth in his pocket and pecked him lightly on the lips, the Stark gave Jon a smug look. "You can't possibly beat me now."
Jon glanced towards a certain blonde maid, who gave him a subtle wink. "I wouldn't get to cocky," he replied.
Their blades clanged together once more, both boys giving it their all. Jon felt sweat trickling down his back and his muscles burned, but he was confident he could wear his brother down . He soon had Robb on the defensive, attacking more than blocking, and he even managed to land a few blows that he knew would leave nasty bruises. But then he looked over at the girls. Hazelyn and Arya both watched the match with interest, and even Sansa had put her sampler aside to see how it would end, but Myna, the person he had wanted watching, wasn't focused on him at all. Instead she was caught up in a conversation with Theon Greyjoy. The arrogant young man said something and smirked as he gestured his bow suggestively, making Myna cover her mouth and giggle.
Jon scowled as a surge of anger went through him. Suddenly he felt an intense desire to hit Theon with his sword rather than Robb. And that distraction gave Robb the opportunity to strike. Jon grunted as the flat side of his brother's blade struck him in the stomach and knocked the wind of him. Before he could get his bearings a strong shove in the chest sent him flailing to the ground. He landed on his back in the dust, blinking as the metal tip of his brother's sword pointed to his face. "Told you that you couldn't beat me, Snow," Robb laughed breathlessly, grinning from ear to ear.
"Guess that's fair," Jon grumbled as he accepted defeat, taking his brother's offered hand to get back on his feet. Immediately, he looked over to where the girls stood, Theon still by their side. Thankfully, Myna didn't seem to be paying him mind anymore as she gathered the sewing supplies and prepared to go in.
"Well done you two! That was a well fought match," Hazelyn grinned as they made their way back to the bench.
"It was almost watching a tourney," Sansa agreed.
Robb chuckled in response, "Well as champion, I know who I'm crowning as my queen of love and beauty." As always, Jon got the feeling he was being intrusive as he watched his brother wrap an arm around his good sister's waist and pull her into his chest.
"Get off me, you're sweaty and dirty!" Hazelyn demanded playfully as Robb leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"Too late! I guess you'll need to bathe with me!"
"Robb!"
"You two are gross!" Arya shouted.
Jon finally looked away from the pair, but instead of mulling over loneliness growing in his gut, his eyes sought out Myna's. Sure enough she'd been watching them too, and when they their gazes met, he felt connection and contentment. She gathered up her basket of supplies and walked over to him.
"So, Lord Snow, who would you have named Queen of love and Beauty had you won that grand tourney? One of your sisters?" She smirked.
"I don't know," his lips curved upward. "Maybe if you do actually meet me in the Godswood this evening, I'll tell you."
"Maybe I will," she shrugged causally, as though he were asking her something painfully ordinary, but the gleam in her eyes was full of cheek.
Jon raised a brow. "Or I could always track you down."
Myna opened her mouth to reply when an interloper injected. "What's this? You harassing an innocent maid Snow?"
Jon's cheeks went red as Theon sidled up to them, bow slung over his shoulder.
"I'm just helping Myna track down supplies Hazel wanted," Jon snapped. "You don't need to butt into every conversation Greyjoy." He internally cringed when he spotted the disappointment that flashed through Myna's light brown eyes.
"Oh, that's all it is?" Theon questioned in a skeptical tone. "Well then," he turned towards Myna. "Are you sure I can't convince you to join me on the archery range this evening? I am the best archer in Winterfell and you'd be apt to learn a thing or two. I have excellent aim." His voice was heavy with implication as he side glanced at Jon.
Jealousy roaring inside of him, Jon sneered, "No, she doesn't Greyjoy."
Theon raised a brow at him. Myna scowled. "Thank you Jon, but I can speak for myself." She back turned to older lad. "Thank you for the offer m'lord, but I have other duties requiring my time tonight. Perhaps another time," she said with a tense smile.
"I'll remember that," Theon winked at her before walking away to talk with Robb.
"Why did you say 'another time'?" Jon asked Myna in annoyance.
Myna crossed her arms. "What else was I supposed to I go say to him? Unless you wanted me to say that I'm already kissing around with you."
"No, I don't anyone to know yet," Jon shook his head. "But you don't have to encourage him."
Myna glared as she fixed the basket of sewing supplies in the crook of her arm. "You can't have both ways, " she snapped, and he could hear the hurt that carried in her voice. She then called over to Hazelyn, "Zel, I'm going to return the samplers to Septa Mordane and then I'll get fresh linens to your chambers right after."
Hazelyn looked over from her conversation with Robb and frowned at Myna's disgruntled tone. " Alright. "
Without even looking at Jon, Myna nodded and stalked off. Immediately, Jon knew he'd screwed up. His regret and frustration with the situation compelled him to follow after her.
Dodging around other servants and workers, he didn't catch her until she had slipped into one of the lesser traveled servant passages of the keep. "Myna," he said as he gently grasped her arm.
Myna stopped on the spot and whipped around aggressively. Taken by surprise, Jon stumbled and collided with her. Automatically, he grasped her waist to keep her from falling, much like the night they'd met. But unlike then, once they both found their balance, Jon didn't pull his hands away and Myna didn't smile.
"Seven hells, Jon!" She scowled at him, her voice low and breathy, so as not to draw unwanted attention. "What do you want?" Her golden brown eyes burned and her nose scrunched up in a way that made a smile creep up on the bastard's face despite his frustrations.
Jon glanced down at her lips, pink and pouting, and then grasped her hips tighter. Pulling her closer to him, he did the only thing he could think to do, and pressed his mouth to hers. Myna almost immediately responded, her free arm wrapping around his neck. Feeling the heat spreading throughout his body, Jon drew her in closer and kissed her again. One of his hands traced up her spine and neck until he was able to work his fingers into her soft blonde hair, feeling the pull of the braids that kept her hair so lovely and neat. Myna sighed as he pulled golden strands loose, arching herself further into him.
The swell of her breasts pressed against his chest drew a groan from Jon. When they did things like this, everything else faded away. Suddenly, he was not a bastard, not a lords son, not a man with nothing to offer. When he kissed her this way, when she kissed him back, it felt like he could give her the world, give her anything her heart desired. The Night's Watch was distant, and Theon Greyjoy's advances didn't matter, because he was here with Myna and she was here with him. Beyond the pleasurable heat building up inisde him and his heart galloping like a horse, Jon felt closer to her than he'd ever felt to any other person, and for just a moment, all his worries, frustrations, and sorrows fell away.
But then Myna dropped her basket and brought her other arm around Jon's waist. Jon grunted when he felt her lower body press into his, and blood rushed towards his groin. He tried to ignore the building sensation, biting at Myna's lip, but then her leg rose and her thigh brushed against his hip. With a gasp, Jon turned his face away from Myna's and pushed her off him. He clenched his eyes shut as he tried to forget the ache his groin, knowing he absolutely couldn't go there.
He had been kissing her quite a lot over the past moon, but they hadn't particularly talked about it. He couldn't stop, but knew it would absolutely tear him apart if he bedded her out of wedlock, especially since he still harbored hopes to join the Night's Watch. Everything involving Myna confused him, he didn't know what to think of do.
"What was that?" Myna panted, looking up at him with flushed cheeks.
Jon stared at her, just trying to gather his thoughts. "I'm sorry I for acting like a prick," he blurted bluntly.
Myna frowned and placed a hand on his cheek. "Alright. But for the gods sake Jon, you can't get angry just because Theon Greyjoy makes a pass at me. You can't expect men to not look at me if you want to hide what we have, whatever it is." She stepped away from him and reached up to fiddle with her ever present bear pendant. "If you can feel that jealous, I can't understand why you're still so intent on hiding our relationship." Her frown deepened. "Are you ashamed of what we're doing?"
Jon sighed at Myna's pleading and hurt expression. How did he explain his jumbled thoughts and feelings to her when he couldn't make sense of them himself? "No," he shook his head, reaching to grab Myna's hand. He stared at their intertwined fingers as he said, "Its just...I'm not ashamed of you, but it wouldn't be right if we just came out with this." Myna tilted her head in confusion, so he tried to clarify. "I have spent so long wanting to join the Nights Watch, I don't know what others will think if I suddenly don't." Myna tensed at his mention of the Watch, so he squeezed her hand. "Myna," He tried reason, "Lady Catelyn hates me and would do what she could to get me out of the castle, maybe even getting Hazel to fire you in hopes I'd follow you out of Winterfell."
Myna pulled her hand away from his, an irritated expression on her face. "That would never happen, this is all just about the Night's Watch, isn't it? You're not entirely pure anymore, so you're afraid your father will question your plans to join the bloody watch."
"Myna," Jon grabbed her hand again. "Its not that! Its-"
"Well isn't this cute?" Jon's eyes widened in horror as Theon strolled up to them. "You do fancy this one Snow, don't you?"
"No!" Jon denied dropping Myna 's hand like a hot coal.
"You sure?" Theon asked while looking at Myna's face. Jon felt sick when he glanced at her and saw the hurt in her eyes. Jon looked back at Theon and then Myna again. A challenge appeared on both of their faces, to tell the truth they all knew or deny it and look the fool.
After a moment of silence passed, Myna shook her head. She turned away from him while Theon raised his brows in interest but then Jon said. "Aye, I do fancy her Greyjoy, so if you try to bed her again, I'll give you a broken nose and a blackened eye." Myna whipped around to stare at him while Theon laughed.
"I knew it!" He clapped his hands. "Well far be it from me to prevent from you finally taking an interest in a girl." He then he then turned to Myna. "But if he ever bores you too much, you know where to find me." Then with a mocking salute and smirk, he ambled off.
Myna continued to stare at Jon with wide eyes. "You know he's going to tell everyone in the bloody keep don't you?"
"That's the idea," Jon sighed before smiling. "Now I have an excuse to punch Greyjoy or any other man that gets to friendly with you."
"Oh that's the only reason," Myna grinned as she put a hand on her hip. "Nothing to do with me?"
"Nope, just so I can punch Theon," Jon chuckled. He crossed his arms, "Seeing that beautiful smile and getting to kiss you more are just unintended perks."
Myna scoffed. "That's total horse shit Snow."
Jon couldn't help the laugh that rumbled deep in his chest. Myna joined in, her giggles sounding like the clear babbling of a brook. "Come 'ere," Jon wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning in to catch her smiling lips in another kiss.
And that's it for now! I know, a rather light hearted and mushy chapter, but the characters have to have a little sunlight before the darkness... As I said, the last pre-canon chapter will be out very soon, but in the mean time, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Any idea what those dreams are? What would you want to see in canon or how do want it to be different with the new characters? Opinions on this chapter?
To answer some questions I've gotten, I will follow canon events somewhat, but I'm not going to be rehashing/recycling events and scenes shown in the show/books unless they at least have a different context and contribute to the plot. It's also not going to be an repeat of what the show/books portrayed, as much I can. But really guys, your opinions will help me make the canon stuff more exciting. If you'd like to see certain characters more or certain things happen, let me know! Thank you so much and I'll be back with the next update soon! CANON AND DIREWOLF PUPPIES ARE COMING!;-D