Happy New Year! :-)

Coming home

After the crowd that assembled to welcome them slowly returned to their duties, the one whom Jon wanted to meet the most steps to two of them.

She arrived with the Starks and she managed to remain behind while the others left the courtyard.

"Lord Stark. Jon. I'm happy you came home."

Robb's name she pronounces courteously. His name, however, sounds like a confession, like hundreds of other unspeakable words.

"Lady Jeyne," Robb greets her.

"Lady Jeyne," Jon echoes while Ghost and Storm do what he cannot, and run to her.

Jeyne is careful as always. She looks at Robb and smiles at him, but Jon knows that every joyous look and every smile and the blush on her cheeks is for him.

"We missed Winterfell," he says, hoping Jeyne will understand.

Unfortunately, Robb does as well.

"That's true," he confirms in a teasing voice. "Jon didn't talk about anything else but Winterfell during these weeks. Although we saw lots of beauty in White Harbor. Such an exciting place, right, Jon?"

Now, Jeyne turns to Jon and raises her eyebrows.

"Oh, really?" Her eyes are laughing.

"I wasn't fascinated by it," Jon replies with a dry smile.

Actually, Robb was not fascinated by it either. Undoubtedly, the town by the sea and the port's varied folk were interesting, and interpreting the hidden shades and meanings of Lord Manderly's words amused them. For a while.

But by the time the news of the King's death had arrived, both of them were fed up with White Harbor.

"I have to go," Jeyne realizes suddenly, frightened. "Surely, Lady Sansa and Lady Arya are already waiting for me. Septa Mordane doesn't like it if any of us are late."

"I would take it to my heart if you got into trouble because of us. Maybe we can accompany you on your way though." Robb suggests. "If you agree, brother."

"It's very kind of you, Lord Stark," Jeyne curtsies.

"Yes, very kind, Lord Stark," Jon mumbles.

But his tone does not fool Robb. Jon is grateful to him, truly, and he knows that.

"My lady mother would like to hear everything about our journey. Forthwith. It's better not to make her wait." Robb gestures towards the entrance of the castle. "Only after you, my lady."

He lets not just Jeyne but Jon as well go in the hallways before himself. They are walking close to each other, closer than they have to, closer than they should and the back of their hands are touching from time to time.

And after all, Lady Catelyn must wait, because the sewing chamber is in the opposite direction to the solar.