Note: I'm introducing an OC in this chapter.
And also I've got a question for you readers and I'd love your opinion. Feel free to answer in the reviews section.
Which pairing do you guys like best?
Jon/Daenerys
Jon/Margaery
Jon/Sansa
P.S. I make no promises though ;)
Now here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy it!!
One last thing there is a sword fight in this but I have never really written fight sequences before so I hope you guys will forgive me if it's horrible.
The swamps of the Neck had a mysterious and eerie vibe to Jon. They continued to deceive him, his next step would look solid and safe but once taken he would feel himself sinking into the slushy mud. Every step Jon took was accompanied with a squeak and he was beginning to lose his mind trying to finding his and Ghost's way to Greywater Watch.
Jon had been riding for a few days when he had reached the Neck. He had kept to traveling through the woods rather than the roads with the Ironborn raiding the lands. It was when Jon reached the Neck did he realize he had no idea how to get to Howland Reed. Greywater Watch was rumored to be a castle that moved, not even ravens could find it. He had been wondering around the Neck for a day, growing more and more frustrated with the hours passing. Jon wanted to get to Robb as soon as possible.
Seemingly getting nowhere, Jon decided to rest. He picked a spot that looked trustworthy below a tree. He tied his horse to the tree and beaconed Ghost to stay close who still strayed away against Jon's orders. He pulled out his leather skin and gulped down the water, sat down on the mushy soil and leaned against the tree wiping the sweat off his brow. The swamps of the Neck were humid and certainly did not agree with Jon.
Jon rested his head on the tree's trunk and glanced at the sky. The canopies of the trees restricted his view but he could catch glimpses. Blue with a cloud here and there. It was refreshing sight after all the green Jon had seen in the Neck.
Jon's thoughts strayed to Ygritte. Her fire red hair and her equally fierce attitude. Thinking of her forced Jon to feel a pang of sadness, he missed her and the guilt was devouring him. He remembered the betrayed look she wore when he rode away, he remembered the mercy she had shown. Jon had spent enough time with Ygritte to understand that she had let him go. She may have shot him with a few arrows but he knew she had much better aim.
Jon's train of thoughts were interrupted by the slightest squeak, a noise Jon had grown overly familiar with in his day in the swamps. He was able unsheathe Longclaw just in time to get up and block a blow. The sound of steel clashing chased the birds away.
Jon retreated, assuming a defensive stance. Jon quickly assessed his surrounding and his opponent who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He was short and hooded but Jon was able to catch a glimpse of brown hair.
The hooded figure studied Jon for a moment and then lunged at him and Jon easily parried the blow. Jon took his turn to attack and tried to cut through the man's defense but was thrown off. Jon played by his strength, a mix of offense and defense. He realised his pattern was working as he noticed his opponent was tiring and blows became sloppy. Jon pushed forward and started to gain the upper hand as his opponent started to restrict himself and exercise caution. The hooded man locked blades with Jon, though Jon was visibly stronger. Jon was caught off guard when he was kicked in the leg and almost lost his balance on the slippery mud. The man took his advantage and shouldered Jon, causing him to slip and fall into the mud.
Jon tried to get up but his opponent placed his foot on his wrist, preventing him from using Longclaw and pointed his sword at his heart.
"You're good." A highly feminine voice declared from under the hood.
Jon peered into the hood and was surprised when he realised that he had actually been fighting a woman.
"You would have beaten me had I not known the terrain better. I know how to use it to my advantage." The woman continued.
Jon struggled to free himself but realised his attempts were futile. He silently prayed that Ghost was somewhere nearby.
"Who are you?" Jon questioned as he analyzed his surroundings.
The woman glanced at him from under her hood, "I should be asking you that." Though she did remove her hood in the process.
The woman looked to be around Lady Catelyn's age, perhaps a few namedays younger. Her hair was dirty blonde and looked northern. She was short even for a women. She carried a serious demeanor but Jon could see humor hidden in her brown eyes.
Jon weighed his options, waiting for Ghost to return or to obey the woman who stood over him. Her clothing and accent seemed to be native to the land and Jon supposed that perhaps she could help him get to Greywater Watch. He had always been told that the crannogmen were loyal to the Starks.
"I am Jon Snow, Lord Eddard Stark's son." Jon disclosed, "I carry a message for Lord Howland Reed."
The woman raised her eyebrows, "You do look like a Stark." She glanced at Longclaw's hilt, "And your hilt is a wolf. Did King Robb send you?"
Jon shook his head, "Maester Aemon of Castle Black did."
The woman looked surprised, "I never knew my brother was familiar with the Maester at Castle Black or anyone in the Night's Watch for that matter."
"Your brother?"
The woman smiled at Jon and chuckled, "I'm Yolande Reed. Howland is my elder brother."
Jon felt relief wash over him for a moment, at least Yolande would be able to take him to Greywater Watch. That is if she stopped stepping on his wrist.
Jon heard a growl from behind him and knew Ghost had finally come to his rescue and was most probably advancing on Yolande.
"Ghost, it's fine. She means no harm." Jon tried to reassure his direwolf. But then again, it really didn't look like that. Jon heard Ghost's continued advancing steps and glanced at Yolande who looked awed and terrified at the sight of the direwolf. Jon frantically motioned Yolande to let go of him and she obliged though a little reluctantly.
Jon got up and beaconed Ghost to come to him and ran his hand through Ghost's fur to reassure him that he was in no danger and turned back to Yolande Reed. She kept her distance from the wolf but glanced curiously at him.
"My lady, I was wondering if you could take me to Greywater Watch."
Yolande studied him for a moment then at Ghost and nodded. Jon untied his horse and grabbed the reins, following Yolande as she guided him through the marshes. Ghost followed at a small distance.
"How did you think you were going to get to Greywater Watch? It moves on a floating island." Yolande asked him.
Jon smiled sheepishly, "I didn't really think of that. It was only when I got to the Neck did I recall. A part of me always assumed it was a rumor."
"No, that rumor is true. Unlike others." She added bitterly.
Jon had heard a few rumors about the crannogmen, they were portrayed as savages by many and supposed that they were a people misunderstood much like the free folk.
"How do you find it then, if it moves?" Jon asked.
Yolande smiled, "The crannogmen never divulge thier secrets, Jon. We have our ways."
Yolande paved the way through the swamps, until they got to a boat on a small bank on the swampy river.
"You will have to keep your horse here. I'll have someone look after it." Yolande said.
Jon tied his horse to a tree nearby and helped Ghost get into the boat. He took the chest that the Maester Aemon gave him and placed it in as well. He climbed in himself followed by Yolande. It was a bit crowded in the boat with Ghost, but Jon made due with the space he had. Yolande grabbed the oars and starting rowing.
Jon couldn't make out the path they were taking, it was getting dark and everywhere looked the same to him. Dark and green. Yolande led the boat through narrow passages and seemed to know where she was going.
"So much green." Jon muttered under his breath.
Yolande let out a small laugh, "When you're in the Neck, green is all you'll see."
Jon turned to Yolande, she seemed like an unthreatening person and asked, "Why did you try to kill me earlier?"
"I wasn't necessarily trying to kill you. But I was able to put together that you are not from here. With Robb Stark south and the loss of Winterfell, we've been having more problems with the Freys than usual. I thought you might be one of their raiders. But I guess I could've asked you nicely who you were."
Jon silently agreed. Jon knew that the Reeds and Freys had always been in conflict about where the border of their lands lie.
After moments of silence, Yolande looked at Jon, "I'm sorry for all the losses your family has had recently."
Jon nodded and felt his throat tighten, he tried his best not to think of how his father was executed and of Bran and Rickon's burned bodies. Jon pretended to be engrossed in the sights around him to avoid talking about it.
The sun had started to set and soon Jon caught a glimpse of a grim castle on an island. It was made of dark stone and moss covered much of it's walls. Jon decided that the green moss gave the castle a mystical look. The castle itself was a formidable fortress, the walls were high and the towers higher. It was literally impregnable even without the moving island it floated on.
Yolande docked the boat on the island and led Jon and Ghost to Greywater Watch on foot. The sun was already down by the time they reached the castle gates. The guards saw Yolande and opened them. The castle looked bigger from inside the gates and Jon noticed that the castle was built in a manner reminiscent of southern architecture. The courtyard was lit with torches and men and women alike continued to go about their business.
Yolande walked up to a man who was talking a smith. He was tall and shared the same hair colour with Yolande. Jon noticed the lizard engraved on his tunic and deduced that this must be Lord Howland Reed. The man reminded Jon of his father.
"How did the hunt go, Yolande?" The man inquired, looking at Jon and his wolf questioningly.
"Well, brother. A Jon Snow should taste fine for dinner." Yolande answered grinning.
Jon glanced at Yolande from the corner of his eye and Yolande rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, "We're not cannibals, Jon."
Jon turned back to Lord Reed and was a bit unsettled by the way Howland Reed was looking at him. Lord Reed looked alarmed as he starred at Jon. Jon squirmed under his gaze.
Jon spoke up, "I'm Ned Stark's-"
"Son. I know." Lord Reed interrupted in a low voice.
Jon noticed Yolande look at them oddly.
"My lord, Maester Aemon sent me to deliver a message to you."
Lord Reed looked confused. "Of Castle Black. Maester Aemon of Castle Black." Jon offered a moment later.
Realization dawned upon Lord Reed, but he looked slightly uncomfortable and uncertain with the revelation. He nodded, "It must have been a long travel from the Wall. You may want to freshen yourself." Lord Reed pointed to Jon's muddy appearance. Jon almost heard Yolande smirk behind him.
Lord Reed turned to his sister, "Ready a guest room for Jon Snow." Yolande nodded in response. "And Jon, if you require anything do not hesitate to ask. We shall speak after dinner."
Jon bowed and followed Yolande in the castle as Ghost followed him. As he made his way, he could still feel Lord Reed's gaze on him.
The Flames Of Winter
Jon had dinner with the Reeds. He quite liked the Reeds. Howland Reed reminded him much of his father, their ideals and down to earth nature. Lord Reed treated him with courtesy that even unsettled Jon. Even the lords that came and visited Winterfell couldn't help treat him with a little disdain but Howland Reed showed none of that and treated him as if he was a trueborn son of his late liege lord. Lord Reed's wife, Jyana was kind too. Lady Yolande reminded him of Arya and Ygritte with her unladylike mannerisms.
Following dinner, Lord Reed called Jon to his solar. Jon retrieved the chest and letter from his room and went to meet with him. Lord Reed was seated behind his desk when he entered.
"Have a seat, Jon."
Jon placed the chest on Lord Reed's desk in front of him and had a seat. He took out the letter Maester Aemon gave him and handed it over to Lord Reed.
Lord Reed observed the crow seal and broke it. He read the letter in silence, his gaze occasionally shifting to Jon, making Jon slightly uncomfortable. As Lord Reed finished reading the scroll, his eyes shifted to the chest before him. Jon noticed a hint of amazement and awe in his eyes as he studied it. After Lord Reed recollected himself, he rolled the scroll and placed it in his drawer. He looked to be deliberating over whatever was in it.
The silence stretched over for a long time before Lord Reed returned his attention to Jon.
"I shall accompany you to meet King Robb in the Riverlands. Ravens find it hard to reach the castle so I don't know what his grace wishes me to do. I will take with me a few of my men, the rest will remain to protect the north from any attacks from the south. We begin riding tomorrow at noon."
Jon nodded, itching to ask Lord Reed what was in the letter but restrained himself, knowing it was none of his business. Lord Reed stood up and poured himself a horn of ale and then one for Jon. Lord Reed handed the beverage to Jon and retook his seat.
"We ride to war tomorrow, Jon. For now, revel in the peace we have."
Jon watched as Lord Reed drank from his horn and followed suit, Jon downed the ale, ignoring the burning in his throat. Lord Reed chuckled and poured Jon another one.
"I did the same thing with Ned before we rode to Dorne to find Lyanna." Lord Reed looked nostalgic as he recalled.
Jon's interest piqued, his father had always refused to talk about his aunt or trip to Dorne. Jon thought of asking if Lord Reed knew his mother since he had heard his mother was of Dorne. But he decided against it, he dreaded the answer, what if she was whore or what if Lord Reed didn't even know, then the identity of his mother would be lost forever. Gone to the grave along with his father. Instead,
"Did you know her? Aunt Lyanna?"
Lord Reed sipped his drink, "She was a fierce woman. Reminded me of my sister. They both did not like the life set out for them. Lyanna did not want to wed Robert Baratheon. While Yolande despised married life and I think she was slightly relieved when her husband died in Robert's Rebellion."
Lord Reed's gaze fell on Jon, "I owe my honor and perhaps my life to Lyanna. At the tourney of Harrenhal, a few squires bullied me, I was small for my age and couldn't defend myself. Lyanna came and chased them away and treated my wounds. Lyanna along with her brothers encouraged me to defend myself, I was hopeless at a lance and sword. So the next day, a knight with mismatched armour bits appeared. His shield emblazed with the image of a weirwood with a laughing red face. He challenged the knights whom the boys squired for and beat them. He demanded as his reward that knights teach their squires some honor. The knight of the Laughing Tree became quite popular among the smallfolk." Lord Reed chuckled and face darkened a little as he continued.
"Aerys was convinced that the knight was his enemy and demanded he be unmasked. But the knight disappeared before Aerys could get a grip on him. Later I found Lyanna trying to stuff away bits of armor."
Jon let out a laugh, his aunt sounded so much like Arya. Lord Reed smiled sadly at Jon's reaction,
"Lyanna Stark was a singular women. Kind and fierce. You would've liked her." Lord Reed said, looking at Jon intently.
A moment later, "No." He added softly, "You would've loved her."
Author's Note: Another Chapter! Hope you liked it. Thanks for all the love. Don't forget to fav, follow and review.