Running away still felt like a valid option. I could picture it, me and Jon living in the woods, maybe building a small house together, a farm. It wouldn't be a grand life, simple, living from day to day. But we would be together, and that's all I cared about. But it was too late for silly daydreams, no matter how vividly I could picture it.
We were leaving today. Me, Eddard Stark and the girls along with the royal family and our entourage to King's Landing. While Jon, Benjen and Tyrion Lannister would ride north, for the Wall. I didn't want to leave Jon's side until it was time to leave, but we each had our own goodbyes to say, something we couldn't do together.
The wolves, seeming to be aware of today's events choose to stay in the stables together, sleeping and playing with one another. Something I wished me and Jon could do instead of preparing for the trip. But it had to be done.
I made my way through the crowded courtyard to the godswood, thinking that I should pray for Bran at least once more before we left. Bran and Jon and everyone else.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone else would be here" I mumble awkwardly as I see Robb praying before the old heart tree.
~He said nothing as I sat down beside him, choosing to look into the pool of water instead.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asks, turning his head away from the tree to look at me. I looked at him confused, not entirely sure what he meant. Did he know about Jon and I's night together? This frustrated him and made the tips of his ears turn pink.
"Your name isn't Snow"
So that's what he meant.
"No, it isn't" I reply simply, unsure of how to explain myself to him. Robb has never accused me of anything, has never been cross with me unless I stayed out too late. I didn't know how to react to his judgment.
"Look, I know why you had to keep it a secret. You couldn't parade yourself around like a princess. But why didn't you tell me? We've been friends since the day you came here. You've confided in me about Jon and archery training and so many other things. Why not this?" he asks, turning to look at me with pain in his eyes.
"I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Lord Stark told me that if I told anyone about who I really was, that I'd likely be killed. And that it was likely you would all be killed too, in retaliation for 'harboring a fugitive'"
"But you told Jon," Robb says dryly.
"Yes, I told Jon"
"Why?" he asks, that same accusatory tone in his voice.
"Because he understood! He knew what it was like to be an outsider. A Snow. I knew he wouldn't tell anyone because he knew what was at stake and what would happen if he did" I say, getting tired of this circular conversation.
"I would know. You could have told me"
"Really? Think of what that would do Robb. You're the next Lord of Winterfell. What if the King had found out and stormed his way here. Would you honestly put your life, your family at risk to hide me?"
"You are my family"
"But not by blood. And in things like this blood runs thicker. I would never want you to put anyone's life in danger for me. It seemed easier this way. For you to be ignorant of who I truly am. What I am" I explain, trying my best to make him understand. He stays silent, turning his head to look back up at the wirewood tree.
"I wanted to be that person. The one you felt you could trust and tell anything to" he mumbles, not daring to look at me.
"You are Robb"
"No, not like you and Jon are. I wanted to be that to you. Still, do. I wanted to be the one you came crying to and depended on. I love you, for some time now" he admits. I stay quiet, unsure of what to say or do. Robb's always been a brother to me. I admit when I was younger there were sometimes when I imagined what kissing him would be like, but it was all innocent. Not like me and Jon.
"I thought I might've had a chance with you, even if I was heir to Winterfell and would be paired with some other northern lady. I thought you and I could end up together. That I could have convinced father to let me marry you. But then I saw how you looked at Jon, and that he looked at you the same way. You started drifting away from me and towards him. It breaks my heart, seeing you in love with another. I don't mind marrying you, it's what I've always wanted, but it would be easier if you weren't already in love with someone else" Robb admits, continuing to stare at the heart tree.
"I do believe that one day we could learn to love one another. Like my parents did. Jon won't be around, it'll just be you and I. We could make this work between us. In time." Robb says with a hopeful smile turning to look at me and grabbing my hand to give it a squeeze.
"I'm sorry Robb but I'm never going to stop loving Jon and I think you know that," I tell him honestly.
"I know and I'm not asking you to. But I am asking you to try to make this work between us, to try and forget or but your love for him aside. Once we're married we'll be expected to start having children...and I'll not force myself upon you. I'll wait until you're comfortable until we're comfortable with one another, but I need you to try and be okay with this. Try to be okay with me, with us" Robb begs.
After a second or two I slowly nod. I know I could never really forget Jon or push the love I have for him aside. But I could grow to love Robb. I already did love him as a sister and friend, perhaps our marriage didn't have to be much different from that.
"I'll try" I whisper with a shaky breath. Robb gives a half smile in return.
"I know this can't be easy. It's hard for me to come to terms with as well. But, I'll write to you when you go south. It'll be easier to go through with...everything if we stay familiar with one another" Robb says. I nod slowly, trying to let this all sink in.
"I agree," I say with a half smile. I stand up and he does as well, moving over the rock to stand in front of me. He holds out his hands and I slowly place my hands in his.
"I'll miss you while you're away, it'll be boring in Winterfell without you to look after," he says with a smile, slowly chipping away at the ice that was starting to grow between us. I let out a small laugh.
"You better be nice to the boys while I'm gone. Play with Rickon and Bran, they'll need you as a brother and not just their Lord" I tell him, causing him to let out a low chuckle.
"I will, I promise," he says, taking a step closer to me. He looks at me nervously, as if unsure about what he would do next. I was about to ask what was on his mind when he quickly leaned towards me and kissed my lips.
I was shocked, frozen in place. But after the shock wore off I had the sense to kiss him back. It was a soft kiss but left a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. It lasted a moment or two and he quickly pulled back to look at me. I suppose he thought I would be angry, but I wasn't. We would be married anyway, why should it matter if he kissed me now or not?
"I'm sorry, I just thought it would be best if-"
"No, it's alright," I tell him with what little smile I could muster. I quickly glanced over his shoulder, swearing I could see a glint of red hair.
"Well I won't keep you any longer, I know you still need to say goodbye to the boys," he says, giving my hands a final squeeze before dropping them.
"I'm going to miss you too Robb, even if we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, it'll be strange not seeing you every day. You'll be a welcomed sight when I return" I admit.
He smiles and turns to walk away, his cloak billowing behind him in the cold air. I let out a heavy sigh and turned to look at the tree. Why was this so hard? Why did my heart choose Jon?
"We're bonded you and I. By fate or the gods I don't know."
I groaned as his words echoed in my mind. Why did being bonded have to be so difficult? But I knew I would find my way back to Jon. That's what being bonded meant right?
After I mumbled a short prayer for Robb, Rickon, and Bran, I made my way to Bran's chambers.
Once I reached the top of the steps I ran into Jon, on his way down from Bran's chambers.
"How is he?" I ask, seeing Jon's grim expression. He stays silent, looking at me with pain in his eyes.
"Catelyn," I say with a heavy sigh. He nods. I step forward and pull him into a hug, trying to offer what comfort I could. I understood his pain. Catelyn was always so cruel to Jon. I could imagine how hateful she was, especially when she was fearing for Bran's life.
I pull back and place a kiss on his stubbly cheek, making him smile faintly. I take his hand and give it a light squeeze.
"I'll catch up with you in a bit" I mumble, releasing my hold on his hand so I could go say goodbye to Bran.
"Alright," Jon says with a tired sigh as he starts to descend the winding stairs. I hesitantly open the door, seeing Catelyn standing over Bran with anger and hurt written all over her face.
"What do you want?" Catelyn spits fiercely, not bothering to look at me.
"I only wish to tell Bran goodbye" I answer, trying to hold my ground. She only sighs in defeat.
"Be quick about it" She grumbles, returning to her chair by his right side. I move over to his left and sit on his bedside. I slowly move a piece of his dark brown hair out of his face. I take his left hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I'm sorry I'll be leaving you too Bran. Believe me, it wasn't my first choice. But I'll be back after you wake. And when I get back we can have target practice again, me, you and Robb, like before" I say, tears starting to form in my eyes.
"Everything is going to turn out okay in the end. You'll see. Goodbye Bran" I mumble, bringing his hand up to my lips and kissing the top. I stand back up and wipe the tears from my eyes as I leave the room. I slowly shut the door behind me and make my way down the stairs, holding back the tears from my eyes. I would miss Bran of course, but saying goodbye to him...it felt like I would never return. Somehow in my heart I knew, I would never return to this place, to what's been known as my home. At the very least when I returned I wouldn't be the same.
I walked into the courtyard and started looking around for little Rickon. When I couldn't find him anywhere on the ground I began walking towards the broken tower and there he was. Rickon was sitting against the tower with Shaggydog sitting on his left.
"Can I sit with you?" I ask, smiling at seeing his dirty face. He shrugged. I walked over and took a seat on his right side, leaning my back against the stones.
"Everyone's leaving, you and father and Jon...why can't they stay?" Rickon whimpers. I turn and look down at the boy next to me, the boy trying so hard not to cry. I wanted to cry too.
"It won't be for forever. We'll all come back, it'll just take some time" I tell him wrapping my arm around him and giving him a sideways hug.
"Do you promise?" He asked in his sweet little voice, looking up at me from my side.
"I promise Rickon, we'll see each other again and when we do we'll play chase, me, you and Shaggydog," I say giving him a gentle squeeze and kissing the top of his forehead. He moves and gives me a tight hug.
"I'm gonna miss you" he mumbles into my side.
"I'm gonna miss you too" I whisper back, feeling the tears well back up in my eyes.
"Come on, I'm sure Jon wants to tell you goodbye," I say standing up and offering him my hand. He takes it and we start walking back towards the main castle. The courtyard is filled with horses and royal guards and everyone else preparing for the trip. I lead Rickon towards the stables, thinking that's where Jon would be headed.
"Well well, hello lady Targaryen"
I roll my eyes as Theon walks over to me and Rickon. He was stumbling a bit, drunk no doubt.
"We were just looking for Jon, have you seen him?" I ask, doing my best to remain neutral for Rickon's sake as Theon smirks at me.
"He'll be back in a second" Theon says with that smirk of his as he walks closer towards us.
"We'll just wait here then" I mumble, trying to calm my nerves. Theon always made me nervous, he just made me feel uncomfortable. He was too wild, too caught up in women and himself. We've never really gotten along, he would always tease me, even now that we were almost adults.
"Rickon why don't you go check on the horses?" I mumble letting go of Rickon's hand as he walks over to the horses in the back of the stable.
"Why haven't you come to say goodbye to me?" Theon slurs walking closer to me.
"I didn't think you would care" I answer crossing my arms over my chest. I didn't like the way he looked to me.
"Come on, you hurt my feelings," he says with a sarcastic pout on his lips.
"What do you want Theon? A hug or something?" I ask. His pout turns into a smirk.
"Or something. How about you open those pretty little legs of yours for me?" He slurs, eyeing me with lust filled eyes.
"Back off Greyjoy"
I turn around and see Jon walking up from behind me. He stops to stand at my right side. I glance at him and see him glaring at Theon.
"What is it, Snow? Don't feel like sharing?" Theon slurs, approaching Jon with the same old smirk on his face. A smirk of privilege and entitlement.
"I said back off Greyjoy before I break your nose" Jon snaps continuing to glare to Theon. He rolls his eyes and moves past Jon, bumping into his shoulder on his way out of the stables. Jon quickly turns to look at me, worry in his eyes.
"Did he hurt you?" he asks placing his hands on my arms to keep me in place while he looked me over.
"I'm fine," I say trying to give him a reassuring smile when Rickon runs over and gives Jon a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you Jon" Rickon mumbles into Jon's side. I watch as Jon kneels down and pulls Rickon into a proper hug.
"I'm gonna miss you too, be good and take care of your brothers and mother alright?" Jon mumbles pulling out of the hug to look into the little boy's eyes. Rickon nods and gives him another quick hug before running out of the stables with Shaggydog in tow.
"I can't imagine him getting any bigger" I whisper with a sad smile. I turn back towards Jon and see him giving me a sad smile as well.
"I uh have something for you," he says awkwardly, pulling something out of his cloak pocket.
"You've already given me a necklace, Jon," I say with a smile.
"It's supposed to be from Robb, but he told me I should be the one to give it to you. I helped him with the design" Jon explains, showing me a sleek silver ring with a dire wolf on the outside rim.
"It's beautiful...but why would Robb want to give me this?" I asked slightly confused as Jon takes my left hand in his.
"It's a wedding ring, so all the fancy lords out there know you're spoken for" Jon explains, slowly sliding the ring onto my left ring finger. I examine it and notice the ring on Jon's left hand as well.
"Our rings match, aside for the insignias" I mumble quietly as he takes both of my hands back in his.
"I would never want to hurt Robb. The rest of the world may see you as Robb's but between us this ring marks you as mine, just as much as the one on my finger marks me as yours" He whispers boldly, stepping closer to me.
"We were fated, Jon. I know you don't believe in signs or fate, but we are bound and we'll find our way back to one another I'm sure of it" I whisper hurriedly, holding his hands tightly in mine. Time was running out. I couldn't keep up or make it stop. He gives another sad smile before pulling me into his chest for a hug. He holds me tightly, for what is possibly the last time.
"We still haven't said goodbye to one another," he says softly, continuing to hold me in his arms.
"I don't ever want to say goodbye to you," I say into his chest with tears in my eyes.
"Then don't. Once I'm a member of the Night's Watch I can come to visit you here. After you've gotten warm...and are wed." Jon replies, giving me a gentle squeeze and kissing the top of my head before letting me go. A trumpet sounds from the courtyard, signaling our inevitable departure.
"Kiss me, Jon, please" I beg softly looking up into his soft chocolate eyes. He complies and connects his soft lips with my own. I could feel the passion and love in his kiss. He stirred the fire in me. I close my eyes and beg the gods for this moment to never end. I commit this moment to memory, his earthy smell and the feel of his lips on mine, his arms holding me tightly, the sight of his raven colored curls.
We pull away and the trumpet sounds once more.
"It's time" Jon whispers looking into my eyes and I could see the wetness in them.
"I suppose it is" I mumble as he slowly lets me go. We stare into each other eyes until I break his heartbreaking gaze and walk out of the stables and away from Jon.
Within the hour we were riding out of the gates of Winterfell, on to our new lives. It was pretty uncomfortable to be riding, I was still a little sore from the other night. Just the thought made my cheeks red. Winter walked by my side while Ghost walked alongside Jon. We rode fairly close to one another, my black mare in stride with his white one.
We talked and laughed as if it was a typical ride about the castle until we reached the crossroads. I stayed there, while everyone else carried on down the King's road. Jon and I stayed there staring at one another, trying to memorize each other's faces. I could feel the tears start to prickle at my eyes, along with a wave of shivers. Even on a horse, covered in furs, I was still so cold.
"Emylea, child, you should continue on. The faster we get you south, the better" Lord Stark says riding up and stopping beside me. I glance at Lord Stark and back at Jon.
"It's alright, go," Jon tells me with an easy smile. But I could see through it. He didn't want me to go, but he knew that with a single word I would stay.
"I love you" I whisper with a tear-filled smile, not caring if Lord Stark heard or knew.
"I love you too" he whispers back, tears in his eyes as well as I turn my mare and continue down the King's Road, Winter continuing to walk by my side, her steps seeming less energetic than before. I turn around and see Jon watching me ride away. Tears run freely down my cheeks as I turn back around, praying to the gods that one day we would be reunited.
Jon watched as she rode away. Ghost's whimpers filling the silence as she trotted away. Keep her safe, he prayed. Gods if he could only see her face once more. Then she turned around, the wind blowing her white hair out of her face so he could look at her one last time. She turned back around and continued on down the King's Road, Jon watched until she was out of sight, praying he wouldn't forget her. Praying he'd see her again.
"You must really love her. Letting her go can't be an easy thing to do" his father said a small smile on his face when Jon turned towards him. Jon remained silent, trying to keep strong, trying not to cry in front of his father.
"Does my mother know? Know where I am or would she even care?" Jon asked, trying to change the subject. But he was also curious, he didn't know anything about his mother and this might be his last chance to ask.
"I'll come to visit you at Castle Black, we'll talk then, about your mother, about everything I promise," his father says with a solemn look. Jon only nods, doing his best not to think about the girl riding farther and farther away with each second.
"Don't worry, you'll move on," his father said reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. But Jon knew it was a lie, just as much as Ned knew he'd never forget her. Ned saw the way they would glance at one another, all of their whispered conversations, Ned knew they were in love. It broke Ned's heart a bit to see them separated but he knew it was for their own good.
"Goodbye Father," Jon said with a small smile. Ned smiled back.
"Just remember Jon, you're a Stark. You might not have my name, but you have my blood" he says before riding back onto the King's Road to meet with the others.
It took Jon a second to process what Ned had just called him. He called him a Stark, the one thing Jon always wanted. But it didn't mean as much to him as he thought it would. Without her, it didn't seem to have any meaning. He always wanted a name, to be accepted into the family, but Jon realized that he wanted it for her. If he had a title, if he was a Stark, he could marry her and give her some sort of life. But now...now they had nothing. Jon sighed heavily before continuing on with the significantly smaller party, north to the wall.
Why didn't I kiss him? Who cares if it wouldn't be appropriate or proper? I wish I kissed him there, at the crossroads, but I couldn't. Not just because I was a lady now, engaged to Robb Stark, but because it would feel so final. Kissing him there would feel like saying goodbye and I couldn't do that. I would go to my grave remembering Jon Snow's lips on mine and the way he held me after we made love. I would not forget, I wouldn't let myself forget.
We traveled for a few days until we reached an Inn. Arya and I shared a room and bed. Lord Stark decided it would be better for me to have a warm body to sleep next to, so I could stay warm and retain some body heat. It was a little warmer. I could tell the difference in temperature between here and Winterfell. But I was still cold.
"Emylea! Will you practice with me? Please?" Arya asked shaking me awake.
"Now? What time is it anyway?" I ask groggily peering over the bed and seeing both Nymeria and Winter still fast asleep next to each other. Winter stilled seemed sad but she was getting better, she had been interacting with her sisters more with each passing day.
"It's just past dawn, please? I wanna test out my new sword!" Arya begs, moving away from my side of the bed and to her chest of clothes. I slowly sit up and watch as she digs into her chest and pulls out a small thin sword, a huge grin on her face.
"Where did you get that?" I ask as she brings the sword over to me, allowing me to examine it.
"Jon had it made for me! He said you would help me practice. Its name is Needle, isn't it nice?" She tells me with a smile as I hand it back to her. I smiled in return. Of course, Jon would do something like this for Arya, he did the same thing for me when I wanted to learn.
"Its very pretty, but we should be using a wooden sword for practice, just until you can learn the basics" I explain, slowly getting out of bed and pulling on my riding clothes and boots.
"But we haven't got any wooden swords" Arya mumbles as I pull on my fur-lined cloak.
"We'll just have to find some decent sticks then," I tell her with a smile, as I quickly pull my hair into a messy side braid, pulling it over my right shoulder as I pull up my hood. I still felt the need to hide, to hide my hair especially. I wasn't quite comfortable being outward about my title. I walk over and open the door.
"Hide Needle and let's go practice," I tell her. She smiles and quickly stuffs needle back into her trunk of clothes and runs over to me and down the Inn's stairs as we make our way outside. Even though it was just past dawn, the King's entourage was busy at work, sharpening swords and grooming horses. All the knights and guards were rather intimidating, especially the Hound, prince Joffery's personal guard.
We walked over to the river and settled on a spot near a willow tree, finding two decent sized branches to practice with. Winter and Nymeria followed us out, choosing to play by the river and chase rabbits while we practiced. Arya was getting pretty good with a sword, but she was still too focused on the swinging of the sword than her footwork, meaning she was fairly easy to knock off balance.
We practiced for hours and she improved with each passing one. It was at the end when my strength was beginning to fail, that she got the best of me. She knocked me off balance and caused me to fall into the river. I saw Winter jump in after me, thinking I was in trouble. I couldn't help but smile when she nuzzled her head under my left arm as if she was helping me back to my feet.
I slowly got to my feet and out of the river. Once I was out of the freezing water I started to shiver, violently.
"A-Arya" I managed to get out through my chattering teeth, pointing over to my furs I set by the tree. Arya quickly ran over and got them for me, running back over to drape them over my shoulders as I sat there on the river bank.
"Are you alright?" Arya asks, looking at me concerned. I watch as Winter walks a bit of a way away and shakes out the loose water droplets out of her white fur.
"F-fine" I stammer back, slowly getting back to my feet and wrapping my furs tighter around myself.
"I'm gonna go back to the room. But good work" I tell her with a smile, ringing out my hair as I start to walk back to the room, Winter walking beside me. I slowly made it back to my room and peeled off my wet clothes, setting everything by the fire. I pulled on my night shift and sat before the fire, covered in furs, Winter laying by my side. I could feel myself drifting off as I stared into the fire and I didn't fight it off.
Jon was starting to get annoyed by Tyrion Lannister. The terrain was getting harsher the further north they went. When it came time to make camp, he never bothered to help or contribute, he only sat there reading his books.
"Why do you do that?" Jon asked, deciding to confront the imp.
"My greatest weapon is my mind, and a mind needs books like a sword needs a wet stone" he explained closing the book in front of him. They glanced over at the rapers that had joined their party as they sat drinking around the campfire.
"Look at your new brothers Jon Snow, the Watch isn't the noble place you think it is. Defending the wall from fairy tales, grumpkins, and snarks. This is what you're joining, the great Night's Watch" Tyrion said gesturing towards the rapers.
"I don't believe in grumpkins and snarks" Jon snapped back, not caring if he was a lord or not.
"Good" Tyrion answered simply, returning to his book. Jon went back over to the campfire, hoping that what Tyrion had told him wasn't true. He didn't want to think that he left her to join a band of rapers and criminals. But in the back of his mind, he somehow knew it to be true. But he couldn't turn back now, not when he was so close.
Here I was yet again, standing in the snow, but this time it only came up to my knees. This place seemed different somehow, more real than it had been before.
"Emylea?!"
I looked up and saw Jon, the older one, looking at me in relief.
"Jon!" I called back in excitement, trying to move my legs from their icy prison. I looked back up and watched as he ran towards me, dropping his fancy sword in the snow as he ran. I could feel my heart race at seeing him again. It had been days since I last saw his face. Even if it was only in a dream it was still him. It was still my Jon.
I held out my arms and let him scoop me up in his arms, pulling me free from the snow and into a tight hug. I could feel the tears sizzling off my cheeks as he held me close to his chest. I moved back a little, still in his grasp but so I could move my hands up to cup his cheeks. He still had his beard and his hair seemed a bit longer. He looked ragged like he hadn't slept properly for days as if he was ready to give up.
He leaned down and connected our lips, his arms wrapping tightly around me, embracing me into his warmth.
"Gods I've missed you" he whispers before reconnecting our lips. As happy as I was to be reunited with him, even in a dream, I was slightly confused. I pulled away to look into his eyes and saw such pain on his face I had to step back.
"What's wrong? You're looking at me like I'm a ghost" I mumble back, my smile turning into a nervous one. He stays silent, his eyes taking in my appearance.
"Where are you? In your world, where are you?" He asks me, almost frantically.
"We're traveling along the King's Road...to King's Landing, and you...you're going to the wall" I explain, seeing his features tighten with frustration.
"I don't understand Jon...what's wrong? What's happened in your world?" I ask fear starting to take over me, making me shiver. He looks at me with a sympathetic smile and pulls me back into his chest, making sure I was covered by his large, raven-feathered cloak.
"I wish I could tell you...so many things I want to warn you about, but I can't" He mumbles, resting his chin on the top of my head. When did he get so tall?
"I'm sorry" I mumble, trying to offer him comfort.
"Don't worry about it love, what's important is that I'm going to get you back, I'm going to get back to you I promise" he mumbles, making me feel all the more confused.
"Back from the Wall? Jon please just tell me what's going on" I beg, moving to look back into his chocolate brown eyes, full of worry. He stays silent and leans down to kiss me once more. I watch in shock as he kneels before me and places a kiss on my abdomen, covered in the white dress from before.
"I love you" he whispers to my stomach before rising back to his feet and placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
"I love you Emylea" he whispers in my ear as the world starts to become blurry.
"I love you too Jon, I'll be fine, I promise" I whisper back as everything starts to fade, including him.
"Rhaella, child wake up"
I slowly sat up from where I was sleeping on the floor. The fire was burnt out and had covered me with a bit of soot.
"You don't have to call me that my Lord" I mumble as I wipe some of the soot from my eyes.
"It's your new name, you'll have to get used to people calling you it," Lord Stark said taking a seat next to me with a grim expression.
"What's happened? Is it the girls, are they okay?" I ask, panic creeping into my voice.
"They're fine now, there was an incident at the river...Nymeria has run off and Lady...was put to death in her place. I encourage you to keep Winter on a tight leash, the Queen would like her killed as well but I managed to talk her out of it" Ned explains with a heavy sigh, taking a seat next to me.
"Is there more?" I ask quietly.
"There is and I fear what I say to you, must stay between us," Ned tells me with a serious expression. I nod and turn to face him.
"You have a sister, Daenerys, across the narrow sea. I fear something is going to go wrong in King's Landing, and if something does I want you to promise me you'll go to her" He tells me sternly.
"But, what about the girls, Robb and the boys?" I ask hurriedly.
"I fear that your being with them will only bring more danger to them if something should go array. Promise me that if something should go wrong you'll go join your sister across the narrow sea and go nowhere else," he tells me in all seriousness.
"I promise" I whisper quietly, wondering how bad the river incident had to be for him to be telling me all of this.
"Good, now you should dress, Arya will be coming up soon and she could use some kind words," He tells me with a sad smile, standing back up and heading for the door.
"Lord Stark, do you truly believe that something bad will happen in King's Landing?" I ask, turning to face him.
"For everyone's sake, I hope nothing bad happens, but I believe it to be inevitable" He sighs as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him. I looked down and fiddled with the dire wolf ring. If something happened I wouldn't have anywhere safe to run, I couldn't run with the girls, I couldn't run to Robb or the boys...Jon, I could go to the wall, to Jon. But I wouldn't be allowed to stay there for long.
I tried to move the thoughts from my mind. Everything would be fine, I would stay in King's Landing with the girls and after I proved my loyalty I would marry Robb...We would live in Winterfell and Jon would come to visit us. I absentmindedly placed a hand on my stomach, my mind wandering to why dream Jon would feel a need to kiss me there. Did we have children in the future? Was I pregnant with his child over there? Was that why he was acting so strange?
I had so many questions and no way to get them answered. I only hoped that someday everything would make sense.