It felt like everything was going wrong. Was this a joke? A cruel joke the gods were playing on him? First, he learns of Emylea's child, his child. Next, he is assigned to the stewards when he knew he was meant to be a ranger, it was Allister paying him back for sure. And now, his father was being convicted as a traitor for supposedly killing the king. Everything was falling apart, he was the traitor's bastard and there wasn't a thing he could do. His mind was drifting, to her, to his child to be, to his father, to being Commander Mormont's steward, to the dead men Ghost found when he and Sam went beyond the wall to take their vows, and back to her. Was she safe? If his father was being convicted of treason, he wouldn't be able to protect her. With the King dead she didn't have his protection either, she was alone. She needed him.

"Jon!"

Jon was snapped out of his thoughts at the calling of his name. For a moment he had forgotten that he was dining with Sam.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" Jon asked, taking another bite of the salted meat with onions stew they were having.

"Are you alright Jon? You seem out of your head" Sam asked, the concern for his friend evident on his face.

"Just got a lot on my mind is all" Jon answered vaguely, only increasing Sam's worry.

"Do you want to talk about it? My mother said that talking things out is the best way to sort one's thoughts" Sam offered with a sheepish smile.

"It's alright, I'll manage" Jon mumbles doing his best to muster a smile, but his mind was full of worries that showed on his face.

"You sure?" Sam pressed. Sam was starting to get curious and when Sam got curious he almost always found an answer.

"Some other time perhaps" Jon offered, thinking about how nice it would be to confide in someone.

"Hey Sam, Jon," Pip said walking over to where they were sitting. Jon only looked up in greeting.

"Jon, the Lord Commander wants to speak with you, it sounded urgent," Pip said as he took a bowl of the stew and began to eat. Jon only sighed. He had been a steward for a while now and was slowly getting used to it, but he still had dreams of being a ranger, of going farther north.

"Thanks" Jon mumbled and slowly stood up and began to make his way to the Lord Commander's chambers. It felt like a quick walk as he climbed up the stairs, for a moment his mind was empty but then everything came flooding back as he knocked on the Lord Commander's door.

"Enter" the old bear bellowed, allowing Jon to open the door to see Commander Mormont looking over some scrolls.

"You summoned me, my Lord?" Jon asked.

"Yes, have a seat Snow" he mumbled absently, too engrossed in the scroll to bother looking up at Jon. Jon sat in the chair in front of Commander Mormont and waited. Lately, it seemed that was all Jon was doing, waiting.

"She must be something special to have you out of your wits" Mormont mumbled as he set the scroll back down on his desk.

"Excuse me?" Jon asked, slightly confused.

"You think I don't see every scroll that comes through this place? I've been reading your correspondences between this Emylea or Rhaella or whatever her bloody name is, and this last one has got me as puzzled as you" he admits looking at Jon with what almost could be considered a sympathetic smile. Jon remained silent, unsure of what he should say or even what he could say, could they behead him for having a lover?

"I want you to be honest with me Snow, is the child yours?" Mormont asks, looking deep into Jon's eyes. Jon could feel his heart starting to race, but he felt like he could trust the old bear.

"Yes my Lord, it is" Jon answered plainly, hoping they wouldn't kill him for this. He took a vow and he wasn't sure if he'd broken it or not. Mormont only nodded.

"And that ring you wear on your finger, is it a wedding ring?" Mormont asked.

"No my Lord, only a gift" Jon replied, realizing he was fiddling with the steel ring on his finger.

"Good" Mormont answered with a nod of relief.

"Well I can't say anything about the girl, but I'm trying to arrange for Lord Stark to take the black, he's a good man your father and we could use all the men we could get. But for your sisters and this girl, I'm afraid there isn't anything I can do" Mormont said with a sigh.

"There has to be something! Anything! She's only a girl" Jon said, a bit of begging in his voice. How could he sit idly by while she was in danger, with his child?

"I understand that, but there is no place for girls on the wall, especially girls that brothers are in love with" Mormont responded with a knowing look.

"Please my Lord, there has to be something I could do. I could ride to King's Landing and escort her somewhere safe" Jon pleaded.

"Smuggle her here you mean?" Mormont asked.

"No, she wouldn't survive the cold" Jon mumbled sadly, meaning she couldn't return to Winterfell, to Robb.

"Either way you can't leave, you'd be marked as a deserter and your place is here now," Mormont said dismissively.

"But Commander"

"No, I've given my word and my word is final, you are dismissed," Mormont said, agitation in his voice. Jon got up from his seat and silently left the room, feeling nothing but anger. Jon realized he needed to talk, but the person he needed to talk to most wasn't here...so he settled for Sam.

Jon made his way to Maester Aemon's quarters where Sam spent most of his time since it was his job to take care of the Maester. Jon wasn't sure how much to tell Sam, or how much not to tell him. Surely anything he told Sam wouldn't put her in danger. Jon knocked on the door to the Maester's chambers. Sam opened the door and smiled.

"Hello Jon, what can I help you with?" Sam asked as he let Jon into the room where Maester Aemon was sitting in a chair.

"I was hoping we could talk" Jon admitted, causing Sam to smile proudly.

"Sure, take a seat," Sam said heading back to the table where the Maester sat.

"It's a bit of a private matter," Jon said, trying his best not to sound rude.

"Don't worry Jon Snow, I have a feeling I know what this is about" Maester Aemon said with a smile.

"Alright" Jon replied hesitantly, taking a seat next to his friend and across from the Maester. And so Jon proceeded to tell parts of his story. That there was a girl he loved who was in danger and he needed to find a way to save her.

"What does she look like?" Sam asked curiously. Jon smiled at the thought of her.

"Her hair is white, white as falling snow and she's as pale as porcelain. Her eyes are dark violet and beautiful" Jon explained, smiling as an image of her popped into his head.

"Is she a Targaryen?" Sam asked, glancing at Maester Aemon.

"Aye, she is, why?" Jon asked, fearing he had spoken too much.

"Because that makes her my niece" Maester Aemon answered with what looked like tears in his eyes.

"You're a Targaryen?" Jon asks in surprise.

"One of the last" Aemon answered with a heavy sigh.

"Does the cold not bother you?" Jon asked.

"No, it doesn't" Aemon replied, making Jon wonder. Maybe she could survive out here, maybe she would be able to stay at Castle Black for a time, kin was allowed to visit and now she had a reason to come.

"I'll send a raven, maybe there's hope after all," Jon said rising to his feet.

"Ah, young love, you may use my fastest raven if you'd like" Maester Aemon offered.

"That's very kind of you, thanks," Jon said awkwardly, still caught up in the idea of her being here, stilling thinking like a child. So Jon quickly wrote down a scroll with a brief explanation, not thinking of the possibility of its interception, and sent it off with one of Aemon's ravens before retiring to his chambers for the night.

He could feel himself starting to drift off into another one of those strange dreams, but something was holding him back, something wouldn't let him go. Jon was pulled back to the real world and woke up to Ghost scratching and growling at his chamber door.

"Ghost, what is it?" Jon asked making the direwolf turn to face him, staring at him with red eyes. Jon got up sleepily and opened the door, watching the direwolf sprint off down the hall. Jon grabbed his sword and followed him up the stairs towards Mormont's chambers. He entered the chambers slowly while Ghost ran inside.

"Lord Commander?" Jon called out quietly, but there was no response. Jon stepped further into the room and saw one of the dead men they had found earlier that morning walking towards the Commanders bed but Ghost had grabbed onto his leg, causing the dead man to turn around and look at Jon with its icy blue gaze. It was a wright, white walker, a creature from one of old Nan's stories...come to life.

Robb wasn't sure how to take Sansa's scroll. Pledge fealty to Joffery and everything will be forgiven...father would be punished but not as severely, if only he came himself and bent the knee, something Robb knew he could never do. Recent events had caused him to consider traveling to King's Landing himself to retrieve his 'bride', no one was there to protect her. With his father imprisoned, his sister tightly wrapped around the Queen's finger, there was no one. But if Robb went and bent the knee he might never be able to leave, which wouldn't help anyone, besides he could never bend the knee to his father's captors.

"You asked to see me, my Lord," Maester Luwin said as he entered Robb's chambers.

"Yes, I need your fastest raven" Robb said. The Maester bowed and left his chambers to retrieve the bird while Robb wrote out his scroll, being sure to keep up the facade of a concerned husband. He may not have been married to her, but he still cared about her, the concern and love in his letter was something he didn't have to fake.

The heat was soothing, the boiling hot water felt almost as wonderful as being in Jon's arms, almost. I ran my hand over my small bump, small but growing.

"Me and your father used to swim in the hot springs of Winterfell" I mumbled quietly. Lately, I had been getting comfort from talking to the child inside of me, telling her stories and things about her father, it made him feel closer to me.

"We were very little at the time, eight and ten I think, I was convinced I knew how to swim even though I never had before..."

"Come on! It'll be fun!" I begged as we stood on the edge of the springs.

"You don't know how to swim!" Jon protested as I started to take off my shoes.

"How hard could it be? Besides you know how to swim! You could teach me!" I squealed excitedly as I took off my other shoe.

"I don't know Emylea, we could get in trouble..."

"Aw come on! You're never any fun!" I said crossing my arms and pouting, being sure I stuck out my bottom lip. He gave me a stern look.

"Please?" I asked sweetly, uncrossing my arms and batting my eyelashes the way I'd seen noble ladies do.

"No, please don't give me that look," Jon groaned, locking eyes with mine. I could see him giving in the longer he looked into my eyes. Then finally, his chocolate eyes began to soften.

"Oh alright, but only for a little", he reasoned as he started to take off his boots.

"Yay!" I squealed with excitement.

"But wait for me to get in first so that I...Emylea!"

I was too excited to wait, the idea of being in something so warm was too appealing to me and I had jumped in. It was deeper than I had anticipated and I was weak and small, my little legs didn't have the strength to pull me to the surface. I was running out of air and started to panic, it felt like my lungs were about to burst until I felt a hand grabbing my arm and pulling me back to the surface.

"Are you mad?!" Jon screamed as I coughed to the side, allowing him to hold me for a second.

"I-I'm sorry" I mumbled as I panted, trying to catch my breath, my lungs still ached.

"You could have died!" Jon continued to scream, causing tears to well up in my eyes.

"I just wanted to know what it would feel like..." I said as tears started to slip down my cheeks and into the hot spring.

"Water?"

"No, heat"

"It felt amazing, yet terrifying at the same time. You're never supposed to stay in a hot spring for very long, too much heat does something to the head, I can't remember what exactly I never really paid attention to that lecture" I said, smiling at the memory, continuing to rub my hand over my bump.

"But you don't seem to mind it either, you're like me in that way" I mumbled absently continuing to move my hand.

"I hope you get to meet your father...I know he'd love to meet you, he'd love you instantly and with all his heart" I whisper, tears starting to sting my eyes when I felt movement. I stopped moving my hand.

"Is that you?" I whisper, keeping my hand still. I feel a little nudge in response. I grin and look around the room, only seeing Winter sleeping on my bed. I could feel my smile starting to fade. I had no one to share this moment with, I was alone.

"I'm sorry little one, it's just me, but we'll be with others soon, at least I hope we will" I mumble, feeling another nudge at the word.

"Hope" I reply and I can feel a fluttering in my belly.

"Hope it is then," I say with a smile, wishing I could hold her. The water suddenly felt a lot warmer, slowly it was coming back to a boil. Was I doing that? I felt another wave of heat come over me and sigh in pleasure. I turn and look at the chest Lord Baelish had brought me. It sat at the foot of my bed, untouched and unopened. I felt drawn to it, a need to touch it. I stood up from my now boiling bath and stepped out of the tub, continuing to stare at the chest curiously. I walked over and knelt before it, naked. I placed my hand on the outside of the cool lock and could instantly feel it heat up.

The lock was about to melt when I heard a faint click. I quickly took my hand away and stared at the chest in wonder. Had I opened it? Hesitantly I gave a light tug on the lock and smiled as it gave way. I placed the lock on the ground and slowly opened the steel chest. Inside was a large, silvery white egg placed on top of a silver cloth. I picked up the egg and could instantly feel the heat inside. I gently set it down and moved to pick up the cloth but it was wrapped around something. I used both hands to pick up the heavy long object and set it in my lap. I moved away the satin, silver cloth to reveal a sword. It was Valyrian steel and had intricate dragons crafted into both the hilt and blade. Upon further examination, I knew what it was...Black Sister, the blade used by Visenya Targaryen to help conquer the seven kingdoms. It was supposed to be lost, or destroyed...how did it end up here?

At the bottom of the chest was a simple note 'My descendant, here lays the last dragon, treat her well, and my sword Black Sister, use it wisely~V'

I had only one question, how? How could this egg not be a stone? A knock sounded on the door.

"Just a moment!" I replied, quickly putting everything back into the chest and locking it, praying I'd be able to open it again. Once everything was back in place, I grabbed my white fur-lined robe and tried to look presentable, moving my braided hair over my right shoulder.

"Enter" I called back, making sure the robe covered me well. I could feel my body heat up in anger as Sansa entered my room, tears in her eyes.

"What do you want?" I ask, trying to keep my temper at bay.

"Please, I'm so sorry and I'm all alone and..."

"Sansa, you betrayed me and I'm guessing you betrayed your father too. I knew he had plans to leave with you and Arya, you told the Queen didn't you?!" I snapped at her, unable to feel another but rage for the girl standing before me.

"I didn't mean to!" she cried, moving to get closer to me but I only stepped back.

"Didn't mean what? To tell the Queen? To imprison your father? What was it you didn't mean to do that has already be done?!" I shouted, almost screaming at her, only making her tears flow more.

"I'm sorry! I love Joffery and I didn't want to leave me!" Sansa cried, almost shouting herself.

"You have no idea what love is!" I screamed at her, feeling tears start to well up in my eyes.

"And you do?" she said, a bit of venom in her voice, her sadness turning to anger.

"More than you'll ever know" I spit back, placing a hand on my belly protectively.

"I know you don't love Robb! I bet that isn't even his child is it?" she said pointing at my belly.

"Watch your tongue, Sansa, you have no idea what you're messing with," I said darkly, feeling the heat of the room increase.

"Is it Jon's? Are you carrying another bastard in your belly?" she taunts. I step forward and grip her left arm harshly, digging my nails into her flesh.

"Not another word, do you hear me? If you go and tell the Queen and she comes after me or my child or even Jon I swear by the gods you'll be the first one to die"

The heat of the room was harsh and the air was hard to breathe.

"Stop! You're hurting me!" Sansa begged, trying to escape my grip. I release my hand and see the place where I grabbed her start to turn red as if she'd been burned.

"Don't come back, I don't want to speak to you, ever" I spit turning my back to her.

"Emylea please..."

"Get. Out." I huff the temperature continuing to rise and the fire in the room suddenly growing larger. I hear the door open and shut behind me. I look at my hands and can seem them shake with my anger. I glance at the fire and see it slowly decrease in size as I calm myself down. I stand by the tub of water for a while, just staring into the water, trying to empty my mind. Another knock came from the door.

"Enter," I said with a tired sigh, turning to see Varys entering my room.

"I hope you are well my lady," he tells me with a polite bow.

"I've been better, how are things out there?" I ask.

"Tensions are rising and the time is almost near, also these arrived for you this morning, be glad I intercepted them before Pycell did," he tells me with a proud smile, revealing two scrolls from his sleeve.

"Thank you Varys," I tell him as I grab the scrolls from his outstretched hand. But the instant I touch them they begin to crumble from heat. I immediately drop them.

"How strange, put on some gloves dear maybe that'll help" Varys offers. I open my trunk and quickly pull on some leather gloves, dyed white. I pick up the scrolls once more and read the shorter one.

My love,

I pray for the day you are returned me and I want it to be soon, I need you here by my side with all that has happened. I want to ensure your safety, yours and our childs. How soon can you get here? Winterfell will be safe and is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please hurry, I can't bear being parted from you much longer,

Love, your husband, Robb Stark,

He knows that Ned is considered a traitor, Robb somehow knows the outcome and that I can't be here...he knows the danger I'm in. Quickly I open the other scroll.

Emylea,

I understand your situation and I fear for your life, your life, and the baby's. I want you to come to Castle Black if you can manage it, you'll be safe here and you'll be able to stay since you have a relative living here. Maester Aemon is a Targaryen as well, your Uncle I believe, and he has agreed to vouch for you upon your arrival. I miss you, more than you could imagine, but I understand why you are pushing me away. You're smart, that is why I don't worry too much, because I know you'll find a way out of this and when you do, come back to me. I'll be here waiting for your arrival, leave as soon as you can by any means necessary. Stay warm, stay safe, I love you both ~Jon

Thank the gods that Pycell didn't read this scroll. It made me happy to know Jon understood why I did what I did.

"I take it you've read these?" I mumble to Varys as I look at Jon's scroll once more.

"I have, it appears you have a decision to make," he says.

"A decision to be made once I've made my escape...which will be soon I hope?" I ask. He nods.

"Keep a bag and riding clothes ready, when the time comes for the trial, feign illness or baby pains, a reason to stay here...your guards will be brided and you'll be escorted by one of my ladies to a safe place to await further instructions" He whispers to me hurriedly, I nod.

"And Sansa and Arya?" I ask.

"I'm sorry but I can't do the same for Sansa and Arya appears to have escaped herself," He tells me. I nod.

"Thank you Varys, I owe you much," I tell him with a smile.

"Don't thank me yet, and remember child, trust no one" he whispers before he exits. I grab the scrolls and move towards the fire, preparing to burn them, but I look at Jon's words one more time. 'Stay warm, Stay Safe, I love you both'

I couldn't describe how happy it made me feel to know he knew of our child...to know he still loved me.

"I love you too" I whispered into the fire, wishing that somehow he'd be able to hear me, that he'd know. I look off my gloves and let them drop to the ground, the scrolls starting to burn in my hands. I dropped the ashes back into the fire that seemed to grow the closer I came to it.

"Hope, my love, if you can hear me, we're going to be okay...we're going home"