Chapter 1

Jon Snow has always felt out of place in Winterfell. Don't get him wrong, he knows that his family loves him, his Lord father, Eddard Stark wouldn't keep a bastard in his home if he didn't love him. His half-brother Rob doubtless he loved him too, as did the rest of his siblings, Arya, Bran, Rickon, even Sansa, though she acted more cold when her mother was around.

Really the only people that didn't like Jon was Lady Stark and the other southern servants she brought north with her. Lady Catelyn Stark was the constant reminder to Jon Snow that he didn't belong, that no matter what he did, someone would remind him that he was his fathers shame, something to be kept at arm's length and never truly accepted.

It's why he was waiting for his fathers blessing to go north to join the Night's Watch. Not just so nobody would care if he was a bastard, but for the adventure of ranging past the Wall with his uncle Benjen and seeing places that very few in the south have seen before.

Jon was thinking all of this as he beat the straw out of a training dummy, his training sword raking across its chest before Jon brought the sword over his head and slashed the blade across the dummy's throat.

"Alright Jon, that's enough for today, go put your gear away and the rest of the day is yours." Stated the old Knight Ser Rodrik Cassel, satisfaction on the man's face as Jon practiced.

"Aye Ser, thank you." Jon said, his breath heavy from the exercise.

With his chores and martial training with Ser Rodrik Jon was putting away his padded armor and blunted sword, when he heard two guards in the middle of a conversation as they walked on patrol.

"Bout that time to switch with Garn and Tom, then it's to the alehouse, I heard that they are opening a barrel of that southern wine they have." said the first guard, a middle aged man with a well trimmed beard, Arther was his name if Jon remembered right.

The other guard, a ginger young man named Paddy, replied with a grin, and the two made their way to the guard barracks, to find their replacements

Walking out of the East Gate, Jon made his way into Wintertown, the humble village of Winterfell. It was a decent sized collection of villages, but most homes were empty, as it was summer and most of the population were out tending to the harvest.

The people who did live here seemed to be content, going about their day with smiles and good cheer and ending the night with food in their belly's . It was a testament to how the House of Stark treated their people, with respect and kindness.

The ale house in Wintertown was called the Smoking Log, a comely three storied building that radiated with songs and good cheer, it was the most popular alehouse in Wintertown. Course its popularity is secured by the fact it's the only ale house in Wintertown.

The sun was on the horizon, its light beginning to fade from the sky when Jon entered the alehouse.

The first floor was already pretty active, with tables filling with people, mostly workers from the castle and the surrounding farms and lumber yards. The smell of the food and drink and the warmth of the hearth filled the place with a feeling of blissful joy and cheer. The barmaids had plates of drinks and food in their hands, raised above their heads and big smiles on their faces.

Jon heads to one of the tables close to the hearth, taking his cloak and hanging it by the hearth to dry. He sat down and let the hearth warm him up as one of the barmaids walked over.

" Hello again Jon, you want the usual, or maybe you're here for that arbor that we opened up today?" Stella was the young woman's name, with strawberry blonde hair and a friendly face, Jon liked her well enough and was friendly to her.

Jon answered with what he hoped was a charming smile.

" Hello Stella, I'll just have the usual tonight, I think the arbor will be too rich for my blood."

Stella gave a short curtsy, and left Jon to grab his request, and Jon couldn't help but watch the sway of her hips as she walked away.

Jon sighed and turned to watch the fire, thinking of his future, and the options he has. There was the Night's Watch, that was the option that father thought was the best. There is honor in joining the Night's Watch Jon, anyone can rise up in their ranks. That's what Lord Stark and Uncle Benjen would always say.

Another option was to become the Master-at-arms of Winterfell when Robb becomes the new Lord Paramount. Ser Rodrik couldn't do it forever and Jon knows that with a few more years of training he could beat any challenges in the yard.

Or, there was one other option that Jon has only started to entertain. To leave the North and seek adventure and glory in another land, free from the shame of being a bastard.

" Do you mind if I sit here? Most of the tables are taken, And I would like to dry my boots by the fire."

Jon turned his head and looked at the stranger, his cloak was wet with melted snow and his hood was down, showing an older man, with a bald head and a long thick beard that reached past his neck. His clothes were finely made And Jon noticed his hands were calloused, he smelt of saltwater, and Jon thought he must be from White Harbor.

Jon nodded his head and the old seaman sat down, shedding his boots and setting them close to the hearth to dry. Jon passes a mug to the old man. He took it and smiled

"Always good to share a fire, and make new friends, it's what my father always said." Spoke to the stranger. "I am Olmstead Reyn, Captain of the Dawn's Venture, been sailing the seas for well before you were born. "

Jon nodded his head and lifted his tankard, the two men toasted and drank their drinks.

" My name is Jon Snow, It's good to meet you."

Both men take another swig of their drinks.

"What brings you to Winterfell Captain? It's a two day trip from White Harbor."

The man smiles," I decided to see the capital of the North, I heard stories of the castle, and wanted to see if the real thing lived up to expectations."

Jon smiles softly, pride in his homeland apparent.

" Winterfell is one of the greatest castles in Westeros, it is also one of the great builds of the Legendary Bran The Builder, who built the castle and many other notable structures on the continent, such as Storms End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, and The Wall, the great defensive structure the world as ever seen."

Olmstead listened to Jon boast about his homeland, smiling at the boy with a look of what Jon thought was nostalgia.

"You take great pride in your homeland, as you should, I've only been here for a short time. But ill admit that this kingdom is beautiful, cold, damn cold but beautiful all the same." Olmstead spoke.

Captain Olmstead told Jon of a distant continent, North of the shivering sea, of a country filled with creatures and dungeons just waiting to be explored. Olmstead told him of creatures and beasts of many different shapes and sizes. He spoke of the different races on his home continent, of Lizard-folk called Argonians, of Cat-fold called khajiit, and of the different races of Men and Elves. He spoke of how the land was recovering from a Great War, and how the Empire lost to the Aldmeri Dominion. He spoke of an uneasy peace, and of a cold war building tensions and how both sides are gearing up for another war.

The two spoke for a while longer, Olmstead telling Jon stories of his travels across the seas, and soon the whole inn was stone quiet as the old sea captain told his tales.

" And then Atla Ka-Ilaqu sliced the tentacle of the behemoth Kraken and freed the our ship from the beast and the storm that trapped us."

The people in the tavern drunkenly gave their cheers and applause, and Stella the barmaid shouted for everyone to hear, " Last Call everyone!"

There was a growth of disappointment, and many began to file out the tavern. Jon made to stand and leave, but Olmstead grabbed Jons arm.

"I have a proposal for you young Snow, would you humor me for a little longer?"

Jon nodded his head and sat back down.

" I know that we only just met tonight, but I sense something about you, something unique my boy. That is why I would like to offer you a place on my ship. And to travel with me and my crew to Tamriel." Olmstead said.

Jon went wide eyed at the old sailor, surprised at the offer he was just given. And took his tankard in hand and took a big swig. He never gave thought to being a sailor, an adventure to be sure and what little boy wouldn't want to go on an adventure.

Jon replied," I'd have to talk to my father first, I don't want to just up and disappear without at least telling him."

Jon thought of his family, how they might react if he just packed up and left Winterfell for life on the Sea. Arya and Bran would be sad to see him go, but happy that Jon found a life for himself, especially if Jon would come back with tales of grand adventures and strange lands. Sansa would probably wish him the best, always the polite little lady. Robb would ask for one last spare before he left, saying goodbye in his own way.

Lord Stark would be worried, and might refuse his request, but Jon would be firm, and convince his lord father that this is what he wants and is ready for life outside the castle walls.

"I'm ready, I'm strong and fast, better than most in the castle with a sword, and I can't stay in Winterfell forever. Lastly Stark would never allow it, and maybe after a voyage or two, I could use the gold I will make and build me a home somewhere, and live out my life as I want."

Olmstead spoke again,

"I know that it's a big thing to ask of you Jon, if you like, we could go to your father together and I could explain-"

"No, it would be better than if I ask him in private, it would be hard to convince him if there is someone he doesn't know in the room." Jon said.

Olmstead nodded, before standing up and shook Jon's hand. " I'll be staying here for a few more days before heading back to White Harbour. I hope to hear good news from you, my boy."

Jon was left alone at his table, empty tankard in hand and thinking of the strange old man. He also thought of his father, and wondered how he was going to convince Eddard to let him go.


" Absolutely not. I will not allow you to go gallivant to some distant land when you are barely a grown man."

The next day, Eddard Stark sat in his solar with his son Jon, and sat silently as Jon came to him with this request. Jon spoke of a ship Captain, spoke of a faraway land named Tamriel and of treasure and glory.

"The wolf blood is running hot in Jon." Ned thought.

"Father, I know you only wish to protect me but I can protect myself, you have seen me with Ser Rodrick-"

"There is a difference from training with your brother and the guards than from fighting with bandits, pirates and who knows what else is out there in this Tamriel."

Jon looked down, trying to come up with a good way to prove to his father that he can do this, that he is ready to face the dangers out there.

"What can I do to prove to you that I can survive out there? Tell me what I must do to show you I'm ready to face the dangers of this world."

They sat in silence for a while, the sigh of the wind, and the crackling of the fireplace keeping the room devoid of sound.

"Go back to your chores Jon, we will speak no more of this."

Jon got up and left without a word, the oak door closing behind him. Eddard sank into his seat, and looked into the fireplace to think. He thought of his children, of how it felt like just yesterday they were small babes he could hold in his hands. Just this morning Robb asked his father if he could hold court this month, and Eddard had realized just how old his two eldest sons have gotten. Arya is always sneaking out of her lessons, Bran is climbing the walls and towers more and more, both graying out their mother's hair.

Now Jon wants to go out adventuring to some unknown land with this Captain Olmstead, a man that Eddard has never heard of until now.

Promise me Ned.

He couldn't just let Jon leave, not until he knew for certain that Jon could handle himself out in the world. Eddard thinks of his ancestors, on an ancient rite of passage that the Starks of old came into their manhood. His Great Grandfather stopped the practice, but Eddard was confident in his son.

Eddard stood up and left his solar, and turned to Jory Cassel, who stood guard at his door.

"Take some men, and go find this Captain Olmstead, bring him to the great hall, I wish to speak to him as quickly as possible." Commanded the Warden of the North.

Jory nodded and left, leaving Eddard alone in the hall, he went back to the solar and grabbed Ice, the ancestral Valyrian Steel greatsword of house Stark. He then made his way to the great hall. If Jon wants to leave on some adventure, Eddard would like to meet the man taking his son from him.


End of Chapter 1