Arya ran through the halls of Winterfell in quite a rush. The servants and guards of the castle scattered away used to the antics of the youngest daughter of House Stark. Usually, Arya ran like this when she was escaping from the dreary lessons of the Septa. But today she was speeding through the hallway to her brother's room. She rounded a corner and barged into the room through the open door startling Jon who was halfway through packing all the essentials for his trip to the Wall.
"Arya, you startled me! Are you hiding from the Septa again?" Jon asked playfully
"Is it true?" Arya asked rather than answer his question
"Is what true?" Jon asked having an inkling of where she was going with this line of questioning
"Are you joining the Night's Watch?" Arya asked with a frightened look on her face
"No! Who told you that?" Jon asked her in surprise
"Sansa was going on and on about you joining the Night's Watch. She and her stupid friend Jeyne Poole was talking about how all bastards had to go to the Wall to cleanse their sins. I hate her and her bitchy friend!" Arya scowled and let out a huff in irritation
"Sansa is too set on the Southern ways and never understood that the North is different. She is just terribly misinformed and I am not joining the Night's Watch." Jon assured her
"Then why are you packing?" Arya asked as she glanced around his room which was now spartan clean with most of her brother's possessions being packed up
"I am going to the Wall to meet uncle Benjen and then I will be back. It should take a week and then I will be off to Braavos."
"What! But why are you going away from Winterfell? This is your home!" Arya rubbed her eyes as she felt her eyes prickle with tears
"I thought you would be happy that I am going on a trip across the ocean. Just think, when you are older you can visit Braavos as an excuse to visit me. Besides, I will not be gone forever. I will still visit from time to time just to give you some presents." Jon playfully messed up her hair but that only made her more hostile and closed-off
Jon sighed and pulled Arya into a hug. He patted her back comfortingly as he felt her let out a choked sob.
"Listen to me well, little sister. Every person whether lowborn or highborn has to find their own way in the world if they seek to amount to be something. I desire to be something and that requires me to seek out other lands so that I may pursue my goals without any constraints placed on my person. The North may be home to me but sometimes home is not enough for someone seeking to grow further." Jon kissed her on her forehead and he continued to pack
Later that day Arya watched on morosely as Jon and two of their household guards ride away through the North gate for the Wall. She watched them disappear among the thick fogs and green hills that surrounded the castle. Even if Jon always defended Sansa and her equally air-headed friend Arya was not going to stop making their lives difficult especially now. To her mind, it was all Sansa's fault and she was going to get some payback.
Eddard let out a sigh as he watched Jon ride away from Winterfell. While he had hoped Jon wouldn't act on his words spoken in the Godswood it turned out to be wishful thinking.
'Wolves don't do well when they are without their pack but since you are a dragon I hope you thrive Jon.' Edward thought
"Lord Stark, hope I am not intruding?" Maester Luwin walked into the room making Eddard turn away from his window
"Not at all Maester. I called you here to discuss something about Jon." At the Maester's nod, he continued, "As you know Jon has journeyed to the Wall to meet with Benjen but he is adamant to move away from Winterfell to Braavos. I need your opinion on this matter."
Luwin stayed silent for some time thinking things through before he responded uncertainly.
"What has brought this decision, my lord?"
"At the moment I can't say the exact reasons but this is entirely Jon's decision. I would like to know your opinion on this matter and anything we can do to help Jon if he pursues with this course of action."
"Haven't you tried to dissuade Jon from leaving Lord Stark?"
"I have but he is adamant to take his leave and I think this might be better for him despite my personal misgivings."
"If you are not opposed to letting Jon settle in Braavos then I suggest that you write to Lord Manderly. The Manderlys have always kept close ties with the Sealord and much of the merchants in the island nation." Maester Luwin suggested knowing that White Harbour progressed as much as it could because of trade with Vale and Braavos
"I shall write to Lord Wyman right away. Now, all that is left to do is to send so.e trusted men with Jon. I won't let him go off to distant lands with no form of protection."
Eddard paused as he saw a peculiar look pass through Maester Luwin's face.
"What is it Maester?" He asked cautiously
"I think I have a solution to your unique problem my lord. I was on my way to your solar to deliver this message when you summoned me yourself." Maester Luwin handed over the small scroll of parchment to the Lord of Winterfell
Eddard took the parchment and saw the seal was broken. Despite that, he could make out the tree with an impression of a sword pointing downwards from the seal.
"House Forrester?"
"Yes, Lord Stark. It seems you won't be sending off Jon all alone to Essos. This might turn out to be a good blessing for House Forrester if you word it correctly. An opportunity has presented itself for helping out a Northern House that is very much vital to our economy." Maester Luwin suggested and as Eddard read the message further he understood what the maester was suggesting
"I see. It seems I will have to send two ravens, Maester." Eddard handed back the parchment and nodded in appreciation
"A prudent decision, Lord Stark. Shall I help you?"
"Please do so and I guess I will have to warn Cat about a guest that we have to host soon enough."
Eddard left the Maester to collect ink and parchment while he looked for his wife to inform her that Winterfell will be receiving Asher Forrester.