JON SNOW
Winterfell is the ancestral home of House Stark and the seat of power in the North. Even before the Targaryens invaded Westeros the Starks ruled the North unchallenged. The ancient castle sits on a hill with the Wolf's Wood to the west and north of the castle. A river and castle Cerwyn to the south. A river that forks to the west and passes south and curves to the east past Winterfell. There are villages nearby and a small holdfast. The North is vast and it is the largest land in Westeros.
Within the past sixteen years Catelyn Stark gave her husband four more children after Robb. Sansa was born four years after Robb. It took a long time for Cat to start talking with Eddard and when she did; Cat had insisted they sleep in separate rooms until he had earned her trust, love, and respect. During those four years Eddard did earn her love, trust and respect. He was understanding, patient and very honorable. After Sansa was born Cat truly wondered if he ever really loved the other woman. two years after Sansa another girl was born and Cat suggested Lyanna, but Ned refused.
"A reminder of Lyanna is too hard..." He had said to her. So they named the baby Arya. And even though they didn't name her Lyanna Arya was her Aunt reborn. Not only in looks but in personality as well. Then came Brandon or Bran as everyone called him. Bran was born three years after Arya and finally Rickon who was born two years later. Then there is Theon Greyjoy who comes to live at Winterfell after the Greyjoy Rebellion; a ward of Lord Eddard Stark's to keep the Iron Born in line. As for Jon he was quiet as a baby and young man. Lady Catelyn gave him encouragement when he needed it, discipline, and comfort. She gave him everything, but a mother's love. At the age of six he called her mother and she coldly told him that she was not his mother.
It was at this age that Jon asked his father who his mother was and Lord Eddard Stark replied, "Your mother was a beautiful woman...A good woman and she loved you very much..." He touches Jon's face, "You look a lot like her thank the gods..."
As time passed Jon realized what the word Bastard means. He wasn't allowed to sit with the family at meal times. When Northern Lords visited he was set aside as not to offend them or dishonor the family. It was at the age of nine during Robb's name day celebration that Jon discovers his talent for singing. He is alone in the god's wood sitting under the weeping tree singing. Of his siblings Jon is best friends with Robb Stark and tolerates Theon because of Robb. Sansa keeps her distance and often looks down her nose at him.
Of all his half siblings Jon is closest with Arya. The two of them talk about everything and Jon doesn't hesitate to teach Arya how to use the bow and a sword. They often practice in secret in the god's wood. Unfortunately Lady Catelyn caught them and gave them both a six hour lecture on the things a Lady should and shouldn't be learning. The two younger Starks love Jon and see him the same way Arya does.
It is Jon's sixteenth name day and unlike his half siblings there will be no celebration to mark the occasion. He gets out of bed to get ready for the day. Just as he finishes dressing there is a knock at the door. "Little sister..." Jon says opening the door to find Arya. Since she was six Arya had been first in giving him his name day present and well wishes.
"Happy name day Brother..." She says leaping into his arms.
"Thank you..."
"I got you a present..."
Jon smiles at the gift. It is a gold ring with the sigil of House Stark on the jewel a Dire Wolf. "And where did you get this?"
"I asked father for it..."
Jon puts the ring on, "Thank you, but I had best keep it in my room...Lady Catelyn will not be pleased..."
She sighs, "I have another surprise…" She goes to the door and ushers in Old Nan the head cook at Winterfell.
"Happy Name Day Lord Snow..." She says walking in with one of her special three layer cakes.
Jon dips his finger in the icing, "My favorite..."
"Well I must go and finish the breakfast..."
Jon and Arya go to the main hall together and as usual Jon sits with Jorey Cassel and other high ranking members of Winterfell. Jon looks longingly at the head table where his family and even Theon are eating, laughing, and talking. Ned looks up and catches him staring. He sighs as Jon quickly looks away. After everyone has finished their meal Eddard Stark walks up to Jon with his name day gift.
"Happy name day son..."
"Thank you father..."
"Here..." He says handing Jon a freshly forged sword. "I thinks it time you carried a sword."
Robb walks up and Jon unsheathes it. Jon is the best sword in Winterfell and he recently defeated his sword Master Ser Rodrick Cassel in the training yard. People are still talking about their duel. What made Jon so good is that he is very fast and agile. "Thank you father..."
They hug, then Eddard looks at Robb, "I have your gift, but it is outside..."
Jon follows Robb and his father outside to where the Stableman is holding a Horse. "For me?"
"Yes all you have to do is name him..."
Jon names his horse Raven, because he's black as a Raven's feather. "Thanks bro..." Bran and Rickon give Jon his gifts next. Bran gives Jon a new bow and Rickon gives Jon one of his toy knights.
Theon takes Jon to the Wintertown brothel for his first woman. "Its time you had a woman my friend and don't think that I am not aware that you haven't been with one..."
There is an unwritten law among Bastards, not to make more bastards. Jon goes into the room and pays the woman to pretend they have sex. After an hour he leaves the room. "How was it?" Robb asks.
"A gentlemen doesn't kiss and tell..."
"When dealing with High Born ladies!" Theon shouts as they ride back to Winterfell.
Before evening meal Jon goes to the god's wood and sits on a log and sings. He is joined by Arya who silently listens sitting beside him.
When he is done Eddard Stark claps, "Father!"
"You didn't tell me you could sing."
"Well I..."
"You could make a lot of gold as a bard..."
"Please don't tell anyone else..."
He sighs, "Very well, but such a gift should be shared with others..."
The day is over and Jon sits on his bed eating a piece of cake. There is a knock at his door, "Enter!" Catelyn Stark walks in, "Lady Catelyn!"
"Sit don't get up on my account...Happy name day..." She says giving him a new suit wrapped in paper. Sometimes she gave him a gift and sometimes she did not. "So ten and six name days old. Do you have any plans for the future?"
He hunches his shoulders, "I was considering heading east and fight as a Sell Sword..."
She frowns, "There is no honor in being a sell sword...Have you considered the Night's Watch..."
"I have..."
"And..."
"I don't know...I have thought about it...I also think about making a name for myself and having a family of my own..."
"There are ways of doing that without becoming a Sell-Sword Jon..."
"I also need gold if I am to become a husband and father..."
"Whatever you decide Lord Stark and I will support..."
"Thank you my Lady..."
"You are welcome Jon...Now give me a piece of that cake..."
After she leaves Jon lays down and falls asleep; he dreams.
"Jon! Jon!" He hears someone call his name as a Wolf howls somewhere. "Jon!" He sits up in bed and the door to his room opens; in walks a hooded woman.
"Who are you?"
She laughs, "I am your mother of course..."
"What is your name? Show yourself!" He demands. The hooded woman raises her hands and pulls down her hood. Jon stretches his eyes as the head of a wolf is under the hood. The robe falls to the floor; the dire wolf is standing on its hind legs. It goes down on all fours and growls at Jon. When it leaps at him Jon rolls out of bed and runs with the Dire Wolf chasing him.
When he reaches the door that leads to Winterfell's courtyard the Dire Wolf is behind the door. He runs through the main hall towards the kitchen and when he opens the door the Wolf is there. It chases him to his father's solar. Jon makes it inside and closes the door as the Dire Wolf runs up the hall.
"Jon are you alright?"
He turns to find a hooded figure with his back to him behind the desk. "Father?"
"You are right I am your father...Not the Lord of Winterfell..."
The hooded figure turns to face him, "What are you talking about?"
The hooded man lowers his hood and underneath is a three headed Dragon. The door to the solar falls off the hinges and in walks the Dire Wolf. It looks at Jon as it passes by him to stand beside the three headed Dragon. "Wake the Dragon..." The middle head says.
"What does that mean?"
All three heads rear back and bathe Jon in fire.
Jon sits up in bed soaked in sweat and breathing heavy. He looks around the room and sighs as his head falls back to the pillow. He tries to fall asleep, but is unable to.