Thank you to all those who have read, followed, favorited and reviewed! I was so happy to get people's feedback and if they thought the first chapter was good. I'd love to know more of what you guys think, if you like the POV if I have Jon in character (this one I really need enlightenment on) and if she like the characters and events that go on. I always appreciate hearing you guys and it really keeps me wanting to continue with it when I know what you guys are thinking.

So lastly I just wanted to put out there that I would love it so so much if someone could help with beta-ing my story. My friend Ads helps but GoT is such a massive universe that honestly as many minds as possible will go a long way as far as continuity, character development and staying true to those characters as well. So having someone to comb over the chapters pre-post and bouncing ideas off of would be magnificent! So if you think that's you then please message me and we can go from there. But okay I'll stop talking. Please review and most of all, enjoy!

. . . . . . . . . .

Father had insisted that we look nice. I even had to bathe before hand. Not that it's a bad thing but it told me that this person was important.

"Ah Jon, you smell good for once." Arya, my little sister, sharpest tongue I knew, said as I passed her in the courtyard.

"As sweet as ever, sister." I smiled at her as I pat her head to which she pushes my hand away with a scowl.

She wasn't much of a girl, content with her bows and arrows, swords and horseplay. She could easily pass as a boy if Lady Stark didn't force her to keep her hair long.

"Going to meet our mysterious guest?"

I nod.

"Why can't I come? I want to see who it is." She whines.

She always seems so much older when she's shooting an arrow but so young when she laughs and talks. It was almost like Bran, but the opposite. Bran was a boy until he spoke. He was always aware of his surroundings, of what was going on when he shouldn't be. So willing to grow up but also so young.

"It could be dangerous." I exaggerate my voice as I then lunge to tickle her.

Her girlish laugh was a giveaway of her age. It made me happy to see her so young when I knew she could beat any man here with just her wits alone.

"Stop Jon!" She screams as her voice covers in laughter.

After a moment I decide it's about time to head out. With her bottom lip set out of place and her eyes wide she tries one last time to plead her way into coming.

"You know it's not up to me." I say.

Her head fell for a small second before it was set right and a scowl was on her young face. She looked older than her age as if an adult was trapped inside someone so small.

"Fine. I didn't want to go anyway. One day I'll be slaying dragons! Escorting is no fun compared to that!"

I snort at her determination to defeat dragons. Who knows, she maybe right. Though they are extinct it seems this is the time for all those once gone to find their place back on earth among us.

"I believe you, little sister." One last pat of her head and I leave her behind. I'm sure she'll get over it.

"I wonder what house they're from. They're sure to have an army after them with such secrecy." Robb predicts as we ride ten minutes in.

I had been content to watch the brown empty hills of Winterfell land as we make our way on horseback down the King's road. Robb was always a talker. Never one to sit in silence for long. Yet another thing opposite in the Stark children, but of course I was not really a Stark.

"Are you sure father didn't tell you a name?"

Robb wasn't one to forget such a detail, but with the King coming as well it would be easy to lose track of a name.

"Yes, he didn't tell me." The pregnant pause after his words were telling enough before the words left his lips. "Or...maybe he did…." I watch my brother as his face twisted as his mind battled in a war greater than the rebellion. "No, he didn't. I'm sure I would remember that...I think"

I didn't stop myself from laughing. Even Robb could have his moments of uncertainty. Maybe it would humble him.

"How is it that the great Robb Stark, son of the Lord of the north Ed Stark, could forget something as simple as a name?" I teased my brother who's face was beginning to match his hair.

"He didn't tell me. I know it!" His eyes were wide and his head was faced forward. He must be embarrassed.

"Nothing wrong with being forgetful...old man."

The face of my brother was ripe with anger.

"I'm jesting, brother. I thought I was supposed to be the serious one." I chortle. "How do you propose we greet them? 'You who sent the Raven?'"

"...We'll think of something." He replies in a hushed tone.

"You're the one to be talking, Robb. You represent house Stark, not me."

His face had reached shades lighter than his hair. My brother, Lord Robb Stark, the tomato.

. . . . . . . . . .

We had finally made it to the destination spot. It almost felt as if we had left winterfell behind. I had forgotten how big Stark land really was.

It was quiet in the vast empty lands. At least half a day's ride before we see a village. Robb didn't talk, trying his best to remember the name before they showed, I'm sure.

"I remember now-"

Just as my brother had begun to speak we heard the gallop of horses coming close. We stood ready on our horses just in case it was unwanted company.

We saw the banners before we saw the people who followed them. There was no need to remember the name now, the sigil, a crowned stag on a yellow banner told us the house. With a heart atop a burning flame.

Surrounded by only four armed men was a girl I had never seen before. Her hair as red as the flame that proudly dimpled her house and eyes blue as ice. Her skin was whiter than snow and if I hadn't known of the stories of the white walkers I would think she was one. Her deep red dress hugged her small body tightly as the ends of it tossed back and forth in the wind around her white stallion. Her collarbone was even visible from this distance and her cheekbones as high as her eye sockets. She was beautiful and even that was not enough. There had never been a more striking woman such as her back in winterfell.

"By the Gods." I hear my brother mumble in awe as he too watched the woman coming closer to use with her bannerman and horses.

They were before us before we had time to close our mouths.

"Please welcome Lady Astor of house Baratheon. First daughter of Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone."

A girl, with straight dark brown hair that fell loose down her back with dark eyes and tanned skin presented the flamed girl before us. Her dress was a deep brown that was more loose than the flamed women's. Her clothes were fine and she was sure to come from a noble house as well.

My brother and I looked like fools. We didn't greet her right off, we just stared like we were frozen in time. And in truth it felt just as much.

"Well, aren't you going to pay respects to Lady Astor? I thought you were mannered Lords. Is this how they treat ladies in winterfell? By Gods, They all must still be virgins. You men have no charm."

"Fresca, enough." The flamed girl finally spoke and her soft, yet authoritative, voice from such an appearance didn't help snap us out of our foolishness.

The Lady, Fresca, smiled endearingly at the flamed woman.

Rob was easier to compose himself. He had the most experience with women. I always looked like a right fool as I never could find my voice around them. It was best to leave this meeting up to Robb.

"Welcome to winterfell, Lady Astor."

My brother looked at me, I had been sure to avoid eye contact with Lady Astor for fear my cheeks must match her hair.

"I am Robb, of house Stark, First born of the Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell. This is my brother, Jon Snow."

Her handmaiden was quick to catch on of my status, bending at the waist to whisper to Lady Astor in surprise.

"He's the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark."

Lady Astor was quick to calm her handmaiden with a simple pat to her shoulder.

"You must know the right words to speak, Fresca." She whispers to her handmaiden. "My apologies. She knows not what she speaks."

I was surprised she didn't comment herself. There was no change in her words once she had been made aware of me and there was no disdain in her face. My nerves had yet to fade but it was easier to look from the plain sheet of brown-green grass on the ground, to her.

"The trip was long, I wish to accompany you back to Winterfell, my Lords." Lady Astor speaks politely as any true highborn would.

However, her words bothered me. She said Lords when by the Gods my brother was the only one with that title. Robb must have noticed it too as he looked on at me from the side of his eye.

"Of course, My Lady." With that Robb turned his horse and I waited for the rest to follow before me. I was again surprised as Lady Astor did not attempt to move her horse forward. The lack of heavy horse footfalls behind him made my brother halt his travel and turn to speak with the Lady.

"Is something the matter, Lady Astor?"

"No. I'm sorry. I'm just…" Her eyes were locked onto me, I refused to look at her for I would surely become more of a fool, but I could feel them on me.

I was use to women looking at me. I wasn't blind to it, and I had been approached plenty. But they were never Ladies looking at me, regardless if it was just in mild curiosity

"Please, do go on, Jon Snow."

I would have missed her gesture if I hadn't looked up from the ground.

I looked to Robb before I did as she asked. His nod was swift as he turned with one last curious look at our new guests.

. . . . . . . . . .

Lady Fresca was a talker, like Robb. Actually, she hadn't been quiet since we began our journey back to the castle.

She talked a lot about home, how it was darker and more grim there and that she liked the way the air felt on her skin better here than at Dragonstone.

I knew more about her in the last hour than I knew about Lady Astor and every sentence Lady Fresca spoke I waited for Lady Astor to reply with something, anything to give some insight into how she felt.

At best she would laugh and for the most part that was enough for me. It told me much about her, how comfortable and caring for her handmaiden she must be. Especially to put up with the incessant talking. But when I was just at a good enough angle to look back at her without, I hope, being obvious, I could see her glowing eyes as she watched the scenery around her and managed to also give her handmaiden her full attention. She was perceptive, that much I knew, and even though I hoped it was not true, I believe she knew I watched her. She would catch me from time to time from the corner of her blue eyes and the smallest smile I might have even have just imagined graces her lips. I assumed it was just to laugh at the star struck bastard who couldn't keep his eyes on The King's Road.

Robb spoke with them as we rode. He asked them how long it had taken them from Dragonstone to our lands and how it must have been dangerous going so far for so long with very little men. Of course Lady Fresca was verbal about what she thought, saying she was her protection and that the bannerman were just for show. When Robb laughed at her I saw the look on the Lady's face and I was sure she was seconds away from jumping from her horse to strangle my brother. That had made me laugh for the first time since we were joined by our new company. And it was then that the tables had turned to show the eyes for Lady Astor now focused on me, which of course cut my laughter short. I managed to refrain from looking at her for she was sure to see my cheeks had changed color.

. . . . . . . . . .

We had lost more time than intended. The horse Lady Astor was riding was not cooperating and had stopped every few feet. She would look away to her horse and a small line between her brow would set as she watched the animal. I would take that time to look at her closer before I found my own horse kicking the dirt beneath him more interesting.

"Do you need to stop, Lady Astor?" Fresca suddenly asks as we all turn to wait for her to answer.

"No, I think it's just Leo. He's hungry."

"Leo?" Robb asks for the both of us.

"Her horse." Fresca says as her eyes focus on her Lady's.

Robb looks at me but I'm more focused on Lady Astor. I watch her unafraid as she gently brushes the white long hair on the steads head and leans in to whisper to it. I was fascinated as I had never seen anyone treat a horse like it was anything other than an animal.

I feel my brothers eyes like daggers on my back and pull at my cloak nervously. It must be too obvious that I was starring. I probably look perverse, watching her so closely.

"Would it be alright if we did stop?" She finally says as she straightens and addresses my brother and surprisingly me as well, as if my opinion mattered.

I look to my brother and let him make the decisions.

He hesitates as he looks on into the direction we are headed. He looks older and more thoughtful as he works out thoughts in his head.

"Of course." He nods and steadies his own horse before jumping down. We all follow suit and stand on our own feet as we walk the animals over to the trees on the side of the road.

I was content with leaning against the tree as I watch the white clouds change and shape above me. But as a rope passes my vision and Lady Astor replaces it in front of me I don't think my plans will be a lonely as I had anticipated.

"Do you mind if we share a tree?"

It should have been a quick response. Yes or no, it was simple. But, of course, I couldn't think as those piercing blue eyes watched me closely.

I didn't expect her to come over here, much less ask questions. My mind wasn't prepared. I hadn't thought out a proper response to give a Lady.

I had managed to move out of her way so she could tie her horse, which I assume was an answer, as she began to wrap the rope around the tree without a word. A simple nod and smile was all she gave as she focused then on her horse. I looked on at the horse, noticing its strong chest and long legs. It was a finely breed horse, that was clear. But the way she looked at the animal it was as if it too had found its spot in her heart.

"I raised him." She says in a soft, far away voice. "When he was brought to us, he was sick."

She had turned from her horse enough to look at me. I was unable to look at her and focused my eyes on many things-like the ridges in the tree or the kicked up dirt beneath it and the black reign connected to the saddle of the horse.

"I fed him, every day." a sad smile on her lips. "And when my father told me that he would die before the weeks end, I was determined to keep him alive. So I did. But he would have never survived if he was not strong himself. I could try to take that credit, but it would be a lie."

It brought the image of Ghost to my mind. He was still so young, only a pup, the smallest, a runt. But he was strong, I could see it. I could feel it as I watch him play and learn new tricks. He was a fighter.

"That's why I named him Leo. A lion, strong and fierce. Loyal until the end."

I tried to understand why she told me this. After not speaking from the time we met until now, what made her? Was she lonely? I looked around to find her handmaiden and spot her near Robb who looked slightly annoyed at this point as he catches me watching him and smiles in the only way to describe as just Robb. I was her only option. That must be it.

I focus back on the tree and the horse as I continue to listen.

She turns from her horse and her hands fall to the sides of her dress. Her eyes are solely on me and my heart was in no hurry to stop trying to beat from my chest.

"What did you name your horse?"

I looked from her to my horse and by the Gods I couldn't remember what this one's name was. There were many horses and most looked alike. Don't get me wrong, I liked the horses but none of them were truly mine. I knew them by their attributes, what made them great. But by name was not how.

I struggle to give an answer and soon I give up. I probably looked insensitive. Was owning a horse and caring for it like a pet something that makes women more interested in you? Not that she would be either way, or that it really mattered to know the ways to a women when I would never have one of my own once I pledged to the black. But even so useless knowledge was still knowledge.

"Sorry, I just assumed."

I heard a faint laugh from her as she turns and begins to feed her horse. I felt as if I should say something, anything. She had taken time out to come over to me, even if it was just for wavering companionship, and I had managed to say nothing at all to her. It was sure to seem disrespectful in her eyes.

"It's Buck...I believe." I say nervously.

She turns mid way to watch me and a smile forms on her full mouth.

"That's a good name."

"Lady Astor. How's Leo coming along?" Lady Fresca calls over from her spot next to my brother.

"He's fine. He should be ready to move in a moment." She calls back.

"Good. As soon as he's ready we'll be on our way. We're losing daylight." Robb says as he places his hands on his hips and then turns back to Lady Fresca.

I watched him as he confidently talks to her. How simple it looked. It was always moments like this that the jealousy of who Robb is and will always be comes to me beneath the love and admiration I felt for my brother. He was better, at everything. Could have everything and I would always struggle. If he were talking to Lady Astor right now he would have charmed her. I couldn't even try.

"Fresca likes him." I hear the Lady say as she stands closer to me and watches them from across the field.

I keep my feet bolted to the ground despite wanting to flee. She was too close, so close I could almost feel the sleeve of her dress touch my arm. My nerves felt as if they were on fire. The closest I've been to a women was my sisters, which didn't count. This was completely different and uncomfortable. But when I was ever around the opposite sex that was a feeling I came accustomed to, which is why I did my best to avoid it.

"Probably offending him as much as possible." She laughs and turns to me. "That's how I know."

I hadn't asked, but I suppose I didn't have to.

"Your brother seems nice."

I watched her as discreetly as I could. Whenever a woman would talk to me about Robb it always ended in the same way. They wanted to get to me to get to Robb. At first it had hurt and after a while it became expected. Of course not every woman was like this. The whores and the town's girls mostly tried talking to me out of interest, but I never stopped waiting for them to bring up my brother. That is if I stayed long enough to let them get that far. Rarely did I speak to women. When I would my brother was always there and they were never interested in me enough to care. But the ones that would as I passed always started the conversation just the same. I bite down on my teeth as I wait for her to ask the inevitable question.

"They look good together."

Or, maybe I was wrong. That tends to happen more than I would like to admit.

"Alright," she says as she turns back to her horse, unties him and leads him to the road without another word.

I suppose we were off then.

. . . . . . . . . .

We traveled for half a day before we made it to the nearest town with a suitable inn for Lady Astor. Well, according to her handmaiden. Lady Astor seemed content with whatever Robb and I decided was best.

Robb had insisted I room with him. Sure to discuss our guests in greater detail behind the anonymity of a stone wall.

Lady Astor's handmaiden would have been easy to mistaken for the Lady of house Baratheon. She was confident, much like Robb, and boisterous. She didn't care to compose herself like most handmaidens did and she didn't bow down and take orders as Lady Astor had yet to give her any. They seemed to communicate on some other level, no words were needed. It reminded me of Robb and I at times when a certain way he would move his head told me all I needed to know about what went on inside of it or the way he would swing his sword.

If I didn't know any better I would think the two were sisters. Their bond was strong, anyone would notice.

"She's beautiful, isn't she? It's hard to imagine she came from the loins of Stannis Baratheon." Robb said, bringing me to the present.

I didn't have to voice it, by the look on Robb's face he knew that I agreed. Any seeing man not blind, would.

"Her handmaiden was beautiful as well."

"You think all women are beautiful."

"Not all women." He smirks.

"Stone doesn't always keep voices from carrying, brother. You might want to be cautious." I warn as I hear the faintest of voices behind the walls. And with Robb's mouth they were sure to hear him.

"So? What are they going to do if I call them beautiful? Call me handsome? They'd be right, you know." He boasts.

"Just get some sleep, Robb." I moan into my pillow that felt like bricks beneath my head.

"You're right. We have a long day tomorrow. We should be back home before evening." With that I heard him fall onto the hard bed, regretting doing so the second his back connected to it and sighing until he went silent.

It was finally quiet enough to sleep. But of course my mind did not agree. The thoughts of the day crescendoed and wouldn't leave me peace.

I thought of her, Lady Astor. How her hair curled at the bottom and her blood red dress blew against the wind as we rode. Her eyes would pierce a man like a spear if she let them. I remembered feeling them on my back not being as uncomfortable with the thought of her watching me as time went on. She wasn't like the other girls who would stare. She wasn't watching me as a bastard or as an attractive man who happened to be the bastard of Lord Eddard Star with no titles or future, or a stepping stone to the next Lord of the North. She felt as if she were trying to figure me out. Trying to speak to me somehow. I felt crazy for romanticizing glances from a Lady. I had no right. I tried to stop those thoughts. No good could come of them. It must be infatuation. She was unlike any woman I'd ever seen. She didn't talk, and when she did it left more to think about.

I wonder if Robb feels the same. I would understand from him, his thoughts wouldn't be wrong. He's a Lord. If she was interested in anyone it was sure to be Robb. He carried the name, the title and was the heir to Winterfell.

I sigh as spears filled my throat again. I needed air.

I left the room, unconcerned with being too loud. Robb could sleep through wars. When you're as carefree as him it must be easy to sleep so sound.

My feet carried me to the front of the boarding house. I felt the wind whip through my hair and furs and it kissed my face red. I kept my eyes on every corner. You can't be too careful, no place was really safe.

I heard the wooden door creak and I cup my sheathed sword as I turn to see who's joined me.

My throat is dry when I see her, fire red hair and piercing eyes.

"Lady Astor." I greet her politely as my head bows and my eyes search for anything but her.

"Hello, Jon Snow." Her voice was soft, like silk. Too warm for this weather.

I didn't know if she expected me to begin a conversation. Would it be rude if I didn't? Surely it would. But what could I say when my throat has closed up on me and I feel like I'm being choked by a snake around my neck.

"Tell me Jon Snow, what do you like to be called?"

It was a simple question with an even more simple answer.

"Jon Snow."

Lady Astor was quiet.

"Is that what you wish to be called, or is it what you're used to being called?"

This wasn't as simple of a question and the answer wasn't as simple to come to.

She had asked an unexpected question. A question that I had always wanted to be asked but never been granted. It was a question that left me vulnerable and I didn't know if that was what she had intended but nevertheless it was a powerful one.

"I'm sorry-"

"No, there's nothing to apologize for." I say without looking her way.

The dancing trees held my interest to distract me from her dancing flames.

"Can I call you Jon?" She asks.

"As you wish, Lady Astor."

"You're very formal, Jon. I never much liked the title of Lady Astor. Astor will do just fine."

I felt knives pierce the inside of my throat. It's considered disrespectful to not address a highborn with the honor of a title. But declining a highborns wishes are just as disrespectful. I was trapped like a caged animal. I chose the lesser of the two evils. I don't know how or why I was able to actually speak with her when just earlier every word had froze in my throat.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think our families will appreciate that, especially coming from a bastard."

Her silence was deafening. I nervously looked over my shoulder to her and her face was as stoic as my own.

"I don't much care for what my family thinks. I'm sorry that I assumed you felt the same."

With that, she turns and pushes her way through the heavy wooden door, gone.

My head fell into my hands and I sighed heavy. This was the very reason I didn't talk to women, I couldn't.