Saying goodbye to my family had been easy...except for Arya.

"Why can't I go with you? I'll sneak out after you leave, you can wait for me-half a day no more!"

"Arya...little sister, if the decision were mine you'd make this journey with me. Lord Stark is Warden of the North. If you disappeared ravens would be sent and we'd all be dragged back to Winterfell. I'm sorry."

I understood her pain. An outcast, different and apart because she refused to except the role she was meant for. But I knew that there was no way she would be allowed to come with me. She'd screamed and ranted at me after I denied her and only calmed down when I told her I would be finding the places I'd take her if her Father ever tried to betroth her to a man.

"You promise? You'll come back and if they try to sell me off like a a philly, you'll take me away to Essos?"

I nodded solemnly.

"If you should ever have need of me, I'll find you. I promise."

She hugged me fiercely and I knew that in my heart Arya would never be anything but little sister.

The journey to Greywater Watch took twenty and two days though it seemed like an age had passed by the time we arrived.

Ser Owen was harsh but fair in my training when we began. After I told him to do his best to help me become a great warrior like Ser Aemon the Dragonknight he became a nightmare. It only took me half a day to regret the request.

The whole journey was made in full harness. We rode in plate, with chain mail underneath. When we weren't riding, we were sparring. I'd never rode in harness previously and it took much of the joy away in riding. Everything became a struggle as I was pushed beyond my physical limits day after day.

When we arrived in the marshlands of the Neck we could not continue on our horses. We made camp and used a signaling horn in the hopes that the Crannogman would realize we wished to speak with them.

We were sparring at the campsite we'd made two days previously when we realized we had an audience We were approached by would seemed to be a group of spearwielding children.

I realized as they came closer that they were not children, they were short in stature and slight in build and I remembered that the Crannogmen were not known to be as large as other Men in the North.

"I am Jon Snow, son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell. My father has bid me to come to see the Lord of the Neck, Howland Reed. We would have you guide us there, as we know that this land is treacherous and unknowable for outsiders."

The crannogmen looked at our horses after I made my request. One of them stepped forward while shaking his head.

"Milord, horses will not be able to make the journey. Better that one of you stay and tend to the beasts."

I was half way to asking Ser Owen to stay before he replied.

"We are to remain together by order of Lord Stark. One of you must stay and tend to the horses then. I apologize for the inconvenience and will happily pay silver to whichever of you remains to guard our camp and horses."

The four crannogmen looked amongst each other before the one who had approached us previously nodded.

"I will guide you to Greywater Watch. My companions will guard your horses and campsite. We only ask that you provide food as there is little good hunting or fishing near this place."

Greywater Watch was a keep unlike any other in Westoros. It floated. I suppose that it had to as it was built upon marshlands which could become ponds or small lakes depending on the year's rain.

The keep wasn't large compared to Winterfell. It was perhaps the size of the inn where I'd started my journey of self discovery. The knowledge that I was soon to get about my mother brought a smile to my face.

We were brought into a dining hall though it did not seem like the hall of a Lord's keep. The room looked like it could sit thirty people at most. There wer eno banners, no servants, and the furniture and walls were neither fine nor new. I could see why other nobles would look down upon these people, but I refused to. Howland Reed had kept the secret of my birth, and was said to be a close friend of my mother. I would not let prejudice ruin his first impression of me.

Howland entered, trailed by two children. He was shorter than me by half a hand, clean shaven with bright green eyes that seemed to see through me.

"Jon Snow...you're appearance here brings me pleasure though I had not expected it. What brings you to Greywater Watch?"

I opened my mouth to answer when his son spoke.

"He's come to hear the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, father."

The little boy who could be no more then six namedays old spoke happily.

I looked down at him and gave him a smile. Howland frowned at the boy.

"My son, Jojen. He's just heard that story. You know how children can be.." He trailed off, but seemed disturbed by what his son had said.

I was confused but did my best not to show it. Children would be children after all..

"I'm sure the story would be a great one, My Lord. I've come to hear stories, that is true-stories of the Lady Lyanna."

At that Howland let out a gasp then nodded solemnly

"That story is a good one to start with then, as it is the story of how I met her. Come along then, I'm assuming your companion knows of the connection between you and the Lady in question."

Ser Owen and I nodded, then we were led to a small room filled to the brim with chests and scrolls.

"Jojen...I need to speak with Jon and his companion alone. Go find your sister Meera. I'll be along later."

-

Short update. Sorry for the delay. My writing feels clumsy and forced as I am having to get through parts of the story I don't really want to write to get to the good stuff.