Chapter Four
Preparations

-.-
Jon Snow
Winterfell - The South Gate
_._

There was a stirring in the air, whispers that the king was coming within a moon's turn and few had sung that he might bring a bastard son with him. Somehow, this had put Jon in an alerted state. Why, he didn't know but somehow it made him uneasy about outsiders entering Winterfell, even if the man was like a brother to Ned. He had heard stories about the usurper, both the good and the bad side. The way he fought on the battlefield, relentless and fierce but his love for wine and women distorted the image of the King of the Seven Kingdoms. While his father has his honour, it made Jon wonder what Robert could possess to gain respect. Was he fair and just? Does he have honour as well? Or was it just his strength in battle that had set him apart?

He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt something tug his glove-covered hand. Ghost was nipping at his fingers to get some attention; it made him smile faintly. Even if he was as already as big as a newborn calf, the white direwolf still sometimes act like a pup.

While he, in turn, must grow up at such a tender age. No doubt living as a highborn's bastard was certainly not the easiest of lifestyles but he was grateful that he had been educated by Maester Luwin even if it was alongside the prick Theon.

Speaking of the Greyjoy, he didn't see much of his arrogant arse these past few days. Robb had kept his word about warning Theon from behaving that way around not just with Fia but all the women within the keep. For Jon, it was long overdue but the handmaiden was the one who had triggered it.

He suddenly remembered what he was supposed to be doing and focused the attention on Bran who was struggling to keep his hand steady as he tried to aim at the target before him. "Relax your bow arm" he advised him, "If you put too much pressure on it, you will miss your target." As if to emphasize his words, the arrow flew from the notch and instead of the target, it flew straight to the bale of hay and disappeared into the stack.

Robb, who was with them, gave a short chuckle as Jon patted a frowning Bran and told him to try again. He looked up from the smaller practice yard to see Lady Catelyn by the perch, watching them with her eyes. Her eyes narrowed as they swept upon Jon before they settled upon her sons.

"I can't do it" Bran grumbled as he lowered his bow. Jon shook his head and gestured his hand to the target, "Focus at your aim, if it helps; don't think too much"

The boy sighed as he notched the arrow on the string again. But before he could let the arrow fly, the sound of voices and giggling interrupted their training. Both he and Robb turned their heads to see a gaggle of girls walk by with Sansa in the middle talking to Jeyne Poole who had just arrived in Winterfell three days earlier. Some of the girls were from the well-off half of the smallfolk from winter town and others were the daughters of merchants. Jon easily spotted Fia despite the numerous other dark haired girls that surrounded her. The girl was busy talking to a lass with ash blonde locks but she stopped when they walked past the practice yard.

When Robb greeted them out of manners, more than half giggled and blushed furiously as they covered their faces with their hands. Sansa and Jeyne weren't fazed (Arya had made fun of Jeyne's apparent infatuation with Theon) and Fia, in turn, just turned slightly to Jon's way and gave him a short nod and grinned like she knows something he didn't.

Women...

It was like they were conspiring with each other and they all moved in groups like a flock of snow shrikes. They whispered and laughed without care, it was difficult to see how the mightiest of men would crumble at the sight of a woman. And most of them are enamored with Robb; due to him being the heir to the throne of the North and all. But out of everyone in that group, Fia was the only one who acknowledged his presence. Does she even remember that he's a bastard? She had shown him the same courtesies as she had to his half-family although she sometimes forgets herself around him, commenting on the weather, or even talking about the Godswood; wondering whether the Children of the Forest could hear their thoughts.

He would sometimes see her sit by the lake of the Godswood; her head bowed low and her hand was clenched into a tight fist that she placed over her chest. If she was praying for something that hard, it must be of great importance for her.

As the girls walked off, Arya came to view with a rather large scowl on her face. Jon raised a brow; no trousers today. Instead, she was in a pale green dress that looked as though it stitched itself on her body and the expression on her face meant that she was angry.

"Needlework?" Robb offered as she stomped towards them, her hands automatically grabbed the hilt of a dulled sword.

"No" she hissed, "But it's almost as bad as that!"

"What's worse than needlework?" Jon japed as Bran lowered his weapon, training left forgotten. It was clear the young Stark wasn't too eager to practice his marksmanship and the walls of Winterfell call for him.

"They had us learn songs! What good would it do other than disturbing the silence with silly verses?" she complained and began to hack a sack that was strung up. "If I ever meet those song writers, I will drive this sword up their arse until they-"

"Arya!"

All of them froze and looked at where the voice came from, making Jon remember that they were not alone. The lady's tone was sharp and Arya was wise not to ignore it. Robb gently pushed his sister towards the stairs that was connected to the perch while Jon took it upon himself to put away the weapons; all under the watchful eye of the lady.

He wandered about in winter town alone, Ghost was hunting in the forest and Robb was called for a meeting in the Great Hall. Of course he had no right to be told what was happening but he had faith in his half-brother that Robb will pass on any important information to him.

While he was already used to it, the whispers of the smallfolk around him still made his ears twitch like hundreds of buzzing flies. Merchants who had traveled far north showed their goods and the crops that the locals had produced have decreased immensely. By the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Fia in her favoured blue dress inspecting several sheets of wool and fur near an armory.

He was planning to just walk past her but she was quick to see and lifted two spreads of fur in front of him, "Which do you think is better? A snowbear's pelt or the shadowcat's?"

He was at a loss.

Fia looked at him expectantly, a pure white fur on the right and dark smoky gray on the other arm. 'Is she serious?' he found himself asking that question internally. She lifted a brow as he continued to stare as if she had asked him a rather impossible riddle before she turned to the impatient merchant who was playing with a leather pouch.

She took the snowbear's pelt and paid the man a generous amount of three gold dragons. It made him curious; it was a bit high for a fur and the price was a too much for a regular handmaiden... mayhaps she had coin sent to her from family?

She rolled the pelt and tucked it into her arms and to his surprise, she turned to him yet again and even raised a brow, "Shall we go?"

"Go where?"

He had to ask of course, unless there was a promise for him to escort her somewhere today without him knowing about it, he wouldn't take one good step to start. Fia made a 'tsk' under her breath before she led the way, prompting him to follow her.

"Shouldn't you be with your lady?" he asked as they made their way back to Winterfell, his trip to scout the holdfast now forgotten.

"No, she needs to spend some time with Lady Jeyne" she answered.

"Did you just went all the way to winter town just to buy that one spread?"

"If I bought the shadowcat pelt as well I wouldn't have any more coins" she replied, evading a man who was pushing a cart.

"... and what are you going to do with the fur?" Jon queried before he could stop himself. The crowds were getting bigger as the stream of people flock winter town.

She turned to him fully with a glint in her eye, "You're asking quite a lot of questions today". He told himself the same thing but she nevertheless responded with a steady pace,

"Lady Sansa wanted to have a new dress but the seamstress was out of fur so I bought a new one and decided to make it myself. Maybe I can make a pretty one with a hood on it."

Jon was taken aback for at least the second time with her. Was she so taken with Sansa that she had spent time and money for her lady? "Isn't that a bit much?" he commented, noting that they were heading towards the glass garden where the fruits, trees and flowers thrived.

She didn't answer until they entered the greenhouse; the air suddenly made it seem like it was too warm to wear their cloaks. Fia settled the rolled fur on one of the benches and sat next to it. "What do you mean?" she asked in turn.

"You've spent a large sum of coin just for Sansa's pleasure" he explained "She can have a new dress whenever she pleases so why do you have to go great lengths to appease her?"

At first she said nothing, her eyes stayed on a bed of camellias that grew next to the budding blue winter rose bush. He feared he had crossed the line and opened his mouth to apologize when she whispered,

"I never had a sister before" she muttered, as she bend to her knees to gently follow the curls of a white and red flower with her fingertip, "It's not my place but I have begun to regard Lady Sansa as a sister I will never have."

Jon felt his lips curl at her words; it was a naive gesture for her to consider it. Though it would be cruel of him if he told her that Sansa might not share the sentiment. "Not really an ideal sister" he said under his breath. Unfortunately for him, she heard his words.

"Lady Sansa's gentle and kind. She had no ill will towards anyone" she defended as she looked up to his face. Ah, a loyal handmaiden through and through.

"Bit of a spoiled girl if you ask me" he countered. Jon knew that he shouldn't be saying it, for walls have ears and their whispers could travel to the ears of his own father and his wife. He knew what Sansa had thought of him and she definitely shared her mother's opinions and they're not actually singing praises in regards of the lord's bastard.

Fia's mouth twitched as she stood up and straightened her dress, "Well maybe you just don't know her heart well enough."

Jon shook his head at her apparently gullible attitude, "Forgive me but I've been around Lord Stark's children my whole life. I know Sansa more than you."

She turned to him with an unfathomable expression on her face and said, "You may know a person for a lifetime and never know what is truly in their hearts."

Jon couldn't think of anything to say. The girl's naive but at the same time, she can be wise. He watched as she took a seat on the bench and breathed in the moist air, letting the sunlight pour over her face. For a moment, he thought her eyes were as silver as the moon. She blinked and turned to him,

"It's alright to sit down you know" she teased, making him purse his lips. She was such a strange thing, her emotions can switch almost immediately and her face was more of an open book; every thoguht and emotion can be read. One moment she was somber and the next she was more like a child. Even Sansa wasn't like that.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard her chuckle. "What?" he asked (although more like demanded). His ears started to grow hot when her laughter doubled the more she stared at him.

"And here I thought you're too stone-faced to have such an expression!" she explained before she (thankfully) stopped her laughter and began to tie her hair into a single plait.

"Stone-faced?" he repeated. Her words were highly intriguing and even when she sometimes offended him; he knew she meant no harm behind the words.

She curled her lips together before she answered "Your face is usually so dour. Either you're too grim or you're just very good at hiding what you really feel." Her words mirrored Robb's in a way, as he had also told him that his face was displaying a single side which was somber. Well forgive him for not smiling so frequently as his life wasn't exactly very enjoyable.

Jon was more than aware of the pair of grayish blue eyes that watched him, it was becoming a rather annoying habit of hers. After she finished tying her hair, she spread the fur with a single tug. She then ushered him to stand before her and held the fur to him. His face must have told her what he was thinking because she said, "Just hold it on the side- no not like that!" The fur was thick and not to mention soft under his hands even when it was protected with leather gloves. His nose twitched as she began to mumble to herself while measuring the fur he was holding out for her. Finally, she stood up with her lips puckered out. He could hear her hum before she turned her back on him and said,

"Can you place it on my back?"

There was silence between them; Jon felt his face was on fire and his whole body stiffened while Fia was waiting for him to move. If he placed the fur over her back it was like... like he was cloaking her. Thank the gods they weren't in front of a heart tree.

"What?" she asked, impatience coloured her voice as she turned her head expectantly.

'She couldn't be that ignorant!' he groaned in his mind. It's impossible for her not to know the meaning behind... this. His mind was so flustered that it was when she burst out laughing did he realized that he was gripping the fur so tightly.

She doubled over, her laugh bounced from the walls. He waited a solid minute before she was finally out of breath. Her eyes had lightened by a shade or two and her cheeks puffed out with a pinkish hue. Jon had the urge to flee but she held up her hands as she gasped to breathe, "W-wait... *ahem*..."

An irritated sighed escaped his mouth as he all but threw the accursed thing on the stone bench. Fia pressed the tips of her fingers against her lips as she held up her other hand, "Sorry, it's just that... you looked so flustered!"

'Any man would have been if they were in a similar situation' he fumed before he crossed his arms and avoided meeting her gaze, "If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."

The girl shook her head before she was able to form actual words, voice an octave higher than normal, "I didn't mean anything behind it. Look, I was just going to try and measure it for the hood, not to trick you into marrying me!"

"That's... that's not what-" Jon stopped himself before further destroying what little dignity he had left. Where was the nearest ditch, because he would love to crawl into it and just die. Fia, being merciful, decided to end suffering by asking about the news of the king's visit.

She was rather excited about it- actually everyone was so immersed for preparing Robert Baratheon's arrival. In truth, he was also interested on seeing the Usurper of the Throne but he can't shake the feeling of forbiddance that will follow.

-.-
Fia Baltimoore
_._

It was already close to night when she came back from the glass house with the thick pelt. She didn't know why but talking to Jon Snow had always let her build up emotions she had kept during her time here in Winterfell. She forgets herself whenever she was with him.

'Blood above all' were the words of her family and she will abide to it but now there were two identities she must assume; one so very different from the other.

There was 'Fianne Holt' the highborn ward of the Tallharts, personal handmaiden of the daughters of the Lord Stark. But then, there's also Fianne Baltimoore, the only daughter of Alfrid Baltimoore of the exiled house, on a mission to gain allies through the Stark's influence. Taking the role as the Holt's estranged daughter was difficult but her aunt had already given her lessons with the House as well its history and background. Remembering small details was easy for her.

What she didn't count on was how she had grown some affection not just to Sansa but to all the other Starks as well. She had been in their service for only two months and three weeks now but they started to feel like family to her. Which was a huge problem.

'Keep it together Fianne' she thought repeatedly, 'Gain their trust and you may gain their favour.'

She may have the favour of Sansa, Bran and to a certain extent, Robb. But Lady Catelyn and Arya could he quite a challenging feat. From the very start Lady Catelyn had shown her suspicion even if her aunt holds a high position as the Tallhart matriarch, she can't easily sway the lady's wariness. Arya just didn't like anyone who hovered over her like some irksome fly so Fia just let her do as she pleased although she can feel that Septa Mordane had grown suspicious that she can't find Arya every single time. Rickon was only a babe but she tried to accompany him when he's alone but he was almost always with his mother. Then... there was Eddard Stark.

She had met him in numerous occasions but he had never said a word to her most of the time; he was a silent man who preferred the company of his own shadow. There were stories that he was a man who placed honour above all and it might not be her place but he had failed to do so since he produced a son from a woman that's not his wife. But she can't also fault him... he is just a mere man after all.

In the case of Jon Snow... he was like a friend to her. Although she was Lady Sansa's handmaiden, she felt more comfortable in his presence. She didn't have to watch her tongue or keep up her appearance and there was a sense of freedom when she was with him. Jon Snow was her real first friend (as Quiltin is her brother). A bit disappointing that her friend was that of a male but it didn't really bother her that much since she grew up alongside Quiltin and Rotcher.

The candles provided light for the damp halls and she could hear the servants talk loudly in the kitchens and to her amusement, Greywind and Shaggydog (Rickon's black direwolf) trotted off with a large slab of meat clamped in their jaws. Maester Luwin walked past her with a letter in his hand, barely sparing her a nod before he disappeared into the shadows.

Fia looked around before she broke into a run, her tied hair flew as she hurried towards her room like the hellhounds were on her heel. If anyone should see the fur in her arms, especially the maids, no doubt they would snoop around and that will surely reach to Sansa. Thankfully the moon's light aided her as she lit the candles on her table and placed the fur inside her wooden chest.

She hummed in a nostalgic manner as she traced the moon broach her mother gave her. 'A Baltimoore shines with the moon' her mother once told her as she braided her hair. The memory was still fresh in her mind. It was the night of her ninth nameday; the sky was clear and the moon was so bright and just... beautiful. Her mother entered her chambers with the scent of spiceflowers that she bathed in; her chestnut hair was tied into bun and she moved with grace that Fia wished she had possessed. The Baltimoore matriarch sat on the bed and ushered her daughter to sit on the space in front of her.

Then, Jayne sang. Fia loved the singing voice of her mother; it soothed her, her sunshine on a gray cloudy day. Fia might not carry a proper tune to save her skin but the verses were clear and resounding.

'My little dove,
my dear love,
Hope is near, don't you fear even if the night is here
There may be screams of fright, o the horror of the night

My little dove, my sweet love don't cry
Creatures may be calling and the night was groaning
But fret not my darling
For the moon is guarding

Innocent girl, pure girl
The moon's light shines like a pearl
The light shall ne'er waver
As the night wanes there shall reveal your saviour

It was such a strange song but it gave her comfort, she could still feel her mother's long soft fingers comb her wet tresses. "Look Fia," she whispered, gesturing at the moon that was just outside her window, "The moon is ageless, changing her face every night yet she stays. Even if there is darkness in the world, there will always be a sliver of light to guide your way."

The little girl gave a quizzical look as she turned to her mother "But what if I'm trapped in the darkness?" Jayne just gave her daughter a reassuring smile that burned like a thousand suns before she kissed her forehead, "Have courage, remember; 'A Baltimoore always shines with the moon.'"

'Til this day, she couldn't understand the meaning behind Jayne's words. Fia stood up and slowly walked to her small window to look out. The moon was half yet its light was strong and in a way, she felt like it was watching over her. Looking down, she could see several soldiers walking around although she couldn't hear them (for obvious reasons) but their laughter can wake the dead. The shadows covered most of the surroundings but even in the dark she was quick to see Jon walk to the stables with Ghost next to him, his white fur shone brilliantly despite the lack of light. She folded her arms under her and laid her head upon them. Her eyes started to droop as she felt her body feel so heavy, blurring the image of Jon and Ghost like they were part of a dream.

So... tired...

There was a knock on her door and her eyes flew open. She fell asleep lying on the window next to her bed, still in the dress she wore yesterday. The relentless knocks had her jump from the bed and ran to open the door where she found the Lady of the North staring at her with wide eyes.

"My- my lady!" she squeaked and bowed low. Down came tumbling her messy and tangled hair as the string that held the braid snap, the blue dress crumpled and dirty. She felt her hands shake as she straightened up and let the woman enter the room. Red hair that was darker than Sansa's flowed behind Lady Catelyn as she walked into the chamber and turned to face Fia.

The handmaiden closed the door hurriedly before she waited for the lady to talk. Lady Catelyn's face didn't betray her thoughts or emotions, it was stoic and for some reason cold. Had she done something wrong?

"Fianne" she started, demanding the girl's full attention to her words "How long have you been in service of my daughters?"

"Well over two months my lady" she answered quietly.

Lady Catelyn nodded and placed her hands in front of her, much like her stance when she confronted Kendra Tallhart. "And you have done your duties well as Sansa keep saying However" her tone took a lower tone. "Arya almost always skipped her lessons and you suddenly lost your sense of sight at the same time." Her eyes narrowed as Fia shifted her weight from one foot to another, her hands started to grow cold as well.

"I-I suppose Lady Arya was-"

"I know where Arya was all this time, girl!" the lady hissed. It was then that Fia had misjudged Catelyn Stark; she may be a fish but she also had the bite of a wolf as well. "Sansa may be lenient with this kind of behaviour but I'm not. And there were whispers that you spend quite some time with... the boy."

If Fia was bold she would've sarcastically asked "What boy?" but she rather liked her head stay attached to her neck so she stayed quiet, knowing perfectly well who the lady was speaking about. It was no secret that Lady Catelyn detests Jon but Fia hadn't realized the extent of that hatred.

Lady Catelyn walked towards her, blue eyes were hard as she stared her down and her jaws were clenched as though she was grinding her teeth. "Words are wind and I want to be assured that you are loyal to this House."

"I'm loyal to House Stark, my lady" she answered swiftly "I swear to you, I won't dishonour myself."

The woman's eyes softened considerably before she lowered her hands, "I grow tired of that word... 'honour'. Many claim to have it while some seek to earn. Tell me Fianne, do you believe it?"

Fia couldn't answer.

She went to Winterfell under a false name and life, she seek the trust of everyone around her just to gain their favour and influence. No matter how justified it was, she had lied to every single one of them.

But Lady Catelyn needed an answer now and as the woman wanted to be assured of her trust and loyalty, so she replied

"I can't say that I'm above honour, my lady. But I will do what's required of me if it is for House Stark. I swear as a handmaiden."

For a moment, no one spoke except the caws of the crows and occasional howls of the direwolves before Lady Catelyn seemed to accept her words and nodded once, "Very well then, you may go back to your duties." Fia felt a large weight being eased from her shoulders and breathed out rather loudly before she heard the door open and then close. Lady Catelyn had seen herself out and all Fia could do was slump on the floor with her feet under her.

-.-
Sansa Stark
_._

The red-haired lass hummed as she studied the blue ribbon in her hand. It was beautiful velveteen ribbon that Jeyne had brought from her travels in Dorne. She envied her friend who got to see the south while she was stuck here in boring Winterfell. Looking up, she noticed her mother walk out of Fia's bedchamber and climbed up without noticing her. It was odd; her mother never said anything about talking to her handmaiden.

Sansa rushed to Fia's room and opened the door. Her eyes widened when she spotted her handmaiden sitting on the ground with her hair poking out everywhere. Fia was a mess. "What happened?" she almost shrieked as she ran to her side and helped her up.

"Oh, 'tis nothing my lady" Fia assured, giving her a small smile that Sansa knew was fabricated. Her hands were cold and shaking and the state of her appearance was dreadful. Sansa didn't know what her mother had said to the poor girl but she looked so helpless right now.

Fia must've realized what she was doing so she stood up and asked to wait to make herself look presentable. She waited for Sansa to leave but the Stark insisted that she will just stay and sat on her featherbed. So as her handmaiden change her clothing behind a divider, Sansa looked around the room with curious eyes. The room was not much; it was like Jeyne's room only much smaller. The small window was directly overlooking the courtyard and kennels, though Sansa prefers large windows to let the air come as it please. The small drawer might have kept her clothing and a handsome chest made out of cherry wood was pushed to the wall.

"I'm so sorry for being late my lady" Fia apologized as she came out wearing a different dress. Sansa shook her head and held up the ribbon,

"Jeyne gave it to me from Dorne. She said noble women there wear their hair adorned with ribbons. Will you help me tie it?"

Fia nodded as she took the ribbon an began to brush Sansa's hair with her fingers. Her handmaiden's hands was filled with callous, different from her mother's but she was quick to do her job. Fia had tied her hair into an elaborate knot and Sansa placed her fingers to trace the knot and felt the twists and the smoothness of the ribbon. "Will you accompany me to the kitchens?" she asked.

Giving leftover bread to the smallfolk gave her some sense of worth. At first she was hesitant; venturing out to winter town with just Fia for company was something her mother would disapprove entirely of but it made her feel happy.

They walked to the kitchens with her talking all the way while Fia nodded at her words. She knew that her handmaiden wasn't really listening but she just let her be. The morn was chilly and Septa Mordane told them they could have a free day so she wasn't in a hurry to visit the sept. Glancing at her silent companion, Sansa grinned as Fia covered her mouth to hide a yawn.

"How did you sleep last night?"

"It went well thank you" she answered "How was your talk with Lady Jeyne?"

Sansa opened her mouth to relive the things her friend had seen in the Southern country and even told her that Jeyne wanted to visit winter town as well when they heard several voices by the entrance. Robb and their father were talking in low voices that she couldn't make out. They saw her and Fia and decided to stop their conversation. Why, she didn't know but she thought it was just not in her place to ask questions and a lady shouldn't be impolite as to eavesdrop on private matters. Her father nodded to them as Sansa greeted him with a grin. Fia curtsied at her father as he went on his way before Robb walked to them and asked what they were planning to do that day.

"We'll just stop by to winter town and give bread to the smallfolk" Sansa replied amicably "Just don't tell mother, she doesn't approve of me wandering outside the keep."

"Neither will father" Robb added "But that's a sweet gesture coming from you." She smiled, quite pleased with herself as everyone started to see that she can do something beneficial.

"Good morning" he greeted Fia. The girl next to her gave a grin and returned the pleasantries and he started to talk to her as if his sister wasn't present.

"I heard that a certain direwolf tried to follow you"

"Oh. Um- that was already taken care of"

"Has Theon been giving you grief as of late?"

"No my lord, thank you for your intervention with the problem."

"Actually-"

Theon? Did Fia have a row with their father's ward? Have something happened and the handmaiden said nothing to her? Somehow, Sansa felt left out with all of this. She didn't even notice that Robb was calling her before he placed a hand on her head, "Hey."

She blinked to see her brother and handmaiden regard her with questioning gazes so Sansa just plainly spoke, "I'm sorry, I must have drifted off". Her dear brother chuckled for her benefit before nodded to Fia as he took his leave. Sansa didn't fail to notice that the sleepiness in Fia's eyes was gone and a bright smile appeared on her lips.

'Does she fancy Robb?" she asked to herself. Maybe it was true, if the Holt girl's reaction from her conversation with Robb wasn't evidence enough then she was might as well be blind as a bat. She had been so respectful of Robb and she had vocalized before that Robb was like their father; honourable.

Fia had said that she wanted to help her family... and her older brother was next in line and shall rule Winterfell if he had come of age. Robb might like her as well, she wasn't bad looking and she was very agreeable. Plus she personally approve of Fianne; she was quite gentle and ladylike as well. Fia believed in her ambitions and dreams and even suggested her things that can help her in the future as a queen. And since her family had sworn fealty to the Wardens of the North for hundreds of generations...

'We could be sisters' she mused. The thought didn't stray from her mind even as they gathered the basket of warm loaf from the kitchens and exited the keep with their cloaks swaying to the wind. Her dear friend Jeyne was waiting for them by the gates, her own handmaiden nodded at Fia and they went off their way.

-.-
Fia Baltimoore
Winter Town
_._

'Actually, it was Jon who asked me to tell Theon off. Even before he... whispered those things to you.'

Fia couldn't help but smile at the thought of someone looking out for her. Of course maybe Jon didn't like to see women being disrespected like that but she can't help but feel happy; A true friend indeed.

Lady Sansa was already passing some bread to the children with a gentle smile on her beautiful face. Fia wished she can be lovely as well but she knew it wasn't going to be like that. At least she wasn't born with any deformity and she should be grateful to the gods of old and new for that. She let her lady talk to the children as she wandered further to the market square, leaving Lady Sansa, Lady Jeyne and her handmaiden (whose name Fia couldn't remember) by the merchants' stall. The pathway was muddy and the smell of horse feces was unbearable but she continued on. This was a kind of place she would never enter under any circumstance but as she turned around, two strange men with chain mail under their cloaks leer at her.

The one on the left squinted at her and said, "I know 'o you are" his putrid breath fanned her face "You're the wench the Greyjoy's panting after."

The other one with a tattered scarf over his thick neck snorted as he crossed his arms "Does his eyes still work? There are far prettier whores in the brothel than this one!"

The first one snickered as he leaned to her for a better look. Fia took an automatic step back, her hands clenching into a fist albeit it was shaking uncontrollably. Apparently it amused them, "Look a' this here! Ya think you can fight us, m'lady?" he slurred the word like an insult. She was about to scream for help when she heard Lady Sansa call for her. The two men, whom she suspects as soldiers, grumbled as they turned their heels but not before the other one saying "I would tread lightly if I were you. Don't get so comfy especially with the bastard."

'Perverted cowards' she growled in her mind as she sprinted back to her lady and her companions.

-.-
Gendry Waters
Tobho Mott's Shoppe - King's Landing
_._

Bang

Bang

Bang

Fssssssst

The sound of the hammer hitting a blade always made him feel calm. The heat of the forge and the dust-covered air was inviting for the young man of seven and ten. His disarrayed black hair was stuck on his sweaty forehead and his breathing was deep as he dipped the heated metal on the water, the sizzle and steam was music for him.

"Seven hells- Haven't I told you for the tenth time that you can't just come barging in here?!" Tobho Mott groaned as he entered the forge with scowl on his face. "Gendry- Listen to me you stubborn fool, what will the king say if he finds out that you're here again?"

Gendry's jaws clenched as he began to swing the hammer loudly, making his old master groan in frustration. "I thought you wanted to know who your bloody father was, niw you got yer wish, you're sulking about like a simpering child! Look, the Hand of the King had been looking for you all morning and the king's getting impatient!"

Usually his master was general docile but he knew that he was at wit's end. He heard the older man sigh and placed a hand on his shoulder,

"Boy, I know this is unexpected but you have a chance in the north-"

"I like it here!" he grounded out "I have said that I wanted to know about my father but I wasn't expecting 'im to be the king! I-I don't know the first thing about being a lord... or a prince for that matter!"

"That is why the king is sending you to Winterfell! How many times must I say this to get it into that thick head of yours boy?" the man groaned "You can learn the way of the sword and get some education."

The apprentice threw the hammer down and sat on the workbench with his head bowed down. Tobho Mott rubbed his palm on the large bald spot on his head as he walked to him and held up the bull's helm for Gendry to see. "You have a chance Gendry. Seize the opportunity and make somethin' of yourself. If not for you, then do it for your mother" he cajoled. Gendry knew that his master meant well but to find out that he was King Robert's bastard son and send him to Winterfell to get some education... all in a month's time was just too much to take in.

"Why the north?" Gendry asked despite the dryness of his throat. There were plentiful maesters in the city so surely he can have education here. Tobho Mott shook his head and levelled with him by kneeling on the ground, something his master would never do.

"You're the bastard son of King Robert. Exposed and vulnerable for an attack. There are those who seek to take the throne for their own and you will just get in their way."

The young man took a deep breath to clear his mind; being a prince wasn't as simple as living in the castle and grow in the comfort. How many times had he wished that he could live a different life? To be someone other than a smith's apprentice?

"Go now boy" Master Mott coaxed "Destiny awaits you."

As he stood up and grabbed the very first helm he made, his former master muttered, "Better wash yourself up first, you smell like a bloody pig that rolled on a pile of shit."

_._

A/N: As always thank the reviewers for if it weren't for them, the uploads wouldn't have happened. I love writing Jon POVs it's like 'I wonder what he's thinking?' sort of thing. Plus, I'm an avid Gendry/Arya shipper so forgive me if they will have some… moments here and there unless you like them too. When I pictured Fia tying her hair, I immediately thought of Gemma Arterton's role as Gretel's hairstyle in 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters". Sorry but I have a huge girl-crush on her~

thunder18

KBlack25 :I'm glad you're enjoying it as well. I never liked Theon too but I do feel a smidge of sympathy after I read his POV in the books, especially when he turned into 'Reek'. I actually believe in one of the theories you told me and that's the theory I'm sticking with xP

Lady of Starlight: Delighted to know you approve of her. I wanted to make a realistic character where the girls isn't too perfect or beautiful. We have the same character favourites since who in their right minds doesn't love Tyrion?

RenaRoo123: Thanks, happy reading :)

Malyx Blackfyre: So you've wished it… so you shall receive. Either that exact scene or similar to it~

Penelope (Guest)

LymaT: Thank you for the detailed review! I was actually quite nervous since I'm entering a whole different genre and I believe there are tons of JonxOc writers better than this but your support just sends me to the moon! I hope you liked this chapter and hope to hear from you very soon!

As for the others… Read and Review. Suggestions or comments about the characterization or events can be sent via review or PM. Flames? See you in Hell!

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