The one thing he couldn't handle was the stares. Some of the people would stare at him strangely like they were staring at a ghost. Ser Rodrik explained to him later that it was cause of his resemblance to Lord Stark. Lord Stark, his father, would stare at him pleasantly but his eyes gave off a distinctive sad aroma, much like Howland's. Lady Catelyn eyed him often; seemingly to tell him that this was not his place. Theon Greyjoy would eye him strangely, like he was trying to search in the depths of his soul or something. And Jeyne Poole would keep giving him that strange stare that Asheyne gave him after their kiss.

He did get along amazingly well with the young heir of Winterfell, Robb. Arya was wild and willful, asking to participate in Meera, Jojen and his archery lessons. Bran would want to tag along with them. Although, he would stare at Meera from time to time with that same look Jeyne gave him from time to time. Rickon was just as wild and lively as Arya, and would often ask Jon to place him on his shoulders. He would then shout something like "I'm riding a wolf!" or "I'm riding a lizard-lion!". Sansa was very polite to him. And she and Jojen would eye each other rather strangely.

It was strange being at Winterfell. Greywater had no formal master-at-arms, no real knights, or maester. There was no captain of guards because everything was well guarded. But still, it left him wondering as to what his own purpose here would be? Would it be to truly learn and become like Jojen and Meera? Or something else?

"House Stark. Their seat is Winterfell. Their sigil is a direwolf running on white. Winter is Coming"

"Very good, Jon. Now, this one?" kind old maester Luwin asks, pointing to another region.

"House Karstark. Formed by Lord Karlon Stark. Their sigil is a white sunburst on black. Sun of Winter" Jon replied.

"Jojen? How about this one?"

"House Mormont. Their seat is Bear Island. Their sigil is a black bear on green. Here We Stand"

"Good. Robb, here's a tricky one for you"

"House Morrigen. Their seat is Crow's Nest. Their sigil is a flying crow on storm-green. On the Wings of War"

"Very good, Robb. Now, what can you tell me about the Reeds?"

"House Reed. Their seat is Greywater Watch. Their sigil is a lizard-lion on grey-green. Blood of the Earth"

"What would you have to know about a bunch of frog-eaters?" Theon snarled.

"Those frog-eaters make up part of the North. We crannogmen have defended the Neck since the Age of Heroes" Jojen replied. "You're a bunch of cheaters and cowards" Theon snarled out. "And what does that make you then?" Jon said, rising to Jojen's defense. He was coming to love Winterfell, but the one thing he did not enjoy was Theon Greyjoy's attitude toward them. "Watch it, bastard. Or I might just beat you into the dirt, oh, I'm sorry. Beat you into the Snow"

"Theon, knock it off!" Robb said, trying to stop it. "Hold it. The bastard wants to settle something. Let's settle something then. On the training grounds." Theon said. "Alright then. I'll see you on the training grounds, Ser Squid!" Jon snarled back.

Jon and Theon looked up at each other, sword in hand. Robb desperately wanted them to stop the fight but nothing he could say or do would stop the two from wanting to kill one another. Jojen looked anxious. As did Meera, hoping that neither one of them would get hurt. Arya and Bran were excited about the fight and had already begun to whisper on the likelihood of Jon winning. Even Jeyne Poole was there to watch, wanting Jon to win.

Theon had swung first but Jon had quickly evaded the swing. Theon then swung again but Jon dodged it as well. Jon then swung but rather than with force, he swung like he was born to it. Just so graceful and quick. This was irritating to Theon. Especially that he couldn't tell anything from that bastard face of his; long, solemn and guarded—a face that gives nothing away. So much like Lord Stark's own face. Was he really raised among crannogmen? He fights with swords like he began when he could walk, Theon thought.

Theon swung again but Jon then blocked it with his own blade and charged at him with his shoulder. Jon then swung his sword so hard that he had knocked off Theon's right from his hand. The utter force of it caused the arrogant man to fall down into the mud. "Do you yield?" Jon asked.

"I yield" Theon mumbled lowly.

"I'm sorry. What did you say?" Jon said, placing the blunted tourney steel at his throat.

"I yield! Alright?!"

"What's going on here? What're you doing?" Ser Rodrik came walking towards them. "Fucking bastard started it!" Theon snarled out, as he got up. "Shut it, Theon!" Arya yelled out. "I demand a rematch, with Ser Rodrik present. So you won't cheat!" Theon snarled out again. "Cheat? Jon beat you fair and square, you stupid squid!" Meera yelled. "Shut it, swamp slut!" Theon growled. Jon then punched him hard in the jaw, putting him back into the mud.

Robb then knelt to help his fallen friend. In the midst of the rumblings, Jon went off. "JON!" Arya cried out, spotting him taking a horse and riding off. His riding was almost like hers; and she was considered to be "half a horse" at times. Meera and Arya then snuck off and followed him.

Jon didn't know just how long and how far he had come to ride on. It had felt like he had ridden for days. The only thing that the did know was that he was somewhere in the wolfswood; possibly near the Long Lake or the Last River.

Suddenly, he heard something snap. Possibly a twig. Crap, I should've taken a real sword, Jon thought. The only thing he had to defend himself was the blunted tourney steel blade. Suddenly, he heard a small growl of some kind.

"Who's there?" he called out.

The growl sounded closer and louder.

"Show yourself!" he called out again, pointing out the blade in front of him. Suddenly, a large figure came out. A wolf. No, wolves aren't so large. It was a direwolf. But it couldn't be. Direwolves don't exist, at least south of the Wall that is. It was steadily approaching him. It had silvery grey fur and dark golden eyes. Suddenly, Jon simply dropped the blade. As it approached, he felt something strange. Like a familiarity with it.

It was now close to him, exhaling hot breath. Rather than bare its teeth and bite off his face as expected, the direwolf simply licked it. Jon began to laugh at the tickling sensation of its wide tongue on his face. He then pet it and it began to comfortably whine. Jon then took notice on just how large it is. Jon the realized that this was female direwolf: a mother. The direwolf then turned its head and gave him a quick lick on the face.

"Hey! Where're you going?" Jon called out to it. The direwolf simply turned its head and gave off a low whine. And then it left. What was that? It felt like it was trying to tell me something. As if we were to meet again or something.

Thank you for following and enjoying this story. Please kindly review and give suggestions as to what you think should and/or want to happen.