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Jon

"What was my instruction?" Lady Stark woke Jon, who was sleeping among the hay stack. Though calm and collected, her fury was evident in her glare and tone.

He knew his offense and he was frantically searching for a justifiable reason he can provide the lady.

"That I shall wait for Lord Robb and Theon, my lady."Jon timidly answered.

"Did you wait for us?" Theon asked. He smelled of wine or mead, Jon was not sure. But his crimson face made it confusing if he was plainly furious or drunk.

Jon chose to tell the truth as always. "I did… b-but I was too tired… I didn't notice I slept, Theon." He said.

It did not matter anyway. Jon already knew the feeling of being in trouble. It has been almost every day that he was punished for simple errors. He tried a couple of times to lie his way out of it, but it did not help either.

He can do no right to them, he was sure. It was just a matter of penance, if his offense equated it. But lately it became too often that he was already afraid to even look at the lady.

"It's a simple task, bastard!" Lady Stark commented.

"Please forgive me..."he had never won an argument, not even once. He did not think this time would be any different from before.

"I told you to wait for them at the gates. Were you waiting at the gates?"

Jon shook his head. He didn't realize where he went wrong. "I- I was here in the stable, my lady. I tended the horses to keep myself awake. I must have misunderstood." explaining was worth a try, although he was certain that escaping was hopeless.

Lady Stark looked at him. "Are you trying to prove how worthless you are?" Lady Stark asked, adding insult to his shame.

Jon felt the stern look Lady Stark bore him. He dare not look up at her."N-no, my lady… I-"Jon embarrassed, disgraced and worried.

Lady Stark was not too creative when it came to punishments, but when he realized where they were, Jon was immediately anxious. His heart raced and hands sweated.

"Enough with the excuses, bastard. Turn around, both hands on the wall." Lady Stark was placid and emotionless.

Jon closed his eyes and swallowed.

He wished for no meals for the next day, or be chained in the dark for two, or slapped on the face in front of the servants for punishment… but the whip? He could not get used to its burning pain, always agonizing and harrowing.

The pain was one thing, the marks it leaves was another.

He hated his scars. He detested how he needed to hide them from people when they saw it bled through his clothes. He despised how it ached for days and he had to train and do his errands.

And the lashing always came with an order to keep it hidden from Lord Stark. He was constantly worried he would know. He hated the fact that his father will find out and his father and Lady Stark will fight about him.

He hated how he needed to stay away from his father so he won't notice and ask.

"L-lady Stark… I'm sorry… It won't happen again, please." Jon begged.

The lady was cold and distant."Ten lashes, Theon. Put your back into it. He clearly needs to be taught how to remember."

Theon was quick to fetch the long whip from the storage. "As you wish, my lady." He uttered, wrapping its thick end around his hand.

Lady Stark turned and walked out of the stable. Jon's pleading went to deaf ears.

"Hands on the wall, Jon. Try not to scream, will you? The house is still asleep."

There was no use in fighting, he might just anger Theon. He knew Theon had no care for him. He's a lord after all, and Jon was just a bastard who Lady Catelyn had no concern at all.

"Theon, please… I beg you."

"That's Lord Theon to you, bastard." Theon lifted his hand and breathe in to bring force to his strike.

As Jon walked down the hall and the staircase to his chamber, he tried to recall all the details of that night. He hesitated confessing to his father. He knew right away where he was at the time he was asking his whereabouts, but he faltered as he also did not want to sell out Theon and Lady Catelyn. Especially, Lady Catelyn.

Nobody needed to tell Jon that while Lord Ned was away, he was searching for justice and when his father went home, he did stumble upon the truth. Jon did not think Lord Stark was to ask around, but given the title he held, anyone would volunteer information they have kept to provide those who were involved.

He strode the hallway towards his brothers' and sisters' chambers, the staircase leading to his chamber at the end. He heard familiar voices talking only louder than a whisper.

Robb and Koreen were on the floor in front of the girl's door. Both seemed keen with each other that Jon chose to stop on his track and not interrupt.

"Please, Koreen…" Robb muttered. Jon heard.

"I'm alright, Robb. You should not fret about me." Koreen breathed, visibly suppressing the discomfort she had felt for a while.

Robb was clearly in distress, "Stop being stubborn, I will take you to the Maester."

"You stop being stubborn! I said no! Why can't you just leave me?" Koreen questioned Robb enraged and upset.

Jon did not plan on showing himself to the two, but when he heard the Maester's name he, too was concerned.

He went near the two and knelt with them. "What is wrong?" he inquisitively asked Koreen, not minding his half-brother. "Are you still in pain? We need Maester to see you, Koreen." Jon stated.

Koreen tried to stand up, aggravated at the two young men's intrusion. Koreen tried to stand but by the time her two feet landed on the floor, she held her gut. Fortunately, Robb had caught her imbalance quickly enough.

"You are in pain, Koreen." Robb told, growing impatient of the girl.

"I want to go to my chamber. If you want to help me, get me inside at once." Koreen was stern and decisive. "Nobody calls the Maester, I'm just a glutton, no need for a maester to confirm that." She cried.

"Inside then, we'll wake up the whole household." Robb said, scooping Koreen up his arms, Koreen seemed already too weary to refuse the young man's gesture.

Jon barred the door once the three of them were inside.

Robb laid Koreen on her bed. The girl's face was blushed, droplets of sweat shrouding it. She still held her hand over her abdomen, her breathing was starting to race.

"You are in pain, Koreen. I cannot see you this way." Robb said, he then looked unto his brother. "Go get, Maester Luwin. Be subtle with it, Jon."

Jon was to rise when both the boys saw the moving shadow beneath the door. Someone was outside. Jon did not move until the shadow was gone. He then looked at Robb.

"It must be father." He whispered.

"Father is home? Since when?"

"He talked to me before I was to go to my chamber and saw you both along the hall."

"You—you talked with father?"

"Y-yes."

Koreen grunted, suppressing her pain, drawing their attention back to her.

"There are plenty of times to talk of it." Jon said simply to Robb, "I'll be quick with it, Koreen." Jon whispered to Koreen, covering her with the furs and wiping her sweat with his palm.

Koreen nodded silently, clutching her belly. Robb was looking on at Jon intently while Jon barely cared.

Jon ran as fast and quietly as he could. He was reluctant in crossing the lord and lady's chamber, the fire was brightly lighted inside as the bottom of the door showed. Voices were muffled, but were still audible.

"I have let your bastard in my castle, gave him the same privileges as your true born children. I have defended your infidelity to my family! Other kingdoms talk about my foolishness taking your bastard in and for loving you still. Sixteen years, Ned. You and your bastard son have trampled my dignity."

His run slowed, when he heard Lady Stark's loud voice. His reflex slackened. Lady Stark has that certain effect on him that makes him weak in the knees when she was angered. They were arguing about him, he realized at once.

"It was not Jon's fault! It was mine! I was the one who was unfaithful! I betrayed you! Do not take it out on Jon!"

Jon had never heard his father shouted at anyone like that before, especially at the lady. His heart raced when he realized that Lord Stark was defending him, his heart leapt of gladness but then it sank yet again.

He confessed to Lord Stark and he had confronted his lady wife. A blanket of worry suddenly enveloped his body. He had regretted his confession for it only resulted to a fight between his sibling's parents. And Lady Stark will be furious with him even more.

He decided to walk on, and leave them be. It was not his business. He had to get the maester and take him to Koreen. He almost stumbled for his mind was still with the lord and the lady. He was concerned and worried for them. His heart filled with guilt.

Jon knocked on Maester Luwin's door at once.

"I'm sorry, I must have woke you up, Maester." He gasped for a bit of air. "It's Koreen. Her belly, she's in great pain."

"Compose yourself, Jon."

"Koreen has a bit of a fever, she was not complaining but her belly hurts her. You must come to her quick." Jon was agitated, fretting.

"Wait here, son. I will collect what's needed." The maester calmly stated.

Jon waited at the hall before the maester's chamber. He looked on the window to calm himself down and take his mind off his worries.

On the horizon he saw a man leaving on a horse. He did not need to guess, he knew it was Lord Stark.

The sudden jolt of abandonment raced to his nerves. How could his father leave him now? He eased himself in the assurance of his trust towards the lord. But he decided that tomorrow will not be a good day for him at all.

"Lead me to her, son." He did not notice the maester appearing behind him, grasping his effects.

The maester did not bother asking why they needed to be noiseless as they went to her chamber, although he knew the maester found it peculiar.

"You must leave me with her, both of you." Maester ordered them. The brothers did as ordered.

They were both silent in the hall, worried and concerned but also confused of the situation.

It did not take long when Maester Luwin opened the door for them. Jon felt more worried than a while ago.

"Robb, Jon… Inside, quickly." His voice was authoritative and agitated.

Jon and Robb looked at each other. After they entered, Jon closed the door behind them.

Jon was concerned of Koreen, but he turned out confused with the maester's look towards him.

"Which one of you fools is the father?" Maester questioned.

Jon was stunned. He looked at his brother, who was then staring blankly at Koreen.

"Will she be alright?" Robb asked, almost a whisper.

"She is not too young to bare children, but still not old enough. Her womb is ammending to its new nature. That explains the pain." Maester Luwin's eyes were fixed to Robb

"Maester, I would be in great debt if you keep this within us." Robb bade.

Maester looked at Koreen, who was then peacefully slumbering.

"If I may advise, young lord, a babe in the womb is a secret no man can keep for a long time. We must tell the your mother and father, Robb." He counseled.

Robb thought for a moment and looked at Jon. "I apologize for putting you in this pressing situation, Maester. But this is not your secret to decide whether to hold or to uncover." Robb declared.

Maester Luwin heaved a sigh. He knows that Robb was already man enough to decide for himself. He then went to his pack and took out a vial of salve.

"Have her take this with warm milk upon her breakfast. The milk of the poppy is enough to ease the pain until tomorrow night. Let's pray that there'll be no more of the spasms. But have her to my bay after supper, when no one dares disturb me."

Maester refused when Jon offered to accompany him back to the old man's chamber. He looked intently towards Jon before he went out, worry painted on the old man's face.

Jon closed the door. He did not exactly know what his business was staying inside Koreen's room. But he wanted to comfort his brother through this dilemma.

Robb is a future lord. He was to be betrothed. Oh, what would happen to Koreen? And the babe?

Robb sat beside Koreen, lightly touched her hair.

"What am I to do, Jon?" Robb asked.

"Father will understand, even your mother. They love you, Robb."

"I know, but they won't understand."

"Do you love her, brother?" Jon asked.

"With all my heart, Jon." He looked at his brother. "I love her… but she doesn't feel the same for me." His eyes were weary, even angry. "She wants you more than she wants me."

"Me?" Jon was dumbfounded. They both enjoyed each other's company but he never considered Koreen having any feelings for him. "That is not true, Robb."

"It doesn't matter what I feel anymore." Robb stood and headed to the open window.

"Please consider confessing to your parents, Robb. They'd know what to do. You fell in love, you've done nothing wrong." Robb was clearly in distress, Jon wanted nothing but to comfort his brother.

"I have done plenty wrong, Jon!" He scowled at Jon, "I'm no fit to be a father! I'm no fit to be a lord! Not even a brother…"

Jon was confused. "What do you mean? You are every bit of a lord I expect and brother to all of us." Jon assured Robb.

Robb faced, Jon who was barely able to look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry, Jon. I brought you to danger, risked your life. I-"

Jon was baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"It was me, Jon. I used your name. I lost more than I had and owed them more than I could have had. I panicked." He admitted. Jon saw guilt, and the weight of Robb's secret.

"That's not possible, it was Theon. I could understand, he was-" Jon was dumbfounded, could barely kept his mind straight.

Robb searchd for words, a valid excuse. "I was drunk, and stupid. I'm sorry."

"I thought it was Theon, please tell me it was Theon." Jon begged. He wished for his brother to take it all back. He wanted to cry, scream…

"Theon told me he would handle it. I was scared I thought I killed him…" Robb's voice cracked, suppressing his sentiments.

"That cannot be. You're my brother—I am your brother…" Jon's heart could still not stomach the revelation.

"Forgive me, Jon. It was not Theon. It was me. That is the truth…"

Jon's heart broke yet again. The anger he held back all this time, crept out. "I have endured everything I can, Robb! I could have run away, live my life free of the prejudice and cruelty! I have stayed in the castle all this time for the people I love and who I thought loved me! Why would you betray me like this?" Jon asked.

"I wasn't thinking, Jon." He admitted.

"That night, I was supposed to wait for you and Theon to arrive. I had to wait and open the gates for you so no one knew you were out in the first place! Am I right?" Jon cried, finally putting the pieces together.

"Did Lady Catelyn know all along? Have you told her the truth? She was so mad at me that night. I have the scars to remind me for all my life. And when I was attacked, she did not believe me. Tell them…your mother, Lord Stark… please… I beg you…" Jon pleaded. He had tolerated all that was true, his being a bastard, his being motherless… but the troubles he did not have anything to do with, he cannot withstand.

"I'm sorry, Jon."

"No one would believe me, Robb…" he pleaded once more, hoping for something

"It doesn't matter anymore, brother." Robb said.

"It matters to me! Please, brother." Jon wanted to fight, this was unfair.

"I am the heir to my father's lordship. Please understand. My future is at stake…" Robb pleaded this time.

Jon felt his heart ripped.

"He needs to know his place! If I have to remind him with whip and chains, then so be it!" Suddenly, Lady Stark's voice echoed to his ears.

"And my future doesn't count… because I am a bastard?"

"I am sorry, Jon… Truly, I am."

"Your mother was right. She had always reminded me of my place…"

"Jon…"

"For a moment there I forgot, I'm sorry." He turned to the door. He took a quick glimpse of Koreen and opened the door.

"I may be a bastard, Robb. But I am still worth something." Jon uttered before leaving.