Game of Thrones: What Could Have Been

Chapter 2 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Just a note; I'm doing these chapters in order of the Stark siblings from oldest to youngest. This chapter and the next one take place, chronologically, before the last one; this one still during the war, the next very shortly after it's end. All chapters after that however take place after the first one.

Synopsis: Jon reflects on his relationship with Ygritte, now he's back at the Night's Watch. However despite everything; there still seems to be hope for them.

Reviews

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 2: Jon/Ygritte

Jon Snow sighed as he stood at the top floor of the common hall at Castle Black. He watched the various Brothers of the Night's Watch as they ate or stood or sat in groups talking. For so long he had been simply one of them. But things were different now, now they all looked to him, they were his responsibility. It had surprised him; but apparently; despite the mockery of a trial he had faced; his actions at the Battle of Castle Black against the Wildlings had made him a hero in the eyes of hi Brothers. As a result, he was now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.

'A bastard can rise high in the Night's Watch; and I've risen to the top.' He noted. 'But how can I do this; I'm hardly…'

He shook his head; he knew what was expected of him. But his mind was elsewhere; he could hardly focus on his duties. His worries were mainly focused on a particular Wildling; one who had turned against her people and aided them, warning them of another wave of Wildlings coming to ambush them. This Wildling held a special place in Jon's heart, in spite of his oath to the Night's Watch.

He sighed again as he thought of the vibrant, red-haired beautiful Wildling woman. 'Ygritte; what is to become of her? She has been imprisoned for now, but she's also injured. Maester Aemon said he'd let me know.'

Jon was worried; when her people had found out about Ygritte's betrayal they had attacked her; Jon didn't want to think of what they would've done if he hadn't saved her. Even then, she might face death anyway, either from her injuries or by execution.

He was lost in his thoughts and didn't notice the familiar blind old man approaching him.

"Jon." Came the soft, well-known voice.

He immediately turned. "Maester?"

Maester Aemon nodded slowly. "That girl…"

"Ygritte."

"Yes." Aemon replied. "I have treated her injuries; she will live."

Jon let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "That…that's good."

Aemon nodded slowly; Jon waited, knowing what was coming. The venerable Maester was one of very few people who knew the exact nature of Jon's relationship with Ygritte.

Sure enough Aemon then spoke. "This is the girl you bedded, yes?"

"Yes; it was the only way to avoid suspicion and carry out the mission Halfhand gave me." He replied at once.

Aemon shook his head however. "I am blind Jon; not foolish. Your relief at her survival is clear."

Jon sighed and finally admitted. "I did fall in love with her…I still do."

"Love is the death of duty; yet in the end, you chose duty. A hard choice. She chose love, to save you, but she ended up betraying her people. She can't possibly go back." Aemon replied thoughtfully. Finally he smiled. "She saved you and by saving you, she allowed you to save us. I would say she can remain here, along with Gilly, until Winter is over. She will be our guest."

Jon was surprised by this. "You mean no one is calling for her execution?"

Aemon shook his head. "Even if they were; the final choice of her fate, would be yours, being the Lord Commander after all."

Jon was even more surprised; he had forgotten about that. Finally he smiled.

"I…I see; thank you Maester." He said at last.

Aemon smiled gently and Jon finally felt relieved for the first since the battle.

There was a brief pause before Jon asked.

"Just how bad were her injuries?"

Aemon then explained. "Many of them were minor, a few deep wounds which have left scars; including one on her face. But as I said; she has survived."

Jon smiled and was about to leave when Aemon spoke again.

"Jon; if you are intent on still loving this girl. I must ask that you still show some respect for our oath…No bedding here." He paused then added. "If you must then please, do it outside the walls."

Jon nodded slowly and accepted this; telling the Maester so and then, finally he left; heading to the Castle's dungeons. He entered the cell and found Ygritte sitting on the floor; she looked up as he came in.

He inhaled sharply; none of the scars were visible, save the end of one coming down from her clothes over her wrist and back of her hand. She was chained at her wrists and ankles. However; the scar on her face was hidden due to the left side of her face being covered in a swath of bandages.

Ygritte's visible eye widened. "So, they choose you to finish me off."

Jon fully entered the room, shaking his head. "Not exactly; your fate is in my hands however…part of my duties as the new Lord Commander."

"So, you're Chief Crow now." She remarked mockingly.

Jon merely smirked at that.

Finally he knelt down and unlocked the chains, freeing her; she looked at him in surprise.

"You are welcome to stay here as our guest…after the trouble you'll face amongst your own people." He told her. "You saved me; by doing so, you saved all of us."

Ygritte shook her head. "You know nothing, Jon Snow. Save the Crows, I couldn't care less about that. I just wanted to save you."

Jon laughed. "Oh, I know something Ygritte…this."

With that he kissed her; a kiss she eagerly returned.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it; read and review please :)