Chapter 7

Jon III

As Jon rode out from the camp his spirits soared higher than a gold crested eagle. Having been locked in shackles for so long without hope of reprieve the smile that spread across his face reflected both joy and relief, he felt free. The volatile emotions that had plagued him throughout the week, the anger, the confusion over his murder and subsequent resurrection had dissolved and he was grateful for a second chance at life. Uncle Benjen had been right, he hadn't known what he was giving up joining the Night's Watch, family was the priority now, like it always should've been.

It was early afternoon when the party had started out. Jon's horse whinnied and pulled at the reigns wanting to break into a trot, he would've preferred a full gallop but it was far too treacherous in the snow and ice. Jon's joy was momentarily spoiled when Ser Davos said they should stay in Mole's Town that night, the scene of the crime, they wouldn't be staying at the same Inn he hoped! Jon decided facing his sordid behaviour was long overdue and pulled alongside Ser Davos.

"I've wanted to speak to you for a while to say that I'm sorry you had to find me the way you did in Mole's Town, I've never done anything like that before, it's not who I am."

"There's no need to apologise son" he said.

"Nevertheless, I understand if you no longer think very highly of me."

"You're too hard on yourself do you know that? You think you failed as a Lord Commander and now as a man. We all make mistakes; it's how we learn."

Maybe Ser Davos was right and he held himself to too high a standard. He'd always measured himself against his father but had to accept the man that he held in such high esteem wasn't perfect either, after all, he'd lain with a woman that wasn't his wife and Jon had been the result. If Lord Eddard had ever behaved dishonourably in any other way Jon hadn't known about it so it had always been a struggle to reconcile the man he knew with that kind of behaviour. Maybe his father had learnt from that mistake and it helped him become the man he was meant to be. When they reached the top of the ridge, the last place where the Wall could be seen in all its glory Jon didn't look back, only forwards now he thought.

Conversation wasn't forthcoming for the rest of the afternoon; the three were lost in their own thoughts all the way to Mole's Town. Ser Davos found them somewhere to stay, the food was terrible as was the ale but Jon didn't care, he wanted to be ready for a hard ride the next day so went to bed early. On blowing out the bedside candle his thoughts turned to Sansa.

Although she was in safe hands, leaving had been difficult. Her recounting of the last 4 years of her life had been excruciating for both of them but when she revealed she was with child, it felt like another knife had been thrust in his heart. It was obvious she'd been repeatedly raped and every time she flinched, or stared off into the distance he wondered what she was remembering, he both wanted to know and didn't but whatever it was, he would never allow it to happen again. Sansa didn't want the Stark name to die, that was understandable, but surely this was too great a sacrifice.

Fantasies about all the things he would do to Ramsay Bolton flooded his mind, the list was getting long and it gave him a perverse sense of pleasure which would've been deeply alarming under any other circumstances. Then there was Lord Baelish, a liar and master manipulator. Jon was worried that Sansa hadn't quite grasped the entirety of what he'd done to her yet, maybe it was better that way, she'd been through enough. When he next found a Weirwood tree he would pray for her.

They left early in the morning and Jon realised it was the first time he'd been south of Mole's Town since journeying to the Wall over 4 years ago. As they got closer to Queenscrown he began to appreciate the subtle changes in terrain. The ground under the snow was rocky and there were fewer trees so despite the veil of dark cloud that tried to shroud them, they could see the Northern Mountains in the distance.

"We'll stop at Queenscrown and give the horses a rest" Ser Davos stated.

"No," Jon said a little more forcefully than he meant to "we can rotate the horses, that's why we brought six, so we could keep going." Ser Davos looked a little concerned so Jon continued. "This is the North and I know these lands well, we'll be fine."

Ser Davos nodded and Jon swallowed down the guilt, he knew the lands a little but in truth, didn't want to go back to Queenscrown and be reminded of Ygritte. It was there that he'd been asked to prove his loyalty to the free folk by killing a man but in the end, she'd had to do it. Forwards not backwards he told himself again, it was becoming a mantra. The new Jon certainly looked different, gone was the black of the Night's Watch and the brown leather Stark armour that was so precious to him. He wore 3 vests, one grey and two blue under a pale brown padded tunic with dark brown breeches and a coat made of furs that Tormund had given him. Even his hair was tied back now, in the same style as his father's. The only thing left from his old life was Longclaw, he'd considered not taking it, valerian steel with a wolf's head hilt was distinguishable to say the least but it gave him the best chance in a fight so it came.

Erik Ryman was travelling with his uncle, Derren and his second wife, Melany to a village near Riverrun so they could escape the winter in Torren's Square (Jon had schooled them on House Tallhart for most of the ride that day). Melisandre hadn't wanted a false identity let alone different clothes but it was a condition of her joining them. She looked terrible in grey. The route they had decided upon would skirt the Northern Mountains then go through the Wolfswood bypassing Winterfell and hopefully, Bolton men. South of Winterfell they would join the Kings Road south of House Cerwyn and travel into the upper Riverlands. It had all been agreed at the camp breakfast meet the previous day.

Jon had explained that approaching the Vale wasn't wise due to recent instability and a young Lord under questionable influence. That was as politely as he'd been able to put it. The group had talked at length about the need to gather information through scouring parties before creating a battle strategy. Jon couldn't go anywhere near Winterfell for obvious reasons and none of the free folk had been that far south and returned so they would borrow a few north men from the Night's Watch and replace them. Tormund had agreed to send Edd 30 men to help at Castle Black and scout north of the Wall, both informing free folk of the camp and gathering information on the whereabouts of the dead.

As Ramsay led the daring night raid on the Baratheon camp, Jon had highlighted the potential for more sneak attacks, not just from Ramsay but also House Umber so sentries were to be posted around the camp. Jon had stated he would be going south and Ser Davos immediately insisted on going with him after commenting that Jon had never left the North. It was a good point, besides, Ser Davos knew the Riverlands and Jon had grown accustomed to his company and council. Lady Melisandre had wanted to join them too; Jon wasn't sure whether she was an asset or liability but taking her was a good way to find out.

Sansa had raised the issue of organisation at the camp and had quizzed Tormund on everything from food supply to camp defences. Jon remembered struggling not to laugh and having to get up and walk around in case Tormund saw. He was quite proud of his sister actually, she seemed to have a naturally strategic mind. Tormund had conceded that now the free folk had allied with House Stark there was a lot to do and a plan was needed, to her credit, Sansa insisted he put her, Brienne and Podrick to use. When Jon thought about it, she'd been learning how to manage castle resources since she was a young girl so it would likely prove useful to his friend. It would also keep her mind off her condition, and his mind off worrying about her so much.

As darkness sought to snuff out the remaining daylight they looked desperately for somewhere sheltered to camp and urged the horses on until thankfully, they came across a small wooded area. It was too late to make a fire, if the mountain clans spotted them they'd be in serious trouble. Jon could tell Ser Davos was a bit huffy about it, he knew he hated the cold but they'd get warm and eat in the morning when the light returned. He was wrapping up in his fur coat and settling against a tree for shelter when someone sat down next to him.

"I told you I would see you again Jon Snow" Melisandre hadn't said much on their journey so far.

"Aye, you did."

"I also said I saw you in a battle at Winterfell and now you are planning a battle at Winterfell" if she was trying to hide how pleased she was with herself she was doing badly.

"Maybe you'll be right again" he said trying to end the conversation without being rude, she made him uncomfortable, then again, most women did.

"I will be" she said and the corners of her lips turned up almost imperceptibly. They entered an uncomfortable silence, well, he felt awkward, she seemed to be enjoying it.

"It is a cold night, perhaps I will sleep next to you to keep warm" she said.

"I thought the Lord of Light kept you warm" he was quite pleased with that response.

"I meant I could keep you warm."

Damn he thought as his brain scrambled to try and get him out of it.

"He's of the North, he doesn't need you to keep him warm" Ser Davos chimed in.

"I'm sure he can speak for himself Ser Davos."

"I've been thinking about a lot of things," Jon said changing the subject "and I realise now I'm grateful you bought me back, it felt unnatural at first, wrong, but not anymore, not really."

"You're doing well," she said sincerely "having your sister with you has helped."

"I thought all my family were gone."

"But they're not, and life is full of possibilities" she said smiling as she stood and walked away.

Daylight brought a light dusting of snow and after the supplies were reloaded they set off on fresh horses at quite a pace. As the day drew on and they got nearer Long Lake the route narrowed significantly which meant either getting closer to the Kings Road, or traversing the mountain foothills and risking an attack from the clans. They took the lesser of two evils but the hope of an easy journey proved unrealistic when a party of more than 20 horses appeared on the horizon.

To avoid discovery, they took their horses into a denser wooded area and began to feed them to keep them calm. Jon's curiosity got the better of him and he told Ser Davos he was going to take a look. He crept through the woodland and found a large tree to use for cover, carefully poking his head out from behind the trunk. Part of him wanted it to be Ramsay but he couldn't see any Sigel's or identifying signs, he was about to leave when he noticed a very large man, as big as Tormund, in the middle of the group. Was that the Greatjon? The Last Hearth wasn't far away so it could well be him and if it was, they were riding north so where had they been? If they were hunting they wouldn't be on the Kings Road and it was unlikely he'd leave the castle unless it was important and that was a fairly large escort. Had he been at Winterfell? He couldn't learn anything more so carefully tracked back and found Ser Davos waiting for him, his face etched with concern.

"Who was it?" he asked.

"I couldn't see any Sigel's but one of the men looked like Greatjon Umber though I can't be certain, the last time I saw him I was about 14 or 15." Ser Davos nodded.

If it was the Greatjon he'd probably recognise him so they continued slowly and cautiously until they were confident the party had long passed. Towards the end of Long Lake they headed away from the Kings Road towards the Wolfswood where they would rest for the night. It would take two to three days before they could join the Kings Road south of House Cerywn. After a much needed warming fire and some food they settled in for the night and Jon closed his eyes and prayed for Sansa, that she was safe, that she was well and that she'd smiled today.

When the time had come to say their farewells Jon had found her sitting quietly on the bed in their tent. She'd got up when he walked in but didn't move otherwise, they'd both been a bit awkward. She'd spoken first.

"I can't lose you."

"Nor I you."

"Would you believe I was just about to tell you to be careful, what a silly thing to say, as if you wouldn't be."

"It's not silly, it's nice."

He'd then taken a step towards her and she'd immediately responded in kind so within moments he'd wrapped his arms around her. She'd buried her head in his shoulder, it was becoming her thing, he'd put his head on hers and stroked her hair then realised this was becoming 'their' thing.

"I'll think of you every day so you won't really be without me, in fact, you'll probably be sick of me by the time I return."

"Oh definitely" she said trying to smile.

"Would you do something for me whilst I'm away?"

"If I can."

"Can you see if you can get some white and grey material from Edd? I don't want to take Winterfell, cut down the Bolton banners and have nothing to replace them with."

Her face had actually lit up, it made him smile thinking that it must've been the combination of Stark banners and the large amount of sewing required. She'd then kissed him on the cheek and shooed him away saying she had lots to do and would see him soon. He'd missed her from the moment he'd walked out the tent.

The next two days were largely uneventful and the mood had been quite low but that was more from lack of food and sleep than anything else. Now that they'd finally reached the Kings Road they were all looking forward to a bed in a warm Inn and a half decent meal that night. They had stopped by a stream to water the horses and Jon was adjusting one of the packs that had slipped when they heard hooves on the packed snow, Jon's hand automatically went to the hilt of his sword.

Ser Davos saw and ran over to him "Don't," he said sternly grabbing his hand and moving it away "we don't know who it is, let me do the talking and please, please try to appear relaxed."

Jon looked over his shoulder and saw 5 horses coming in to view carrying men wearing the flayed man Sigel, his breath hitched. Relax, they don't know who you are he said to himself and tried to act natural, he was terrible at it and carried on fiddling with the pack on his horse. The riders pulled up.

"Morning lads" Ser Davos said to the lead rider with a nod. The soldier got down from his horse.

"Who are you and what business do you have in these lands?"

"My name's Derren Ryman, we're from near Torren's Square and to be honest with you, we're travelling to the Riverlands to get away from the freezing bloody cold."

"Why all the horses?" he said as a second soldier dismounted and walked towards Jon.

"The weather's so bad we were worried some wouldn't make it, we already lost one." Ser Davos looked at Jon, his eyes imploring him to act friendly. Jon wasn't very good at that either. "We also planned to trade them when we arrive, even though I have family there it's best to be prepared."

"This is a fine one" the second soldier said to Jon giving his horses' mane a stroke.

"He is" Jon said doing his best to smile.

"What's in the packs?"

"Supplies, mostly food, water and a few things to trade."

The first soldier walked to Ser Davos's horse and started inspecting him.

"This is my wife, and my nephew Erik" Ser Davos said.

"We'll take them off you."

"I assume you don't mean my wife and nephew" Ser Davos said laughing, making a joke of it. The soldier laughed as did the three still on their mounts. "That's kind of you and I'm sure you'd give me a good price but I only want to sell two."

"No old man, I mean we're taking the horses and your supplies" he said dropping the smile and drawing his sword.

Ser Davos barely got his out the scabbard in time to deflect the first blow. Jon was much quicker, slapping his horse on the rear and driving Longclaw through the soldier's body the moment a space appeared between them. He sprinted over to Ser Davos yelling out to get the attention of the man attacking him as the remaining three soldiers dismounted and closed in.

"RUN" Jon yelled at Melisandre and she sprinted up the road with one running after her as he crossed swords with another.

Ser Davos was now trying to fight off two men."Argghhh" he screamed out, he'd been slashed in the left arm.

Jon stepped up his attack, his soldier was tall but slow and Jon moved swiftly to the side as his opponent swung wildly, missing him completely and as his body twisted from the motion, Jon buried his sword in his ribs. More horses were coming but Jon didn't have time to look up as Ser Davos fell to the ground so he ran and launched himself at one of his attackers before he could deliver the kill blow, plunging his blade into the soldiers back. The dying man fell on top of Ser Davos but Jon had the last man on him already so couldn't help. They were of similar height and both fast but as more soldiers arrived his opponent made the mistake of looking up.

"Get him" he screamed and with his eyes averted for just the briefest of moments Jon was able to take advantage and knock the sword right from the other man's hand, the soldier was standing on a slight slope so Jon kicked him in the chest knocking him down and as he put up his hand in defence, Jon's blade sliced through his gut. Jon was aware the other men were dismounting and spun round to see 8 or 9 soldiers in front of him.

"What the hell is that?" One of them said pointing at Jon who at first didn't know what he was talking about. Shit, Longclaw he realised.

Jon knew he was outnumbered and if he fought he'd die so sheathed his sword, held up his hands in surrender and walked backwards slowly to where Ser Davos was lying on the ground.

"He needs help" Jon shouted as the Bolton soldier returned with Melisandre at knife point. Jon kneeled and pulled the dead body off the old Knight.

"Uncle" he said as Ser Davos coughed and spluttered.

"Sorry son" he said just as three blades made their presence felt on the back of Jon's tunic.

"Stand up slowly, arms out to the side." Jon did as he was ordered, looked up to the sky and closed his eyes. I'm sorry Sansa.