AN: George Martin owns everything.

The time for the feast was upon us. The royal family lined up with the Stark family in front of the doors of the Great hall. Ned locked elbows with the queen, Robert with Catelyn, Robb with Myrcella, Sansa with Joffrey, even Arya with Tommen. Everyone looked their best indeed. Ned was wearing what he had worn earlier a brown tunic with grey breeches. The queen was looking extravagant with a crimson dress of the House Lannister, her hair worn up. Robert was wearing his stag crown wanting to get this all started. His mother was looking vibrant with a blue dress, her Auburn hair braided in the back. Robb was looking like the future Lord of Winterfell indeed. Chest puffed out and making small talk with the princess, who looked beautiful with those golden locks falling down her back. Who couldn't stop smiling at him. She is smitten with Robb…

Sansa couldn't stop smiling at the prince, who was all charm. Smoke and mirrors, Joffrey. Smoke and mirrors…James would be damned if this prince will pull the moves on his sister. He wanted to talk with her, he wanted to tell her the prince was a monster with many faces, but he knew she wouldn't listen. She was naive and James knew it. She doesn't know the real world and one day she will have a rude awakening, hopefully it won't be too late. There was talk of them getting married. Sansa becoming queen, her stories coming to life before her eyes. She won't listen even though I want her to.

Arya was currently hating life, blowing her breathe upward towards her face, watching a strand of hair bobbing up and down. Not even making conversation with the pudgy prince. Keeping to himself, he would watch his feet and at times would try to talk to Arya but would retract, but Tommen was a sweet lad and meant no harm. Earlier he was talking to James about how he hated beets and would outlaw them if he could, how he wanted a litter of kittens. Although he was terrified of the direwolves, especially Shaggydog who was often aggressive towards anyone who got to close to Rickon. Often times Greywind would have to wrestle him to submission. Tommen even took a liking to Bran. They were becoming fast friends.

James was behind the procession wearing his grey and black Stark tunic. I'd just rather wear my Night's Watch robes. That's when he decided to lock arms with Jeyne Poole, the stewards daughter. James was nervous, he was still embarrassed from the duel and hated the extra attention he was receiving.

"My lady, I believe we should make our way into the feast." he said with a smile looking down on her. She locked arms with him and smiled, for once managing to say a few words without stammering.

"Why thank you, my lord," she said with a giggle.

The doors to the Great Hall opened and the families proceeded to enter. A month of work had paid off and it looked extravagant. Chandiliers hung from the ceiling with lit candles illuminating the hall. There were two tables on each side with a dance floor in the middle. Than two long tables were facing the rest of the hall horizontally, one for the King and queen with the chair of Winterfell for Ned and the lady's chair for his mother. The table in front of them was for the royal children and the Stark children. All the great lords of the north had made it for the feast and all were seated when the royal family and Stark family were introduced, couple by couple. Than it was James's turn.

"May I present his Lord James Stark, the first of his name and the lady Jeyne Poole."

An applause boomed threw the great hall as James led Jeyne down the stairs arms locked. Sansa was waiving and smiling at Jeyne, who was smiling back. Than Robert yelled,

"The Black Wolf! The man who slayed the Kingslayer!"

The hall shook as all the lords laughed and James forced a smile, he was regretting that nickname. He looked around to see the queen even smiling to some sort, but Jaime was not. A look of anger on his face as he stared down at James. Than James noticed Rickard Karstark, the tall man with his hair grey, a pointed bear flowing down his chest. James had to laugh at that, he looked like some sort of wizard.

James remembered practicing kissing with his daughter Alys Karstark when they were children. It was the first girl he had even kissed. Don't ever leave me…Often they spoke of getting married together when they were older, but it was just children talking. Nothing came of it. I'm sure Lord Karstark would appreciate his daughter marrying the future Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North…at the time. James saw her standing with her brothers and nodded his head in hello. She smiled back at him. Alys was seventeen and she was by all means good looking. She was tall, skinny, coltish girl, with brown hair woven into a braid. With a long face and pointy chin, small ears, and full breasts. He looked to Jeyne and said,

"You see that man standing over there, that's Rickard Karstark the lord of Karhold. With his children Torrhen, Eddard, Harrion, and Alys. I know Alys quite well, she was a good friend growing up, although she thought it was more than friendship. Often we'd talk of getting married, but don't worry it's just child talk. Alys hates me now because I took the black and we couldn't get married. As if that was ever going to happen. Lord Rickard is such a serious man if I ever met one. Although with that beard he looks like some wizard. All he needs is a staff and a pointed hat."

Both were laughing at the end of that comment although he could tell she probably only heard the words "Often we'd talk of getting married." Than everyone began to take their seats. All were seated when Ned stood up from the chair of Winterfell and banged his chalice with a fork.

"Let the feast begin!" he said and everyone cheered.

Than the servants came out of the kitchen with the first of five courses. It looked like a soup with carrots and potatoes with a broth. James sat in between Robb and Bran, idly eating his soup taking in the view. Theon sat across in a black tunic with gold outlining, the colors of the Greyjoy's with their golden kraken as a sigil. Arya sat next to Theon keeping to herself. Next to her was Myrcella and Tommen with Joffrey at the head of the table. Jeyne Poole and Sansa sat next to Robb giggling and talking like the girls they were. Jon was nowhere to be found, James knew he was probably outside hitting the practice dummy with his sword taking out his frustration at not being a Stark. Poor lad, he should be here….

He then looked up at the dais where the king and queen were. Robert was not in his chair, neither was Ned. Probably drinking his weight in wine; cup in hand and some wench in the other. Robert Baratheon in a nutshell...James spotted the queen and his mother talking when Cersei flashed a smile at him. The kind've smile that wasn't just born of being kind. She than proceeded to again begin talking to his mother. Don't leave me James..

James got up and decided to walk around the great hall, just looking at the people laughing and drinking. The most excitement he had in awhile, the wall never provided any of this. That's when he saw Jaime Lannister walking towards him. Gods, this can't be good. James put on a stern face as he walked up towards him.

"The Black Wolf…..The man who SLAYED the Kingslayer. Robert is quite funny when he begins to drink. Funny, it seems most people forget it was a draw." Jaime said with a smug smile on his face. Both hands on James shoulder.

"Aye, most people forget that it was. But why don't we let them believe that it wasn't." James retorted staring the Kingslayer in his eyes with a false smile.

"It's a shame you took the black. With your skill you should be knighted and enter tourney's. The competition has become quite stale."

"I don't think I would."

"And why is that?"

"Because when I fight a man for real. I don't like for him to know what I can do." Those were his fathers words through and through. James stuck to them.

Jaime laughed and said,

"Well….said Stark. I quite like that." he continue to laugh and walked off.

Exhausted from that exchange James sat down when the dancing had begun. Many ladies and lords took the dance floor. He plopped down next to Robb who asked him what just occurred. He turned to him and Theon saying,

"Oh with Ser Jaime? That was nothing. He is just sour that I bested him." James said flashing a smile to Arya who returned in kind. Soon he found the third course was in front of him. Roasted duck with carrots and potatoes, James wolfed down that meal quick when he felt someone touch his shoulder.

He turned around to find Jeyne there, standing in her grey dress, brown hair in braids pinned up to the back of her head, and large brown eyes with a smile on her face. She was by all means a pretty girl. I'm glad that she has grown comfortable around me..

"May I have this dance, Lord Stark?" she asked extending her hand out to him. James was about to reply when he felt a touch on his lower back. He turned around to find princess Myrcella there.

"Dance with me, my lord?" she asked in a tiny voice. James quickly found himself in a rock and a hard place, but he knew he couldn't deny the princess. It would make him and his family look bad.

"Why it would be my honor, princess." he said placing his hand in hers. She smiled and led them to the dance floor when he turned around to Jeyne and whispered.

"I shall dance with you when I'm done with the princess, I promise."

Jeyne had a look of sadness on her face, and what looked like tears beginning to well in her eyes. He than turned around to face the princess as they began to dance. It was quite fast paced and James considered himself a bad dancer. Myrcella was just giggling and smiling the whole time with James hands at her back. Twirling her around only made her laugh harder. He returned the smile and asked her how she liked Winterfell.

"I like it a lot. It's good to get out of King's Landing." the princess said. Than she looked over and eyed Robb, who caught her glance and smiled in kind.

"I see you've taken a liking to Robb." James said with a smile, Myrcella just blushed

"Don't worry your secret is safe with me."

"Thanks." she smiled back at him, some blush creeping in her face.

Than they traded dancing partners as the dance dictated. His partner was Alys Karstark. They locked into the dancing position.

"The man who slayed the Kingslayer." Alys said looking at him, seething. "Father keeps saying, 'It was a draw damn you', you know how he is."

"I know, I hate this," James said,

Alys laughed, "Why should you hate this, James?" she looked at him hard, "You are so foolish,"

Than James exchanged partners and Myrcella was back with him again. The dance soon ended. She smiled at him and he at her.

"Thank you for the honor of letting me dance with you, princess." James said dipping his head.

"The honor is all mine, my lord." Myrcella replied in a courtesy. Now to dance with Jeyne, I hope she isn't mad…

James escorted Myrcella back to her seat when he noticed that Jeyne was missing. He walked up to Robb and his siblings asking where she was.

"Robb have you seen Jeyne?" he said with a look of worry on his face. Jeyne meant a lot to him and he didn't want to offend her.

"Can't say I have James, why?" he asked taking time away from eating the fourth course of a salad with chicken to ask.

"I promised I would dance with her after I was done with Myrcella."

"She isn't here, last I saw she ran out of the great hall crying. Probably off somewhere balling her eyes out. The girl is in love with you James, always has been. All of Winterfell knows it; I knew when she first set eyes upon you. Stupid little girl." Theon japed with a smile.

"Shut up Theon." James said with a growl.

"It's funny, really. I often heard her tell Sansa how much she loved you. I once ran into her praying in the Sept saying, 'Please let James be my husband.' Quite funny, to think the stewards daughter had a chance…." Theon said between bites of his food.

"SHUT UP THEON!" said James, Robb, and Sansa at the same time. Sansa who had just overheard the conversation.

"Alright, Alright, Alright. Fine. Didn't mean to offend, sorry." Theon said rolling his eyes and continued eating. James than saw his mother come over to the table.

"What's wrong?" she asked with a look of worry on her face.

"It's nothing mother, James was asked to dance by Jeyne Poole, but than the princess Myrcella asked him. He couldn't deny the princess so he danced with her instead. Jeyne ran out of the room crying. James just came over asking where Jeyne was. And THEON was being a jerk about it. Mocking her affection for him." Robb said giving Theon a dirty look. All Theon did was cower behind his food as, Catelyn gave him her famous ice cold stare.

"Gods, that girl has always loved you hasn't she James. Well than, go find her!" she said nodding her head towards the door telling him to go.

"On it mother, Sansa pray tell, where does Jeyne go when she is upset?" James asked in a rush.

"The godswood, probably to the heart-tree, to pray." she said with a smile, liking how James cared so much.

"Alright, thanks I'm gonna go find her."

Than he ran out of the door and made his way to the Godswood.

-x-

James walked outside frantically, leaving the loud great hall to find the cold winter air blasting through Winterfell. He found Jon Snow in the stables hitting a dummy with a sword, taking out all his frustration at not being allowed in the feast, not being a true Stark. James made his way towards him but knew he couldn't linger, he was there to find Jeyne.

Whack….Whack….the pace become faster and harder when Jon turned around.

"Oh hey James." he continued smacking the dummy.

"Hey brother, pray tell have you seen Jeyne around?" James asked in a rush. Sweat trickling down his face.

"Poole? Jeyne Poole?" Jon said, his hair dangling in front of his face. Lyanna….

"No the other Jeyne in Winterfell…Yes Jeyne Poole where is she?" James said in haste ready to just sprint to the godswood.

"Ok, smart ass. Well I did actually, she came out of the great hall running. She seemed to be crying, did you do something?"

"Yes…well no I couldn't help it. She asked me to dance and I was about to say yes, but than the princess asked me. I couldn't deny the princess, I promised to dance with her. I guess she must've run out."

"Aye, ok, well that is truly horrible sorry you had to go through that, she ran towards the godswood….Black Wolf." Jon said smiling at James.

"Thanks for letting me know, and don't call me black wolf." James said and ran off.

There was something peaceful about the godswood at night. The stars illuminated in the sky and peered through the canopy of trees. Peaceful, yet scary… James made his way to the heart-tree crouching down low, when he heard a voice praying.

"Please, just let him love me like I love him. I know it can never be, us getting married. But if there is someway it can happen, please…I beg to whatever god is listening. Let us be together, let him know that I love him…" he heard Jeyne praying to the weir wood. Eyes red and swollen. Tear stains rolling down her cheek. She finished the prayer and slumped down, her back against the heart tree. Hair in her face, she was crying again. She sounds like a puppy when she cries…

She shot up and called out, "Who is there? Sansa? If it's you Sansa go away! I don't wanna talk about it." she yelled, and just began to cry even more.

"It's not Sansa." James said as he appeared out of the darkness, he noticed his reflection in the black pool in front of him.

"James? What are you doing here?" she said looking directly at him. Tears still flowing down her face. "How long have you been here? Did you hear all of that?" she said sniffling.

"Yes, I did Jeyne." he said walking towards hear sitting down right next to hear, looking her in the face. She looked up at him eyes swollen, tears flowing like an endless river.

"I'm so embarrassed. I never wanted you to hear that." she said looking away from him. He cupped her chin and turned her face towards him staring her in the eyes.

"It's ok Jeyne. Theon told me, and in my own way I have always known….I have always known." he said picking up a stone and throwing it in the pond. Hearing the splash that followed.

"Theon told you? When?"

"During the feast, he told me he saw you running out crying. Then he said he heard you praying in the sept asking us to marry. Funny, to find you in the godswood, I thought you kept to the new gods." he said still looking at her.

"The old gods and the new. But sometimes the new gods never answer my prayers, so I pray to the old ones. Hoping they will answer." Than after a few moments of silence she continued,

"Why did you do that James? Why did you humiliate me in there? You know that I have always loved you, why would you throw me away like that." looking at him with glassed over eyes. James wiped away some tears from her eyes, as he did when Sansa would come to him crying after she would get into a fight with Arya. He put an arm around her shoulder and brought her in close…both staring into the pool in front of them.

"Jeyne….Sweet Jeyne Poole. Put yourself in my shoes. How could I deny the princess? Right in front of her mother, her brothers, and the king. I couldn't….it would be a slight against her and it would make me look bad; not only me but my family. I never meant to hurt you." James said as her head was resting against his shoulder, his head against her head. She sniffled some more and continued,

"But you did… I couldn't help seeing her dance with you, looking so happy and smiling. Getting affection from you I've never had. Don't you love me?" she said now staring up at him, looking for answer in his eyes. James took a breath and continued,

"Jeyne…I've known you all your life. I have watched you and Sansa grow up as best friends in front of my eyes. I think of you as a sister, nothing more. But in my own way I do love you. I can never marry you, I am six years your elder and I'm a man of the watch. We are to take no wife and bear no children." He said looking down at her eyes. Those eyes no longer were crying.

"I know….I know. It's just some stupid childhood fantasy, like Sansa's. You know, when I was a kid James, and Sansa and I would play queen and king with our dolls, I would proclaim myself the queen and you my king. Sansa would always say 'ewww', at me liking you."

James couldn't help but laugh at that and they just sat there in the darkness.

"I do love you Jeyne. Don't you ever think otherwise." he said still embracing her. She probably wouldn't want to let go.

"So you do love me?" she said her puppy dog eyes now staring at him.

"Yes I do." he said still looking down at her.

They locked eyes and stared at each other when she kissed him on the lips. James was shocked, he didn't know what to do, but he decided to let it happen to make up for the feast and decided to kiss her back. It lingered for a second or two when he pulled back. Her eyes were wide open, as if she had just seen a ghost. Realizing he was probably the first man she had ever kissed.

"Thank you….thank you James Stark. For making me understand." Jeyne said slouching into his shoulder again. Don't ever leave me James...

"No problem Jeyne, now….we should get back to the feast. I'm betting people are starting to notice we are missing." James said still letting her embrace him.

"You're right. But can we just let this moment linger for just another minute?"

"As long as you come back to the great hall, and as long as you promise to always be comfortable around me. You can also come to me with anything. I want you to know that."

"I promise." she said smiling at him

They sat there in darkness and listened to the nature of the godswood. Its magic and tranquility. The grasshoppers were singing. When they heard footsteps approaching them; leaves crunching. It was Sansa,

"Awww, look at you two! It seem's you guys have made up. Anyway James, mother asks for you to get back to the feast already. People are starting to notice, the king is asking for 'the black wolf.'" she said laughing walking over sitting down next to James, putting her head against his shoulder as well. They sat there for another minute when James got up and said,

"Right, now I have to get back to the feast. More like 'we', let's go ladies."

They both got up and flattened out there dresses when James offered an arm for each. They both locked arms with his and walked out of the godswood. They made there way back to the great hall when James noticed Jon was talking to a small figure.

"You two go on back in, I want to talk to Jon. Alone." he said letting go of them both. Sansa turned around and spoke,

"But James mother said…" she said sounding like a high-born lady.

"I know what mother said, tell her I'll be right in."

Sansa and Jeyne than began to walk away and started talking. Each of them giggling. James watched them, arms across his chest; when Jeyne turned to him and smiled. He winked back at her and she blushed. They disappeared in the great hall when James turned around to talk to his brother.

-x-

"After all this time, you finally stopped hitting that blasted dummy….Jon?" he said standing behind him arms crossed.

Jon just continued to talk to this person, when finally James noticed who it was. Tyrion Lannister…the imp. Tyrion was quite small, even for a dwarf, and waddled when he walked. He had gold hair, more white than gold, small nose and bizarre eyes. James however admired him, he heard tales of his intelligence and wit.

"Remember, get used to people calling you bastard. The world won't forget why should you? Wear it like an armor and it can't be used against you." Tyrion said when he turned around and noticed James.

"Ahh, look who it is. James Stark! Your name is on everyone's lips tonight after what transpired earlier with my brother. 'The black wolf, the man who slayed the kingslayer.' That is a clever name, it has Robert Baratheon written all over it. Did you know he coined the term, Kingslayer?"

James just kept looking at Tyrion and nodded.

"Aye, my father told me. I'm glad to see you here Lord Tyrion, you absence was noticed earlier today." James said leaning against a post while Tyrion looked him on.

"Was it? That comes as quite the surprise. Usually people hardly notice me, being a dwarf and all. Most think I'm dumb." he said with a sarcastic tone.

"I know better. You're a smart man Tyrion, I admire your wit." James said flashing a smile.

"For once somebody does. I hope you know that the whole realm will know about your spar with Jaime in a months time." he said drinking out of a flask.

"Aye, let's hope it doesn't reach Lord Tywin's ears." James japed.

"Let's hope…father doesn't like when his golden child his bested, let alone humiliated. Even though it was a draw. Anyway Lord Stark I must say farewell, I need to go and say hello to your family." he said extending out a hand which James shaked. He turned to Jon and said,

"Always a pleasure, Jon Snow." Jon nodded in return. Tyrion took a large swig out of his flask and was about to walk away when James asked.

"Where were you earlier? If you don't mind me asking."

"Why, well I was in Winterfell's finest brothel. Preparing for a night with your family. With some red head named Ros. Surely you have heard of her, quite the woman." he said with a smile on his face and walked away.

Jon walked up to James draping an arm around his shoulders.

"You okay James? You're pale. Looks like someone has punched the wind out of you."

"No Jon, I'm quite alright. Here lets sit down on these barrels."

They both sat on the barrels, while James regained his composure. Ros with the Imp, surely it can not be. She couldn't do that to me…She couldn't. But she is a wh…

"I want to join the Night's Watch." said Jon out of the blue. James was taken aback by this comment.

"I want to take the black and join you. Fight at your side. There is nothing left for me here, I am just a bastard. Soon Robb will be Lord of Winterfell, the others will get married and I will be alone. I can soar to heights at the Night's Watch, surely you can convince father. You convinced him once already, do it again." Jon said staring at James directly in the face. All James could do was put his face in his hands and shake his head. Surely he can't be serious…

"Jon, get this straight. First of all, we men of the watch can't father children or hold any land. You don't know what you'd be giving up, secondly we all here…except mother…care about you. You're not alone." James said watching his brother's expression change to frustration.

"I don't care about any of that! You joined the watch! Why can't I? You had more to lose than I do; you were the first born son, Winterfell could've been yours! I'am a bastard and have nothing to lose at all." he yelled at James, clear frustration on his face.

"Jon…" James said calmly.

"No, I won't change my mind about this. Tell me why I shouldn't join. In fact tell me that and why you joined? Only father and mother know the true reason why. Not Robb, me, Theon, Sansa, or any of us know. Why?" he said looking at him directly in the face.

"Because Jon…"

Because Jon… the NIght's Watch isn't what it used to be. It's filled with rapists, murderers, thieves, the lowest of the low. Men who have shit for honor. It isn't what you read in the books, or the stories Old Nan used to tell us. I made the mistake, you shouldn't too. But I can't tell you the truth.

"I joined…I joined for honor and glory. To fight wildlings and defend the realm. To be apart of the bigger picture in this world."

Lies….all lies. One day he will tell Jon why, maybe he will when he has taken his vows before the heart tree outside the Wall. But not today….

"That's what I want James! I knew you'd understand. So please talk to father." he said a look of joy on his face as he got up. James watched him begin to walk towards the dummy when I figure clad in black rode in on a horse. It was his Uncle Benjen.

"UNCLE BENJEN!" they both yelled as the first ranger of the Night's Watch got off his horse.

"Boys! James! Jon!" he said walking over to them, hugging them both. Benjen Stark was the youngest of the Stark siblings, he was a slender man with long black hair flowing to his shoulders and a scruffy black beard.

"James! Your presence is missed at the Wall, Commander Mormont is getting worried you'll never come back. I assured him you would." he said with a smile on his face now turning to Jon. One thing James admired about his uncle was that he treated Jon the same as his other nieces and nephews.

"Jon, gods you've grown lad. Looking strong." he said also smiling at Jon.

"Don't worry Uncle, I'm going back to the wall as soon as the royal family leaves. You can tell the Lord Commander not to worry."

"Good…Good. So how is the feast going lad's?"

"I wouldn't know. Lady Catelyn said it would be improper to seat a bastard amongst their mists." Jon said looking down at his feet. All Uncle Benjen did was grunt and scratch his head.

"It's going well Uncle, I just had to come outside to get some fresh air." James said, hands in his pockets. "Aye." was all he could say. James decided to break the silence,

"Jon here has desires to take the black. Join the intrepid men of the Night's Watch."

Uncle Benjen looked at Jon, who in returned looked at James.

"Aye, it's true Uncle. I want to take the vows. Father would let me if you and James talked to him. I want honor and glory. I'm tired of just being Ned Stark's bastard." Jon said now looking at them both. Uncle Benjen sighed and looked at James. Both were thinking the exact same thing…

"I'll talk to him lad not to worry. It's been good to see you Jon. Come on James let's go back inside, I'm sure your father could use some support in there….Take care Jon." Uncle Benjen said as he and James walked back inside.

James than heard Jon hitting that dummy again.

AN: So I decided to double update today, I love writing this story. There is still way more to come, it was just too big for one chapter. This feast isn't over yet and it's going to get more interesting for James with a certain Lannister involved…I will probably update again tomorrow. Just have to proof read the next part of the chapter.