Risen From Ashes

by snowflake2410

House Pyralis, Relatives to the Targaryens. Just as House Reyne, every Pyralis has been turned into nothing but mere ash and memory. All except one. Ophelia never knew who she was but when is revealed as the last Pyralis, she is soon thrust into a new world of deceit and limitations. As the saying goes: You can try to burn a Phoenix, but they always manage to survive.

14. Chapter 14

Hey there! So here is the new chapter, my longest yet. Also thank you to all who reviewed! 97 follows, 62 favorites, and 63 reviews, that is awesome! I didn't know so many people would enjoy this story, but here we are lol. Anyways, school has been hell but I will prevail! I got several announcements to make. Also, the dance detailed in this chapter is the Stay With Me Dance from Reign.

First, I have a new story out called Recension of The Design. Please, please, please check it out! It's a Final Destination fanfic. I just love the F.D. series and I was inspired to write one after binge watching the first three movies. I know it's not a big fandom, but it would mean a lot if someone took a look at it. Also, I have another story that I will be editing soon. It's called Ruthie and it's been out for a while, but if you're intrested in the Scream franchise, then check it out! :)

Second, my sister had a baby! And guess what she named her?! Seraphina. Lol I didn't even suggest the name, but she named her that anyways. I find it funny in an ironic way because my sister has no idea that I'm writing this story hahaha lol...or does she? (Shifts eyes suspiciously).

Third, some of y'all are going to hate me after this chapter, not gonna lie. This was a tough one to write, but it was needed to move the plot along. After all, I am sticking to canon so that should give you an idea of how this is going to go down. A good song inspiration that I had for this chapter is called All I Need by Within Temptation. It captures both ends of the spectrum, the good and bad. P.S. Ophelia's dress in this chapter can be viewed on the Armstreet website. It is the Medieval Woolen Dress "Green Sleeves" Limited. P.P.S. Congratulations to Rose Leslie and Kit Harington on the engagement!

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones, only Ophelia, House Pyralis, Ethaesper, Ydina, and Katherine.

1st P.O.V. Winterfell

The room was engulfed in flames, the fire spreading rapidly destroying everything it touched. One of the wooden rafters from the ceiling collapsed and fell in the middle of the room. It was now an obstacle for the two people in the doorway. The man with strange colored hair clutched the young boy close to him as he tried to figure out a plan of escape. His cousin was on the other side of the rafter, right next to the window that held the best route for leaving the blazing hell they were trapped in.

Rowtag started to panic as the the flames rose higher and higher. He picked up the boy and held him to his chest so that he would be protected from the overwhelming heat and smoke.

"Seraphine, run! Get out of here!"

The young girl shook her head and glared at him with defiance. "I won't leave you!"

Rowtag looked up as more burnt pieces of wood fell and he backed up, the smoke stinging his eyes making them water.

"Go now! You have no choice! Get out, right now!" Seraphine shook her head and tried to move closer, the flames licking her skirts, starting to burn her legs. Still, the defiant eleven year old refused to move, her eyes trained on her older cousin and her friend. The small boy started to choke on the smoke and Rowtag clutched him closer to his chest.

Seraphine ran forward and reached out her hand the younger boy whom she loved like a baby brother. Her dark crimson eyes were determined to reach the young child and her voice screamed out his name as another piece of debris aflame fell near the duo.

"Petyr!"

My eyes snapped open and I sat up. I put a hand on my chest and ran my other hand through my messy hair. I woke up drenched in sweat, and with a chill shivering down my spine. Huffing out breaths, I looked around. The fire was dim, the day was breaking anew, and Ethaesper was sleeping on the pillow next to me.

My heart was racing as fast as well-bred stallion and I had the most awful feeling. I couldn't remember what my dream was about, but I knew that it was not good. I put my balled up fists to the sides of my head and tried to remember what occurred in it.

I remember fire. How do I remember? I could practically smell smoke and the burning of wood. I felt fear. Not the nervous type, but the type that one faces when they know that their death is near.

I put my hands down, and lifted up the covers, resulting in me waking up Etheasper. She opened her eyes and chirped in annoyance. I didn't bother attending to her.

My dream disturbed me, even if I couldn't remember what it was about. I rolled up the long sleeves to my white cotton nightgown, and shivered in terror: the hairs on my arms were sticking up, a sign that nothing good was near.

"It was just a dream...right?" I turned to Etheasper, who hopped up and down silently.

I jumped back in fright when a knock on my door gave a loud sound. I furrowed my eyebrows and went to fetch my robe. Fastening it tightly, I answered the door.

Only opening it a crack barged in several women, led by Katherine, all of whom were carrying pots of hot water. There was around twelve of them, and they all carried two pots each.

I stood in shock as each one passed, every single women greeting me with a "Good morning, My Lady."

I stood at the threshold, mouth formed into an 'O' shape, my eyes wide, and my body stiff at the intrusion of my privacy. "I...uh...umm...good...morning...?" I was confused. I didn't know the properly formal way to greet these women, women I had worked beside in all none formal familiarity only several weeks ago.

I grabbed onto the elbow of the oldest women, Ydina, and stopped her. I bent down slightly and whispered frantically into her hear, "What is going on?!"

The white haired woman gave me a wrinkled smile and whispered back, "Lady Stark asked that we set up a bath for you this morning."

I wrinkled my nose, and lifted up my arm to smell my armpit. I didn't smell that bad.

Ydina chuckled and nudged me with her elbow, giving me a wink. "Not all of us are so lucky to be getting a bath every morning."

I put my arm back down and gestured to the other women. "I don't take a bath every morning! I bathe every two days in the hot springs when I have some me time, you know that!"

Ydina's smile faded a notch and she said, "Well, now that you're a Lady, you're expected to smell nice all the time. Be clean every day, not just when you have the time."

I shut my eyes and gritted my teeth. I should've anticipated that this would happen. The servants, people I knew and worked beside for several years, probably thought that I was now going to be some uppity lady, too dainty to get my hands dirty.

Well, I was not about to let that happen.

I opened my eyes and put on a sunny smile for Ydina. I reached for one of the pots. "Let me help at least."

She turned her body away from me, making me miss the pot and grasp the air instead. Ydina gave me a remorseful smile. "No need. All of us have it done for you."

I pulled my hand back and stepped back. This is what it would now be like. Us, meaning them, and You, meaning me. I'm not going to lie, this new truth wounded me to the bone.

All of the women carefully dumped one pot of water in the washtub after the next, filling it up. Katherine stood up and tied up her mousy brown hair into a messy bun. She ushered and shooed all of the others out of the room.

"Thank you!", I called out to them as they all left. I stepped out into the hall watching them all walk away., "I appreciate it! It was very nice of you! Have a good d-"

"Will you shut up?!" I stopped my zealous words of gratitude, and turned to see Katherine with her hands on her hips and a glare on her face. She waved me into the room, impatient to get on with her day. Looking back at the last of the women leaving the corridor, I deflated and reluctantly went back into my room.

I shut the door and looked at the girl, with whom I used to share a room.

We stood staring at each other until she snapped, "Are you going to strip, or do I have to do that as well?"

"W-w-what are you doing here?" I asked slightly confused at her presence in my bedchambers. "These aren't your usual chores..."

She clapped her hands in a false celebratory manner. "Well aren't you a clever one?" She rolled her dark eyes. She held out her hand towards me in an effort to make a point. "Obviously I am the new handmaiden to the royal and prestigious Lady Ophelia Pyralis." Her voice dripped with sarcasm and hatred.

I felt myself shrinking under her venomous gaze. "I'm sorry. You don't have to be here if you don't want to be." Maybe if I appeased to her a bit, she would leave me alone. Honestly, I thought I had enough of her and Emily when I stopped living with them, but alas, fate was not so kind.

"Are you getting in or not?! I don't have all day to be playing this stupid back and forth game with you. I have to get you to breakfast by a certain time."

"You're not leaving me alone after this?!"

"Why would I do that? I said I'm your handmaiden, I have the same duties a handmaiden has to do."

"I don't need a handmaiden!"

Her eyes narrowed at me. "I don't care what you think you need. Lady Stark asked me to assist you from now on, and I'm not a fool enough to say no. Do honestly believe I would choose scrubbing pots all day and cleaning out hearths over this? I'm not letting anyone, even a snivelly, pitiful wretch like you, ruin it for me. You were given your chance to receive a better life, but I have to take mine when it's offered."

Dismissing her comments towards me, I felt sorry for her. I knew that being promoted was no easy feat, and not everyone would have the chance at a promotion. Some people have worked at Winterfell their entire lives, yet were never given a higher position. For something like this to happen to someone as young as Katherine was the equivalent of digging up hidden gold.

Rare and priceless.

"Fine. But turn around. I don't want you to see me naked." Katherine rolled her eyes and folded up her arms as she turned away from me.

"Seven Hells." She mumbled. As I started to undress and take off my bandages from yesterday, I saw her head move around as she examined my room. She 'tsked' and whistled lowly. "Damn, you really did trade up, didn't you?" I didn't answer as I balled up my clothes and threw them across the room and onto my bed, doing my best to not disturb Ethaesper.

I stepped into the bath and hissed as the sting from the water made contact with my bare skin. I slowly sank down, and brought my knees up. I covered my bare breasts with my arms.

"I can bathe myself you know." I informed her. Katherine turned around and saw my position. A rare smile twitched at the corner of her lips before her usual critical expression took over her features. Katherine walked over and pulled a large corked bottle out of her apron's pocket. It was as big as a milk bottle, but the liquid inside was pale white with a touch of golden at the bottom. Katherine shook it in one hand and walked over to the tub, uncorking the bottle, and poured it into my bath.

She knelt beside the tub and rolled up the sleeve to her dark grey dress. Katherine reached into the tub and swirled the water around, making the clear water turn as pale as the white liquid in bottle.

It smelled nice and seemed familiar.

"What did you pour in?" I inquired. I turned my head to her.

"It's milk, with salt, chamomile, and honey. It makes the skin smooth." She grumbled.

Oh, so that's what it was. I made a concoction similar to this for Sansa one time, but with rose oil extract and mint tea instead of milk and chamomile.

"This is nice. Thank you." Katherine gave me a blank look and produced a sponge from her apron.

"Come on. We don't have all day." I hesitantly extended my arm out to her, and just as she was going to scrub me, I snatched the sponge from her and started to scrub myself.

"Hey! Give that back."

I didn't look at her as I scrubbed down the tops of my shoulders. "I can bathe myself."

Katherine reached for the sponge again and glared me down. "But this is my job! I need to do it."

"No you don't...whether you scrub me down or not, I will not tell Lord Stark or My Lady. This will stay our secret, alright?"

Katherine huffed and sat back down on her knees. "Fine. But I will do your back. Lady Stark was very stern about that."

Immediately feeling dread, I forgot all sense of modesty as I sank myself down into the tub. I had my back to the bottom of the tub, the white milk barely covering the front of my naked body.

I shook my head in refusual. "No! No, no, no! Absolutely not! I don't want you to see my back."

Katherine rolled her brown eyes and crawled on her knees to get behind me. "It can't be that bad."

I felt a wave of self-consciousness fill me up and I looked away. "It is."

Katherine bluntly stated, "This won't be the last time I'm going to see you naked. It's best we get this over with right now."

I shook my head and Katherine gave out a yell of frustration. "You're going to make us late for breakfast, and make me look bad on my first day as a handmaiden."

"Promise me you won't tell Emily." I demanded sharply.

"What? Why would I tell Emily?"

"Well you're friends aren't you?"

Katherine crawled over to my side, leaned back, and scrunched her eyebrows together. "What in the Seven Hells gave you that idea?!"

"Because you always make fun of me with her."

"That doesn't mean I like her! Do you know how many times I had to be locked out of the room because of that Greyjoy prick you and her are so fond of? No, I don't like her, I tolerate her."

I felt my docile nature turn to one of fire. Theon was not well-liked, but that was because so few people knew him. He wasn't always the most pleasent to be around, but he was my friend and I would be damned if I let someone as ridiculing as Katherine pass judgement upon him.

I felt my own eyes narrow and I started to seethe. "Theon Greyjoy is many things but he is not prick." Covering my breasts, I sat up straight and glared at her. "So long as you are serving me, you will not insult any of my friends, regardless of your own feelings for them. You do this, and I will reward you the same courtesy."

Katherine let out a huff. She then gave me a small smirk and said, "You start standing up for yourself like that, you won't hear a peep from me."

I blushed but remained firm of face. I nodded and she gave me a rare smile. "Now, about your back."

She crawled behind me once more, and I heard a sharp intake of breath.

Coldness swept throughout my body. "Is it bad?" My voice pitch came out high with panic.

Katherine sighed and asked me, "Do you want me to lie?"

"No."

"It's horrible."

I frowned as her rough hands started to massage the barely healed wounds, putting on green paste as she worked her fingers on the cobweb of red raised skin that decorated my upper rear surface.

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After Katherine cleaned my back and bandaged it up, she rummaged through my mother's dresses and picked out a a burgundy gown, with a green and gold trim, and green detachable sleeves. She noticed how loose it was.

She went into my drawers and pulled out a shift and stays, something I was not accustomed to wearing.

I held the towel close to my body and I stepped back from her.

"That's not mine."

Katherine didn't look up at me as she said, "I know. Lady Stark told me to put it in your room last night. You have to start wearing them."

I looked at the light pink stays in disdain, before nodding my head. "Just don't tie them too tight...because of my back." Katherine snorted and pulled the shift over my head, and put the stays on me. She pulled them tight enough for it to be snug, but not enough to constrict. I had to hold onto the pole of my bed. Katherine showed no mercy as she jerked the strings into place. Once she tied the last of the strings, she pulled the dress down my body. As she was putting it on me, Katherine said, "Remind me to take in your dresses in as soon as you head to lessons. It'll give me something to do."

"Umm...alright." I fixed my own hair into a braided bun and smiled at her.

"Let's go to breakfast, shall we?"

"Wait!" She stopped me and pointed at my feet. "Your shoes."

I gave her a soft smile as I remembered what My Lady told me about my family. Perhaps today I would try out their tradition, just to see how it is. "I don't think I'll be needing them today. Besides, my dress reaches to the floor."

Katherine looked at me a bit oddly but shrugged and said, "No skin off my back. C'mon, let's get going." We left my room, and went to the Great Hall where people were just sitting down for breakfast.

I looked at the brown haired girl next to me. "Where will you sit?" I asked her. She nudged me in the ribs as she answered, "In the kitchens, as always. When you're done, follow the Stark girls to their lessons. I'll be in your room mending your dresses." I blinked as she left me standing in the Great Hall.

After a while I walked to the table where Ser Rodrick was sitting. The big man was eating a couple of salted boiled eggs in a wooden bowl. I sat across from him and grabbed a piece of bread from the middle of the table, along with some jam and butter.

I started to smear them on the bread when I regarded the Master at Arms. "Good morning, Ser Rodrick. How are you faring today?" I took a bite of the bread as he looked up at me and grinned. "Very well, Lady Ophelia." The white haired man cut one of his eggs in half and spooned it into his mouth. "Now that you are no longer working, what is your schedule for today?"

I shrugged as I took another bite. "I suppose I am to go to lessons, as usual, but actually participate in them and not sit in the background like I normally do." I stopped mid-bite and put my piece of bread down at the Master at Arms' previous statement and rolled my eyes, "Ser Rodrick, you've known me since I was a babe. Don't start calling me Lady Ophelia now that I have on a nice dress."

Ser Rodrick chuckled and replied, "Aye. I'll make sure to remember that in the future." After I took another bite of my bread and swallowed I asked, "How are the boys' training coming along?"

Ser Rodrick gave me a look, but answered my question nonetheless. "It's going well. Robb has become stronger within the last year, his jabs to an opponent are doing more than bruising and Theon has become even better at his marksmanship with archery. Though Bran does need help in that area, I'll admit. And Rickon is barely learning how to use a practice sword."

I didn't look up from my bread when I asked on the sly, "And Jon? How is he doing?"

"Well. He's doing very well. Jon is very quick and very precise, he's been practicing more and more. I suppose it's his way of preparing for the time when he leaves to join the Night's Watch." My head snapped up and I stared at him in confusion. "He still wants to take the Black?"

Ser Rodrick went back to eating his eggs as he bobbed his head up and down. "The last time I heard, he still had plans to go to Castle Black." He chewed his food and reached for the bread and butter, combined the two, and scooped some of his eggs onto it. He took a humongous bite and swallowed.

My jaw dropped open and I dropped my slice of bread on my plate in shock. "And when did you last hear this?"

"Several days ago. Before Jon went out on the search, I asked why he always practiced late into the night, not that it's a bad descion, and he was adamantly earnest in his response about being ready for when he leaves to Castle Black." My eyes turned to slits and I slammed my hands on the table at Ser Rodrick's answer. I abruptly stood up, startling Ser Rodrick who looked up at me in surprise by my outburst. "Are you alright?" He asked in concern, his white braided beard moving with every word he spoke.

I nodded and replied, "I will be back in a bit. I just realized, I have forgotten something." I speedily walked out of the Great Hall, and just as I got to the entrance, my nose raised up into a snarl as I grabbed the arm of Jon Snow, and twisted him around. I felt him tugging against my hold, but I gripped him like iron and would not let go. I dragged him outside the Castle and down the path, leading him to the Weirwood tree. Once we got there, he yanked himself out of my grasp and gave me a stern look.

"What was that for?" Jon demanded, as he folded up his arms to his leather doublet covered chest.

I felt my anger flare up as I shoved him, causing him to stumble back a couple steps. Jon stared at me, slight shock crossing his features. "Do I look like a game to you?" I demanded, clenching my fists to my sides.

His black eyebrows scrunched down together and asked in a gruff voice, "What are you raving on about?"

My stubby fingernails dug into my palms as I ground out, "Do. I. Look. Like. A. Game. To. You."

Jon shook his curly head and answered. "You are not a game to me."

"Then why have you not told me your intentions with me?! If I wasn't a game, you would want to court me! Instead of that though, I had to hear from Ser Rodrick that you still intend to take the Black!"

Jon uncrossed his arms and looked down at the grass. "I wanted to tell you-"

I scoffed, interuppting him. "Night gathers and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I will take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I will-"

Jon's Stark grey eyes blazed with anger as he snapped in annoyance, "I know the vows!"

"Of course you do! Everyone does! If you go into the Nights Watch, we-", I gestured to the both of us, "-will never happen. So, I am asking you to answer me in all honesty: What are your intentions with me?"

Jon's face softened as he saw my eyes starting to ream with frustrated tears and he took a step forward. "I don't know." He answered honestly. I let out a breath of disbelief and turned my back to him, crossing my arms over my chest.

Jon started to speak again. "I don't know the depths of my feelings for you. I suppose I never will. But, I do know that I care about you and I know that I've cared about you for a while now." I swallowed thickly and my breathing became shaky. I slowly turned around to see Jon glaring at the ground, with his fists balled up, as he tried to get out his words. "I...I started to care about you, in an affectionate manner, since White Harbor." Jon's cheeks turned pink with this confession.

I became slack jawed as I unfurled my arms, and put my right hand over my beating chest. "W-W-What?"

Jon looked up at me, his eyes holding the intense emotion of admiration. I couldn't breathe. He continued. "You almost died...and that was the first time, even as a child, that I knew you could never be just a friend. I knew I wanted you...", His eyes trailed me up and down as his Adam's apple quivered as he swallowed, "...all of you. I never said anything. I was too ashamed, of what I am, to ever pursue anything with you." Jon looked down in shame, his black curls covering his face.

"As we grew, I had hoped it would go away. I prayed that I could care for you in a familial manner, the way I do for Sansa and Arya...but I never could. I didn't know what to do...so I stayed silent. Then Wintertown happened, and after seeing you all bloodied and broken, flogged into unconsciousness...", Jon looked up at me with determination, "I promised that I would never hold silent again. If someone were to hurt you, that I would protect you. I told Ser Rodrick about the Nights Watch, in the case that you did not care for me, as I did for you. Still...you are my Night's Watch."

Jon came close to me and held my hands. He put his forehead to mine and whispered, "Whatever you command of me, I will do it. And as for my intentions with you...if you're willing...I would very much like to explore what this is." I closed my eyes and the fluttered open to see Jon staring at me.

"Do you want to court me?" I asked softly. This was question that needed to be asked. I didn't want to enter a relationship that ended up with nothing. If Jon was serious...if he really wanted to be with me and not just use me, he would want to have at least some sort of goal at the end that he intended to obtain.

Jon nodded and I felt my face nearly crack at how wide my smile spread. "Eventually. But for right now...I just want to see what this is between us, privately, without any prying eyes. I want to know if this will have the potential of working, and if it does...then we can enter a public courtship."

I felt my eyes water as I asked him, "You don't care that I'm a Pyralis...that I'm a ward?"

Jon took his forehead away from mine as he shook his head. "No...so long as you don't mind that I am a bastard."

"I never have."

Jon let out a breath of relief.

I giggled and Jon gave me a rare smile. "Well, isn't that the beginning of an interesting story. The Bastard and the Ward.." I jested moving closely into his embrace.

"Ahh, the jokes they will make about us." Jon added as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and I put my head into the crook of his neck.

We stayed like this for a while.

Eventually, I stepped back from him and lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Let's go get some breakfast." I grinned and picked up the skirts to my dress. "First one to the Great Hall wins!" I sprinted forwards and giggled as Jon ran after me, both blissfully unaware of the events that would soon transpire between us.

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Jon and I had to refrain from looking at each other too much out of the norm. When we entered the Great Hall, Jon withheld from touching me, his arms at his sides as he strided beside me. He glanced at my feet and gave me an amused expression. "Where are your shoes?"

I elbowed him in the side and replied, "I decided not to wear them today."

"Why?" He asked in curiosity as we took a seat at the our table, with him sitting next to me and with me sitting at the spot I was sitting at earlier. Ser Rodrick was still eating, unbothered by our presence.

I fondly looked at my bare feet beneath the table. "Because my family never wore shoes...and I wanted to try it for myself."

Jon chuckled and said, "That's very peculiar."

"It is." I agreed, finishing the piece of bread I started on earlier.

"Won't you get sick?" Jon questioned in concern.

"Maybe. But still...I would like to try it out." Jon smiled at me and was about to say something, when the 'thud' of a familiar velvet box landed in front of me.

I looked behind me to see Theon and Robb standing behind me. My eyes moved from the box to them and I quirked an eyebrow.

"Good morning." I said.

"We found this in the stables last night." Robb said, ignoring my greeting. He seemed a bit short with me today. "You should take better care of your possessions." He walked past me and went to go sit at the main table.

Noticing my confusion, Theon ran a hand through his hair as he sat down on the other side of me. "Robb is irritated."

"Why?"

"He thinks you're being irresponsible. Eyefire is no common stone that you can merely leave lying around." My mouth gaped open as he mentioned the stone's name and I asked, "You know about Eyefire?"

Theon snorted as he reached for some bread and started to butter it. "Of course I do. Only an idiot wouldn't recognize it."

I blushed and looked down at my plate, recalling how it was only recently that I found out about the precious gem. My blush died down as I also recalled how that any information regarding my family was kept from me, information including Eyefire.

I laughed nervously. "Right." I cleared my throat and reached for the dipper in the pot of porridge that sat in front of Theon. I ladled the white goop into my bowl and sprinkled it with some sugar. Before I could eat some, Theon reached across me and opened the velvet box.

"This will be safer around your neck." He was about to grab the necklace when Jon mumbled, "I'll get it." He snatched the necklace before Theon could and got up and went behind me.

Jon gently clasped the necklace and it rested on my collarbone nicely. His fingers lingered there for a moment before they retracted back to his sides. My mother's necklace was heavy and unfamiliar, and I felt like it was going to shatter by touching my skin. But still, I touched it and turned my head slightly and smiled at Jon. "Thank you."

His lips twitched upwards yet he still maintained his blank expression. "You're welcome."

He sat back down and Theon's gaze lingered towards our exchange. He ended up shrugging and served himself some food.

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I have to admit something to you all: Lessons as a Lady are hell.

Before, I would sit in the corner, basically just eavesdropping on everything, never getting asked questions and leaving early to go to do what I needed to do, in terms of chores.

Now, as a Lady, I was being subjected to a torture far more excruciating to my well-being than the whipping ever had been: dancing.

Before, I would just watch the dancing, occasionally stepping in, now I was being forced to dance on repeat with books on my head and a board strapped to my back.

Septa Mordane was a force to be reckoned with. She did not expect anything less than perfect and demanded it with everything that was done. With Sansa, Septa Mordane praised her gracefulness as she glided on the floor, her feet perfectly on par with the tempo of the music. With Arya, Sepat Mordane chastised her reluctance to participate, but when she did, she was actually pretty good. Even the Septa said that if Arya practiced more and would actually participate, she would be a better dancer than Sansa. With this, Arya stuck her tounge out at her older sister and squabbling ensued between them. I didn't do anything to seize their fighting, because I though that the more they argued the less time I would have to demonstrate how poorly my dancing skills were.

Unfortunately for me, Septa Mordane didn't care how long it would take. The short plump woman looked me straight in the eye when she told me, "Even if the sun sets and the rest of the castle is eating the last meal of the day, if you don't complete at least one dance properly, you'll be practicing until tomorrow."

It didn't help that I was getting commentary from the side of the room from both girls.

Ignoring the three other people in the room, I gritted my teeth as I tried not to trip while I was doing a series of spins.

"A Lady moves softly like water, not all clunky like a rolling boulder."

"Ophelia, don't look at your feet, you shouldn't-Why aren't you wearing shoes?! No one wants to see your feet. They look horrid!"

"Don't listen to her Ophelia, all Sansa knows how to do is complain."

"That is not true!"

"It is true! You do nothing but complain."

"Girls, stop fighting!"

The spins, their voices, the music...it was all too much. I stumbled on my left foot and fell face forward. As I laid sprawled out on the floor with books scattered everywhere, I heard Septa Mordane sigh and say, "How is it that you can balance four trays of tea, with all the fixings, but you can't dance to the simplest of jigs without falling over?"

No one helped me as I tried to get up. The difficulty of this action reminded me of a turtle trying to roll over onto their legs, only in reverse for me. I was on my stomach struggling to get up. The board on my back was making this hard for me to do.

You see, I knew the steps. Watching the others during their dancing lessons for years made it easy to memorize all the right moves. It was the thought of everyone watching me that was making me sweat and my blood turn cold.

Once I wobbled back up, I came face to face with the stern woman. She was shorter than me, as I was nearly Jon's height, (with him being taller by half an inch), but her steely gaze and present frown made me shrink down to the size of a mouse as she started to chastise me.

"You are a disgrace! How will you ever be invited to ball or a party or even to Court, if you can not even manage to dance to one song?!"

I heard Sansa snicker in the background and I turned to see her whisper to Arya, "Perhaps she's too chubby. It's probably throwing her off balance."

I felt dread wash through my body as I quickly stared down at my stomach, which at the moment was held in by my stays. I poked it. Sure, I wasn't as thin as Sansa, but I wasn't chubby. I may have had the smallest out of any pooch a person could have in the middle of their stomach, but it wasn't a huge gut. It was more like two small hills on a otherwise flat plain. Still...

I started to cover my torso with my arms out of self-consciousness. I caught a glimpse of Arya's Stark grey eyes watching me with a hint of sympathy. Those same Stark grey eyes suddenly turned wild as she hit her sister in the back of the head with a small fist. "You're a bully!' Arya stated loudly.

Sansa jerked back and a sneer came over her otherwise delicate features. "I am not! She is plump! Is it bullying if you're telling the truth?!"

"It's not the truth, though! You can't stand the fact the she's been getting more attention." Arya glared at her older sister and crossed her arms.

"And what would you know what a women's body should look like? You're not even a women, you're still a girl...one who looks like a little boy!" Sansa smirked and rolled her eyes as Arya visible seethed.

"I'd rather look like a boy than like you!" Arya shot back as she flicked her sister in the ear. Sansa slapped Arya's hand away.

"What do you mean by that?!" Sansa demanded.

"What I mean, is that you look like a stick with a ghoul's head on top! You don't even have a women's body, so how can you judge Ophelia for something you don't even have?! You aren't even a women yourself. You're just as much a girl as I. You haven't even bled yet!" Arya was sharp in her insults as Sansa's mouth opened in shock. She shoved Arya, who fell off of her chair. Arya got back up and sat down on her chair, hitting Sansa on the arm in the process of it all.

"Ow! That hurt!"

"It was supposed to, you idiot!"

They turned to one another and started to pull each other's hair and slap the other.

"Girls!", chastised Septa Mordane, "I will not have you bickering. If you do not stop, I will inform your father about your ghastly behavior."

The girls immediately stopped. A knock on the door had followed soon after. "What is it now?!" Exclaimed the short woman.

Robb poked his head inside and smiled. "Hello ladies."

I could see Septa Mordane's eye about to twitch at his intrusion. but she kept herself composed and nodded in Robb's direction. "Lord Robb. To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?"

Robb grinned and made his way in. "I hope you forgive my intrusion, but I thought it would be a good idea to give these to Ophelia." In his hands were several heavy leather bound books, all stacked upon one another and fastened under a belted bookstrap.

He came over and placed them on my empty chair. Perhaps he was no longer annoyed at me.

"Thank you, Robb." Robb gave me a small smile and nodded in return.

From the corner of my eye I saw Arya looking between us. She jumped up from her seat and said, "Septa Mordane, perhaps Robb can help Ophelia! It would probably be easier if she learned a dance with a partner than by herself."

Septa Mordane looked surprised. "That is actually a great suggestion." They both peeredat Robb who paled and coughed into his hand.

Robb immediately stepped back towards the door and waved his hands in front of him in protest. "No Arya. I have to go back to the tiltyard-" "Robb! Please...Ophelia needs help. She's hopeless." Arya's eyes went wide with her plead and she looked sincere in the favor she was asking of him. Robb turned his head to me and took in my appearance. Meanwhile, I was blushing and scratching my arm as everyone looked at me.

"How long have you been at it with the dancing?" He asked me. I opened my mouth to answer but Sansa interuppted, talking to her brother from her place on the chair. "A couple hours at least." Robb sighed and looked down, deep in thought. He was probably contemplating a solution to get out of here as quickly as possible. He lifted his Tully blue eyes and said, "Just one dance." My eyes widened in shock. Arya grinned. She took his hand and led him to where I was standing.

He came in front of me and bowed while offering his hand. "My Lady, I would very much like the opportunity to dance with you."

Blushing, I looked to the side of me at Septa Mordane for permission. She gave me a nod and tentatively, I took Robb's hand as he led me to the middle of the room. Septa Mordane and Arya went to go sit in their respective seats.

Robb eyed the board that was strapped to me and started to undo the buckles in the front that held it in place.

"What are you doing?!" My voice was in a panic at the impropriety at his actions and my face flushed a bright color.

"You don't need this." Robb focused on undoing the last buckle and the board slid to the floor. He put his hand on the side of my face and gave me a smile. "I'll be here to keep you balanced." He darted his eyes to the instrument players in the corner and looked back at me. "Now, do you know the steps to the two-partner tarry?" I hesitantly nodded.

Robb grinned and took a step back. "Excellent. Let me lead, alright?"

I gulped. "Alright."

"Don't be nervous 'Felia." Robb's knowing look confirmed to me that he was aware about my fear of being the center of attention. My dark crimson eyes became determined. I will not make a fool of myself in front of Robb, especially since he is taking time out of his own schedule to help me.

Robb stood up straight and I matched his posture. He nodded over the musicians, who picked up their respective instruments and started to play a fiddle-dominated song. It was slow, leisurely, and intimate. He bowed to me, taking one of my hands in his own. His lips touched my knuckles and he let go of my hand, standing up straight once more.

We stood opposite of each other, and one the music began we both stepped forward, our movements in sync. Robb held out his left palm as I held out my right. They came together as we spun in a half circle, stopping, and then turned around. We put down our hands to our sides and put our other palms together. Slowly, the hands that once laid rested on our sides came up above our heads, meeting in the middle and grasping each other.

Robb held my gaze as we kept our slow spin with our palms still touching and our hands still holding. In that same position, he stepped back and I followed. He took a step to the side and then to the back. Robb glided us around the entire dance floor, during which we put down our clasped hands that arched over our heads. Our palms still touching, he spun me once and held my hand. Giving me a look, I knew what was coming next.

Robb guided me to stand in front of him and he put his hands on my waist, keeping my body close to him. He lifted me in the air. Robb smiled at me as I giggled at the sensation of being lifted up. I put my hands on his shoulders as slowly set me down, accidentally stepping on his foot. He didn't wince, but Robb did give me an amused look as he glanced down to see me barefoot.

I shrugged and we continued. Robb put one hand to the small of my back and one on my waist and dipped me down. He lowered me down and nearly put his forehead to mine. His smile that was once amused became serious and intense as he looked down at me. I blushed as he slowly raised me up. We stepped back from each other, spun in a slow half circle, and rejoined the other in the middle of the floor, during which I stumbled a couple times but nothing too bad to throw us off kilter.

Robb held out his hand and I took it. He spun me a couple times before we stepped closer to one another, our hands going up over our heads in a clasped archway again. Our unoccupied arms were now behind our backs as we turned in a circle.

We swayed several steps back and several steps forth in this position. Our lifted hands, still gripping one another, lowered between our faces. Our other hands lifted and held each closely underneath the hands beneath our faces.

We turned and then, we let go. Robb quickly step to the side of me, our hips touching, as one arm snaked around my waist. I put one arm around his shoulders as he lifted me with the one arm around my waist. Robb slowly spun us and didn't break any eye contact with me.

Robb set me down and took several steps back, facing in front of me. Both of our right hands extended to touch the other's check as we stationarily turned in a full circle. We switched our extended right hands to our left, now touching the other person's cheek, spinning in the opposite direction, this time three instead of one.

We took another step back, moving backwards several paces and then stepping forwards several more paces until we met again. Robb took my hands and held them between us and gave me a grin.

Robb knelt down in front of me on one knee and I did a small curtsy, signaling the end of the tarry.

Though this was not part of the dance, I smiled in thanks and put one hand to his cheek, to which Robb replied by holding it there for a moment longer than necessary. The musicians played the last of their notes and the music faded into silence.

I kept Robb's gaze and I helped him up from his kneeling.

Robb gave me a breathless chuckle and said, "You did good. Very good. Though next time, avoid stepping on my feet."

I giggled and looked to see Arya's eyes darting between us, Sansa with a shocked expression, and Septa Mordane beaming in admiration. "Well done you two! That was superb."

I blushed and looked down at my feet as Robb looked up and scratched the back of his head.

Septa Mordane looked between us and snapped her fingers as an idea came to her. "How about this?" She turned to Robb and said, "Lord Robb, if you wouldn't mind, perhaps you can tutor Ophelia in all the courts dances. She responds well with you, so perhaps she can become better under your tutelage." Septa Mordane looked away as she mumbled, "Gods knows she needs it."

I stepped back and shook my head at the idea. "Oh no! That would be too much. I could-"

"I'll do it." Robb's answer was firm as he gave me a smirk.

"What?" Arya stood from her chair, surprised at his answer.

He gave us all a wide grin and said, "I'll do it."

Septa Mordane clapped her hands together. "Wonderful."

I looked at Robb and then to my bare feet.

This was unexpected.

Robb smiled and said, "Well, as enjoyable as this was, I really must be getting back. Sisters, I hope you enjoy the rest of your lessons. Opehlia...", Robb stood in front of me and nodded, "thank you for the dance." He turned and left the room.

Meekly, I turned my head to see Septa Mordane dismiss the musicians.

"Now that dancing is over-", she walked over to some cupboards and pulled out three rolls of blank parchment and three heavy books, "-time to study some Arithmetic."

Even though we may not always see eye to eye, all three of us girls groaned in dismay.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

During the history portion of lessons, we learned about different holidays that people celebrate. The one that stuck out to me was Maiden's Day. It was fascinating how the people down South had a day to celebrate the Maiden from the Holy Seven. But it was disheartening to hear how some were excluded from the festivities. These people included wives, widows, elderly spinsters, and prostitutes.

When I heard about the the prostitutes, my mind immediately went to Ros and how I've been delayed in visiting her to give my thanks.

I felt bad that I hadn't gone to see her yet. I made plans to rectify this wrong by visiting her during my free time tomorrow. Noticing my enormous feelings of guilt, I made a mental note to make her something, as token of my gratitude.

Once Septa Mordane excused us after the conclusion of our lessons, I bolted from the room and ran to my own quarters. Shutting the door behind me, I noticed that Katherine was true to her word and altered many of my dresses, having folded them neatly on the bed. Also on my bed was the black velvet box for my necklace. I must've forgotten it in the Great Hall earlier. Katherine wasn't in my room, but I dismissed this as her having other chores to attend to. I put the books Robb gave me down on the chair near the fireplace.

As I was about to leave, I heard a distinguishable chirp coming from the cage.

I looked back over my shoulder to see Ethaesper bouncing in excitement at seeing me. Eyeing the mashed up worms in her cage, I knew that Katherine must have fed her. I walked over and opened the cage. I cupped my hands underneath my furry companion and placed her on my shoulder where she snuggled down. Ethaesper puffed out her fluff in happiness.

"Come on you!", I said the the chick, "let's go to the kitchens. We're going to need a couple things."

We went to the kitchens, where I slipped in among the hustle and bustle of many people rushing to get supper ready. I grabbed some empty bottles, milk, salt, and honey. I carried these out in my arms and made my way back. As I was nearing my door I heard, "Oi you!" I turned and saw Theon walking towards me. "What do you have there?" He asked once he came near me.

I glanced to the chick on my shoulder and looked back to Theon. "Are you referring to Ethaesper or the items in my arms?"

He rolled his eyes. "Both actually."

I lifted up my shoulder so Theon could get a better view of my new companion. "Theon meet Ethaesper. Ethaesper meet Theon."

Theon stepped a bit closer and examined the quiet chick. "What a puffball. Do you know what type of bird it is?"

I shook my head. "I haven't got the slightest clue, but hopefully once she grows more she'll give me some sort of clue."

"What a clever idea." Theon gave out a chuckle and nodded to my ingredients. "And what are those for?"

I smiled. "I'm going to make Ros a present when I visit her!"

I swear, if Theon was drinking something that moment, he would've spat it out. "You're going to see Ros?! For what?"

I continued to walk, carrying on my conversation with him as I made my way to my room "I wanted to say thank you to her, for helping with the whipping, so I'm going to make her a present and give it to her when I see her." Theon opened my door for me, shutting it as he followed me into the room.

"Why would you do that?"

I put everything down on the table and looked at my friend. "It's the least I could do. Besides, how often to prositiutes receive gifts that aren't from clients?"

Theon opened his mouth to answer and then closed it. He came to realizing when he answered in disbelief, "Not ever."

I snapped my fingers and pointed at him in agreement. "That's right. So I'm going to make her a milk bath!"

Theon looked skeptical. "Why would you make her something for a bath?"

I put my hands on my hips as I gave the Kraken a pointed look. "Well, you're familiar with women, are you not? Would you rather have a woman whose skin is soft or whose skin is rough?"

"Soft." Theon answered without a beat.

I grinned. "Exactly. That's why a milk bath is perfect!" I looked at the table and slapped my palm to my forehead as I realized my own disregard for one of the essential ingredients I needed. "Oh no! I forgot the rose oil extract."

Theon smiled lit up his face as he went over to the door. "Don't worry, I'll get it for you."

As soon as he left, something slid under my door. I went over and picked up a folded piece of parchment that's said:

'Felia,

Meet me at the stables in one hour.

Time to start seeing what this is between us.

-J.

I grinned and held the letter to my heart. I looked back down at it, completely swooned by this unexpected surprise. I went over to the chest that contained my parents' things and I put it at the bottom, covering it up with my Father's hook swords.

After about thirty minutes, Theon returned with a small black vial in his hands and placed it on the table with the other ingredients. "You have no idea what I went through to get that for you." He grumbled.

I laughed as I poured the milk into a large empty bottle. "What did you have to go through?"

Theon groaned and dramatically threw himself on the chair as he said, "Let's just say that I got this from Maester Luwin and now I have to help clean up his room for a fortnight. This present better make Ros piss out gold, I'm warning you right now." His tone was lighthearted and joking, but an underlying sense of irritation is what caught my attention, and I had the distinct feeling that it was not just because of Maester Luwin.

I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but I didn't. Instead, I mixed up all of the ingredients in an empty milk bottle.

Once I finished, I put the cork in to seal the milky pink mixture.

"There we have it!" I gave Theon a wide smile as I held up the large bottle in one hand. "Good enough for at least three baths I reckon, four if she's willing to ration it out."

Theon clapped his hands sarcastically. "Look at you all dignified. Somebody alert the Citadel, we probably found the person who can cure greyscale with her milk concoction."

I rolled my eyes and set the bottle on the table. I cupped my bird and put her in her cage, where she cuddled up in her nest and started to sleep. I grinned and punched the Kraken on his shoulder as I left the room.

"Come on. I have to be somewhere."

Theon jumped up. "Can I come?"

I laughed and shook my head. "No. But I'll tell you what, you can come with me when I visit Ros."

Theon gave me a smirk and playfully pushed me a bit. "Fine. Go have fun at your somewhere."

I waved goodbye to him as I made my way towards the stables. "Oh I will."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Jon's lips were attached to the crook of my neck. His hands ran up my hoisted leg that was above his hip. I pulled him closer, my arms under his own.

We were on a soft grassy patch near the rushing waters of the White Knife. Several feet away from us was Jon's horse and to the side of where we were laid, was an empty basket that once held fruit, long since consumed.

I giggled as the rough lips belonging to a boy named Snow peppered kisses onto my skin.

Jon stopped and looked down at me. He was bemused by my giggling and I could only smile at him. "What's so funny?" His Stark grey eyes twinkled with happiness and he was actually smiling down at me.

I giggled again. "You're tickling me." I reached up and stroked his cheek, that had the lightest bit of stubble on it's smooth surface. His eyes closed as my fingers grazed his skin. I lifted my head up and lightly kissed his lips. His eyes snapped open again and they were intense with mischief.

"Really? Ticklish you say?" Jon grinned as he started to tickled the sides of my stomach and blow raspberries into my neck.

I squealed at this surprise attack.

"JON! Hahahahahaha-please stop! I can't breathe! Hahaha." He was unrelenting with his hands, but Jon lifted up his black curly-haired head and put his nose to mine. I could feel his hot breath ghosting my lips as he spoke. "Tell me something good and I'll stop."

His fingers started to reach up to my ribs, my most ticklish spot. "Fine! Umm...rainbows are pretty! Hahahahaha!" I started to squirm as he wouldn't stop. Jon smirked and shook his head. "Try again 'Felia."

"Honey is delicious!" Jon started to blow raspberries into my neck again as I shrieked with laughter. "Not good enough." He murmured against my neck.

There was short break when I blurted out, "I love your curly hair!"

Jon shot his head up fast and actually went wide-eyed at my exclamation. "You do?"

My laughs were still present but I answered, "Of course. I love curly hair."

Suddenly, a low rumble emitted from Jon's chest and he burst out laughing. He fell to the side of me and onto his back as he laughed. "I can't believe that was your good thing."

I went red as I sat up and looked down at him. "Well you didn't like my honey comment."

Jon placed his hands on his chest as he turned his head to look at me. "I just wasn't expecting you to say anything about me. It was random." He let out a chuckle and his hand reached up to twirl a fallen strand of hair in front of my face. "That's one of your qualities, I like best. You are always so unexpected. It's refreshing." His admission touched me and I turned an even deeper shade of red.

Then an idea came to me.

"Oh really?" I got on top of Jon, putting one knee of either side of his body, effectively straddling him.

Jon, for everything we had done with each other, was still bashful about some things when it came to women. So, it was his turn to become bright red and he put his hands on either side of my hips. "What are you doing?" His voice, though a bit wary, was gruff.

"This!" I bent down on top of him and started to tickle his sides like he did with me. To my disappointment though, he did not squirm. He only lifted one dark eyebrow and rolled his eyes. "Ophelia, I'm not tick-AHAHA!" His loud sudden yelp took us both by surprise, though mostly by the the volume of it more than anything. He looked down at my hands, which were now underneath his armpits and his eyes went wide. I grinned in victory. "That's right! I still remember where your tickle spot is!" His eyes pleaded with mercy as I suddenly started to attack his tickle spot with much ferocity.

Jon's laugh came out in huge bellows and his eyes shut as the smile that was on his face streched wide. "Ophelia, stop! Plea-Hahahahahahahahahaha!"

"Tell me something good." I demanded taking much enjoyment at his laughter.

Jon's Stark grey eyes snapped open as he looked at me wide-eyed. "What?!"

"You heard me!"

Unlike me though, he said something that made me stop on the first comment. "You're the first girl I've ever kissed." I seized my movements and sat up, leaning back away from him.

"Wait what?"

Jon's laughter subsided into chuckles as he slowly sat up, with me still in his lap. "You're the first girl I have ever kissed."

My mouth went open and my eyebrows scrunched together. I put my arms around Jon's neck as he snaked his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Is that true?"

He nodded. I felt my heart melt. That was his good thing.

Jon Snow, the moody bastard of Winterfell, leaned his forehead to mine and gave me an intense look. "You are the first girl I have ever kissed, and if everything goes to plan, I would have you be the last."

My heart skipped a beat as I whispered, "Really?"

Jon nodded, and he said, "I very much like kissing you. I couldn't imagine doing it with any other girl."

I giggled as I pecked his lips. "And what is your plan for us, Jon Snow?"

"Hmmm..." Jon scrunched his face in a pretense of thinking things through before he continued, "I would want us to enter into a courtship."

I smiled and kissed his neck. "And what else?" I leaned back to look into his eyes.

"Then, I would make a proper woman out of you?"

I laughed and ran my fingers through his hair. "And how would you go about that?"

Jon's face turned serious as he said, " 'Felia, you're the only girl that would never care about my status as a bastard. You don't care that I'm a-", Jon swallowed thickly before he said, "-Snow. It's never mattered to you. If I were to marry you, there would be no qualms on my end because we've grown up together and I know you." Jon let out a breath and confessed in all earnestness, "Me...wanting to be with you...it all seems very natural. Almost like a second nature. Marrying you...I wouldn't feel the guilt of having my name associated with you because you wouldn't care."

Marry. Jon said marry. Jon Snow wants to marry me eventually.

"You want to marry me?" My voice was quiet, an extreme opposite of what I was feeling on the inside.

Jon smirked and tightened his hold in my waist. "And what do you expect happens at the end of a courtship? Tea and biscuits?"

"You never wanted to be married to anyone." I retorted to his comment.

He kissed my forehead and looked me deep into my eyes. Grey met crimson when Jon said, "Aye. Because there is no else I want to spend my life with than you."

I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows in concern. "And if things don't go according to plan?"

Jon sighed and seemed deep in thought. Then he looked up and said, "Can you move off of me for a second?" I got off of his lap and Jon bent on one knee, reaching into his boot, and pulling out a large hunting knife.

Jon mumbled something incoherent, and I leaned forward to hear what he said.

"Can you repeat that?", I asked, "I didn't quite hear what you had said."

Jon's curls framed his face as he commanded, "Stand up."

I did as I was told very slowly. Jon then took my hand, cutting a deep line in my right palm, and he did the same to his left. I winced as the blade ran across my skin leaving a thick red trail behind. He placed the knife back into his boot. Jon stood and he clasped our hands together, meshing our cuts and blood into one.

He gave me a serious look and put his forehead to mine. He held his uncut palm to my cheek and said, "Blood of my blood, bone of my bone, I swear, no matter what happens, whatever bad there might be, I will always be in your life. If the stars fall, if the oceans set afire, if all life is gone I will still be here for you. No matter what, we will always find a way to one another." My breath hitched and I closed my eyes, relishing in Jon's promise. Jon never broke his promises. He always stayed true.

I couldn't help myself. I crashed my lips onto his and they molded together as Jon laid me down on the grassy floor of the forest.

He was right.

We would always find our way to be in each other's lives. He spoke true when he said I didn't care that he was a bastard. If we were to ever marry, Jon's title as Snow wouldn't matter to me. I knew that I would still care for him no matter what-

SNAP!

The snapping of a twig stopped Jon's kisses to me. He quickly got off of me and once again pulled the knife out from his boot.

"Ophelia...", he whispered, motioning me over to him, "get behind me." I quickly sat up and crawled over behind Jon who was crouching in front of me. He looked concentrated at a pair of pushes that were blocking something. He looked back at me, suddenly very protective. "I'm going to see what it is. If need be, run off towards Wintertown without me." I nodded obediently, fearful of what was behind the thick bush.

Jon looked behind it and shook his head. "It's nothing. Come on, we should get back." I hesitantly nodded and packed up the basket. Before mounting the horse, Jon bandaged up our hands, making sure they were firmly wrapped. He then helped me onto his horse and once he got on, we went back to the castle.

The ride was long, and we both talked about random things, like the weather, his lessons, my lessons. I even told him about dancing with Robb which he took with much amusement.

"I'm not much of a dancer myself." Jon admitted. I smiled. "That makes two of us."

Jon and I arrived at Winterfell as it was getting dark. He helped me off before he went to go out the horse back in the stables. I gazed longingly at his retreating back and skipped back to the Great Hall where many people were entering for supper. Before I could go sit down I was jerked back by my upper arm.

Katherine pulled me to a shadowed corner and hissed, "Where in the Seven Hells were you?"

I looked back to see where Jon was entering and I started to sweat, doing my best to think of an excuse. "I-uhh-I was just at the-the ummm..." Katherine rolled ger brown eyes and snapped, "Listen it doesn't matter. Lady Stark..." I didn't listen to what she was saying. My gaze was focused on the boy with curly black hair. He strided into the room and to my vision of sight, he stood under a beam of light as he stared at me before he sat down. I sighed.

"So is the answer a yes or no?" Katherine finished. I kept staring at the boy I had kissed earlier and then said, "What? Oh yeah...sure." I didn't hear what she asked, but judging by her confused look she asked, "Really?" I nodded not even paying attention. "Alright, if you are certain." She let go of me and went to the main table and whispered something into My Lady's ear. My Lady smiled brightly at Katherine.

I went and sat down next to Theon. He was busy telling a story to some of the other people at our table and absent mindedly scooted over so I could sit with next to him. Jon sat on my other side and helped serve me some food.

During our meal, while Theon was telling his stories and jokes, Jon and I kept fiddling with each other's fingers under the table. After eating, I gave Jon a wink and excused myself, heading up to the library in the tower. I heard footsteps and smiled as I knew the person who was following me. I walked in the shadows up the steps until I got to the heavy wooden door. I went in and gently closed it, making my way to the back of the library where it was only lit a dim lamp hanging on the wall.

I put my back to the a shelf filled to the brim with books and I heard the footsteps approaching me.

"Hello- Oh...hi Robb...". I was so glad it was dim because my blush was furious. Robb gave me a a side eyed look as he glanced towards my bandaged hand.

"What happened there?" He asked me, taking a step forward and grabbing it to inspect my wound, going to unwrap the bandage. I jerked my palm from him and held it to my chest. I clutched it tightly in a ball.

"N-n-nothing. Just a really bad paper cut."

Robb's eyes lit up and he smiled brightly. "So you read the books then?"

I was confused but I went along with it anyway. "Oh yeah...loads of books. Lots of words." I mentally slapped myself for being awkward again.

Robb chuckled and scratched the back of his dark auburn hair. "Aye. I know they are a bit long and tedious, but I thought you would like learning some more about your family."

I snapped my head up. "M-my family?"

Robb chuckled. "A Detailed Look Into The History of House Pyralis is quite a fascinating read, though as stated by the title there are lots of details, but the others I had given you are shorter.." My eyes widened. I didn't even take a look at the books Robb had given me. It was really thoughtful of him to give me ones about my family.

Robb continued by saying, "Though I prefer the Songs and Lores of the Dragon and the Phoenix. It was less stuffy and more intriguing. Lots of adventures in that one."

"That's was very nice of you to give me those. Thank you." Robb grinned and shrugged it off. "It wasn't any trouble. I thought it might be nice for you to read about your relatives, at your own pace,-", He lowered his voice and gave me a wink, "-without any tears or guilt."

I gave him a small smile and then asked, "So why are you here?"

He crossed his arms and gave me a mildly suspicious look, "I could ask you the same question."

"I...uh...I just wanted to see if there were any more books on my family." I bit my lip and stared at the ground hoping he would buy my lie.

He did. "I'm sorry Ophelia, but those were the only two in the library. I had to dig through stacks of old books just to find those two." I looked up to seem his face remorseful and actually sympathetic.

I gave a fake sigh. "Oh...ah well. You can't have everything you want, right?" I shrugged and walked past him. Before I left, I heard Robb call out, "Does Fluffy enjoy her cage?"

I whipped around really fast and stared at him in shock. "You were the one who put the cage in my room? I thought one of the servants did." Robb laughed, his Tully blue eyes lighting up at my clearly evident surprise. "No...it was me. I thought it would be nice for your companion to have their own space."

I was touched. I went over and hugged him. "Thank you."

He hugged me back and replied with, "You're welcome. Oh and by the way take care of your things. It would be a shame if someone stole your necklace. Alright?" I let go of him and nodded.

I walked backwards and bumped into the door. "Well...I will see you tomorrow. Good night." Robb gave me a smile and said, "Good night, 'Felia."

Once the door shut behind me, I ran down the stairs faster than I could and I stumbled on the last two steps, falling on my bottom.

"Ow.." I muttered to myself, rubbing my backside as I stood up.

"Are you alright?" I looked up to see Theon, doing his best to hold in his laughter as he watched me pick myself off of the floor.

I nodded and then the Iron Islander burst into laughter. He strided forward and shook his head, "It is to my firmest belief that the Gods put you here to entertain everyone just by your clumsiness. Perhaps they needed some good entertainment as well."

I rolled my eyes but giggled along with him, despite just humiliating myself in front of him. "Have you seen Jon?" I asked. My eyes darted around the area but he was no where to be seen. "I needed to tell him about these interesting books Robb gave me."

Theon gave me a confused stare and glanced around the area like I had. "No...last I saw he was still eating in the Great Hall."

I looked down at my bare feet in disappointment. Perhaps he didn't see my wink. "Oh..that's fine. I can just tell him tomorrow."

I dusted off my dress some more and Theon stepped up to me handing me the light pink bottle of milk bath that I made for Ros. "Here."

I pointed to the bottle. "What do I need this for?"

Theon came next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. "Come with me." Hesitantly, I walked with him to his room. Theon looked around and then said, "Go in. Quickly! Before someone sees you." I quickly rushed into his room without a second thought and my breath was caught in my throat at the sight of a certain redheaded woman in a light blue dress and travelling cloak sitting at the foot of Theon's bed, picking at her nails and seemingly bored out of her mind.

Ros looked up when she heard the door opening and cocked her head to the side at seeing me. Theon quickly entered behind me and shut his door, latching the lock.

Her rosy pink mouth opened and closed before she pointed to me and her eyes lit up in recognition. "Ophelia." "Ros." We acknowledged each other. She knew of me, as I knew of her. We had only spoken one other time before this moment.

I started to scratch my arm with the corked bottle and Ros whistled a random tune looking away from me.

How do you start a conversation with someone who you only to talked to when you were bleeding from your back?

I decided to go first. "I...uhh...um here." I walked over and gave Ros the large light pink bottle. She nodded and held it up in the air as she inspected it.

"What is this?" She asked. Ros uncorked it and smelled it. A small smile appeared on her face. "Is this some sort of drink? It's scent is divine."

I shook my head furiously. "I...uhh...no...it's actually a milk bath." I coughed into my hand.

Ros' red eyebrows shot up into her hairline at what it actually was. "A..a milk bath?" She repeated in disbelief, her dark blue eyes shooting to Theon (who shrugged and a made a 'go-along-with-it' motion) and then back to me.

I blushed an even darker shade of red. Maybe she wouldn't like it. "Yeah...it's a milk bath. It makes the skin soft...I made enough for three baths...four if you uhh...if you ration it right."

Her cheeks went red and she clutched the bottle tightly to her chest. When Ros looked at me, her eyes shone with appreciation at the gift. "Thank you! Things like this are such luxaries for people...in my line of work." My heart fell. I stepped closer and said, "It's the least I could do...you helped me when I was..." My voice trailed off and I looked away.

Ros set the bottle on the bed and went to stand in front of me. She put a finger beneath my chin and made me look at her. She gave me one of the most sincere smiles I have ever seen anyone give and replied, "I only did what needed to be done." I fiddled with my hands and swallowed any tears that threatened to spill out. I gave out a small laugh. "If you want anymore of the bath...let me know and I'll make you some more. I would really like for us to be friends...", I grabbed her hands and smiled at her, "...can we please be friends?"

Ros seemed shocked at my proclamation, but she gave me a brief hug. "I would like that...I don't have many friends...I would enjoy being yours very much."

We already had something in common. "I don't have very many friends either."

I gave out a breath of relief and shifted my eyes to Theon, who was biting his thumb and leaning against the wall looking at us. "As soon as I left your room, I sent a raven to Ros and asked her to come to Winterfell. She had no knowledge of you wanting to see her. I didn't know if you would still be apprehensive about going into town, so I brought her here instead."

I ran over and gave the Kraken a big hug around his torso. "Thank you..." I whispered into his chest. "This means so much to me." His arms wrapped around my shoulders. "I know it does. That's why I did it."

I stepped back and looked at the two of them. "I...should probably get to bed. But Ros...", The red haired prostitute looked at me, "I'm going to keep in touch. Perhaps even visit...next time we see each other, will you tell me how the bath came out?" Ros beamed and nodded. "Of course. I look forward to it." I grinned and waved at the both of them. "Good night!"

I left Theon's room with a skip in my step. Once I made it to my room, I made sure to latch the door shut so Katherine wouldn't come in and help me dress for bed.

As the material of my nightgown slid down my bare body, my mind wandered to where the Bastard of Winterfell was tonight. Perhaps he was busy...Ser Rodrick probably needed to talk to him or maybe he was tired from our outing today.

Nonetheless, I took Ethaesper out of her cage and put her on the bed with me. I fell asleep till the next morning.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Katherine was angry with me.

I woke up early, got myself dressed, and went to breakfast before she was even in my room.

When she found me at my usual spot in the Great Hall, eating some bacon, she hissed at me that I was making her look bad and stalked off to the kitchens to go find something to do and something to eat.

I paid no mind to what she said and finished my breakfast. Everyone had flooded into the Great Hall to eat the first meal of the day.

Everyone except one person.

My mouth twisted down into a frown as I noticed the object of my affections was not present. I excused myself early, right before lessons, to go see where he was.

And I found him.

Sparing with a hay filled dummy in the tiltyard. I grinned and walked up behind him. I put my hands over his eyes and whispered in his ear, "Guess who?"

Jon didn't answer. He jerked away from me and ignored my presence. He kept on hitting the dummy.

My smile faded.

Something was off.

I knew Jon, probably better than I knew myself. Jon attacked the dummies with that much ferocity when he was angry...actually, when he was furious.

Jon hit the dummy with his sword over and over. As he raised his right arm to deliver a blow, I caught him by his bicep, causing his movements to seize.

"Stop!" I cried out as he tried to pull his arm from my hold. He turned around, his eyes blazing, his black curls damp with sweat.

I immediately hugged his torso and he tensed up. Jon tried jerking away, but after several attempts to remove himself from my relentless hold, he eventually dropped his sword and hugged me back.

"What's wrong? You can tell me." I told him this is a quiet voice.

Jon's hold on me only grew tighter yet he remained silent.

"Jon, please! Tell me what's wrong. How can I fix it? What can I do to make it better?"

Jon stepped back from me as if I had the plague.

"I want you to forget." Jon muttered.

I was confused. "Forget what?"

"Us. Whatever this is. It needs to end."

I felt my heart stop.

"What are you talking about?"

Jon only stared at his sword. "I wanted to hurt you...like you had hurt me. So I faked it...everything. My feelings for you...my intentions with you...I just wanted to see how far you'd be willing to go. And you went far." Jon gave out a dark chuckle, which faded away as he glared me down.

A grim epiphany came to me like someone punched me in my stomach.

"You were playing with me."

Jon shook his head and smirked. "You're not as stupid as you look."

I couldn't breathe. I never saw it coming. Sure the thought passed through my mind, but I never actually took it seriously. I believed that thought as much as I believed we were living in the eye of a blue giant. I suppose nothing is impossible.

My voice quivered. "Why...why would you do that? This isn't like you. I thought you had forgiven me for that. I didn't mean it."

"Did I ever say that you were forgiven?!

"No, but you-".

Jon threw his sword on the ground and got in my face. I was suddenly very fearful by the wild look in his eyes. "You called me a fucking bastard. I know what I am, but you hurt me. You were the one person who never hurt me, and you became like the rest of them!" I flinched when he seethed out his thoughts. "I wanted to do the same to you and make you as miserable as you made me and that is exactly what I did! I played you like a fiddle... And you never saw it coming."

I couldn't breathe.

I was numb.

The cut that he had made as seal for his promise felt like it was set aflame by this revelation.

My eyes became glassy as I stepped back and nodded. "Great job, Jon. You really had me fooled. You played me so well, I never saw it coming. I'm...I'm just going to go."

Jon picked up his sword and turned his back to me. "Forget about this. Understand?".

He couldn't see me but I nodded as I held my stomach and walked away. "Consider it forgotten." I whispered.

Feeling sick, I started to run to my room. I bumped into someone and when I saw who it was, I merely hugged their chest and started sobbing like I was a child.

"Ophelia, what's wrong?" I only shook my head as Theon wrapped his arms around me. He put his hands under my legs and hoisted me up. My sobs wracked my body as Theon carried me back to my room. He was trying to talk to me but I couldn't hear what he was saying.

"I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" I repeated it like a holy prayer and the only thing I could see was Theon's panicked face and his lips moving, trying to say something that my ears would not allow me to hear.

I felt sick and I started to gag.

He used me.

He toyed with me.

I was nothing more to him than a whore used for carnal pleasures.

But these were minor compared to the big bad he really committed.

Jon Snow didn't just lie.

Jon Snow lied to me.

Why did that hurt me?

Because Jon always stayed true.

He never lied.

Unless it came to me.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

3rd P.O.V Winterfell

Jon Snow was in love.

He had been in love for years. He tried to ignore it at first, chalking it up to simple admiration. Yet as a young boy he knew this would only grow.

And it did.

With every giggle, with every sunny smile, with every awkwardly clumsy moment, his fondness for Ophelia grew.

Jon never saw himself as one to settle down and have children. But the day he fully realized that he loved Ophelia was the day he knew that he wanted everything that seemed mundane. He wanted to court this young woman. He wanted to ask for her hand. He wanted to marry her with his brother by his side and his father walking her down the aisle. He wanted to make love to her on their wedding night, and every night after. He wanted to see her belly become round with his pup. He wanted to see their children surround them, and then their grandchildren after that.

He loved her.

She was always there, always with him, on his side. She was the best ally, friend, and partner in crime he has ever had. To Jon, loving Ophelia was as easy as breathing.

Yet, he knew Ophelia. She would want to take time. She wasn't like Sansa, who would fall in love with anyone handsome and high up on the social ladder. She wasn't like Arya, who was put off by the whole institution of marriage.

Ophelia simply liked to take her time.

And that was fine with him. She could take a thousand years and he would still wait for her.

When did he start loving Ophelia?

Was it when they cuddled together as children?

Was it when she almost died in White Harbor?

Was it when she focused her attention only on him for several years before Theon came along?

Jon remembered how as a boy, he went to White Harbor with her and Robb and his father. Lord Stark had given each child one silver piece and while Robb and Ophelia spent it on candy, he wanted to save his to buy the perfect gift for her.

And he did.

He saw the seaglass bracelet and knew that was it. He beamed brighter than the sun when he exchanged his silver piece for the bracelet. He remembered how his heart was pounding like a hammer as he gave her the perfect gift and he remembered how for the first time in his life, someone left him breathless by a mere hug.

Jon Snow's love for Ophelia Pyralis was unfathomable. Bigger than Sothroyos and deeper than all the seas combined.

He didn't want to push her into loving him. But judging by how she looked at him with those big eyes of hers and those blushing cheeks, she was well on her way to falling for him.

The Gods had blessed him. He could see that in the way she fumbled around him. He could touch it with every caress she gave him. He could feel it everytime she called him by his name.

The Gods were real, he knew that to be true.

The evidence was in the form of a perfectly imperfect person.

As Jon sat in the Great Hall, finishing up his supper, his mind drifted to his plans of going to the Wall. They were still in tact if she refused his advances. And there was nothing more noble than serving as a Ranger, protecting the realm from any dangers Beyond the Wall had to offer. Soon, Jon's mind drifted to how men at the Wall are celibate.

He closed his eyes as he thought about what it would be like if they ever did get married. As much as they fooled around, Jon would never push Ophelia into anything that would shame her. Plus, he was a bit nervous about actually consumating their relationship more than anything else. But it was nice to daydream.

Jon thought about what she looked like naked. He thought about her moans and what it would sound like when he would finally enter her, breaking through her maidenhead, making sure she was just as comfortable as he was, or even more so.

He thought about what it would be like as he made love to her, if she would arch her back with pleasure or if she would wrap her legs around his hips as he thrusted into her.

He thought about how she would look every morning when they were married. Did she still rub her eyes like she did when they little, or has that habit been long gone?

With Ophelia, Jon Snow felt whole.

He wasn't a bastard.

He wasn't a shame to the Stark name.

He wasn't a burden.

He was simply Jon.

And she made him want to be better even then.

Jon quickly polished off his plate and stood up. He didn't say anything as he started to make his way out of the Great Hall to go meet up with his love.

Right before he went outside he heard his name being called. Jon turned and saw his brother, Robb, jogging over to him.

Jon nodded to his brother. "Stark. What can I do for you?"

Robb seemed a bit bothered. His forehead was scrunched up and He was rubbing his hands together in a nervous fret. He cleared his throat. "Jon, my mother wants a word with you."

Jon could feel himself freezing, but he did not let it show. "She does?" Jon looked behind Robb to see that the Lady of Winterfell was nowhere to be found. Jon turned back to his half-brother. "Aye. And where is she?"

"In her Study. She asked me to tell you to meet her there." Robb leaned forward and spoke on a low voice. "What did you do? She seemed very short this evening."

Jon's mind went back to several different things. Did he say something that was offensive? Was his appearance too untidy? Perhaps he was being legitimized. Jon could feel his face contorting into a scowl at that thought. It was highly unlikely that he would ever be legitimized.

Jon clapped his brother on the shoulder. "I haven't the slightest clue. Aye. Well, I best go see her."

Robb's Tully blue eyes bored into Jon and asked in a serious voice, "Would you like for me to come with you? I know how Mother can be..."

Jon shook his head, the curls on top bouncing as he did so. "No...I will be fine. Enjoy your evening, Stark."

"You too, Snow."

Jon left in the other direction to the Study. Once he made his way, he knocked on the door three times.

A muffled voice beckoned him.

He went inside and closed the door.

Lady Stark was sitting at her desk, reading some scrolls. She didn't even look up as she said, "Sit. We have much to discuss."

With much hesitation, Jon sat down and became as still as a statue. The tension in the room was so thick, one could cut into it.

Lady Stark looked up at him.

"I have heard that you wish to take the Black." Jon felt him self deflate with relief. So that's what this was about?

"Yes, My Lady. It is something that is in the cards."

Lady Stark rose a skeptical red eyebrow at him and pursed her lips. She stood up and walked around the desk to stare down at him.

"I think that is very honorable. I commend you for it."

"Thank you."

It was silent again. Suddenly, Jon felt the sense that something was off. There was more to this conversation that she wasn't saying. Jon Snow and Catelyn Stark made it a point to always avoid each other, so no conflict would arise. But now...

"Do you know the vows that a brother of a Night's Watch must take?" Catelyn asked.

Jon could feel the corners of his mouth tugging upwards as he recalled the discussion he had that morning with Ophelia. "Of course. Everyone does."

Catelyn narrowed her eyes at him. "Forgive me for asking...but it does seem curious to me why someone so adamant on joining a celibate brotherhood would dally with Lord Stark's ward."

Jon felt his blood run cold. His eyes widened with disbelief.

She knew.

Catelyn Stark knew about him and Ophelia.

How though?

They were discreet. There was no way she could have known unless...

Jon suddenly felt sick at his realization: someone saw them together.

It wasn't that he was ashamed of being with her, or her being ashamed of him, but he intended to keep whatever it was between them quiet until he could ask his father for permission to court her.

"I...I...I don't like men." Jon quickly answered, hoping to redirect it to something else.

"We are not discussing Theon Greyjoy!", Catelny snapped, "Ophelia Pyralis. You were seen with her being far too intimate for it to be platonic. Do you deny this?"

Lie. A small voice was telling Jon to lie. But he shook his head at that. He would not cower behind a lie. If he loved Ophelia as much as he claimed he did, he would speak the truth. What's the worse that could happen? Someone finding out? Well, someone already did.

"I do not deny this. Who told you?"

Jon could not have seen the slap coming. His cheek stung and his head was turned to the side. Jon held his cheek as he stared at the fuming Lady of Winterfell in shocked silence.

"How. Dare. You." She ground out. "It matters not who told me. She is my friend's only daughter and you think you could defile her?! You're beneath her in every way. You're a bastard and she is a noble!"

Jon stood up. "I did not defile her. She is still a maiden."

Catelyn seemed appeased for a moment before she scowled at him. "You will break things off before they begin, do you understand me? She is too good for you."

"I cannot do that. Things have already begun." It was true. To Jon, what was between them begun years ago, when they were still children.

"Ophelia is a Pyralis, and you are a Snow. She is meant for greater things besides being a bastard's whore."

Jon felt his temper soar. His fists clenched and his eyes narrowed.

"At this moment, I have no care if you are my father's wife. You will watch your tounge when you speak about Ophelia! She is no whore. You say she is meant for greater things? Is that why you sent her to work?! Aye, she is an aristocrat but you put her to work the same as a scullery maid. For someone who defends the Pyralis name, your actions do not line up with your words." If someone had told Jon the year before that he would one day talk back to his father's wife, he would have called them crazy. Yet here he was, standing his ground.

"How dare you talk to me that way-"

Their arguing was interuppted by another person.

The door opened and in stepped Lord Stark. He shut it behind him and felt horrible for what he was about to do.

When his wife came to him earlier that day with claims about Ophelia and Jon, he wasn't that surprised. He was only surprised that it took so long.

History tends to repeat, especially when it came to a Pyralis.

It seemed nature had run it's course by joining these two together.

But Ned knew of the dangers that would come if the two ever courted. It would put Jon in danger, and he was not willing to risk his safety over an infatuation.

It needed to end.

Jon's eyes widened. "Lord Stark...I..." He looked back at Cat and then to his Father. Jon was instantly aware as to why the Lord of Winterfell was present: He knew as well.

"Wife...I will speak with Jon alone." Catelyn could only glare. She nodded and left the room in a flurry of skirts.

The door slammed shut and Ned knew he would have to deal with her later on.

Lord Stark sighed and rubbed his head. How was he going to go about this?

Jon wasted no time in pleading his case though.

"Please Father! I want to court Ophelia, I want to marry her. We don't even have to stay here, we can go elsewhere as soon as we're wed so you won't have to be troubled by us. I just want to be with her."

Lord Stark pitied the boy, but he was still firm in his descion.

"I have no doubt that you do. But there are several matters at stake."

"Like what?" Ned raised an eyebrow at Jon's rise of temper but did not say anything. He wanted to tread carefully and not wake the beast within Jon.

"First, she is a Pyralis. Even though that name holds no sway as it once did, she is still an aristocrat. You are a Snow, and you are not legitimized. Your union would be looked down upon. Then there is the matter of the King, who would rather Ophelia be dead than married. Before she was born, he asked me to choose her husband and that is why Lady Stark and I have decided to throw her a nameday party. For her to meet eligible men from good families who are willing to marry her. I don't want any more attention on her than necessary, and by her marrying you..."

"Everyone would scrutinize her." Jon felt like he was kicked in the gut. So...his bastard status really was a problem...even though she said it didn't bother her, it could put her in a negative light full of unwanted attention.

"Exactly. And by her marrying a Lord she can be well provided for. I know you mean well, but you have no means to support her. How would you live? How would you get by?

"I could try my hand at farming or I could be a fisherman or I could be a sellsword. I would think of something so we would not be destitute. "

Ned could only shake his head. Jon was ignorant and extremely naïve.

"Jon, you've never farmed a day in your life. You don't know the land or how to work it. It takes years to become someone with that sort of expertise and you don't have years for Winter is Coming. The same goes for being a fisherman. And if you were to become a sellsword, you could have a target on your back. You would either be dead or gone long periods of time. Is that the sort of life you would want for your wife, and perhaps even your child?"

"I love her. I loved her for many years now. Please Father, I never asked for anything from you. This is the only time I ever asked you for something that I want. Let me marry her." Jon was begging with his father, pleading with him like a small child pleading for an expensive present. "You always give the others anything they ask for as long as it is in reason. I swear, allow me to marry her and we'll go far away from here. We'll leave the country if it means that she will be away from prying eyes."

"But what you're asking for isn't in reason. No good will come of it. Jon, if you love her...if you really care for her as much as you say you do, you will let her go. She deserves more than what she has gotten so far, and this is her chance for more.

Jon understood. He would never be enough for her. But someone might.

"How should I go about it?" He said in a cracked voice.

It saddened Ned to see Jon this way. All Ned wanted was for all of the children in his family to be happy. But sometimes happiness can't be put above safety. For the first time in years, Ned saw a hint of the small boy he had raised that would hide behind his curls to avoid being seen when he cried.

Still...it had to be done. Ned prayed this choice was the right one.

"You need this to be permanent. I do not want to hear of this again. You must thoroughly break her heart."

Jon felt tears welling up as he stepped back from his father . "I don't want to hurt her."

"I know Jon...but it's for the best. You must do this so she can have a better future."

Jon nodded, reluctantly obedient to his father's word.

Jon was about to leave when Ned said, "And Jon? Don't tell her about this conversation. It's best if this stays between you, me, and Lady Stark. Do I make myself clear?" His tired voice left no room for argument.

Jon nodded once more and left the room.

Ned sat down and put his head in his hands. He really, really, really wished he could give Jon what he wanted. Jon deserved a comfortable life with a woman he loved. But the fate had other plans and life was not so kind. Even as it pained him, Jon's safety meant more to him than Jon's happiness.

No matter what he did to make things right, Ned would always be paying the price for his promise.

This time with self hatred and guilt.

This descion was one of the hardest he had ever had to make. But people would ask questions about the boy who married the last Pyralis.

Questions that would endanger Jon and cause Ned to break his promise.

Happiness, as beautiful as it is, will never be prioritized over safety.

Ned loved both Ophelia and Jon. He could see how even as children, it would eventually come to the unity of both their hearts into one.

Ned was conflicted.

He desperately wanted Jon to be content...but in the end if he had to choose (and he really did have to choose in this moment) he would rather Jon be safe than happy.

Out of everyone in Winterfell, Jon was probably meant to be with Ophelia the most.

Had it been another life, where everyone that mattered was alive, the kingdom would probably be celebrating at the sight of those two together.

Or disgusted, depending how one viewed it.

Ned knew that in another life Jon's mother would like Ophelia for her son. She would fit seamlessly into their world, had she been raised by both Rowtag and Seraphine.

But that was another life. He had to focus on this one.

Ned Stark would not sleep easy that night.

So the next morning, Jon Snow hurt the person he never wanted to harm. He hurt her far worse than she had ever hurt him.

And as she left, he was grateful he didn't see the tears that fell from his eyes.

He was thankful that she did not see the hurt on his face.

And he was happy she could not see inside of him and view his broken heart.

He loved her, but was forced to let her go.

It was for the best.

So there you go! Some of you are gonna mad lol Anyways, I hope I did a good job explaining Jon's point of view on his feelings. If we could please get this up to 68 reviews, I would be so happy! There's a lot of you and I would like to hear your opinions on what went down in this chapter. Next chapter: Theon gets angry, Ophelia gets depressed, party plans, and an unexpected opportunity for Ophelia. Anyways read, review, and rest easy! :D