Chapter 37

"Are you ready?" Jon asked, offering Serafina his arm.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I'm ready."

Jon gave her a reassuring smile as she accepted his arm. "Let's go, then."

The path to the heart tree was lit with lanterns and torches, while the sky above sparkled with stars. Serafina didn't think she had ever seen anything more beautiful. The atmosphere was peaceful, and even the cold didn't bother her. Though she had only been in Winterfell for a week, it felt much longer. Despite having a lot to learn and not yet beginning her training with Lady Stark, she was starting to feel more at ease.

Things with Robb were going well, and she had made an effort to meet as many people in Winterfell as possible. One of her more curious conversations had been with a woman named Osha, who worked as a servant. Osha had explained that she used to be a wildling, but after Robb spared her life, she chose to serve the Starks. She had also mentioned that, in the wildling way, Serafina had belonged to Robb from the moment he captured her. According to Osha, a wildling man could only claim a wife if he managed to capture her. The thought nearly made Serafina giggle.

"What is it?" Jon asked, noticing her expression as he guided her toward the heart tree.

"Oh, I was just thinking about something Osha told me."

Jon raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What did she say?"

Serafina smiled, still amused by the memory. "She told me that, in the wildling culture, a man only gets a wife if he manages to capture her. According to her, Robb had already claimed me the moment he captured me."

Jon let out a soft chuckle. "Sounds like something Osha would say. Wildlings have their own ways, but they're not without a certain wisdom."

Serafina nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "It's an interesting perspective. I suppose it's not so different from the way noble families arrange marriages, just with more ceremony and less… well, kidnapping."

They walked in comfortable silence for a moment before Serafina's voice grew quieter, more pensive. "Thank you again for doing this. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support."

Jon's expression softened as he glanced at her. "You don't have to thank me. We're family now, Serafina. And family looks out for each other."

They continued their walk, the gentle crunch of snow underfoot the only sound for a few moments. The light from the lanterns cast a warm glow, creating dancing shadows among the trees. The quiet of the godswood was soothing, almost sacred, as they approached the heart tree.

As they drew closer, the towering heart tree came into view, its red leaves rustling softly in the wind. The carved face in the trunk seemed to watch them with ancient wisdom, its eyes dark and knowing.

Jon stopped just short of the tree, letting Serafina take a breath and steady herself. Serafina met his gaze, her eyes shining with gratitude. Robb was already waiting by the tree, dressed in a simple but elegant fur-lined cloak. He looked every bit the northern lord, strong, steady, and resolute. As Serafina approached, he offered her a warm smile that eased the last of her nerves. Lady Stark was also there and she offered Serafina a smile.

Jon released Serafina's arm, stepping aside as he gave a respectful nod to his brother. "She's ready."

Robb's gaze met Serafina's, filled with both affection and a promise of unwavering support. "Are you?" he asked gently.

Serafina took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I'm ready."

The two of them turned to face the heart tree, the ancient symbol of the old gods bearing witness to the vows they were about to exchange. In that moment, with the stars overhead and the godswood wrapped in silence, with only the distant howl of a wolf, everything felt right.


"May I have this dance?" Theon asked smiling as he offered Sansa his hand.

She gave him a cautious smile before nodding. "Alright."

Jon was planning to ask Arya to dance, but he couldn't see her anywhere in the great hall.

"Jon," Robb said. "I promised my mother a dance, would you like to dance with Serafina?"

"Why would you want to punish her like that on her wedding day?" Jon chuckled. "You know I'm a terrible dancer."

"I'm sure I can manage," Serafina stated, giving him a grin.

"Alright, fine, but don't tell me I didn't warn you."

Jon offered his hand to Serafina, still chuckling softly at the situation. "I'll try not to step on your feet," he promised with a playful smile.

Serafina took his hand, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll hold you to that," she teased as they moved to join the other dancers.

The music was lively, and the great hall was filled with laughter and joy. As Jon led her into the dance, he found himself relaxing more than he expected. Serafina's confidence put him at ease, and before long, they were moving in rhythm with the music.

"You're better than you give yourself credit for," Serafina said, her tone light as she twirled gracefully under his arm.

Jon shook his head, his smile widening. "That's only because you're good at leading without making it obvious."

She laughed, a sound that blended with the festive atmosphere. "Maybe I'm just used to navigating unfamiliar territory."

Jon's expression softened at her words. "You've done well with that here, you know. Adjusting to Winterfell and all."

Serafina's gaze grew more thoughtful as they continued to dance. "Thank you, I hope so."

The music shifted to a slower tempo, and Jon guided her gently through the steps. He noticed Rickon dancing with a young girl. The poor boy was blushing and looked like he might faint. Bran was sitting at the table, watching the dancers. He was slowly recovering from his fall; although he could already walk, he still needed to use a cane. For a moment, Jon wondered if Serafina knew they suspected Jaime had pushed Bran from the tower.

Serafina's voice brought him back to the present. "You're lost in thought, Jon. Everything alright?"

He blinked, refocusing on her. "Just thinking about Bran," he replied, nodding toward his younger brother, who was watching the dancers with a mix of interest and longing. "He's come a long way since his fall, but he still has a way to go."

Serafina followed his gaze, her expression softening. "He's strong. It's clear he's determined, even if the road to recovery is difficult."

Jon studied her for a moment, trying to gauge whether her words were just kind or if there was a deeper understanding behind them. "He is. But… it's hard not to wonder sometimes about how it all happened." His tone was careful, almost probing.

Serafina looked at him, confusion clear in her eyes. "What do you mean? I thought it was some kind of an accident."

Jon's expression remained guarded, though the flicker of doubt in his eyes lessened as he took in Serafina's genuine confusion. It was clear that she truly didn't know about the suspicions surrounding Jaime Lannister and Bran's fall.

"Yes, that's what most believe," Jon replied, choosing his words carefully. "An accident, or perhaps something more." He watched her reaction closely, but Serafina's brows furrowed in concern rather than alarm.

"Something more?" she echoed, a touch of worry creeping into her voice. "If there's more to it than just an accident, then… does that mean someone hurt that poor child on purpose?"

Jon held her gaze, weighing how much to say. "It's a question we've all been asking ourselves. But whatever the truth is, Bran's alive and determined, and that's what matters most now."

Serafina nodded slowly, still processing his words. "I understand. I hope, for all your sakes, that you find the truth someday. It must be hard living with such uncertainty."

"It is," Jon admitted quietly. "But like you said, we focus on what we have now. And right now, Bran's getting stronger every day."

Her eyes softened, and she offered a tentative smile. "I'm glad to hear that. He seems like a good boy, and he has such a loving family to support him."

Jon allowed himself a small smile in return, appreciating the sincerity in her words. Whatever her family's intentions, Serafina herself didn't seem to be involved in any of their darker schemes. She was trying to fit in, to be part of Winterfell, and Jon could see that she was making an effort to connect with those around her.

The music began to shift once more, and Robb rejoined them, a playful grin on his face. "I hope you haven't stolen too much of my wife's attention, Jon," he teased, slipping his arm around Serafina's waist.

"Not at all," Jon replied, stepping back with a chuckle. "I was just doing my duty as a dutiful brother."

Serafina laughed lightly, leaning into Robb's embrace. "He's been a perfect gentleman."

Robb grinned. "I wouldn't expect anything less." He turned his attention to Serafina. "Shall we take another spin around the hall?"

"Actually, I would like to ask your other brother to dance first, if you don't mind," she replied, smiling as she glanced at Bran.

"Oh, I'm not sure if he…"

"He can lean on me, and I promise to be very careful," Serafina assured. "Do you mind if I ask him?"

"No, of course not," Robb replied with a smile.

Serafina smiled warmly and excused herself, walking over to where Bran was seated. He looked up as she approached, curiosity and a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Lord Bran," she said with a curtsy. "Would you grant me the honor of a dance?"

Bran blinked, momentarily taken aback. "You want to dance with me?"

"If you're willing," Serafina replied gently. "I promise to go slow, and you can lean on me as much as you need. But only if you're comfortable with it."

Bran hesitated, glancing down at his cane before looking back at her. "I'd like that," he said quietly, a shy smile forming on his lips.

Serafina offered him her hand, helping him to his feet. As they made their way to the dance floor, the other guests parted slightly, creating space for them. The music was slower now, a gentle melody that allowed them to move without hurry.

Robb and Jon watched from the sidelines, both touched by the scene unfolding before them.

"She doesn't know," Jon whispered.

"No, she doesn't," Robb murmured. "And I'm not going to tell her. Why should she pay for someone else's sins?"

Jon nodded slowly. "I agree."

Serafina's gentle nature was evident in every movement as she guided Bran, letting him set the pace. Despite the awkwardness of balancing on his cane while trying to match the rhythm, Bran's confidence grew with each step. The look of concentration on his face gradually gave way to a bright smile.

"You're doing wonderfully," Serafina said softly, her encouragement genuine.

"So are you," Bran replied, clearly pleased with himself. "I didn't think I'd get to dance tonight."

"Well, I'm honored to be your partner," Serafina said with a wink.

As the song came to an end, Serafina guided Bran back to his seat with a small bow, both of them laughing softly. "Thank you, Lord Bran," she said as she helped him settle down. "You were the perfect dance partner."

"No, thank you," Bran said, still beaming. "I didn't think I'd have this much fun."

As Serafina rejoined Robb, he wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned in to whisper, "That was very kind of you. I think you made his night."

Serafina's eyes twinkled as she looked up at her husband. "It's his big brother's wedding. He deserves to enjoy it too."

Robb's grin widened as he led her back onto the dance floor. "Well, in that case, shall we have our own dance now?"

"With pleasure, Your Grace," she replied.

Jon took a seat and picked up his wine goblet, feeling that he was done dancing for the night. A few moments later, he noticed Serafina kissing Robb's cheek and whispering something in his ear. Robb smiled and whispered something back before she left the great hall. Feeling tired, Jon decided to retire as well.

After saying goodnight, he left the great hall and headed toward the staircase. Before he reached it, he heard a scream. As he ran towards the staircase, he saw a small figure lying on the floor beside the stairs.

"Serafina!" he gasped, hurrying to her. Her arm was twisted in an unnatural position, and she was whimpering weakly.

Jon's heart raced as he knelt beside her, carefully assessing the situation. "Serafina, can you hear me?" he asked urgently, his voice laced with concern.

She blinked slowly, her face pale with pain. "Jon…" she whispered, wincing as she tried to move.

"Don't move," Jon instructed, his tone firm but gentle. He could see the unnatural angle of her arm, likely broken from the fall. Blood trickled from a cut on her forehead, and her breathing was uneven.

Jon looked around desperately for help and saw one of the guards rushing over. "Fetch Maester Luwin, quickly!" Jon ordered.

The guard nodded and sprinted away, leaving Jon alone with Serafina. He felt helpless, a rare and unwelcome feeling, as he gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"What happened?" Jon asked, his voice softer now. "Did you trip?"

Tears welled up in Serafina's eyes as she struggled to speak. "I don't know… I just felt something… a push? But I was alone… no one was there."

Jon's blood ran cold at her words. A push? Was it an accident, or something more sinister? The thought of someone intentionally harming Serafina filled him with dread and anger. But he pushed those thoughts aside for now, his priority was to get her the help she needed.

"Stay with me, Serafina. Help is on the way," Jon reassured her, though his mind raced with possibilities. Could it have been the lingering resentment from some Northerners about her Lannister ties? Or was it something else entirely?

Moments later, Maester Luwin arrived with Robb close behind him. The sight of his wife lying injured on the cold stone floor drained the color from Robb's face.

"Serafina!" Robb shouted, dropping to his knees beside her. "What happened?"

"She fell down the stairs," Jon explained quickly. "She thinks she was pushed, but she didn't see anyone."

Maester Luwin wasted no time examining her injuries. "Her arm is broken, and she'll need stitches for the cut on her head. We need to move her carefully."

Robb's eyes darkened with a mix of worry and anger, but he kept his focus on Serafina. "We'll get you fixed up, love. Just hold on."

Together, Jon and Robb carefully lifted Serafina and carried her to the Maester's chambers. As they moved, Jon's mind remained troubled. If Serafina truly was pushed, then someone in Winterfell meant her harm. And that was a threat neither he nor Robb could afford to ignore.

As they reached the Maester's chambers and laid her on the bed, Jon exchanged a look with Robb. They didn't need words to understand each other. They both knew they'd have to find out what really happened, and soon.