Chapter 3

5 years ago

"Daliya!" Jon shouted. "Daliya!"

The godswood was dark, but he held a lantern in his hand, silently praying that she was alright.

"Daliya!"

When Jon reached the heart tree, he saw a small figure standing before it. His heart raced as he ran to her.

"Daliya!"

She didn't say anything, just stood there like a statue, staring at the heart tree. He placed a hand on her shoulder, gently shaking her.

"Daliya?"

She blinked a few times before her dreamy eyes seemed to recognize him.

"Jon," she said, a bright smile appearing on her face. "They're talking to me. Can you hear them?"

"No, I'm afraid I can't," Jon replied gently. "What are they saying?"

She let out a small giggle. "I don't know, but it's beautiful."

"Daliya!" Ned's voice called from behind.

"She's here, Father!" Jon shouted.

Ned emerged from the woods, his concern evident.

"Thank the gods," he sighed in relief as he saw Daliya. He quickly removed his cloak and wrapped it around her before scooping her up. He didn't scold her, knowing she hadn't wandered off on purpose.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Father."

Ned sighed again and stroked her back tenderly. "It's not your fault, little one."

Jon stood nearby, silently relieved that Daliya was safe. Ned carried her back to Winterfell, where Catelyn was waiting with a crying Sansa.

"I never want to play with her again!" Sansa sobbed. "She's stupid!"

Jon felt a knot tighten in his chest as he watched Sansa's tear-streaked face. Daliya, now nestled in Ned's arms, seemed oblivious to the tension, her dreamy expression still lingering as she rested her head on their father's shoulder.

Catelyn stood by the entrance of Winterfell, her face pale with worry. When she saw them approaching, she let out a breath she'd been holding, rushing forward to meet them. "Is she alright?" she asked, her voice laced with concern, eyes flickering between Ned and Jon.

"She's fine," Ned reassured her as he adjusted Daliya in his arms. "But she wandered deep into the godswood. We should keep a closer watch on her."

"She doesn't even know when she's scaring us," Sansa cried again, wiping her eyes furiously. "She's always acting strange. I don't want her to come near me anymore!"

"Sansa, that's enough," Catelyn said sternly, though there was no anger in her voice, only exhaustion. She knelt to Sansa's level, placing a hand on her arm. "Your sister didn't mean to upset you. She just... forgets things sometimes."

Sansa's lips quivered, and she stubbornly turned away, but the sobs had quieted. Jon stepped forward, feeling a need to defend Daliya, to explain that she wasn't stupid, just different, but the words stuck in his throat. He glanced at her again, still wrapped in Ned's cloak, smiling softly as if nothing in the world could harm her.

Ned, noticing Jon's unease, gave him a knowing look. "It's late. Let's all head inside."

As they walked toward the warmth of Winterfell, Jon lingered behind, his eyes lingering on Daliya. He had always felt a sense of responsibility toward her, even more so now.

Just before stepping inside, Jon glanced over his shoulder at the darkened godswood. "What are you trying to tell her?" he murmured quietly, as if expecting the heart tree to answer.

But only silence greeted him, and the cold wind, carrying with it the unanswered mysteries of the night.

Jon sat beside Daliya at the table as she quietly ate her dinner. Robb and Theon returned, both of them having joined the search for her, along with a few servants.

"You gave us quite a scare, runt," Theon huffed. "Again."

"Back off," Jon warned, his voice low.

Daliya appeared unbothered by Theon's words, her expression calm. But when Robb walked over and ruffled her hair, she smiled at him, the warmth returning to her face.

Robb returned her smile, clearly relieved to see her safe and sound. "Glad you're alright, little sister," he said softly, his tone affectionate despite the hint of worry still lingering in his voice. "You need to stop wandering off like that, though. You had us all worried."

Daliya looked up at him with her usual dreamy expression, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. "I wasn't wandering," she said with a small smile. "I was listening."

"Listening to what?" Theon scoffed, sitting down across from them and grabbing a piece of bread. "The trees again?"

Jon shot Theon a cold glare, his fist clenching under the table. "I told you to back off," he said through gritted teeth. "If you don't understand something, keep your mouth shut."

Theon opened his mouth to retort, but Robb quickly intervened. "Enough, Theon. Let it go." He glanced at Jon, then back at Daliya, who seemed oblivious to the tension between the boys, still picking at her food.

Robb sat down next to her, a gentle smile on his face. "You know we were worried about you, right? Next time, just tell someone where you're going."

Daliya nodded absentmindedly, her focus drifting back to her plate. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, though her voice carried no real sense of guilt. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. The trees… they just wanted me to stay for a while longer."

Robb chuckled softly, clearly accustomed to his sister's unusual way of thinking. "Well, next time, tell the trees they'll have to wait." He gave her a playful wink before turning to Jon. "You alright, Jon?"

Jon nodded, though his gaze stayed on Daliya. "Yeah. Just tired."

Robb seemed to sense Jon's unease but didn't press further. The tension in Jon's shoulders didn't go unnoticed by Robb, who exchanged a glance with him as if to say they'd talk later.

Theon, however, wasn't ready to drop the subject. "She's always doing this," he muttered, shaking his head. "Getting everyone worked up for no reason."

Jon's fist tightened again, but Robb raised a hand. "Let it go, Theon." His tone was firmer this time, and Theon reluctantly quieted down.

The room settled into an uneasy silence, the warmth of the hearth contrasting the chill still lingering from the godswood. Jon stole another glance at Daliya, who seemed content now, lost in her own thoughts once again.

"There are so many people here," Daliya murmured as she and Jon entered the bustling Great Hall.

Jon took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Most of the northern lords had arrived to celebrate Robb's nameday, filling the hall with lively chatter.

"Let's find our seats," Jon said softly. "You just tell me if you want to leave, alright?"

She nodded, her voice quiet. "I don't want to cause trouble."

Jon gave her a soft smile. "You're not causing trouble, Daliya. You never do," he reassured her, guiding her through the crowded Great Hall. The noise of laughter and chatter filled the air as the northern lords and their families mingled, the warmth of the hearths contrasting with the cool night outside.

Daliya glanced around nervously, her grip tightening slightly on Jon's hand. "There are so many eyes," she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the clamor.

"Don't worry about them," Jon said quietly, leaning closer so only she could hear. "Just focus on me. I'll make sure you're alright."

As they made their way to the long table, Jon spotted their seats near Bran and Rickon. The younger boys were already excitedly talking to each other, oblivious to the formal atmosphere.

When they reached the table, Jon pulled out a chair for Daliya, giving her a reassuring nod as she sat down. "If it gets too much, just give me a sign, and we'll leave. No one will mind."

Daliya nodded again, though she kept glancing nervously at the other guests. "I don't want to ruin Robb's day," she said, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dress.

Jon sat beside her, making sure she was within arm's reach. "You won't," he said firmly. "Robb just wants you to be here, with all of us. That's all that matters."

A few moments later, Robb entered the hall, his presence commanding attention as the guests raised their cups to him. He caught Jon's eye and smiled warmly, then glanced at Daliya with a subtle nod of encouragement.

Jon felt a wave of relief. Robb knew how to make her feel welcome without drawing too much attention, and that was exactly what she needed tonight.

"See?" Jon murmured. "Everything's fine."

Daliya took a deep breath and gave a small smile, though the tension hadn't fully left her. Still, she seemed calmer now, her hand resting lightly on the table.

"I had a dream last night," she hummed, smiling.

"Tell me about it," Jon asked leaning closer.

Daliya's eyes brightened at Jon's question, her dreamy smile widening just a little. She tilted her head, as though recalling the details. "I was in the godswood," she began, her voice soft, almost musical. "But it wasn't winter… everything was green, and the leaves were golden. The heart tree was alive, Jon, like it was breathing."

Jon listened closely, nodding for her to continue. Daliya often spoke of her dreams, and while many found them strange, Jon had learned that they gave her comfort, a way to express the things she couldn't during the day.

"And there were voices," she said, her eyes growing distant as if she could hear them again. "Soft whispers, but not scary. They were kind. They told me..." she hesitated, glancing around the busy hall as if unsure whether to continue.

Jon leaned closer, his voice low. "What did they say?"

Daliya's smile returned, a little softer now. "They said I wasn't alone. That I have always been watched over. Protected." She looked at Jon, her expression full of quiet wonder. "And you were there too, Jon. You were standing by the heart tree, and I knew I was safe."

Jon felt a strange warmth in his chest, the way he always did when Daliya shared something deeply personal. "That sounds like a good dream," he said gently. "Maybe it means something, that you're never alone. Not really."

She nodded, her gaze lingering on him, as if she were searching for something deeper in his face. "Do you think the trees really watch us, Jon?" she asked, her voice small.

He paused for a moment, considering her question. He wasn't sure what he believed about the old gods or the heart tree, but if Daliya felt a connection to them, it was enough for him. "Maybe they do," he said quietly. "But whether they do or not, I'm here. You're never alone, Daliya."

Daliya's smile grew a little more, the tension easing from her shoulders. "Thank you," she whispered, her hand brushing his lightly on the table.

Jon gave her a small smile in return, feeling an unspoken bond between them.

"Good evening, Daliya," Theon's voice cut through the noise of the hall. "You look beautiful tonight." He paused, casting a sideways grin at Jon. "Doesn't she, Snow?"
Jon's jaw clenched, though he could tell Theon was only trying to get under his skin.

Jon's eyes flicked toward Theon, his jaw tightening further at the pointed remark. He could feel the tension rising in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Leave her alone, Theon," he said, his voice low but firm.

Theon chuckled, clearly enjoying Jon's irritation. "Come on, Jon, no need to get so defensive. I'm just giving her a compliment." His grin widened as he leaned a little closer to Daliya. "You really do look lovely tonight."

Daliya, unaware of Theon's intention to provoke Jon, glanced at him with her usual dreamy detachment. "Thank you," she said softly, though her attention quickly shifted back to Jon, sensing the tension between them.

Jon's fists clenched under the table. He knew Theon well enough to understand his game, always testing boundaries and finding amusement in others' discomfort. But Daliya was different, Jon wasn't going to let Theon drag her into his petty taunts.

"That's enough, Theon," Jon said more sharply, his voice cutting through the noise of the hall. "Go find someone else to bother."

Theon raised an eyebrow, his grin still plastered on his face. "Alright, alright, no harm meant. Enjoy the feast, both of you." He gave Jon one last smirk before turning to find someone else to entertain himself with.

As Theon walked away, Jon's shoulders slowly relaxed. He glanced at Daliya, who was now calmly staring back at her plate, seemingly unbothered by the interaction. But Jon couldn't shake the anger gnawing at him. The way Theon looked at Daliya, like she was some joke or conquest, made his blood boil.

"Are you alright?" Jon asked, his voice softer now.

Daliya nodded, though there was a faint crease in her brow. "He was just talking," she murmured. "But you seemed upset."

Jon sighed, trying to let go of the frustration. "I just don't like the way he talks to you sometimes."

Daliya tilted her head slightly, her perceptive eyes searching Jon's face. "You're always looking out for me," she said quietly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'm glad."

Jon felt the warmth of her words sink into him, the tension easing a little more. "I always will," he promised.

"Would you like to look at the stars with me tonight?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"Sure, that sounds nice."

She gave him a warm smile. "I love to look at them. Listen to them."

Jon returned her smile, feeling the weight of the evening lift just a little. "Listen to them?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Daliya nodded, her eyes soft and thoughtful. "Yes," she said, her voice as gentle as a breeze. "The stars, they hum sometimes. Not with words, but with feelings. I think... they're telling stories."

Jon couldn't help but smile at her words, though a part of him felt a pang of sadness. Daliya's world was so different, and so much of it was out of reach for him or anyone else. But there was something beautiful in how she saw things, how she connected with the world in ways most people couldn't.

"What kind of stories?" he asked quietly, wanting to understand.

Daliya's gaze drifted upward, as if she could already see the stars through the ceiling of the Great Hall. "Stories of the past. Of people who lived long before us. And sometimes... they whisper about what's to come." She looked back at him, her smile still warm but touched with a hint of mystery. "Maybe they'll tell us something tonight."

Jon felt a strange comfort in her words, as if the stars themselves might offer some guidance in the uncertainty of their world. "Maybe they will," he agreed softly.

The feast continued around them, loud and lively, but for a moment, Jon and Daliya were in their own world, their conversation a quiet refuge from the noise and chaos. Jon couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this at ease, even if the peace was fragile.

"After the feast, we'll go outside," Jon said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We'll find the best spot to look at the stars."

Daliya beamed at him, her eyes lighting up in a way that made Jon feel as though, for just a little while, the rest of the world didn't matter. "I'd like that," she said, her voice soft with contentment.

Seeing her happy always warmed his heart. She deserved all the happiness in the world.