The journey back to Winterfell was shrouded in secrecy. Jocelyn sat wrapped in furs, hidden beneath the hood of her cloak as Robb and Jon escorted her in the dead of night. The snow-covered forest stretched endlessly around them, the only sounds the muffled crunch of hooves and the distant howl of wolves.

Jocelyn's heart raced with every step closer to the castle. Though the Lannisters and her father had left the ravine without finding anything, she knew their suspicions lingered. Returning to Winterfell was a risk, but staying hidden in the cabin for much longer would raise questions if anyone stumbled across her absence.

"We'll take you through the back gates," Jon said as they neared the towering walls of the castle. His voice was calm, but she could sense the tension in his posture. "No one will see you."

Jocelyn nodded, pulling her cloak tighter. "And once I'm inside?"

"You'll stay in the south wing," Robb replied. "It's quieter there, and most of the servants don't frequent that area. Mira will be assigned to you again."

"Mira?" Jocelyn asked, her brow furrowing. She remembered the young maid fondly, her gentle presence a comfort in her earliest days at Winterfell.

"She insisted," Robb said with a faint smile. "She's loyal. She won't say a word."

Inside Winterfell

The south wing was quiet, its stone corridors dimly lit by the soft glow of lanterns. Jocelyn followed Robb and Jon through the hallways, her footsteps echoing faintly. Every shadow seemed to loom larger, every sound amplified by her nerves.

When they reached her chambers, Jon opened the door, revealing a cozy but modest room. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm light over the simple furnishings. Jocelyn stepped inside, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"You'll be safe here," Jon said, his gray eyes meeting hers. "No one comes to this wing unless they have a reason."

"And Mira will take care of anything you need," Robb added. "If anything feels off, you send for one of us. Understand?"

Jocelyn nodded. "Thank you. Both of you."

Jon hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but instead he gave her a small nod before stepping back into the hallway. Robb lingered for a moment longer, his expression softening.

"Try to get some rest," he said. "We'll handle everything else."

As they left, the door closed softly behind them, and Jocelyn turned to take in her surroundings. The fire's warmth seeped into her cold limbs, and for the first time in days, she felt a flicker of comfort.

A knock at the door startled her, but when it opened, Mira stepped inside, carrying a bundle of linens. Her face lit up with a warm smile when she saw Jocelyn.

"My lady," Mira said, setting the linens down on a chair. "Welcome back."

Jocelyn returned the smile, her chest tightening with gratitude. "Mira. I'm so glad it's you."

Mira curtsied slightly, then moved to a copper tub near the hearth. "I thought you might like a bath after your journey. I've already had the water brought up."

"That sounds wonderful," Jocelyn said, her shoulders sagging with relief.

As Mira busied herself preparing the bath, Jocelyn sat on the edge of the bed, unfastening her cloak. The tension of the past weeks began to melt away, replaced by the soothing familiarity of Winterfell. It wasn't safety, not entirely, but it was something close to it.

When the bath was ready, Mira helped Jocelyn undress, her movements gentle and efficient. The warm water enveloped Jocelyn like an embrace, easing the ache in her muscles and calming her frayed nerves.

"Will you stay, Mira?" Jocelyn asked, her voice soft. "Just for a while?"

"Of course, my lady," Mira said, pulling up a stool beside the tub. "I'll stay as long as you need."

Jocelyn leaned back, closing her eyes as the warmth seeped into her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to relax, if only for a moment.

But even as she soaked in the peace of her surroundings, the weight of what lay ahead lingered in the back of her mind. The Lannisters were gone for now, but their shadow remained. And with her father still unconvinced, Jocelyn knew that the game they were playing was far from over.