The sun barely peeked over the horizon when Jon Snow knocked softly on Jocelyn's door. She opened it, still groggy from the early hour, and found him standing in the hallway with his cloak pulled tightly around him. His gray eyes met hers, steady and reassuring.
"Get dressed," he said quietly. "We're going out."
"Out?" Jocelyn asked, startled. "Where?"
Jon glanced down the hallway before answering. "It's safe, I promise. But you've been stuck here too long. You need air, even if it's just for a little while."
Jocelyn hesitated, then nodded, her heart fluttering at the prospect of leaving the castle—even if it meant taking a risk. She dressed quickly in a plain wool dress, thick stockings, and boots, layering on a heavy cloak to ward off the cold. When she stepped back into the hallway, Jon handed her a scarf and a simple woolen cap.
"Disguise," he explained. "Keep your hood up and your scarf over your face. If anyone sees you, they'll just think you're another servant."
Jocelyn pulled the scarf snugly over her nose and mouth, the rough fabric unfamiliar against her skin. "I don't know if this will work."
"It will," Jon said with quiet confidence. "Just stay close to me."
The Courtyard
Jon led Jocelyn through the back corridors of Winterfell, avoiding the main thoroughfares and the eyes of the guards. When they stepped into the courtyard, the bustle of the morning had already begun, but no one paid them any attention. To anyone else, Jocelyn was just another hooded figure following Jon Snow.
They exited through a smaller gate, and Jon guided her onto a path leading toward the woods. The air was crisp and biting, but Jocelyn welcomed it, savoring the feeling of freedom after so many days in hiding.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice muffled by the scarf.
"You'll see," Jon replied, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
The Woods
The forest was quiet, the snow blanketing the ground in a serene hush. Jocelyn followed Jon as he led her along a winding path, his footsteps sure and purposeful. The trees closed in around them, their branches heavy with frost, and for the first time in weeks, Jocelyn felt truly hidden from the world.
After some time, they reached a small clearing. In the center was a frozen pond, its surface glinting like glass in the pale morning light. The clearing felt untouched, as though it had been waiting for them.
"It's beautiful," Jocelyn whispered, pulling down her scarf to take in the scene fully.
"I used to come here when I needed to think," Jon said, his voice low. "It's quiet. No one comes this far out."
Jocelyn stepped closer to the pond, her boots crunching in the snow. "It feels… peaceful."
Jon watched her for a moment before speaking. "I thought you might need that."
She turned to him, her heart warming at the thoughtfulness behind his words. "Thank you, Jon. For bringing me here."
"You've been through a lot," he said simply. "You deserve a moment to breathe."
They stood in companionable silence for a while, the cold air crisp against their cheeks. Jocelyn found herself relaxing, the weight of her circumstances lifting slightly in the tranquility of the clearing.
After a time, Jon cleared his throat. "There's more."
"More?" Jocelyn asked, curious.
Jon nodded and motioned for her to follow. He led her to a fallen log near the edge of the clearing, where a bundle of cloth was tucked beneath a dusting of snow. He unwrapped it to reveal a small pouch and two carved wooden cups.
"What's this?" Jocelyn asked, smiling as Jon poured a warm liquid from the pouch into the cups.
"Mulled cider," Jon said, handing her one. "I thought it might help with the cold."
Jocelyn took the cup, the heat seeping into her hands. She sipped the cider, the spices warming her from the inside out. "It's perfect."
Jon sat beside her, his gaze drifting to the pond. "You'll be safe, Jocelyn. No matter what happens."
She looked at him, her chest tightening at the quiet conviction in his voice. "I don't know how to thank you, Jon. For everything you've done."
"You don't have to," he said, his tone soft. "I'd do it all again."
They sat together, the world around them quiet and still. For the first time in what felt like forever, Jocelyn felt truly free—even if only for a moment. And as she sat beside Jon, the weight of her fear seemed lighter, replaced by a warmth she hadn't felt in years.
When it was time to return to Winterfell, she pulled her scarf back up and followed Jon through the woods. The risk of being seen loomed over them, but Jocelyn couldn't bring herself to regret the outing. It was a reminder of what she was fighting for: freedom, peace, and perhaps something more.