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Word of Jon's plan spread quickly—Castle Black had no secrets for long. Samwell Tarly cornered Jon in the mess hall the next morning, his round face flushed and his expression anxious.

"Jon," Sam began, his voice trembling slightly, "I heard from Maester Aemon that you're going beyond the Wall."

Jon set his bowl of porridge down, his brow furrowing. "I am," he admitted.

Sam fidgeted, wringing his hands. "I—I want to come with you."

Jon blinked in surprise. "Sam, I'm not even bringing Ghost, you don't need to—"

"I do," Sam interrupted, his voice gaining a rare firmness. "You've been helping me, and I—I want to be brave. Going with you, beyond the Wall ... it's terrifying, but it's the kind of thing I should do, isn't it?"

Jon smiled despite himself. "Sam, you're becoming braver by the day. Even offering to come with me is proof of that."

Sam's cheeks turned pink, but his resolve didn't waver. "Then let me come."

Jon shook his head, his expression softening. "I appreciate it, truly, but this is something I need to do alone. I need the silence to think."

Sam's face fell, and he looked down at his feet. "Oh," he murmured. "I understand."

Jon clapped a hand on Sam's shoulder. "It means a lot to me that you offered," he said sincerely. "But there are things I have to figure out on my own."

Sam nodded reluctantly, though his disappointment was clear. "Be careful, Jon," he said quietly.

"I will," Jon promised.

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The air was crisp and biting as Jon Snow began his trek beyond the Wall after he finished breaking his fast. The frozen expanse stretched endlessly ahead, a vast, cold wilderness that seemed devoid of life. His boots crunched against the snow as he moved purposefully, his breath clouding before him in the frigid morning air.

Each step brought him closer to the weirwood trees, where he hoped to find clarity. The solitude of the journey suited him; the quiet let his thoughts wander freely. The Wall loomed behind him, its massive presence still an anchor in his mind.

But the solitude didn't last.

A faint crunch behind him made Jon freeze mid-step. His hand instinctively went to his sword. Turning swiftly, he drew the blade and leveled it, his heart pounding.

"Wait! Don't hurt me!"

The voice was familiar, breathless, and tinged with panic. Jon lowered his sword and stared incredulously as Samwell Tarly stood there, red-faced and stumbling through the snow.

"Sam?" Jon said, his voice half incredulous, half exasperated.

"I'm sorry!" Sam said hurriedly, hands raised in surrender. "I—I didn't mean to startle you!"

Jon sheathed his sword and shook his head. "What are you doing here? I told you I needed to go alone."

Sam's cheeks were flushed, either from the cold or embarrassment, as he fumbled for words. "I know you said that. But you're my friend, Jon. And I didn't think it was right for you to go beyond the Wall alone. It's dangerous out here."

Jon sighed, his initial irritation giving way to a reluctant appreciation for Sam's loyalty. "Sam, you didn't need to follow me. I wanted time to think. Alone."

"I know," Sam said earnestly. "But ... there's safety in numbers, isn't there? Even if I'm not much help with a sword, I can keep watch or ... or something."

Jon couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. The idea of Sam "keeping watch" was laughable, but his sincerity was touching.

"Fine," Jon said at last, shaking his head. "You can come. But once we reach the weirwood trees, I need silence. No talking while I think."

Sam's face lit up with relief. "Of course! I won't say a word this entire time. You won't even know I'm there."

Jon gave him a skeptical look but motioned for him to follow. They walked side by side through the snow, their breaths mingling in the icy air.

As they walked, the silence didn't last long. Sam, despite his earlier promise, couldn't help but talk. At first, Jon found it irritating, but as Sam shared stories about life in Horn Hill and his strained relationship with his father, Jon began to listen more closely.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Sam mused as they trudged through the snow. "How different things are here. Back home, I was always the coward, the disappointment. But here ... well, I'm still a coward, but it feels like that's not all I am anymore."

Jon glanced at him, his expression softening. "You've changed more than you think, Sam. Most men wouldn't have the courage to come out here."

Sam blushed and mumbled something about how it wasn't real bravery, and Jon let it slide knowing he wouldn't be able to convince Sam. As they walked, he found himself comparing his friendship with Sam to the bonds he'd shared with others.

Sam wasn't like Robb, with his easy confidence and natural leadership. Nor was he like Bran, curious and eager to learn. And even despite the relatively short time since he had known the two of them, he was nothing like Harry, who always seemed ready to leap in to help others and had an odd way to look at the world. Yet, in his own way, Sam had carved out a place in Jon's life and he appreciated that.

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By the time they reached the weirwood trees, the sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the snow. The ancient trees stood in the center of a grove, their white bark stark against the dark forest around it. Red leaves fluttered in the breeze, and the carved face on the trunk seemed to gaze down at them solemnly.

Jon paused, staring up at the weirwood. It felt familiar, comforting, like stepping back into a piece of Winterfell.

"I'll sit over there," Sam whispered, pointing to a spot a short distance away. "I'll be quiet. Promise."

Jon nodded, grateful for the gesture, and moved to kneel beneath the weirwood's branches. He rested his hands on his knees and closed his eyes, letting the silence wash over him.

His thoughts came slowly at first, disjointed and tangled. He thought of Benjen's advice, of Tyrion's cryptic words. He thought of his family—of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. Would he be abandoning them if he stayed at the Wall? Or would he be fulfilling a duty that was larger than himself?

Time passed unnoticed as Jon sat deep in thought. The cold nipped at his fingers and face, but he barely felt it, lost in the depths of his mind.

A sudden sound shattered the silence.

The sharp crack of a branch snapping, followed by a muffled curse.

Jon's eyes shot open, his hand going to his sword. He scanned the treeline, his heart racing.

"Sam," he hissed, keeping his voice low.

Sam looked up from his spot, his eyes wide with confusion. "W-what is it?"

Jon held up a hand for silence, his gaze fixed on the forest. The sound hadn't been the wind. Someone—or something—was out there.

He rose slowly, his sword half-drawn, ready for whatever might emerge from the shadows.

The silence in the forest was thick, but it was a silence that he could not ignore. His mind raced, scanning the treeline, every rustling leaf and snapping branch heightening his senses. He motioned for Sam to keep quiet, his voice barely more than a breathless whisper.

"Did you tell anyone else to come and follow me, Sam?"

Sam, wide-eyed and nervous, shook his head vigorously. "No, Jon! I swear I didn't—" His voice wavered slightly in response to Jon's tone, and Jon could hear the hint of panic.

Jon frowned and peered into the woods. Another crack of a branch echoed in the distance, sending a chill down his spine. It wasn't the wind. Someone was out there.

"Stay quiet," Jon muttered, his voice low and steady. He moved slightly ahead of Sam, drawing his sword. His body tensed, the sense of danger creeping in, a growing certainty that they were no longer alone.

A few moments passed, and just when Jon began to wonder whether the sound might have actually been a figment of his imagination, another branch snapped, followed by heavy footsteps. This time, the sound was unmistakable: it wasn't the subtle tread of a deer or an animal moving through the forest. These were the deliberate steps of a human, who was trying to remain undetected.

Jon readjusted his position, stepping between Sam and the approaching noise, his hand tight around the hilt of his sword. "Sam, run back to the Wall. Now."

Sam hesitated, his face pale. "Jon, what's—"

"I said run!" Jon barked, his voice harsh. "Do it now!"

Sam's feet moved before his mind could fully process the order, and he bolted, disappearing into the trees without looking back. Jon's gaze never left the direction of the approaching sound.

Then, from the dense forest ahead, a tall, imposing figure emerged, his broad shoulders framed against the backdrop of the trees. Jon's grip on his sword tightened, and his breath caught. The man was massive, his wild eyes fixed on Jon with a gleam of predatory amusement. He was clothed in furs, his hair wild, and his weapon—an axe—was drawn.

The wildling stepped forward, his voice gruff and mocking. "Well, well, what have we here? A little crow come to play in the trees beyond the safety of the wall?"

Jon's heart hammered in his chest. This was a wildling, and wildlings were dangerous, especially out here. He had no idea how many others might be nearby. He forced himself to remain calm.

"Stay back," Jon said, his voice steady, though his heart was pounding. "I'm not afraid to fight you."

The wildling laughed, the sound like gravel scraping against stone. "You don't look like much. The Wall seems to take in anyone, don't it? But I'll give you this—standing in between a wildling and your friend. You must be one of the braver crows I've run into. That or stupidest? Most men, especially the crows, run away from me."

Jon didn't answer. He had no time to engage in a battle of words. He kept his sword drawn, ready for whatever might come next as he slowly began to walk backwards through the woods in the direction of the Wall, the direction Sam had fled moments before.

"Run, Sam. Get to safety!" Jon yelled one last time, hoping Sam would be too far to hear him.

The wildling eyed him with contempt, his lips curling into a smirk. "Safety? What, do you honestly think your … big friend can make it to that wall of yours? I'd rather like to see how much he could bleed."

Jon gritted his teeth, his pulse surging. He wasn't about to let anyone hurt Sam. With a sudden motion, hoping to catch the wildling off guard, he jumped forward, raising his sword. The wildling, with a grunt of laughter, swung his axe down at Jon, the blade cutting through the air and intercepting his attempted strike. Jon felt his sword collide with the man's axe, the impact sending a shock through his arms. He staggered back, but managed to keep his feet beneath him.

The wildling's eyes glinted with something akin to respect. Jon realized he was seriously outclassed in terms of strength and reach, but Jon had the advantage of speed. He darted to the side, slashing at the wildling's ribs. The wildling barely managed to parry the attack and grunted in pain but stepped back, prepared for another , remembering his training from Winterfell about wanting to be in control of the fight, he backed up, carefully maintaining his position between the wildling, slowly and carefully trying to head in the direction Sam had gone. Step by step, Jon retreated toward the treeline, trying to keep a safe distance from the advancing wildling who seemed content to just follow him at the same speed. Jon's breathing was heavy, but his focus was absolute. He couldn't afford to slip up now.

He had just passed the edge of the trees when suddenly, the sharp whizz of an arrow cut through the air. Jon's heart stopped for a moment … but then the arrow flew past him, missing his cheek by mere inches. He released a breath of air, his body tense with relief that he wasn't hit—but the moment of relief didn't last.

'Sam!' he inwardly screamed, realizing that the arrow had not been meant for him.

Jon froze in place, dread coursing through his veins as he fought the impulse to turn around to see if his friend had been hit. As he began to turn, the large wildling called out as he stepped out of the trees, his voice mocking.

"Nice shot, Ygritte! How the hell do you miss a big lad like that? I've ridden smaller aurochs than him!"

Jon's let out a sigh of relief, as his eyes instinctively darted in the direction the larger man was facing. Then, out from the shadows of the trees, she stepped.

She was tall, with fiery red hair that seemed to burn against the dark woods. Her green eyes were sharp and filled with a fierce fire, and her posture was one of someone who knew she could take down anything that crossed her path. Her bow was held in her hands, and another arrow was nocked, aimed directly at Jon.

Ygritte.

Jon didn't know why, but his breath caught in his throat. He wasn't sure who he had been expecting to see come out of the woods but certainly not her. She wasn't just another wildling—she was different. There was something about her that unsettled him.

Jon held his hands up in a gesture of peace. "Don't shoot him. We are not crows yet. We haven't sworn to join them yet."

The wildling man snorted, his eyes flicking between Jon and Ygritte. "Don't matter to me, boy. Whether you're crows now or soon to be, you all die the same. And better to kill you both on this side of the wall then let you get back to the safety of your wall."

Ygritte's gaze didn't waver from Jon, her eyes studying him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable. Her lips curled into a sly smile.

"You think you're special, don't you?" she asked softly, her voice low and teasing. "You know nothing."

Jon swallowed, keeping his position. He could hear the blood rushing in his ears, as he hoped he was preventing her from getting a clear shot at Sam during his retreat.

Jon Snow's breath came fast as he stood frozen at the edge of the trees, keeping his eyes locked on Ygritte and the wildling man. The sharp tip of her arrow was still aimed at him, and despite her not having fired yet, Jon felt no sense of safety. His grip on his sword tightened.

The wildling man was still laughing, a low rumble that grated on Jon's nerves. But Jon couldn't tear his eyes away from Ygritte, whose gaze never wavered. For a brief moment, she shifted her weight, almost like she was about to release her arrow. But then, to Jon's surprise, her lips curved upward into a grin.

Jon's heart skipped a beat.

That smile—it wasn't the smile of someone who had just spared him. It was the smile of someone who had something planned, something Jon didn't understand.

Before Jon could process the meaning of her smile, a rustling noise behind him broke through his thoughts. The realization hit him like a cold wave: Ygritte hadn't been concerned with hitting Sam. She had been distracting him—drawing his attention away from the danger lurking behind him.

His mind raced, and he spun around, fury surging through him. He'd been careless. He had let himself get distracted by her—by her smile, by her confidence—and now, someone else was behind him.

Jon barely had turned halfway around when he heard the sound of an actual footstep, which was followed immediately by a weight crashing into his head, and for a second, everything went black. He dropped to his knees, his vision coming back slightly, although swirling as the world tilted around him.

Laughter echoed in his ears—rough, mocking laughter.

"Stupid crow," another wildling man's voice came, rich with derision. "Thought you were better than us, didn't you?"

Jon felt his body begin to slide to the ground. His mind fought to stay conscious, to keep control, but the blow to his head had been heavy, and darkness crept in quickly. His vision blurred, and the world grew quiet, save for the sound of distant birds and the blood thumping in his ears.

Then, just as the last remnants of his consciousness were slipping away, a voice hovered above him, cutting through the fog.

"You know nothing, crow."

Jon's head snapped up—or at least he tried to. His body refused to obey, his limbs too sluggish, his senses too clouded. But his eyes barely managed to catch the outline of her—Ygritte, her fiery red hair like a flame against the dimming sky. She was standing above him, looking down with that same mocking, almost amused expression.

Jon wanted to move, to shout, but his body refused. He could only stare, helpless, as her face grew closer, her eyes cold with something that felt like contempt, like victory.

Ygritte's face was the last thing Jon saw before the world finally folded into darkness. Her smile—triumphant, cruel, and yet something else he couldn't quite place—was burned into his mind as the blackness swallowed him whole.

Kind Regards,

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Story Note 1 – And alas a continuation of the little interlude Jon Snow chapters. Which will give an idea as to what Jon Snow will be up to (will be a small three chapter arc). While I have a plan for Jon in the future, had posted a poll for anyone who supports my work as to how Jon would get to that point. So thanks to everyone who voted and I hope you enjoy this small little Jon arc. I certainly had fun writing it! Let me know how it was received!

Story Note 2 – Hope you all enjoyed the chapter part of why this chapter was done separately was because Harry was obviously not included but also, and I think more importantly, for the sake that these chapters will include several date skips that will overlap with what is happening with Harry. SO rather than write a several chapters comprised of both Harry/Jon events that will take place over several chapters though it more appropriate and concise to put them all together.

Story Note 3 – Well hello Ygritte and random wilding man … who might possibly be Tormund Giantsbane. What?! Surprise! Obviously have plans for them in this arc but as their locations were not know before they officially appeared felt that it wasn't too unreasonable to have then bump into Jon. There is no way to know that they weren't just outside of the walls before Jon said his words?

Story Note 4 – Any guesses on what is going to happen to Jon Snow? Or what his decision will be?

Story Note 5 – I hope that everyone who is enjoying Harry's journey through Westeros (specifically since he just arrived in King's Landing) is not worried. His adventures shall soon resume. These chapters are merely setting up the world and laying the foundation for some of what is to come that will directly and indirectly affect the world and Harry specifically. As a teaser the next set of interlude chapters will involve a certain individual across the sea. Any guesses?

A large thanks to those of you out there who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you all are enjoying them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or have reached out to me directly.

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BioHazard82 - Thanks so much for the review and I really hope you continue to enjoy the story as it progresses!

Unit971 - That is a very reasonable guess! I guess we shall see!

jslee102, Blaze1992 - Hmmm poor guy! Good guess that Ygritte would catch him! (Or at least be involved in it)

NikkNakk - I'm glad that was a fun little scene. Obviously she might have a wealth of knowledge that Harry could use.

Fenrir070 - Haha glad you made the effort! For what it's worth I had a lot of fun writing it! It certainly does seem to be the case that with age comes wisdom. I guess we shall see where Jon ends up. Haha I'd like to see who would survive if they were all pitted against each other. Obviously Clegane wins in an outright fight. But I certainly would enjoy having Joffrey or Littlefinger as enemies.

jonh73 - That's a totally fair point! I guess my style is more of small changes thaat slowly add up into becoming a big thing! And then once things start happening they happen in a big way.

Ferdiad - I hope so too! Although for the most part Robb made really sound decisions ... with the exception of the wedding. I believe his one real fault was not having someone to talk things through (whether that ends up being Jon or someone else I guess we will find out)

NB132 - Wow that is incredible feedback. I really appreciate it! And ya obviously adults can make mistakes but a post 5th year Harry fit better with that idea. Plus friendships and relationships are easier for me to write if the characters are close in age. Really glad you are enjoying the story and hope you don't hesitate to continue giving me feedback. Thanks!

LavenderTSWIFT - Well ... I mean Jon is technically first in line. BUT ... I guess we shall see!

Lordlexx - Thats a fair point. I do try to avoid breaking up scenes in the middle and try to have all the chapters at 3-5k. But the length of some things (the trip to King's Landing for instance is a product of setting things up).

Monkey D. Conan - And that is why I try to provide feedback! And I'm glad you enjoy the writing style. As for your guess ... seems reasonable. I guess we shall see what happens ...