"You look well." Jon continued softly. Looking up into her emerald eyes as (Y/n) pulled her hand from his.

"Thank you. So, now if you have seen that I am fit and healthy, I will be on my way with Tormund. I am sure that you will be pleased to have me on my way." (Y/n) replied harshly. Doing her best to stay cold towards the Lord Commander. She knew she shouldn't. She knew that he was not to blame for who he had loved. That she couldn't make him love her if he didn't want to. Yet she could not let her guard down. For she knew that if she did, she wouldn't be able to stop the emotions that were growing inside her, from flowing out. She wouldn't be able to stop herself from telling him how she felt. That she loved him. Hated him. Despised him yet adored him. Even now as she glared at him, a look of sadness in his eyes at her harsh tone, she wanted to take her venom filled words back. To turn back time and stop herself from ever saying them. She had been cruel. But there was no other way. She had plans, plans for the future. And she was sure that Jon had his own plans, plans that did not include her.

"I thought........I hoped that you may wish to stay here with me for a little while. I mean, at Castle Black. You could tell me about Tyrion. About what Bran was doing. If he had become a good king. You can tell me how you have been. Where you have been. I............"

"I am sure that you are quite aware how Bran is dealing with his new responsibilities. I cannot believe for one moment, that despite the fact that he had to banish you, that you do not exchange Ravens with him, and, or Sansa. In fact, I would say that you probably know better than I do, how Tyrion and Bran are. I have been away from Kings Landing for far too long to know anything that could interest you, Lord Commander. And as far as telling you about how I am, or where I have been. I cannot imagine that for one moment that you would care. We have to face it, you never cared before. So why start now. Now, if you will excuse me." (Y/n) interrupted, not wanting to let Jon say another word. Not wanting him to stir up any more emotions inside her, than the turmoil that she already felt. The lioness making her way over to where Tormund stood with a heavy scowl on his face. The big man obviously not happy at the interaction. And at that very moment, (Y/n) had the most awful feeling that she was becoming like Cersei. Cold, horrible, cruel. A bitter and jealous creature.

"Ya not coming with me." Tormund told her quietly, as (Y/n) came to stand before him.

"Ya not coming to the encampment until ya tha (Y/n) I know, again. This ain't you. This bitter, unfeeling creature ain't you. Ya sister maybe. But not you. And what would ya brother say if he knew that ya were like this? Tha world is a different place now. Jon is different. Ya should give him a chance. At least spend a little time with him. Ya used ta be friends." Tormund chastised. (Y/n) feeling as though she were a child again. That she was being told off by one of her ladies for getting her new gown dirty. Or even worse, scolded by her father when he believed that she had let him down. And Tormund was right, Tyrion would not have approved of her speaking to Jon in such a fashion. The little lion would have castigated her just as the big man had. And they would both be right. She couldn't blame Jon for what had happened. And staying in Castle Black wouldn't be too bad. It was after all, only for a day.

"I'm sorry, Tormund. You're right, this isn't me. And as much as I cared for my sister, I never want to be like her. Ever. I'll stay here with Jon. And I promise I'll be nice." (Y/n) apologised. Tormund nodding, and pulling her into his arms.

"Now that's tha lioness I know. And be good ta him. He's missed ya." Tormund told her. (Y/n) taking a deep breath as the big man turned her back to face Jon.

"Forgive me, Jon. I am a little tired. I have been travelling by myself for so long, and you sort of lose the art of conversation when the only one listening is your horse. Unfortunately, I found that my mount was not particularly good at talking back." (Y/n) explained with a sad half-hearted chuckle. Jon smiling softly back at her.

"Its quite alright (Y/n). I understand." Jon replied as he took her hand again. His other, reaching up and brushing a few of her short blonde locks away from her eyes. (Y/n) doing her best to stay upright as her legs suddenly fell weak under his touch. A touch that she never believed that she would know again.

"I have had a room prepared for you. A warm fire set up. I would like us to talk, (Y/n). Please." Jon added. (Y/n) slowly nodding and allowing the Lord Commander to take her towards the castle.

                                                        >>-----------------------------------<<

The day had gone better than (Y/n) had thought. Though every time Jon had moved close or placed his hand on hers, she was sure that she would no longer be able to stop herself from telling him how much she loved him. That despite her own denials, she knew that she had made her way north, in hopes of seeing Jon. That even if he would never love her, at least looking at him one last time, might just dispel his ghost that seemed to be her constant companion.

Suddenly, the dark sky outside lit up. The crack of lightening closely followed by a deep rumble of thunder. Years ago, when she was little more than a babe, and the sky would argue and grumble. (Y/n) would spring from her bed and race through the dark, silent corridors of Casterly Rock. Making her way to find Tyrion. The young man always waiting for her as she pushed her way into his room, before jumping onto his bed and hiding under the covers. It being the only place that she felt safe when gods tore at the sky. She had no mother to console her. And her father had abandoned them all, for a life in Kings Landing. So, the only one she could look to, was the little lion. (Y/n) always finding that the twin seemed to prefer one another's company, even then.

To calm her teary trembling, Tyrion would tell her a story of a great castle in the sky. A castle that was even greater than their home. Greater even than the Red Keep. He would say, that whenever the sky seemed angry, it was in fact, the armies of many great knights fighting for the wonderous castle and the princess that lived within it. That the rumble was the sound of the hooves of thousands of horses. And the light was the glint from the armour of the knights. The flash from their swords as the warriors fought to claim the hand of the princess.

(Y/n) could remember that she always asked about the names of the lords and their armies. And Tyrion would always had a ready answer. The little boy even able to tell her how the great men looked and dressed. That their mighty armies were those of beasts. Of stags and lions. Of bears and dragons. And of wolves. She never minded if he ever forgot one or changed the way he appeared, as long as the lions and wolves were always there. But one thing always stayed the same. And that was the princess. A princess that would always look like (Y/n). And coincidentally, had the same name. A fact that made her love her brother all the more.

At this moment, she would give anything to be that child again. To be able to huddle under Tyrion's blankets and listen to him tell her the story. It was then that she realised how much she missed her brother. How long they had been apart. So, she determined that maybe a small detour back to Kings Landing might not be so bad. And when she got there, she would have him tell her that story once again. To tell her of the battle, of the knights and the princess.

"(Y/n)?" Jon said quietly, as he watched her look up at the waring heavens.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes. I was just thinking that I might make a stop at Kings Landing before I move on to Essos. I have just realised how much I miss my brother." (Y/n) replied. A little part of her wishing that she had never left the capital.

"You.........you don't have to go so soon. I sent word to Tyrion that ya well. So, you could stay here for a while. I.........."

"But I have no reason to stay. As you have said, you have done your duty by sending my brother word of me. And other than I wish to spend a little time with Tormund and the others, there is little other reason to stay." (Y/n) sighed softly. Her eyes never leaving the sky at another crack of lightening lit the heavens.

Jon could feel his heart pound violently in his chest. All day he had tried to come up with the best way to tell her that he loved her. That he was sorry for being so blind. That he should have taken her with him when he was banished. Yet nothing that had come to mind had been right. Yet now (Y/n) was talking about leaving, when he had only just got her back. And he couldn't let that happen. That even if she no longer cared for him, he had to tell her how he felt, so that he could once again try to mend his broken heart.

"(Y/n). I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here with me. I.........I........" Jon began. A large lump forming in his throat as (Y/n) turned to look at him.

"What Jon?"

"I love you!"