Requested by: buschi24
Plot: It is always a shock when the person you love chooses to join the Night's Watch
Rating: green

  Descend the stairs quickly, dodging the servants you encounter, avoiding bumping into them and causing trouble.
  You go through the corridor, past the main hall and out the door to the courtyard.There is a constant bustle. Winterfell is on the move for Eddard's departure. He has been chosen by King Robert as the first knight and will have to go south to fulfil his task.

  <<Where is he?>> you ask as you approach Robb and Theon. The two look at each other for a few moments and the young lord of the Iron Islands hides a smile. He rests an arm on your shoulders, drawing you to him. <<You can have any man from the North Y/n; why would you want a bastard? >> Theon asks you, causing you to snort and shake your head at Robb. <<A true Northman, perhaps>> the young Greyjoy continues, stroking your cheek with one hand and moving a lock of hair behind your ear.
  <<Maybe a hostage like you?>> you state, causing Robb to burst out laughing and leaving Theon with wounded pride. You smile at him, grabbing his cheeks with one hand and pulling him towards you. <<Don't worry Theon, one day you too will find a good wife. Maybe you will stop spending your time with whores>> you tell him, leaving a kiss on his cheek. He gives you a subtle look, badly hiding a smil. 
  <<There are few women like her>> Robb says, watching you walk away from them. Theon Greyjoy crosses his arms over his chest and looks at you. Your black hair sways in the cold east wind. <<You are wrong. There are no other women like her>> Theon retorts, unable to look away from you.  You cross the courtyard and walk briskly towards the blacksmith's workshop. The steady hammering of metal and the crackling of the fire overpower the clamour of the people. The glowing blade resting on the anvil thins with each blow.

-Thin and light as a needle- you think before asking the man where Jon Snow is. The blacksmith looks up, wipes his sweaty forehead with a cloth and gives you hasty directions.You thank him and leave him to his work, walking tall towards the forest of the gods. You clutch your cloak to protect yourself from the cold. The thick, soft grey fur around your neck tickles your face.Being careful where you step, you avoid roots and rocks, lifting the skirt of your dress to avoid tripping.
  <<Jon>> you shout as you catch a glimpse of the boy kneeling in front of the huge tree at the Winterfell dam. The raven-haired boy looks at you, turning his head to the side, but does not smile as he does all the other times. You approach and sit down next to him. He is playing with the hilt of his sword, turning it slowly in his hands.
  <<I thought you felt you were in the right place with me>> you venture to say, lowering your gaze to your hands. The tips of your fingers are flushed with cold. <<That's right>> he retorts, turning sharply towards you, taking your hand between his. Unlike you, her hands are much warmer. <<So why Jon? Why did you choose to take the black? >> You ask him, clutching his shoulders, not conceiving why he chose it. You would follow him if only you could. <<Winterfell is not my home. Just as it is not your home Y/n>> Jon says, trying to look you in the eyes, now too sad and staring into the void.
  <<We are two Snows, this is not our place>> he continues turning towards you as far as he can, leaving his sword aside. <<And for these reasons you decide to join the Night's Watch and leave me here alone>> I state with a hint of annoyance in my voice that does not go unnoticed by Jon. You sigh, not knowing what to reply. Silence falls between you for several minutes that seem endless. Then, tired of the situation, you decide to get up. His hand grabs your wrist and you find yourselves facing each other. Jon is about ten centimetres taller than you.
  He grabs your face in his hands and forces you to look into his eyes. <<I never wanted to leave you here alone Y/n. But what future can we have here? >> He asks you, immediately regretting his words as he sees your eyes fill with tears. <<Me. I was going to be your future. Could have gone anywhere Jon; to one of the mystical cities on the Jade Sea or to a small cottage somewhere in Westeros. You and me together. But you chose to give it all up>> you vent, letting your emotions take over your voice. Tears line your cheeks, and your voice rings out loud in the woods. It almost seems as if even the birds and other animals have fallen silent.

  You begin to hit him on the chest, punching him with fists that don't seem to move him one bit. In response to your outburst, Jon grips your arms with his hands, pulling you against him. He lets your cry pass by rocking you in his embrace and stroking your back in rhythm with his heart.
He wishes he could live the life you want together, travel the world, be happy and have a family. He knows that black is forever. He knows what he is giving up. And he also knows that if crows accepted women, you would not hesitate one second to follow him.

Night falls, and my watch begins.It will not end until my death.

He lifts your face forcing you to look at him. He brings your foreheads together, caressing your cheeks with his thumbs.

I will have no wife, I shall not own land,I shall not father children. I shall not wear a crown and I shall not want glory.

You still beg him to stay, not to leave for the barrier. You know what's on the other side. But it's not the Wildlings that scare you. You have heard the rumours about the strangers and the fear of losing him in the far north invades your soul.

I will live in my place, and in my place I will die.I am the sword of darkness. I am the sentinel who watches on the Wall.

Jon kisses the tip of your nose, your tear-stained cheeks and finally your cold, cracked lips. Your breaths become one; your hearts beat to the same rhythm; your souls bind into one.

I am the fire that burns against the cold,the light that brings dawn,the horn that awakens the sleeping,the shield that watches over the domains of men.

His hands slide under your cloak, stopping just above your bottom. He clasps your hips as if he is afraid of you running away and continues to kiss you with more and more passion. It is not your first kiss, it has happened before during some party where you ended up wandering drunk around the palace and the ramparts.
But nothing more has ever happened between you. A couple of times you almost took the plunge, but something or someone always held you back.

I consecrate my life andmy honor to the Night's Watch.

You turn away to catch your tearful farewells. You do not know if you will ever see him again. You do not know what will become of you now that he is gone. But you do know that you will love him forever.

For this night andfor all the nights to come.