"Is Bran going to die?" Rickon asked her, as he stroked his black direwolf 'Shaggydog' along the back. His eyes were red, from the crying. The small auburn haired child was confused. His father was leaving with both of his sisters, his mother was barely speaking to anyone and Robb and Jon were not paying him any attention. All he had was Joy and Shaggydog.  

"No, he's not little one." Joy soothed, worried herself. "Maester Luwin says that he's going to be alright. Just keep praying." Carissi licked Shaggydog's face. The direwolves were almost the size of full grown hounds now, and only a few weeks old. 

"But, he's not waken up yet." Rickon wined. Bran fell from the tower three weeks past and has been unconscious ever since. Luwin had tended to his wounds and promised the devastated Lady Catelyn that he would wake. The whole of the Stark family was in depression for the first two weeks but then, life carried on. The Lannisters needed seeing to and the King's procession needed to prepare to depart. Joy rubbed Carissi behind her drooping ear. 

"He will in time." She sighed. "Go visit him and your mother." Rickon smiled and ran off, his wolf not far behind. "Remember to put Shaggydog in the kennel first!" Joy shouted after him. Shaggydog was very temper-mental and would bite almost anything, so Lady Catelyn hated having him near her or sleeping Bran. Joy brushed her hair out of her face and shivered in the cold. I need to help Arya pack. She remembered and rushed through the hall to Arya's chambers. Arya had her trunk on her bed and was talking articles of clothing from Nymeria, who was carrying them from her drawer. The skinny girl turned when Joy came in. "You should be almost done by now!" Joy laughed.

"Septa Mordane says I have to do it again," Arya scrunched up a under-skirt, "My things weren't properly folded she says. Who cares how they're folded?" She threw the bundle into her trunk. "They're gonna get all messed up anyway!" Joy looked at Nymeria, who was sitting with her ears perked looking to her owner.

"It's good you've got help already."

"Watch." Arya smiled and straighted herself, to look taller. Joy walked over to the trunk and started folding the clothes watching Nymeria. "Nymeria, gloves." Arya commanded. The direwolf cocked her head to the side. "Nymeria, gloves!" Arya knitted her eyebrows together and motioned to the riding gloves with her head. Nymeria turned and sniffed Carissi. 

"Impressive."

"Shut up." The little girl snapped, but smiled afterwards and got the gloves herself. "She usually does it fine." Joy laughed and piled the clothes neatly into the trunk. There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" Arya answered. It was Jon, dressed in his riding leathers, his sword at his waist and stubble once again dusted along his jaw. Joy had almost forgot that this was the day he left. She smiled, not letting the subject sadden her. "What is it?" Arya demanded. 

"I have something for you." Jon glanced at Joy. " And it has to be packed, very carefully." 

"A present?" Arya beamed and Jon smiled.

"Close the door." Arya rushed over to the large wooden door, looked down the hall both ways. Jon walked towards Joy and placed a long bundle on Arya's bed. He unravelled it to reveal a skinny sword, perfectly crafted for a young lady. Joy gasped. She suspected Mikken, the blacksmith, had something to do with it.

"She's going to like this." She whispered and Jon smirked. Arya shut the door and spun around. Her dark eyes widened when she saw it.

"This is no toy," Jon held pulled the hilt out of it's sheath. The blade was thin and well polished. "Be careful you don't  cut yourself." Arya examined the blade in the light.

"It's so skinny."

"So are you. I had the blacksmith make it for you special. It won't hack a man's head off but it with poke him full of holes if you're quick enough."

"I can be quick." Arya glanced at Joy. "As quick as Joy." Jon turned to look at her. 

"You have to work at it everyday." Jon stated and Joy nodded.

"I'll teach her to use it properly." She said. Jon smiled at her again. Joy was going to miss that smile.

"How's it feel? Do you like the balance?" He asked his little half sister.

"I think so." Arya turned the sword in her hand. Jon placed a hand on her shoulder.

"First lesson: Stick'em with the pointy end." He said. Joy laughed. That was the first thing he and Robb told her when the first gave her a sword to hold.

"I know which end to use." Arya stated. Jon straighted up again.

"I'm going to miss you." He said. Arya moved to hug him.

"Careful." The sword was still in her hand. Arya handed it to Joy then leaped on Jon, her arm wrapped tightly around his neck and her legs around his waist. Joy blushed and examined the blade. "All the best swords have names, you know."

"Sansa can keep her sewing needles, I've got a needle of my own." Arya smiled as Jon plopped her back on the ground. 

"I'm going to say good-bye to the others. "Jon looked at Joy and left. She would catch up with him later. When the packing was done Joy showed Arya a few basic moves with the sword. Joy turned and sheathed Needle, putting it at the bottom of the trunk, wrapped in a dress.bThen she said good-bye to her little friend. They spent a time hugging then Joy made for the door.

"Don't use Needle on Sansa, no matter what. Be there for eachother." Joy advised. Arya smirked.

"When i feel like it." The skinny girl replied. Joy left Arya's chambers and headed to Bran's. As she walked into the room, she saw Lady Catelyn sitting by Bran's sleeping body and Jon kneeling next to the bed. They were staring at each other, not realizing Joy had walked into the room. Catelyn's eyes were brimming with tears and full of hatred.

"I want you to leave." She hissed at him. Lord Stark came up from behind Joy, causing Jon to look up. Lady Catelyn looked at her, then embarrassed, continued on her prayer doll. Jon stood, kissed Bran's forehead, looked at Catelyn one last time and left. Joy followed him out the door and Lord Stark closed it behind her.

"Jon she - " Joy started.

"I know." He didn't look at her, which made her heart ache. The walked in silence together through the grey walls of Winterfell. They walked out into the courtyard. Joy shivered as the frosty hair bit at her and hugged herself.

"Jon I need to find Rickon -"

"Come with me." Jon turned and took her hand. Joy stepped back.

"What? Woman aren't allowed at the Wall."

"No not to the Wall." He started walking away again. "Follow me." Joy followed him to the entrance of the wood, they walked past the heart tree, Carissi bounded into the dense trees hunting. Joy knew where he was taking her, the feeling that it was just the two of them, in this place that held so many memories made her happy. When they entered the clearing everything was quiet, only the rustling of the leaves surrounded them. The chilled breeze blew Jon's dark curls lightly around his forehead; Joy noticed it and it made her shiver. Winter is coming. He had to go, had to defend the kingdoms from windings and other terrible mythical creatures that were said to lurk beyond The Wall. But she couldn’t let him.

“Jon, please…” Joy stuttered placing her hand on his cheek. His face was warm, like a fire was burning within him, heating her pale hands from the frosty air. Jon’s eyelid’s fluttered, but kept his stare to hers his mouth placed in a thin line. She searched his eyes for anything, sadness, love, pain, doubt, but nothing showed; his dark eyes had always revealed nothing. “Don’t leave,” she breathed taking another step closer, their bodies almost touching, “don’t leave...” The silence grew between them. The trees rustled and the pebbled stream rippled as it passed by those familiar plump berry bushes.

“There’s nothing for me here. Why should I stay?” Jon asked suddenly, keeping his eyes focused. Joy knew he could read her like a message from a raven; because of this she blushed and started to remove her hand from his face. His gloved hand was warm as he swiftly pressed it against hers, keeping it against his re-grown stubble. “Why?” he whispered moving closer so their chests pressed together. Their breath ghosted against each other’s lips and swirled in small misty clouds around them. The words flowed out of her mouth before she could even take a breath.

“I’m here. I love you.” Joy proclaimed, barely audible but she knew he heard. The bastard closed his eyes and she watched as he took the words in.

“You can’t.” Jon said, not opening his eyes.

“I can, and I do.” Joy closed hers, taking in the feel of being so close to him. 

“You shouldn’t.” He moved his right hand to her waist.

“This is something you cannot stop, Jon.” She whispered moving her free hand to his shoulder.

“I’m a bastard.”

“So?”

“You are the last of your house, a powerful house. If you were my wife, your children would be bastards, your house would be erased from this world and it would be a humiliation to your ancestors.” He murmured. “We can never be.”

“Fuck my ancestors.” Joy smiled. “They are dead and gone anyways, I’m the only one left. There is no say in what I must learn and cannot learn, there is no arranged betrothal that my father makes…” She opened her eyes when he removed his hands from her body. Jon stepped away, staring into her, jaw clenched.

“No.” He persisted.

“No, what?” She asked.

“You can’t do this.” Jon groaned brushing a gloved hand through his curls, breaking his gaze from her for a moment to watch their animals dance about each other whilst gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. “I’m going to the Wall, I’m going to be a honorable man of the Night’s Watch,” He said sternly moving back towards Joy, taking her hands in his. “You will look after the others, take care of Bran and Rickon. Maybe even travel south and go to King’s Landing, there’s many suitable lords there that have come to love you from afar.” Joy shook her head with doubt about to speak her denial when he interrupted. “I heard Lady Catelyn talking to Maester Luwin about how many ravens they’ve received asking for your betrothal. Every lord out there wants you.” Jon looked to the grass, thinking for a moment. Joy knew what thought was coming. “Maybe even marry Robb-”

“No.” Joy stated bluntly without any hesitation. Jon sighed, brushing the back of his hand carefully across her cheek.

“I will miss you, Joy.” Frustration swelled in her mind. For some reason she couldn’t bear to look at him anymore. He was going to leave, she would probably never see him again, and she knew he loved her yet he would not say it to her face.

“Why can’t you say it?” She almost shouted at him, shaking loose from his grip.

“What do you mean?” He asked, startled by her outburst.

“I know you love me, why won’t you show it?” Joy hissed. She could feel her eyes dampening and her lip quivering. Be strong, she told herself. “I’ve told you my feelings for you, and you give me nothing. Not even your denial or argument.” Jon stared at her silently again. The sun was rising above them, the woods’ brightening; yet the air was frozen still. Joy’s agitation grew. “Just speak!” He did not. Instead he moved forward swiftly and held her. Jon looked deep into Joy’s surprised eyes, her head in his hands.

“I would give up the seven kingdoms and the rest of this terrible world to have you, to make you my wife, to have you bear my children and love them, to grow old with you, to die with you and stay with you for always; but that I cannot do. I love you; I love you with everything in my being.” The tears were spilling now, painting clear lines down her face glowing in the orange hue of the darkening woods. Jon quickly brushed them away and pushed his forehead against hers. “But, we both know we can’t be together and I need you to stop pushing the thought away. Joy, for the love that I bear you I am leaving to save you from your stupid heart.”

“Please…” she begged, Joy’s heart swelling with emotion. She did not realize the she leaned forwards and kissed him tenderly. Jon pulled her face closer as she did and kissed back, his lips soft and smooth. Sparks of a flame burst into Joy’s mind as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers caressing his jet-black curls. The kiss got intense the heat building up inside her, but it was over too quickly for her liking, ending with him pulling away and retreating several steps back.

“No, no…” Jon hissed. “We can’t do this.” When he saw her shaking he sighed and took her in his arms, pressing her into his chest as his chin rested on her head.

“Just stay.” She pleaded. He didn’t reply. Joy sighed with anguish. “I’m going to miss you…a lot.” He laughed quietly, his chest rising in short bursts that shook her body. She joined in with his laughter until it faded. Then as lightly as a breeze carrying a feather he planted another kiss on her forehead.

“Come, my lady. It’s time for my leave.” Joy took her hand as he led her away from their comforting childhood clearing and back into Winterfell where it prepared for the king’s departure and Jon’s. When they were at the edge of the castle they let go of each other and went to stables. Jon picked up a saddle and slung it over his shoulder, Joy retrieved the last of his things from a sack under the beams. As they walked across the bustling road Robb joined them, walking alongside Jon.

"A lady shouldn't be carrying that." He smirked and held his hand out for the sack. Joy snorted and shifted the sack to her shoulder.

"A man shouldn't misjudge a lady's strength." She smiled sweetly. Robb laughed and looked at Jon. "You said goodbye to Bran?" Jon nodded. "He's not going to die, I know it."

"You Starks are hard to kill." Jon smiled. 

"My mother?" Robb asked. Jon slung his sadle onto the dark palfray as Joy attached the sack on behind it.

"She was very kind." He lied.

"Good. Next time I see you, you'll be all in black." Robb and Jon faced each other. Jon smirked.

"It was alway my colour." The two men's faces fell. 

"Farewell Snow." Robb said.

"And you Stark." Jon replied. The embraced, their curls mixing; red and black. Jon turned to Joy.

"Good-bye Jon." Joy said slowly. She did not want to cry in front of Robb for some reason. She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "We'll be seeing you in the next six years or so. try not to grow that beard too long." The trio laughed. Joy hugged him on last time then turned and looped her arm in Robb's and walked back into the castle of Winterfell. Just by walking away from him made Joy sad, yet she controlled herself from looking back. That wasn't going to be the last time she looked apon his face...she had a plan. 

***^^***