Joy pulled her grey shawl tighter around her shoulders. The night air wasn't the only thing chilling her to the bone, the fear of what she was going to do later that night shook her at times. She wasn't the only one off edge, Carissi had been more difficult to put in the kennel than usual; howling an trying to push past her legs. Thinking of it, all the direwolves left were like that too.  Joy thought as her steps echoed  up dimmly lit stairs to the second floor of the castle. She was heading to Bran's room, to check on the sleeping boy and his...protective mother. Rickon had been pestering her and Robb all day, he barely understood Bran's ordeal. He was getting better, Measter Luwin had said, yet the boy would not be able to use his legs. Everything was slowly falling apart in Winterfell. Lady Catelyn still had not left the room. As Joy entered the room, Lady Catelyn shouted at Measter Luwin, most likely about the increasing amount of appointments.

"I don't care about appointments." Lady Stark hissed at the old man as she fiddled with her prayer dolls. The two adults acknowledged her presence and fell silent. Joy gazed at Bran, still ‘sleeping’ his long dreamless sleep. 

“I’ll take care of the appointments.” Robb appeared in the room suddenly and stood beside Joy. Measter Luwin smiled thankfully and dismissed them all goodnight. Joy glanced at Robb who smiled sadly and crossed the room to let the air come in. As he opened the window, the cold night rushed in blowing Joy’s hair slightly and making her shiver...as it does. The howls of the wolves grew louder and Lady Catelyn went back to busily working on her prayer dolls. “When was the last time you left this room?” Robb asked, staring out into the night.

“I have to take care of him-“ Catelyn’s voice cracked.

“He’s not going to die mother,” Her son replied wearily. Being the Lord of Winterfell in his father’s place was a challenge for Robb, Joy could tell. His voice would be serious whenever they talked in the presence of others and he barely even had the time to smile with all the appointments. Even though he had Jory, Ser Rodrick and Measter Lewin to advise him it still did not get rid of the stress. Joy’s main job was to take care of Rickon…and plan her journey for tomorrow. “Measter Luwin says the most dangerous time has past-“

“What if he’s wrong. Bran need’s me.”

“Rickon needs you.” Joy said sharply. The two Starks looked at her. “He’s six. He doesn’t know what’s happening. He follows me and Robb around, clutching my legs, crying-“ A long painful howl burst through the window and smashed against the walls of the room.

"Close the windows!" Catelyn burst out into tears. " I can't stand it! Please, make them stop!" Robb turned to close the shutters, when he froze.

"Fire..." he muttered. Joy's head snapped up from gazing at the floor. "Joy, you find Rickon and make sure he's allright." Robb turned to his mother. "You stay here, I'll be back." He ran out the door and Joy followed, finding the fastest route up to Rickon's chambers. The little boy was sitting up and rubbing his eyes when Joy burst into his room. 

"What's all the shouting?" He asked innocently when Joy hugged him close. "Where's Shaggydog?" 

"There's just a little trouble going on in the town, but you're brother is taking care of it." Joy smoothed down one of his auburn curls. "Shaggydog is with his brothers and sisters, he's going to be fine. Just go back to sleep now." Joy lay him down and curled up next to him, tucking his head under her chin. The sounds still came through theh closed window, terrified shours, howls, the roar of fire. Then came the scream.

******************

"I'll murder the man who did this!" Robb growled as he paced back and forth in front of the counciling table. 

"Well, the man who did it is dead. Quite dead actually because his throat has been ripped out." Joy joked nervously, though she only recieved a glare.

"This is no laughing matter Joy. Someone tried to have my brother killed, and nearly my mother too!" The Lord of Winterfell hissed. Joy grimaced and blushed. Robb ran a hand through his hair then bent over to stroke Grey Wind behind the ear. "Thank god for the direwolves." 

"It was lucky that the broke out of their pen, my lord." Jory stated. "Even some of the guards tried to stop them passing, yet backed off very quickly."

"Wise move, or they could have ended up like our assasain..." Theon laughed. Robb frowned deeper, his brow furrowed as he sat back on the Seat of Winterfell. He pressed his fingers to his temples in deep thought. 

"How badly was she hurt?" He asked quietly.

"She has lost sense of feeling in the last fingers of her right hand, and of the middle in the left. But not much blood was lost, my lord, she has recovered quickly."

"Good, good. What information do we have of this man." Robb asked. According to Lady Stark's memory, the man was meant to kill Bran, yet she was in the room. The distraction was the fire, and the weapon that he wielded was a dagger. Catelyn had fought him off, but when he cut her hands, Summer (Bran's direwolf) exploded into the room and tore the man's throat out. The council was still trying to figure out who had sent the man...and why anyone would want to harm Bran? Joy observed the men as they confided in their opinions. She was only there because she was the one who found Lady Stark and the bloody body of the assassin. Joy folded her arms and sighed with bordem. They had spent half the morning at this, and the information was just being reused over and over again. Suddenly, Ldy Stark walked into the hall. The men stood and so did Joy.

"Are you feeling better, my lady?" Jory asked as she came closer. Catelyn nodded her pale face wearily. She looked worried.

"I would like for you all, to come with me to the godswood. There is information I would like to share that would benifit by not being said in these walls." With that, the Lady of Winterfell turned and walked to the end of the hall and out into the courtyard. Joy glanced at the others, Theon who had raised his eyebrows and put on his smile, followed her out. Robb rushed after him quickly, Jory and Ser Rodrick at his heels. Measter Luwin and Joy took the rear. Catelyn lead them deep into the woods, until they stood by the murky lake next to the Heart Tree, then stepped up onto a legde, so she was slightly higher than the rest of the men. As she looked down at them she stated gravely, "What I am about to tell you must remain between us." Catelyn paused and stared her son in the eyes. "I don't think Bran fell from the tower, I think he was thrown." Silence. Robb's eyes widened. 

"He was always sure footed before..." Mumbled the old measter.

"Someone tried to kill him twice." Catelyn continued. "Why? Why murder an innocent child? Unless...he saw something he wasn't meant to see."

"Saw what, my lady?" Theon asked, his smile gone for once.

"I don't know. But I'd state my life the Lannisters are involved." Joy stared at her foster mother. This was a big acusation, heard by the wrong ears could mean death for all of them. " We already have reason to suspect their loyalty to the crown."

"Did you notice the dagger the killer used?" Ser Rodrick said suddenly, pulling out the weapon from under his cloak and sliding it out of it's sheath. "It's too fine a weapon for such a man. The blade is Valyerian steel, the handle dragonbone. Someone gave it to him."

"They come into our home, and try to murder my brother," Robb spat. "If it's war they want-" His hand moved to his sword.

"If it comes to that you know I'll stand behind you-" Theon eargerly grabbed Robb's shoulder.

"What?" Joy asked shaking her head with disbelief. "Is there going to be a battle in the godswood? Hmm?" Robb lowered his eyes and removed his grip from the hilt of his weapon. "Easily words of war become acts of war. We don't even know the truth of it."

"Lord Stark must be told of this." Measter Luwin told Catelyn.

"I don't trust a raven to carry these words."

"I'll ride to kings landing." Robb offered.

"No, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. I will go myself."

"Mother you can't-"

"I must."

"I'll send to Howl to get a squad of guardsmen to escort you." Ser Rodrick said scratching his whiskers.

 "To large a party atracts too much unwanted attetion." Lady Catelyn shook her head. "I don't want the Lannisters to know I'm coming." 

"Let me accompany you at least. Kingsroad can be a dangerous place for a woman alone." Ser Rodrick offered, his son nodding in assurence. Robb was having none of it.

"What about Bran?" He protested.

"I have prayed to the seven for more than a month." Catelyn sighed. "Bran's life is in their hands now." There was a pause as Robb took it in. 

"When are you plannig to leave m'lady?" Jory asked. 

"Before the sun sets tonight." When she said that Joy stiffened. If Catelyn and Ser Rodrick left tonight then Joy would not be able to depart for the Wall. She had too. If she was posponed it may be too late. Jon would have taken his vows.

"That is more dangerous!" Joy blurted out, but composed herself when the others stared. "Forgive me, my lady, but if you leave as the sun sets wouldn't you be on the road in darkness? Surely that is more dangerous." Robb nodded in agreement and slowly the others joined him. Catelyn sighed.

"Waiting for tomorrow may be too long. Ser Rodick, can you assemble the men now?" She asked and the captain of the guard nodded. Joy let out a silent sigh of relief.

"Now?" Robb asked shocked.

"Robb, please! You have handled Winterfell perfectly well when I am here, it will be no different without me." And with that the Lady of Winterfell made her way out of the godswood. Joy gave a simpathetic glance to Robb then followed Catelyn. She hoped that he would not see her when she leaves. It would be even harder for him. But, Joy had to do this.

 ******************

Joy took a deep breath as she stroked the mane of her white courser. The sun was hovering over the horizon, perfect for her mission, yet the cold was creeping its way into her skin. Winter was defiantly on it's way. Joy's courser nuzzled it's soft nose against her warm, gloved hand though it whinnied at the sight of Carissi stalking out of the torchlit gloom. Steadying the creature, Joy lifted her pack onto the back of the saddle, she had stuffed lots of hard bread and cheese into it. It was going to be a long journey to the Wall. Joy pulled her cloak up over her head, letting the warm fur lined hood cover her face. She expected to be back soon, a week perhaps, the journey would only be two days long at most, yet there was no telling as she got closer to the Wall as the woods got dense and the weather harsh.Catelyn had left an hour after the meeting in the godswood, leaving Rickon in more tears and Joy occupied with cheering him up. When he finally fell asleep in the early evening, Joy kissed him on the forehead and packed her sack. She bit her lip as she led her horse out of the stables and towards the grey back entrance of the walls of Winterfell. I hope Robb forgives me. Leaving the frightened child upon the new Lord of Winterfell's shoulders was a regret. I need to see him. Just once more. Joy told herself. Before...the vows. Yet Joy was determined. Carissi nudged her leg, her blue eyes almost glowing in the dark as the sun had disappeard. Joy sighed and placed her hands on the leather saddle pushing herself up. She cursed and stumled back on the ground when Frost got caught on her cloak and then feverishly tried to untangle it in darkness.

"Who goes there?" Robb's voice rang out through the darkness. Joy paused releasing the instinctive grip she now had on her sword. Oh the gods...She kept still as his footsteps came towards her and he placed a large hand on her shoulder. Robb pulled roughly so she spun around. "Who are you?" When she didn't reply he glared down at her. "Show yourself and speak, I am the Lord of Winterfell."

"I know Robb." she said softly. Joy knew he recognized her voice and pulled off her hood. Her friend was startled but relieved. He smirked.

"Joy? What are you doing out here?" He laughed, his auburn curls bouncing in the dark. "It's late, the whole castle is nearly asleep!" She smiled sadly. At once he knew something was wrong, his brow furrowed and his lips turned in his red stubble. 

"I'm going Robb." Joy stated looking into his crystal blue eyes. His eyebrows were now knitted closer and his lips pressed thinly togther. 

"What do you mean by that?" His voice was now the voice of Robb-the-Lord, all seriousness. "Where are you going?"

"The Wall. I will be back in a few days."

"Why would you go there?"

"Because." The look he gave her made her continue. She didn't want to do this to him. Joy took a deep breathe of the frosty night air and squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm going to see Jon." Robb paused long enough for her to open her eyes and see the pain that struck his. Guilt flooded her. "I-I just need to say good-bye properly, he won't be back for so long and you never know with wildlings trying to cross over, its only going to be a few days journey and back. It will go quickly since I will be travelling alone. You know I can handle it by myself. Robb say something." His jawbones were tensed and she could feel the tension growing. 

"You love him." Robb said bluntly. Joy blinked. 

"What?! Robb I-"

"No. I've known you have for a long time." Robb scratched his stubble and looked to the ground. Joy blushed. "I just chose to pretend i was in his place...and try to ignore it." 

"Robb, i don't know what to say-" Joy shook her head anxiously but was silenced by the look he gave her. An expression filled with disgust, it almost wasn't Robb.

"You don't have to say anything. Just go." He glared at her down his nose. Joy never felt so terrified of him. She did as he said and mounted her horse. As she took the reins she looked down at him.

"Good luck Robb." she whispered. Joy caught his eyes as she turned to face the exit of Winterfell, was it regret? Guilt? Tears? There was something there. Joy shook her head and whipped down hard on the reins. The world whirled past her as she gained speed and headed for the cold woods, Carissi not far behind.