Joanna was found as an infant in the North and brought to Lord Eddard Stark. At his behest, she grew up there with his children and was trained. When the king comes to Winterfell, her whole life changes, because there is more to her than she thought...
"Where are you taking me?", I laugh as I am pulled by the hand towards the forest. "You'll see. Let me surprise you" my kidnapper grins. "Come on Robb, at least give me a clue. You know I'm supposed to be helping in the kitchen," I protest. I really should. Septa Mordane has assigned me to dish duty in the kitchen for the day because she knows exactly how I loathe it. It was supposed to be punishment for being late again. It happens to me a lot and Robb is usually to blame.
Robb Stark has been my best friend since I can remember. We grew up together. The only problem is that for some time now I've felt more for him than friendship and I think I sense that he feels the same way. But even if that were the case, we would never have a future together. He is the lord's son, the heir to Winterfell, our home. And me? I'm just an orphan who was kindly taken in by Lord Eddard Stark. They found me in the woods when I was nothing more than an infant. No parents, no title, no great name. The only thing they found out was my first name, because my birth parents had put a necklace with my name on it.
No one knew where I came from, what had happened to me or to my parents. Lord Stark then decided that I should be brought up in Winterfell and later, when I was old enough, work in the Starks' service. I am the same age as the Starks' eldest son and Lord Stark's bastard son, which is why I am being trained with them. Lord Stark feels that while I'm here, a decent education won't hurt. He is a very kind and noble man. I admire him. His wife, Lady Catelyn Stark, is always very reserved with me, though I have noticed her disapproving glances. She doesn't like the relationship between me and her son, Robb knows that too. He doesn't really care, though.
He pulls me by the hand further and further into the forest. "Robb, please...", I plead impatiently.
"Now don't be so impatient, Joanna. We're almost there," he replies and stubbornly continues. Yes, the Northmen are more than stubborn enough. We walk up a small dome, which is covered by trees. At the top Robb stops. This part of the forest doesn't look familiar at all. I let my eyes wander and discover a pretty clearing. It is dotted with flowers and the meadow looks more than inviting to lie down. The sunlight breaks through the trees and adds a romantic touch. My mouth remains open. "Well, what did I say?" asks Robb, smiling at me. "This is just amazing...", I say and can't get out of my amazement. "It's beautiful." We stand there in silence, looking out at the clearing together. Eventually I release my hand from his, grin, lift my dress and run off. Robb isn't long in coming and chases after me. He reaches me pretty quickly and the momentum throws us both to the ground.
We start snorting and can hardly contain ourselves. We lie side by side in the grass and look up at the sky. The clouds are passing overhead and it is just a beautiful afternoon. "If Septa Mordane finds out, she'll throw me out of the gates of Winterfell herself," I say, still grinning. "I'll prevent that, believe me. I won't let you get away that easily," he laughs and then turns serious. I have to laugh and continue looking at the clouds as he leans on his side and looks at me. "I am completely serious about this. I won't let you go again." He looks directly into my bright blue eyes as I sit up too. "Robb," I chide him. "You know that's not possible. You're a lord and I..." "You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," he interrupts me. I notice myself blushing. I nudge him and stand up. "Come on, we have to get back. I bet I'm already wanted and your absence will be noticed soon too," I say and start walking slowly. I see from the corner of my eye that Robb has also stood up and is slowly following me.
"Tell me," he then demands. "What?", I ask, confused, turning back to him. "Tell me you don't feel anything for me." "You know I can't," I reply quietly. "What's the problem then?" he asks almost desperately. "Robb..." "No! I don't understand! You spend practically every spare second with me and when I get close to you or reveal my feelings to you, you block," he explains desperately. This in turn makes me despair. "What do you want me to say! That I love you, that I hope we'll be together forever, that I won't be devastated if you marry some noble lady?! Because I do and I will!", I talk myself into a rage. "You... You love me?" he asks, befuddled. Only now do I realise what I was actually saying. This is definitely not how I had imagined it. "I uh... I..." But that's as far as I get, because Robb bridges the last metre between us, takes my face in his hands and puts his lips on mine. A swarm of butterflies seems to have been released in my stomach. Hesitantly, I begin to return his kiss. It is reserved, but full of love and longing. Then the kiss becomes a little more demanding and I put my hands around his neck. After a while he pulls away from me and looks into my eyes. I wish this moment would never end.
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For a while we just stand there and look into each other's eyes. When we hear the sound of hooves, reality catches up with us and we drive apart. Not a second too late, because Jory Cassel already appears between the trees. "There you are. Sorry to disturb you, my lord, but your father wishes to see you," the head of the castle guard informs us. "It's all right, Jory," Robb says, now back to being the Heir of Winterfell. "And I am to bring Joanna back as well. She's missing from the kitchen," Jory explains further, winking at me.
We make our way back to Winterfell in silence. I can already make out the high battlements of the castle from afar. As we enter them, Robb separates from us and makes his way to his father. I'm about to head towards the kitchen when Jory speaks up. "You know this isn't a good idea, Joanna, don't you?" "What do you mean?", I ask innocently. "You and the lord's son.... You won't have a future," Jory says matter-of-factly and I think I hear a tiny bit of pity in his voice. I look at him briefly and then turn my gaze to the floor. "I know..." I say quietly and sadly. "Joanna!" it suddenly calls from behind me. "There you are you lazy thing! Where have you been? Why aren't you in the kitchen?" snaps Septa Mordane at me. "I was..." I want to begin but Jory beats me to it. "She accompanied the young lord into the forest at his request, Septa." Gratefully, I look to him and he nods at me. Septa is not particularly pleased with this excuse, but leaves it at that.
