A long way

A new task

When I finish my kitchen duty, the cook dismisses me and I have some free time. I decide to exercise a little. One of the advantages of not being one of the noble women is definitely that no one seems to care if you practise with weapons. On the contrary, Ser Rodrik Cassel, the weapons master, and also Jory, trained regularly with me. Today I decide to practise with the throwing knives. I get the knives from the armoury and make my way to the targets. It is already starting to dawn slightly and I suspect that the Stark family would be at supper. At the targets I see Jory. He smiles at me and says: "Ahh, the throwing knives today? Do you think you can still do that?" "I guess we'll have to find out" I reply. "Well then, show me what you can do" he demands with amusement. I take a knife and throw it very close to Jory's head, into the middle of the target. Jory, still standing in the trajectory, looks at me in amazement. "Are you forsaken by all the gods?" he asks me angrily. I throw another knife, which lands right in the handle of the first. "I don't know, you tell me" I grin at him. "You're unbelievable, you know that?" Jory asks again, laughing.

We train some more and then move on to swordplay. When it is almost dark, we are about to finish the training when I spot someone. Lord Stark is standing on top of the wooden parapet, watching us with a smile. I look up at him and stumble at first. "Lord Stark," I stammer and curtsey, Jory now looks up too. "My lord," he also bows his head briefly. "You don't have to stop on my account," he says kindly. I bow my head and say, "We were going to finish the training anyway, my lord." Lord Stark nods and watches us as we put away the weapons and the rest of the training equipment.

"Joanna, could I have a word with you?" Lord Stark asks me. "Of course my lord" I reply and walk up the stairs to the parapet "What can I do for you my lord?" "I've been watching you lately and I've noticed something" he begins and my heart is already slipping. Does he know there's something between Robb and me? "May I ask what it is my lord?" I ask anxiously. "I've seen that you're very good with weapons and I don't think that talent should be wasted" he continues and a load falls off my mind. So that's what this is all about. "I think it would be better to free you from kitchen duty and the other household chores and use you as a maid for my daughter. At the same time, this will also ensure her protection. Furthermore, I would like you to train regularly with Jory, Ser Rodrik and my sons from now on, so you don't have to practise alone in the twilight." Surprised, I look at him. "I... This is a great honour my lord. Which of your daughters were you thinking of?" I ask him still puzzled. "You will take care of Sansa starting tomorrow and help her. But I expect you for training. I also wish you to help Robb and Jon teach Bran archery" he says and I nod. "Gladly, my lord" I curtsey and am about to leave when he stops me again "Oh, and Joanna?" "Yes, my lord?" I turn to him again. "Please try not to confuse my son too much. I too have seen the looks you give each other" he says with a smirk. I blush and look at him "Of course, my lord". "Good, then I wish you a good night Joanna" he smiles and then turns away. "Good night my lord" I reply and go to my room.

In my bed I lie awake for quite a while. From tomorrow I wouldn't have to go into the kitchen or scrub floors. I would be allowed to help Sansa and most importantly, I would be allowed to train with Lord Stark's sons. I would get to train with Robb. However, my thoughts keep circling back to Lord Stark's words. Please try not to confuse my son too much. It's getting dangerous if even Lord Stark has gotten wind of this. My eyes grow more and more tired the more I think about it and then I slip into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning I wake up and suddenly realise that a new wind is blowing for me from today. A feeling of happiness flows through me. I get up and get dressed. For the job as Sansa's maid, I choose a dress that is not too plain, but still not too beautiful, and make my way to her chambers. I knock and then open the door. "Sansa? Are you awake?" I ask cautiously. I discover Sansa still lying in her bed, looking at me in confusion. "Joanna? What are you doing here?" apparently her father hasn't informed her yet. "I'll be your maid from today, my lady," I grin at her and bow.

Astonished at my words, she stares at me. "Are you serious?" she asks again with a serious look on her face. "Yes, I am serious. Your father informed me about it last night," I explain. She continues to stare at me with an expressionless face before jumping out of bed, squeaking up and taking me in her arms. "By the gods. How great is this? We're going to have so much fun. And stop calling me my lady. Oh I can hardly believe it. This is great. I'm so excited" she babbles on and won't let me go. "Yes we will, as long as you don't suffocate me right away" I say, barely catching my breath. Abruptly she lets go of me. "Oh sorry" she says sheepishly. "You don't have to apologise, Sansa. I'm tough" I smile at her and she smiles back. "So not that I mind, but how did father come up with the idea of using you as a maid?" she asks cautiously.

"To be honest, I don't really know either. He wanted to talk to me yesterday and then said that he had already watched me train a few times and that he would like me to be your maid so that I can protect you" I tell her. "That's so great. I'm so happy for you that you're finally allowed out of this kitchen!" she is genuinely happy. "That's not all" I continue. "More?" asks Sansa in amazement. "I'm supposed to train with your brothers," I tell her. She looks at me curiously. "That's so exciting" she says happily and runs to her wardrobe, while I sit down on her bed. "You can train and spend a lot of time with Robb" she teases me. I take a pillow and throw it at her and we both start laughing. Sansa knows exactly how I feel about her brother. She found out before I even knew myself.

I help Sansa with her dress and then do her hair. When she's finished, I escort her down to the dining hall. There, how could it be otherwise, we meet Robb. He smiles knowingly at me, which Sansa can't help noticing, and says, "I'll go in. I'm starving." She grins at us again and disappears into the dining room. I only half notice and have eyes only for Robb. "Good morning," he says quietly. "Good morning" I reply and smile at him. "How are you?" he asks me. Before I can answer, a voice interrupts us. "Robb. Will you please come? I'd like to talk to you" Lady Stark demands. "Joanna" she nods briefly at me and looks back to her eldest. "My Lady Stark" I reply and give a quick curtsy and start to retreat. I know when I am not wanted. I make my way to the kitchen and look again at Robb before turning the corner. He also looks at me while his mother talks to him quietly.