The Ways of a Bastard

Chapter 1

ASOIAF does not belong to me.

English is not my native language.

Chapter 1

The cold wind blew through the courtyards of Winterfell, carrying with it the weight of a house in mourning and worry. Bran Stark was still unconscious, motionless in his bed after the fall from the tower, and everyone in the fortress felt the impact of the accident. Jon Snow, however, had more on his mind than his brother's tragedy. Tomorrow, he would depart with his uncle Benjen Stark to the Wall, to join the Night's Watch, the fate he had always believed to be his since he could remember.

From an early age, Jon had accepted his place as a bastard. Eddard Stark, his father, had never spoken openly about Jon's mother, but he had always treated him with respect and dignity. However, in Winterfell, he had always known that there was an invisible barrier between him and his legitimate family. Robb was the heir, the future Lord of Winterfell, and Jon understood that. But Robb had always treated him like a true brother. They had grown up together, trained together, and Jon knew that, at least with Robb, he was seen as an equal. Arya, his free-spirited sister, was another source of comfort. She adored him, always seeking his company and sharing the same feeling of being different. She saw him as more than just a half-brother; he was her confidant, her closest friend. Sansa, on the other hand, was more distant. Influenced by Catelyn, her mother, and by notions of nobility and what it meant to be a true lady, Sansa often looked at Jon with the same coldness as Catelyn. But that never bothered Jon as much as Lady Stark's coldness.

He was in the stables, stroking Ghost's mane, his direwolf, when Benjen entered quietly. The First Ranger of the Night's Watch had an air of severity and responsibility in his blue eyes, and Jon knew his uncle had something important to discuss.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Benjen asked, his words echoing through the empty stable.

"Yes," Jon replied immediately, gripping Ghost's soft fur tightly. "I've always known my place was there. On the Wall, I'll be part of something greater. I won't be the bastard of Winterfell anymore."

Benjen sighed deeply, his gaze hardening as he watched Jon. "You think you know what you're doing, but the Night's Watch isn't what it used to be, Jon. It's not a place of glory or honor like you imagine. Most of the men there aren't heroes. They're criminals, fugitives, the worst of society. Men who had no choice."

Jon frowned, his heart beating faster. He had spent his life hearing stories about the Night's Watch, about how it was a brotherhood of warriors protecting the kingdom from northern dangers. He believed that the Wall would give him a chance to be something more than a bastard. "But you serve there," Jon countered, seeking to understand. "You're the First Ranger. If it's good enough for you, why wouldn't it be for me?"

"Because you still have choices, Jon," Benjen replied firmly, stepping closer to his nephew. "I went to the Wall because I had no other path. But you... you can still build a life here."

Jon looked at the ground, avoiding Benjen's gaze. He had always believed the Wall was his destiny. It was the only place where he could stand out, where he wouldn't be constantly reminded of his bastard status. "My father agrees with my decision," Jon said, trying to convince himself. "He told me this is my path."

Benjen sighed, realizing Jon didn't understand the full truth. "Ned is going south with the king. He's going to serve as Hand of the King. And while he's gone, he can't guarantee his presence here in Winterfell. You know how Catelyn feels about you. Ned thinks the Wall is a simple solution."

Jon felt a tightness in his chest at the mention of Catelyn. It was true she had never wanted him in Winterfell, and Jon had known this since childhood. But now, after Bran's fall, her coldness had become even more evident. He knew his presence there was a constant reminder of something she preferred to forget. "She never wanted me here," Jon muttered. "And now that Bran..."