Game of Thrones: Imagines and one shots. Book four

Love - Jory x Reader

This is sort of a second part to the chapter 'Jealous'.

He knew that he shouldn't. Gods, he knew that he shouldn't. It was wrong; it could never be. She was the daughter of his Lord; Ned's oldest daughter. And the feelings that he had for her......no, he couldn't let himself think about that. But every time he knew that she was watching him and her brothers from the shadows of the courtyard, he would find himself trying harder; showing off just a little. Doing his best to impress her. He liking nothing more than knowing that she was there. And whether she had come to watch Robb and Jon, or something else; he would find himself working that little harder so that her attention might be drawn to him. He standing a little taller. Moving a little quicker. He never hurting the boys, but he would always make it obvious that he was still the master. The seasoned soldier. And if the young Greyjoy joined them, he would make sure to put him in his place. Jory never liking how his Lord's ward would let his eyes linger on her; how he would sometimes stand too close to her. The captain even having been told stories by his men that frequented the local whores, that they had heard the Ironborn boy shouting out (Y/n)'s name when he paid to spend time with a woman. The thought angering Jory. His lady too good for that.....too good for the likes of Greyjoy. And, unfortunately, too good for the likes of him. He was only the captain of her father's household guard. A man with no land, no title, no wealth; nothing to offer her but his loyalty, his protection, everything he was, and all his love. But he knew that this was no story of courtly love, where the highborn lady falls in love with a common man; and despite all their difference, love would be enough; it would conquer all. No, this was the real world, and Jory was sure that her father would never agree to him having her hand in marriage. She destined for a far better man than him. Though the notion of losing her; not being able to see her every day. Of her being sent away from Winterfell, wed to some man that she didn't know, made Jory sick to his stomach. (Y/n) deserving better than that. She deserving to be with someone that would adore her.

"That'll be enough fa today......" Jory told Robb and Jon; as the interaction between (Y/n) and Theon caught his attention. He readying himself to step in if the boy should overstep the mark. Jory prepared to rush over and defend his lady at a moment. Jory reaching for his sword as he saw Theon grab (Y/n)'s arm. When he saw her slap the boy across the face. The urge to go after her, follow her into the castle as he saw her walk away from Greyjoy, almost overwhelming him.

"You should go after her......" Jory turning to see Jon also watching as his sister stormed back into the castle; leaving a red-faced Theon behind.

"Theon's probably been teasing her again. I'm sure that she would like some company. Someone that will make her feel better....."

"Then I should let you......"

"Not me....." Jon interrupted, with a shake of his head.

"Why not you....you are her brother......"

"That's true, and she does love me as much as I love her......but......she's not in love with me........she's in love with you......." Jory's eyes growing wide at Jon's words.

"What......I don't know........"

"It's alright......." Jon smiled. Stopping Jory from trying to tell him that he didn't know what he was talking about.

"I'm the only one that knows. (Y/n) often comes out here to talk to me when everyone else thinks that she's gone to bed. We just sit here and talk, and one night she spoke about you. She never saying it in so many words, but it's obvious that she's in love with you.....the way she smiles when she says your name. The blush that always comes to her cheek when I know she's thinking about you. I would have tried to dissuade her, but......well, I've seen the way that you look at her too. There's not a man that knows her that could blame you for loving her. (Y/n) has always been good to me, kind. She's got the sweetest heart and nature I know. And if there was any man in Westeros, I would be happy that she was with; that I knew would look after her.....it would be you..."

"But Lord Stark.....he would never....."

"I think that my father would understand; Lady Catelyn...probably not. Father....I shouldn't say this, but a part of me thinks that he can't really say anything about you two wanting to be together. If Ned's eye hadn't fallen on a common woman, I wouldn't be here....." Jon's voice drifting off for a moment as he thought of the mother that he had never known. Of the mother that his father would never tell him about. As he wondered if she was more than just one night of pleasure for Ned. Jon brought back to the moment as he saw Jory move. The Winterfell bastard watching as the captain of his father's guard made his way into the castle. Both of them knowing where she would go when she had had an argument, been teased by Theon. The younger Cassel heading straight to the library; aware that even if it was wrong, even if her father.....her mother would never agree to a match, he could still, finally tell her about his feelings for her. And if (Y/n) really did feel the same, that she would allow him to spend whatever time they still had left, right by her side.