Of Lions, Wolves, and Dragons (Jon Snow)

5. Goodbyes

Joellyn sat with Jamie, Cersei, Myrcella, and Tommen eating breakfast.  The past few days at Winterfell had been hell.  One of the Stark's servants found her when she was yelling after she found Bran.  From that moment Winterfell errupted.  Some servants went to get the maester so they could transport Bran as safely as possible back into the castle.  Others rushed after the hunting party to bring back Ned, Robb, and Jon.  When the three of them returned with the servants, Ned rushed up to her and wanted to know everything that had happened, but there wan't much for her to tell.  All she had done was find Bran after he fell and call for help.  She hadn't really done all that much, but Ned thanked her all the same saying, "Thank you, Joellyn, for your quick action.  I can't imagine what would have happened if you did not find him when you did."  Then he rushed off to be with his wife while the maester worked on Bran.  Everything was a rush after that, but she remembered Robb thanking her just like Ned did, then run to check on Bran as well.  She also remembered Jon looking at her sadly and following slowly after his father and brother.

Joellyn hadn't seen much of either Robb or Jon since then.  Their grief was too deep and she wanted to respect their space and their time as a family.  Especially since today the royal party would be leaving for King's Landing with Ned, Sansa, and Arya.  He had accepted the position as Hand of the King before Bran's accident.  Ned would continue with this commitment because honor compelled him to do the right thing.  Word around Winterfell was that Lady Catelyn was furious with Ned for still planning on leaving.  Joellyn couldn't really blame her.

Tyrion entered the banquet hall, and Myrcella asked him about Bran.  According to Tyrion, the maester said that Bran might live, but Cersei said it was not merciful to let the child continue to live like this.  They then began talking about Tyrion's trip to the Wall and how Cersei thought it was entirely ridiculous.  This only worsened Joellyn's mood.  Bran lay on what could well be his deathbed, her future husband's family was being torn apart in their grief, and Jon would be heading further north to go join the Night's Watch.  It was too much.  She needed to be off by herself for a little while.

She stood and Jaime said, "Jo, you did not eat much breakfast.  Are you well?"

Joellyn shook her head and replied, "I don't feel well.  I think I need to go rest before we begin our journey."

Cersei looked with what she thought might be pity and said, "Go find your intended also.  Make sure you speak to him before we leave."  Joellyn nodded, and as she left the banquet hall she heard them to continue speaking about the Wall and Bran Stark.

She walked out into the courtyard of Winterfell and then went to the Godswood to sit for a while.  All she really wanted to do was be alone.  The Godswood sounded like as good a place as any to be alone.  When she made it, she found that Robb was already seated there under the Weirwood.

She spoke softly saying, "Robb, would you like to be alone right now?"

Robb looked at her and shook his head saying, "No, please join me."

Joellyn walked over to him and sat beside him and asked, "How is Bran today?"

Robb shrugged and said, "All the maester has really said is that he would have died if he had not been found when he was and that he has made it through the worst part so far.  We have you to thank for that first part, and now all we can do is pray that he will wake up."

Joellyn placed her hand on his and said, "We have been praying, Robb.  We all want Bran to wake up and rejoin his family."

Robb thanked her then said, "You are leaving today and we haven't had the chance to spend much time together.  I regret that, Joellyn."