Burning Ice

Chapter 11. Apple Pie.

"Because I love you too."

He opened his mouth but did not say anything. This time it was me who took him by surprise. He took a deep breath and came to me, taking my face in his hands and kissing me deeply for a few seconds.

"I am going..." I mumbled against his lips.

"You are so fucking insane..." He mumbled before kissing me again.

I was going.

I could barely sleep that night. I was too nervous about the next day to do so, but apparently it did not affect Jon at all since he was completely asleep by my side, hugging me while I had my head on his chest. It had been a really long day, but the thought of leaving and the thought of a battle impossible to win was enough to keep me up all night.

I looked up at Jon and smiled a little. He always looked so peaceful when he was asleep, like a kid with no worries at all. I kissed his chest and sat up slowly when I heard Ghost getting up. I knew the direwolf was always the first waking up and I knew Jon used to get up to open the door for him but since Jon was deeply asleep I did it for him today. It was chilly outside but I did not want to go back to bed so I closed the door to get dressed and then walked out.

This was the first time I ever saw the courtyard empty and so silence. It was even a bit creepy but it had some beauty impossible to deny. I went to the stables to see my horse. The stables men had been taking good care of him and I had been coming to visit him every day. He was not my horse. He was stolen, actually, but I had learned to love him somehow. It was an amazing animal. He looked like he was a bit hungry so I went to the kitchens.

It surprised me to find Hobb already there but it made sense. I guessed the brothers would be waking up soon enough and the breakfast had to be ready.

"Morning," I said with a smile. He was making some bread or that was what it looked like for me. Not like I had much experience though.

"Good morning, Lady Jeyne, what are you doing up so early?" He asked. I shrugged as I moved a bit closer to the fire. It was chilly outside.

"I could not sleep." I admitted. "I am a bit nervous because of the leaving thing and stuff", I added with a sigh.

"I see... No worries, Lady Jeyne. It will be fine, and you will get to be with Lord Snow." I blushed as he said that. He laughed a little as he saw my face which just made me blush even more. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" He asked after a while.

"Actually, there is", I said. "I went to see my horse and they all looked a bit hungry, I was wondering if you had any apples or...something I can give to them."

"Let me see..." he said walking to a tiny room at the back of the kitchen. He came back with a few apples and also some carrots. "Here you have. Do not tell anyone I gave this to you, they would not like it." He winked. I nodded taking them. He was such a nice man. Nicer than most of the men walking around this place.

"I can come back in a while and make an apple pie, if you want. I think that is all I can cook." I chuckled.

"That would be so nice! I do not remember the last time these men tried an apple pie, or a pie for the matter." He said making me laugh.

"Then I will give this to the horses and I will be back." I said.

I hurried outside and ran to the stables. It was a miracle I did not slip and fall since everything was covered in snow. I fed the horses, giving some of them an apple and some others a carrot. When I finished, there was already some brothers walking around the courtyard, I guessed they were those who had been watching the Wall during the night.