✓ | THINKING OF SNOW (J.SNOW)

~Chapter Eighteen~

A Night Without Snow

When the pair returned, they were ushered towards the Great Hall; the Starks were holding a feast for the King and his family, which seemed to be being greatly enjoyed, even by the time Jon and Cynthia arrived. "Best not show my face, wouldn't want Catelyn getting mad." Jon smiled sadly at Cynthia, and knowing how she would react, left without giving her a chance to argue or refuse. Instead, she watched as Jon walked solemnly away, to god knows where, leaving her alone in the doorway to enjoy the night's festivities without him.

Letting out a sigh, Cynthia deserted the hope Jon might turn around and join her, and instead decided to venture into the hall in search of the Stark children or her own siblings, whom she might spend the night with. "I see you've finally rejoined us," Robb snickered from a seat on the opposite side of the table at the front of the hall, which Cynthia had reached, and begun examining those sat around it. Livia was sat opposite him, beside Sansa, and the younger members of both families were at the other end. All of the adults were sat at a separate tables.

"My apologies, I'm afraid I must have lost track of time." Cynthia excused, and sat down on the wooden, creaking bench between Robb and Alec. "Do tell, what could have been so important that it would claim your mind from us for so long?" Robb teased, smirking in such a way it was obvious he knew exactly where she was, and with whom. "A good book." Cynthia replied bluntly, smiling back at him.

Cynthia had felt that, in the week to have passed, her and Robb had developed a good friendship; she'd always liked him, and felt as though he felt the same, but he had become more of a brother to her than a friend, recently. And though Cynthia and Livia had not always seen eye to eye, Cynthia considered Livia to be very lucky if her and Robb were to be married, as Robb was a wonderful man, and Cynthia would always be happy for them both. And she hoped she would get to see him pa lot more as time went on.

"Is Jon not joining us this evening?" Livia frowned, as she observed those sat around the table; at which, every one paused. They were all clearly aware of the reason why Jon would not be joining them, in the presence of the King, as were they cautious to address it so publicly. "Do not start Cynthia on the matter again," Alec joked, which sparked a burst of laughter from everyone, given the last dinner when such a topic was brought up. Cynthia laughed as well, though she felt the same as she had done that night - she wanted Jon to be there, to be engrossed in his family like he deserved, but she knew better than to argue about it again, especially with the King in their company. Not to say she didn't miss his company, or the distraction he offered from her family, but she knew there wasn't anything she could do to change their current circumstances.

"Did mother speak with you?" Alec whispered a moment later, his smile not as prominent as it had been before. "I have not spoken to her all day." Cynthia frowned, and cast a curious look toward him: "Of what would she need to speak to me?" "Our departure. We leave in a few days, rather than staying another week." Alec sighed, his eyes emphasising how sorry he was. No doubt Livia had suggested to him that there might be more than one romance brewing between a Stark and an Iris child, and no doubt he too had noticed the inordinate amount of time Cynthia had spent with the Snow during their time here. "What could have swayed them to leave so early?" Cynthia replied in shock, suddenly feeling her stomach grow heavier. A few days was not nearly enough time as she would want, or need, to determine if love was indeed how she felt towards the Bastard who was currently not in their company. "Ned Stark is to leave for King's Landing, with the King and his family. Father does not wish to interfere with their business, when such an important occasion playing on Ned's mind. Though they are sure we shall return soon."

Cynthia merely nodded, not wishing to, nor sure she could, convey how disappointed she was to be leaving much sooner than was initially planned. She had felt as though in the last few days she'd found a connection with her close friend here, and with another week she was sure she could finally be sure of his feelings - now, she did not have nearly as much time, and wasn't sure she'd ever know how he felt, especially towards her. He was such a mystery, she wanted to know more about him, know all of the stories he had no one else to tell them to. She'd hoped that would be a possibility for them, if nothing else, but it seems it would never be anything more than that, if they are to leave so soon.