Her Name Isn't Snow

Chapter 6

Running away still felt like a valid option. I could picture it, me and Jon living in the woods, maybe building a small house together, a farm. It wouldn't be a grand life, simple, living from day to day. But we would be together, and that's all I cared about. But it was too late for silly daydreams, no matter how vividly I could picture it. 

We were leaving today. Me, Eddard Stark and the girls along with the royal family and our entourage to King's Landing. While Jon, Benjen and Tyrion Lannister would ride north, for the Wall. I didn't want to leave Jon's side until it was time to leave, but we each had our own goodbyes to say, something we couldn't do together. 

The wolves, seeming to be aware of today's events choose to stay in the stables together, sleeping and playing with one another. Something I wished me and Jon could do instead of preparing for the trip. But it had to be done. 

I made my way through the crowded courtyard to the godswood, thinking that I should pray for Bran at least once more before we left. Bran and Jon and everyone else.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone else would be here" I mumble awkwardly as I see Robb praying before the old heart tree. 

~He said nothing as I sat down beside him, choosing to look into the pool of water instead. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asks, turning his head away from the tree to look at me. I looked at him confused, not entirely sure what he meant. Did he know about Jon and I's night together? This frustrated him and made the tips of his ears turn pink. 

"Your name isn't Snow" 

So that's what he meant. 

"No, it isn't" I reply simply, unsure of how to explain myself to him. Robb has never accused me of anything, has never been cross with me unless I stayed out too late. I didn't know how to react to his judgment. 

"Look, I know why you had to keep it a secret. You couldn't parade yourself around like a princess. But why didn't you tell me? We've been friends since the day you came here. You've confided in me about Jon and archery training and so many other things. Why not this?" he asks, turning to look at me with pain in his eyes. 

"I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Lord Stark told me that if I told anyone about who I really was, that I'd likely be killed. And that it was likely you would all be killed too, in retaliation for 'harboring a fugitive'"

"But you told Jon," Robb says dryly. 

"Yes, I told Jon"

"Why?" he asks, that same accusatory tone in his voice. 

"Because he understood! He knew what it was like to be an outsider. A Snow. I knew he wouldn't tell anyone because he knew what was at stake and what would happen if he did" I say, getting tired of this circular conversation. 

"I would know. You could have told me"

"Really? Think of what that would do Robb. You're the next Lord of Winterfell. What if the King had found out and stormed his way here. Would you honestly put your life, your family at risk to hide me?"

"You are my family"

"But not by blood. And in things like this blood runs thicker. I would never want you to put anyone's life in danger for me. It seemed easier this way. For you to be ignorant of who I truly am. What I am" I explain, trying my best to make him understand. He stays silent, turning his head to look back up at the wirewood tree. 

"I wanted to be that person. The one you felt you could trust and tell anything to" he mumbles, not daring to look at me. 

"You are Robb"