The Jewel of Winter *Game of Thrones Romance*

Chapter 5 - All Along

Joy pulled her grey shawl tighter around her shoulders. The night air wasn't the only thing chilling her to the bone, the fear of what she was going to do later that night shook her at times. She wasn't the only one off edge, Carissi had been more difficult to put in the kennel than usual; howling an trying to push past her legs. Thinking of it, all the direwolves left were like that too.  Joy thought as her steps echoed  up dimmly lit stairs to the second floor of the castle. She was heading to Bran's room, to check on the sleeping boy and his...protective mother. Rickon had been pestering her and Robb all day, he barely understood Bran's ordeal. He was getting better, Measter Luwin had said, yet the boy would not be able to use his legs. Everything was slowly falling apart in Winterfell. Lady Catelyn still had not left the room. As Joy entered the room, Lady Catelyn shouted at Measter Luwin, most likely about the increasing amount of appointments.

"I don't care about appointments." Lady Stark hissed at the old man as she fiddled with her prayer dolls. The two adults acknowledged her presence and fell silent. Joy gazed at Bran, still ‘sleeping’ his long dreamless sleep. 

“I’ll take care of the appointments.” Robb appeared in the room suddenly and stood beside Joy. Measter Luwin smiled thankfully and dismissed them all goodnight. Joy glanced at Robb who smiled sadly and crossed the room to let the air come in. As he opened the window, the cold night rushed in blowing Joy’s hair slightly and making her shiver...as it does. The howls of the wolves grew louder and Lady Catelyn went back to busily working on her prayer dolls. “When was the last time you left this room?” Robb asked, staring out into the night.

“I have to take care of him-“ Catelyn’s voice cracked.

“He’s not going to die mother,” Her son replied wearily. Being the Lord of Winterfell in his father’s place was a challenge for Robb, Joy could tell. His voice would be serious whenever they talked in the presence of others and he barely even had the time to smile with all the appointments. Even though he had Jory, Ser Rodrick and Measter Lewin to advise him it still did not get rid of the stress. Joy’s main job was to take care of Rickon…and plan her journey for tomorrow. “Measter Luwin says the most dangerous time has past-“

“What if he’s wrong. Bran need’s me.”

“Rickon needs you.” Joy said sharply. The two Starks looked at her. “He’s six. He doesn’t know what’s happening. He follows me and Robb around, clutching my legs, crying-“ A long painful howl burst through the window and smashed against the walls of the room.

"Close the windows!" Catelyn burst out into tears. " I can't stand it! Please, make them stop!" Robb turned to close the shutters, when he froze.

"Fire..." he muttered. Joy's head snapped up from gazing at the floor. "Joy, you find Rickon and make sure he's allright." Robb turned to his mother. "You stay here, I'll be back." He ran out the door and Joy followed, finding the fastest route up to Rickon's chambers. The little boy was sitting up and rubbing his eyes when Joy burst into his room. 

"What's all the shouting?" He asked innocently when Joy hugged him close. "Where's Shaggydog?" 

"There's just a little trouble going on in the town, but you're brother is taking care of it." Joy smoothed down one of his auburn curls. "Shaggydog is with his brothers and sisters, he's going to be fine. Just go back to sleep now." Joy lay him down and curled up next to him, tucking his head under her chin. The sounds still came through theh closed window, terrified shours, howls, the roar of fire. Then came the scream.

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"I'll murder the man who did this!" Robb growled as he paced back and forth in front of the counciling table.