The Legacy

Part 3

Viserra always enjoyed feasts, being around Robb, Jon and Theon would lead to plenty of laughs and a few disapproving looks from Lord and Lady Stark. This feast however, she dreaded. She spent a majority of her time discussing the food with the cook and staff. Once she could no longer avoid the feast, she walked toward the open doors of the lively hall and searched for her boys. Sitting close to the high table she noticed Robb chatting with a young maiden who was clearly infatuated. Poor Girl. Theon sitting across from him taking gulps of his ale. Jon was nowhere to be seen. Whether it was his own doing or her aunt Catelyn's was still to be known. Robb made eye contact with Viserra and motioned for her to join them. Viserra descended the few steps and walked along the side of the hall. She saw the king drinking and laughing at a table in the center. He groped a servant girl that was carrying a pitcher of ale. The king does as he pleases and freely in front of his wife. For a moment Viserra felt pity for queen Cersei, she was openly being disrespected. As if she could hear her thoughts, Cersei's eyes locked on to her. Viserra felt her cold stare graze over her face. She rushed to sit next to Robb with her back toward the queen.

"Where have you been, its such a bore with just Robb." Theon said in between bites of his food.

"It is not my fault the girls are avoiding you like the plague Theon." Robb laughed and took a sip of his ale. Awhile had passed and she realized someone was still missing.

"Where is Jon?" Viserra continued to look around the hall.

"He's outside." Robb said under his breath. So it wasn't by choice but by command of Lady Stark.

"I'll be back."

"But you just got here!" Theon yelled as Viserra stood up from the table and looked toward the high table where the queen spoke with Sansa.

Walking out the side door, Viserra could hear the hacking of a sword. Jon was upset and he did his best not to show it, but she knew her cousin's skills were always sloppy when something bothered him. The cold air caressed her face as she got closer to the sound. She stayed in the last shadow of the doorway and watched Jon alone with his frustration. He was upset. Viserra never understood the hatred her aunt felt toward Jon. She bared no ill will to her husband Ned, and saved it all for Jon. It was something she had always wondered. Was it because he was a physical reminder that the honorable Ned Stark strayed. Or could it be that she was forced to live with him. Jon suffered in silence. For that reason Viserra was convinced he was the strongest of all the Starks. She admired her cousin for his resilience. A rider approached into the courtyard.

"Is he dead yet?" The familiar voice spoke from the darkness. Benjen Stark dismounted from his horse and approached his nephew.

"Uncle Benjen" Jon welcomed his uncle. Viserra walked out of the doorway to greet her beloved uncle.

"Uncle!" Viserra walked over to her uncle into his embrace.

"Let me look at you two." Benjen stepped back and looked a his brothers children. "you've got bigger." he looked at his nephew. "And you look as beautiful as ever Viserra.". Benjen Stark loved his nieces and nephew like they were his own. Being a First Ranger in the Night's Watch, he could father no children of his own. Jon had a close relationship with his uncle and talked about following in his footsteps and taking the black.

"What are you doing here?" Viserra asked.

"I rode all day, I couldn't leave your father with the Lannisters." Benjen laughed.

"Well father will appreciate it." Jon replied.

"And why aren't you two inside?"

"I thought I'd keep Jon company." Viserra nudged her cousin.

"Lady Stark thought it would be an insult the royal family to see a bastard in their midst."

"Oh Cat..." Uncle Benjen gave a  sympathetic look. "Well you're always welcomed at The Wall. No bastard was ever refused a seat there."

"Take me with you when you go back." Jon responded quickly much to his cousin's surprise.

"Don't start that Jon." Viserra looked at her cousin's eye, there she saw his sincerity. He truly wanted to go to The Wall.

"Father will let me if you ask him." Jon ignored Viserra and pleaded with his uncle.

"Jon, The Wall isn't going anywhere." Benjen assured his eager nephew.

"I'm ready." Viserra watched the conversation unfold. "To swear your oath." Jon promised.

"Jon, you can't be serious." Viserra interrupted just as Benjen open his mouth to speak. "Do you realize what you would be giving up?" She stood next to her uncle so she could read his face. "You could never have a family, no wife, no children."

"I don't care about all that." Jon pushed.

"You might if you knew what you were giving up." Benjen spoke such wise words. "We'll talk about this later, I promise." He embraced his nephew and niece before he headed inside. The air around was quiet and the silence surrounded them. Jon knew Viserra was going to try talk him out of taking the black.

"Jon look at me." Viserra's tone was soft but firm. Their eyes met. "Tell me you're not considering doing this." His blue eyes confirmed everything he said was true.

"Serra, there's nothing for me here. I will always be a bastard, maybe in The Night's Watch I could be something more." He words held truth. He would always be the bastard son of Ned Stark. Nothing more and nothing less. That was no excuse to abandon her and his siblings.

"You are a bastard. I am a orphan. Is that all that identifies us? Is that all you consider your whole self to be? You are more than a bastard, Jon. If that is all you see in yourself as than I have failed as your family." Viserra placed her hands on the arms of her cousin, fearful of what this conversation may become. "Know your value dear cousin. Or I'll beat it into you." Viserra smiled at Jon as he let out a small laugh.

"I know you will." Jon pulled in Viserra and the top of her head reached right below his cheek. "But trust me. This is what is best for me." He said as if to convince himself. "I'm going to join The Night's Watch." His words were final. Right then, Viserra knew there was no changing his mind. She felt a little defeated.

"If this is what you want, then I'll support you." Viserra felt as if her heart started to pulled apart. Her entire life she was never without Jon or Robb. The idea of being away from either of them made her ache. "I should get back inside, I told aunt Cat I would watch the pups." They gave one last squeeze and Viserra returned to hall. As she walked away a strange voice spoke and Jon answered. There was someone out there with him and that comforted her a bit. As she walked into the grand hall, voices and music crowded the room.

"Arya!" Sansa screamed. A guilty Arya held a spoon and Sansa wiped food off of her face. Seven hells. Robb stood and picked up Arya from the table, Viserra met him halfway and took Arya's hand. Robb picked up Rickon who and fallen asleep in the arms of old Nan, and pulled a half asleep Bran to his feet. The eldest walked the children towards the exit as Bran stumbled to stay awake. Jon was on his way to his room when he ran into the group.

"Give him here." Jon bent down and cradled Bran in his arms. Together they lead the youngest to their rooms. Arya had decided she wanted to sleep with Viserra and she obliged. Viserra first checked on Bran and Rickon before she returned to her room. Arya was already asleep above the covers. Viserra tucked her in when there was a knock at her door. Viserra put on a robe and opened the door. Her eyes widened as they fell on the tall figure in front of her. He was definitely the last person she expected.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you, I was wondering if you had a moment to talk." his voice was smooth and damn near convinced her to step outside her room. There as the echoes of the feast died down, Viserra Stark was alone with Jaime Lannister.