Her Name Isn't Snow

Chapter 31

It's strange how quickly you can miss something. Most things take time. Time to consider the thing that you miss, and how badly you want it back, but strangely not this. The moment we left the icy waterfall, I missed it. It was such a place of tranquility and simplicity, the physical representation of the calm before the storm, and it was already over. Which meant that the next thing we would encounter, would be the storm. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I would do things differently. That if I made different choices than we wouldn't be here. Standing there with him at the frozen lake, was the perfect moment. I should have told him about my pregnancy right then and there. I had missed my second moon blood, and the sickness hadn't gone away with the tea. The old maester was right, I was with child. However, I knew the consequences if I told him I was with child, his child. I knew what he would say, and if I gave him the chance, he would talk me into leaving. And I wasn't about to let him.

It was getting close to sunset by the time we returned. We walked down from the dragon's cave and back into Winterfell, where everyone was continuing to get ready for the impending battle. We walked into the courtyard and saw Bran sitting in his chair, seeming to be waiting for something. Or someone. He remained still as a stone as we walked over to him.

"How are you doing, Bran?" I asked as Jon and I stood before him.

"That is...a difficult question" he replies in his newfound airy tone of voice.

"Are you waiting for someone?" Jon asks.

"Only an old friend" Bran replies with a smile. We turn to leave when I feel a hand on my wrist.

"You should stay a little while longer. We have much to discuss" Bran says as I turn around.

"Alright, I'll stay" I answer. Jon takes a step closer to me, placing a kiss on my right cheek.

"I'll see you later tonight. Don't wander too far" he whispers in my ear. I smile at the simple act.

"I won't," I tell him, watching him turn and leave for the crypts.

"Why don't we speak in the Godswood? It's more...peaceful there" he comments.

"If you'd like. Do you want me to push you there?" I ask.

"I'll meet you there. I need to speak to someone first"

I begin walking through the snow, towards the Godswood. The cold snow soothed my bare feet as I walked. As I approached there were no tracks, no marks or anything to show that anyone was here earlier. As I stood in front of the tree's face, for the first time in a while, I felt completely alone. The voices, the ghosts, and the people were gone. It was only me, and the little one growing inside of me. Staring into the face of the Wirewood tree, with its bleeding eyes, a feeling of peace started to settle over me. I started to wonder about who else stood where I was standing. I was starting to lose track of time, and I jumped a bit at the sound of Bran's voice.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," Bran says softly, as I turn back around to face him.

"You surprised me is all" I answer with a smile. He smiles a bit as he looks at me.

"You're pregnant," he says almost happily. I stare at him in shock. How could he know?

"I haven't told anyone"

"Don't worry. I won't tell" he responds.

"Is that what you wanted to speak about?" I ask, slightly confused.