The Jewel of Winter *Game of Thrones Romance*

Chapter 6 - A Hard Journey

The weather had taken a turn for the worst. The hard frost cracked as Joy shifted her body to get closer to the makeshift fire she had created. Her fingers were numb, her teeth chattered constantly, and she was tired. So tired. She almost thought of turning back, back to the heated warm walls of Winterfell. Robb would be mad but she knew he’d be relieved. Her mind flashed back to what he had said to her the previous night. All along… She thought. It made sense; the necklace, the glances…Joy shook the thought away and hugged herself in her black fur lined coat. She was so close, only a days journey away! A long howling gust of wind blew through the tall spindly trees and hit her hard on the face, biting at her skin. She hadn't chose the most ideal area to rest, a small parting in the trees, with cracked ground and no protection from the wind; but Joy didn't care as long as she got to rest. The closer she got to the Wall the harsher the weather. Joy’s sturdy white courser was trying it’s best to stay calm; it had not been fed since the day she left. She hadn’t expected the path to be so treacherous and life threatening. Only Carissi seemed to keep herself occupied, she would disappear into the woods and come back with red staining her white muzzle. As Joy retrieved herself a piece of hard bread, her direwolf bounded back from her hunt and into their small campsite. “One more trip Cari, then we’ll be with Jon.” Joy told her. Carissi yipped and sat by a tall pine. She’ll be happy to see her brother. But, what if they’re not happy to see us? What if he has taken his vows? What if the journey was all in vain? Joy dreaded everything her conscience told her. Carissi’s deep throaty growl interrupted her thoughts. “What is it girl?” Joy asked, moving towards the direwolf and placing a gloved hand on the hilt of her sword. Anything could be lurking in these terrible woods; mountain lions, savage packs of wolves, wildlings…White Walkers…Joy’s breath quickened as she peered through the trees now holding Frost out in front of her. She made her way around the dying fire and turned quickly to scan the area. Carissi’s growl increased in volume, her icy eyes biting into something behind Joy. Joy faced whatever was behind her and found the faces of ragged people. Wildlings. Their worn faces gazed at her, their hair spewing out in different directions. Two were female, wearing cloaks of brown animal skins, one was holding a spear whilst the other glared at Joy, her hand on the pack of food. There were three men, all clothed in black. Escapees from the Wall. One of them had a hold on her courser, the others pointed their rusted weapons at her.

“What’s a girl like you doing out here?” The man holding her horse asked, eyeing her up and down like the way Theon used to do.

“I’m heading for the Wall.” Joy stated keeping her sword high. The wildlings laughed at her.

“There’s no use for you there, only if you want to temp the men!” A man with a club cackled. The woman with the spear eyed Frost.

“That’s a fine weapon.” She hissed at Joy.

“Take it Osha!” The man holding an axe told her. Anger rose inside of Joy. “We’ll be taking the horse, the sword, and the cloak.”

“No you won’t.” Joy stated letting Carissi move in front of her, teeth bared and ears back.   The wildlings stared at the white beast and backed off a step.

“A direwolf,” the woman called Osha said. Her brown eyes flickered at Joy. “You a Stark.”

“No.”

“What are you then?”

“A whore with a pet?!” the other woman laughed. Joy gritted her teeth and glared at the wildling.

“No.” She hissed stepping closer to them. “ I am Joy Darring of Snowborne, my father was Theron Darring, my mother Carissi Morena of Braavos. You may have heard of the Braavosi talent with weapons? I assure you I am not afraid of cutting each of you down and letting my pet rip out your throats.” At the mention of her house the wildlings seemed to shudder as one. They’re eyes widened and flickered with worry.