Cold Hands

3

Ned banged on his brother's door, then opened it quietly and poked his head in. "Oh good. You're both awake,"

"And upright as well," Benjen joked.

"Not anymore," Izzy teased approaching him.

Benjen grinned, taking Izzy into his arms. He kissed her and then watched his brother's reaction; a smile graced his brother's face.

"Big day today...are you both ready?"

Benjen and Izzy gazed into each other's eyes and then looked toward the head of House Stark.

"Let's get a move on then." He approached Izzy. "Catelyn and the ladies made a dress for you. She hopes you like it."

"I thought she hated me."

"She didn't understand...the sacrifices you're both making. But she does now. Fully."

"You told her..."

"I had to. She had so many questions and...she's much aggrieved having learned the truth."

"But Jon..."

"He'll be alright. He will remain here, of course."

Izzy nodded her head sadly. "I can't very well raise him on my own...he'd be a better seamstress than a fighter..."

"Jon will be fine. You'll see."

_____

Ned Stark took Izzy's arm and led her to the Godswood. When she heard little Jon's fussy cries, she saw Catelyn hand him over to Benjen. And when the boy caught sight of Izzy, he struggled to be free of his uncle's grasp. He let him to the ground and the boy ran toward Izzy, falling twice along the way.

She released Ned's arm and picked him up, carrying him back to Catelyn. "Now you be a good boy. No more crying, eh?" She placed him into Catelyn's arms.

"Thank you for what you've done for our family," she said quietly. She reached up with her free hand and touched her cheek. "Sister..."

Izzy's face crumbled and she nodded.

Maester Luwin spoke the words to Benjen and Izzy and they replied before the gods and the Stark family.

The small gathering of only family were to be the only wedding guests and following the short ceremony, they sat at Lord Eddard Stark's table. It was a somber occasion with only Jon babbling to who ever would pay him any mind. Izzy and Benjen both took turns feeding him from their plates.

After the small feast, the newly wedded couple took Jon and retired to Izzy's bed chamber.

"Dinner was lovely," she said quietly.

"Yes, it was," Benjen replied just as quietly, watching Jon's eyes open and close, fighting sleep. "I think he's just about out," he added as he removed the snow-colored traditional wolf-pelt wrap from around her shoulders.

Sleep was light for the newly weds as they huddled close together with Jon wedged between them. It was to be their first and last night as a married couple, for in the morning Benjen would ride for Castle Black.

_____

Eighteen years had passed when Isabelle Lannister busied herself picking the herbs that Maester Aemon had requested. When she pressed him to tell her why, he smiled and told her that it was because she always came with some sort of fresh kill for the men...this was one if the items she bartered for her safety; living so close to the wall often had its disadvantages after all...the previous winter, she, her dog and her horse were housed safely behind the gates of the keep. She helped to cook and helped to keep the food stores full...And spent most of her time getting to know her uncle better.