Chapter 5 - A Northern Rose For A Northern Beauty
Time Skip 1 year
Jon Snow POV:
I was in the Godswood, Cleaning 'Red Fang' with a piece of cloth and some oil. Asher and Smalljon were getting ready greet their fathers for when they arrived at the Gates of Winterfell. My Father is holding a Tourney in Winterfell. For the first time in many years, The North is having a Tourney and all the Northern Lords are on their way. I could not hide the excitement that appeared on my face as soon as Father told Robb and Myself in his study. It has been a few months since I last fought, but I still practice my skills every day in the training yard. For the past Year, I have taken to wandering the North with Asher and Smalljon, We usually stay at Winterfell for a few weeks and then we would leave for 2 weeks to go hunting for bandits around the North. The Northerners have stuck to calling me many names, Such as Jon 'The Bloody Wolf' or Jon 'The Bloody' or what most have called me 'The Bloody Wolf' by itself. Whenever I would track down Bandit Groups in the North, Asher would let them know that 'You are standing in front of The Bloody Wolf'. At first I thought that it was just a joke, But when I looked into the eyes of the first couple of Bandit's and saw the fear in their eyes, I realized that it is good to such a reputation. Robb has always been Jealous of me for having such a free spirit as to being able to Wander the North and do as I please, Whether its fucking or fighting 'my 2 favorite things in the world' I thought. As I finished cleaning 'Red Fang' I moved to unsheathe 'Dawn' and prepared to clean it as well when I heard a twig snap. "I know you are there Arya. you too Bran.". I heard them both Groan behind me as they usually did when they knew they had been caught. "Can we please see be your Squires for the Tourney Jon?" Bran begged me with Arya giving me her best Puppy eye look. "Nice try little ones, I know that Father said no." I said with a smirk. Father knew that they would ask me and he warned me not to give in to their requests, or else I would find myself barred from entering the tourney. "When you are older, I promise I will let you squire for me in a Tourney." I told them to ease their minds. Bran accepted the deal but Arya said that she would only accept it if I helped her practice her archery after the tourney. They sat by me as I continued to clean 'Dawn' when we heard a horn being blown signalling that another Northern House had arrived. I finished cleaning 'Dawn', Sheathed it and strapped it back into place on the left side of my belt. I made my way towards the courtyard to see which House had arrived and as I passed through the gates, My eyes fell upon a young woman who was the most Beautiful maiden I had ever lay eyes upon, She had a long mane of brown hair and her skin was light and what surprised me even more was her astride a Strong Northern White Destrier Horse. I looked to see what appeared to be her Father as he had a few guards carrying the sigil of House Frostwood, A frozen weirwood tree, I then realized that she must have sensed my staring at her as she looked in my direction and I could see her much more clearly. As she dismounted, I walked forward to greet her with Arya and Bran running off to the kitchens to sneak some sweats. As I was about to approach her, I was stopped by a voice behind me. "Jon 'The Bloody', How have you been you troublemaker?" the booming voice of Lord Jon 'The Greatjon' Umber was heard by all within the courtyard and I looked back to the Northern Beauty to see her eyes wide open with recognition in them. I looked to see that she had Beautiful light brown eyes and I realized she was half a foot shorter then myself. almost forgetting that 'The Greatjon' had asked me the question, I turned around responding "I have been absolutely bored out of my bloody mind, I can't wait for this tourney to start". "Hah! I can't wait to see you in the Melee, I never did get to spar with you!." 'The Greatjon' exclaimed. "We shall see at the Tourney my lord" I said turning around to see that the Frostwood Girl had disappeared towards the great hall. I sighed, continuing on to the stables to make sure my horse was ready for the Joust in 2 days.
I woke up the next day and after spending a couple of hours in the training yard I made my way to the Great Hall to break my fast and as I passed through the hall's, I noticed the Frostwood girl from yesterday walking towards the great hall as well. "May I know the name of the Northern Beauty from house Frostwood?". She Jumped as I called to her. "My Apologies, I did not mean to startle you." I said with a small smile, She returned the smile and she looked absolutely stunning. "It is alright, My body is still waking up. My name is Elaena Frostwood." She said with a smile still on her face. I then took her hand and kissed the back of it while seeing her blush slightly."My name is Jon Snow", I said returning the smile. "I remember you from the courtyard as Jon 'The Bloody' if my memory is correct". she said with a teasing tone. I gave a small chuckle before I responded. "Well I am called many names, Would you like to break fast with me in the Great Hall?" I asked hoping to learn more about her. "It would be my pleasure, Jon Snow" She gave me a small smile as we made our way towards the Great Hall.
As I broke my fast with Elaena, I discovered that she liked Riding, Archery and I discovered that she was a few moons older than myself. "So, are you going to be in the tourney Jon?" She asked me. "Aye, I plan on entering the Melee and the Jousting" I responded. "My Brother Rickard is planning on joining the Melee, He is 14 Name Days and told me 'I plan to challenge 'The Bloody Wolf' to a spar and I will win'" She said with a laugh at the end with my Joining her. "I will be sure to watch my back then my lady." I japed. "Please, call me Elaena". "Very Well, Elaena" I tested her name. As we finished our meal, I began to get up but stopped when I had seen that Ramsay Snow was walking towards us but staring mostly at Elaena. I cleared my throat, gaining his attention. "Jon Snow, It is a pleasure to meet the famed 'Bloody Wolf Of The North', May I sit?" he said with a devilish grin. "Aye, Lord Ramsay, you may sit, We were leaving anyway" Elaena spoke to my surprise with obvious fake smile. Ramsay Snow has a reputation in the north as being a sick twisted demented bastard. It is rumored that he killed his Trueborn Brother, Domeric Bolton. but it was never proven. I began to rise from my seat and offered my arm to Elaena to walk with me. We left a furious looking Ramsay behind as he stood at the same spot, watching us leave the Great Hall.
"When Lord Bolton traveled to Frostwind last year, He brought along Ramsay Snow. He wanted to arrange a Betrothal between our houses with Ramsay and myself." Elaena Said to me with disgust in her voice as we walked through Winter Town, Browsing all of the stands that came vendors brought for the Tourney. "I am going to guess that you did not like the Idea of being with a bastard" I asked. "Its not his birth that I despise about him, I despise him because I know he is a monster just hiding behind his smiles. My father and I saw right through Ramsay the day that he came to Frostwind with Lord Bolton, He said that he would be a complete gentleman but we saw the way he looked at my Body. My Father all but Kicked their arses shooing them away from Frostwind the next day." She laughed at the last part with me Joining her. "WINTER ROSES FOR SALE!" I heard a Vendor yelling. I took Elaena's Hand and brought her to the Vendor's Stall. "1 Winter Rose please." I said to the vendor. "1 Silver Stag please.". I dug into my money pouch that was tied to my belt and brought out 2 Silver Stags. "Make that 2 Winter Roses please." I said to his surprise. He took the silver stags and handed me 2 Winter Roses. I turned around to see Elaena. "Close your eyes Elaena." I said. She closed her eyes and I started to place the Winter Roses in her Hair, 1 winter rose for each side next to her ear's. "Now open them". I brought her to a Barrel of Water so she could look at her reflection. She looked to me with a smile which I returned. "Northern Roses for a Northern Beauty" I said with the smile still on my face. We continued to browse stalls in Winter Town before we went back to Winterfell.
I woke up the next day, Ready for the start of the Tourney. I got up and met Asher and Smalljon in the Training Yard as usual and to my Surprise, Robb was there, standing right next to them with a smile on his face. I could see Asher and Smalljon trying to hold back their smiles until they broke and finally smiled at me. "'Northern Roses for a Northern Beauty'" Robb Japed mimicking me almost as if- 'No'. "You followed us?" I exclaimed. "No, 'I' did not follow you, I swear on my Honor as a Stark that 'I' did not follow you." Robb said with a small smile. 'who then. who would have---' "Arya" and Just like that, Asher, Smalljon and Robb laughed their arses off. It took them a while to stop before Smalljon spoke up. "She must be a rare woman to make you like this Jon.". "I don't deny it, she is different from most Northern girls." I responded. Asher perked up "Isn't the Joust today?" I responded with a nod as he continued "Why don't you crown her as 'The Queen Of Love And Beauty', Me and Smalljon could be your 'squires' for the Joust.".I smiled as I looked to see that they were both willing to withdraw their names from the Joust just to help me.