I never ever thought I will write a game of thrones story, but here it is.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

Eddard Stark stared at the piece of paper that's in front of him. His first thought is this person figured out his secret. His second is 'I must eliminate them', not that it is honorable to kill some one in silence. How ever, winter is coming, he could not afford loose ends.

Thus, he read the betrothal contract for one Jon Snow, who celebrated no more than fourteen name days, received a betrothal contract before his true born heir got presented with one. Even if the said betrothal contract has as many holes as vale cheese.

He answered back saying he can not take a decision on said contract till he met the maiden and father, along with their nobility documents. He extended the hospitality of winterfell to the girl and father so they may know the lad.

Then he went to gods wood and prayed that this betrothal contract is true. Jon is slowly growing more silent and solemn, he could see his wife's cold treatment will result in Jon leaving sooner or later. He wanted Jon to stay, but keeping him as a steward, giving him the same education as Robb drew even more ire from his wife.

If this betrothal from Gerald Reyne for his daughter Freya is right, he will have a highborn bride, provided their nobility documents hold, he can even give Jon a new name. Provided the father is amenable, calling arms to get back castamere is not his intent, he could very easily settle Jon with a decent hold fast of his own.

At end of the day, Eddard decided to inform Jon of the betrothal rather than spring the surprise on him. He hoped it will bring Jon out of his black mood.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

Jon could barely contain his curiosity. Not that any one other than Robb could tell how curious he is. Luckily, he hadn't met Robb after his father asked him to meet with him in solar in five minutes to discuss an urgent matter. It made him excited his father has an urgent matter to discuss with him. Usually, it's only Robb who gets called in to solar to discuss any sort of urgent matters.

Thus, He knocked on his fathers solar not a minute late.

"Be seated Jon. This is going to be rather long talk." Eddard said genially. He could see the boy is excited to be here regardless of what they are going to discuss.

Jon mentally went through all the things he did past week. He did nothing wrong. He seriously hoped it's not one of those talks. He gets enough reprimands from Lady Stark. Yet, he silently took the seat and waited for his father to speak.

Eddard thought it's very commendable of Jon to not have broken under the spell of silence. Older and more experienced men break like sand castles under the pressure of silence. He spoke just as Jon was getting uncomfortable enough.

"I have received a betrothal contract for you." he informed directly.

"What?" Jon was sure he heard wrong. Did his father say he received a betrothal contract for him? He, the bastard?

"Aye. It is for one Freya Reyne, daughter of Gerald Reyne. They no longer hold any lands, But the father wants a noble match for his daughter." Eddard informed him.

"I am a bastard Father. That doesn't make me noble." he spoke uncertainly. Even if Reynes have lost Castamere, if their pedigree is true, that made it a good enough match for Robb. He wondered if it's some kind of scam.

"You are still of my blood, Jon. Don't forget it." Eddard told him in a serious tone.

Eddard wanted to explain the consequences of marrying a Reyne, but he doesn't. He wanted Jon to think for him self, come up with a decision.

"You need not decide now, Jon. I invited Gerald Reyne and his daughter to winterfell for an year. You can decide after meeting the girl." he told Jon.

"Father.. Why not Robb? Why me?" Jon asked in a small tone.

Eddard considered the question for some time. He wanted to tell it's because the girl liked him more, but the he knew better. Jon is wiser than to believe such tripe. Thus, he explained.

"When Reynes lost castamere, rights to their land and castle belonged to Lannister due to right by conquest. How ever, if they maintained their nobility, Once Lord Tywin Lannister has expired, If you are able to fly Reyne flag on the castle for three successive days, the castle will belong to Reynes again. It is a privilege that's given only to the family which lost war, not very well known. Essentially, even if they fly the flag, to stop the next lord of Casterly Rock, they will need at least some form of an Army to maintain that hold. Reynes, if their claim is true, hope that I or Robb will give them such an army when the time comes."

"Wouldn't their nobility stop when the daughter marries me?" Jon asked.

"It is a privilege given only to great houses, but I could legitimize you as Reyne with permission of Gerald Reyne. This knowledge of laws, more than any thing, that makes me believe their claim might be true. You still have time to decide. You don't have to decide right away."

"I understand Father." Jon said, bowed to his father, left the solar.

To be truthful, he did not understand. This news made his head buzz with thousand different thoughts, all spinning around one another. One stayed prominent. Freya Reyne. He tested the name on his lips. The name sounded pretty. He hoped she is pretty too. He never thought he could make some thing out of his life, and most definitely not marry and have a family. The next name he tested is Jon Reyne. He supposed that sounded okay enough, Though he would have loved it to be Jon Stark.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

Robb found him as he crossed over to tilt yard.

"What is it, Snow?" he asked genially.

Jon did not want to answer.

"Nothing." he said morosely, picked up the first training sword he could reach.

"Come now, Bastard, Tell us true. Did your lass reject you because you did not know what to do with that tongue? Or because you are bastard?" said Theon in that sarcastic manner he disliked.

Jon did not answer. He just went to training dummy, started slashing.

That is when he noticed the sword he picked. It's a bastard sword. He swore inside. He could feel both both Robb and Theon's gaze on his back, but he did not turn back. If he went now to put the sword back now, he would have to face either of them, they will not rest until they got the secret out of him. Jon wanted this to be just his secret for awhile. He never had one before, unless you counted the way he trained Arya. Also, the sword some how felt better than long sword in his hands.

Jon remembered Rodrick tell him time and again he is more suited to a bastard sword, but he never touched one, as he thought Rodrick is suggesting it to be mean. How ever, The sword indeed feel better in his hands, the weight, balance and the reach just right. He decided to train with bastard sword from now on, though he wouldn't do it when Robb or Theon is around.

His thoughts went back to Freya Reyne. He wondered what she will look like. What is he going to do if she is ugly? He most probably wouldn't get another chance to marry any one. He prayed to old gods to let her be pretty.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

The day arrived sooner than later.

Both Robb and Theon noticed his excitement in the morning.

"What's gotten in to you to day?" Robb asked curiously. It's not every day he saw his brother happy or excited.

"Finally figured how to use what's between your legs?" Theon asked.

"It's none of your business." Jon snapped at Theon.

The Reynes are supposed to arrive to day. He hoped he could see Freya before Robb or Theon could. He most probably might loose it if Theon made a comment about her.

There is a portly man with grey hair and blue eyes with a girl covered head to toe in gray cloth. There is a small silky material where the eyes should be, Jon guessed it's so she or he can see, veil is tied around her neck, where the dress began.

"Good Morning, Lord Stark. I am Gerald Reyne. Glad to make your acquaintance. This is my daughter Freya Reyne." he gestured towards the gray blob that is beside him.

"It is good to see you mi-lord. The Hospitality of winterfell is yours. Jon will show you to your chambers." Lord Eddard said in a pleasant voice.

Robb looked at him questioningly. Usually, it's him who showed the guests to their chambers, especially so when there are daughters in tow.

Jon walked to Gerald Reyne, who looked at him interestedly.

"I am Jon Snow my lord. Let me show you to your chambers." he informed the lord.

He could feel Freya's eyes on him though his back is towards her.

Lady Catelyn has given chambers to Freya near Sansa and Arya, yet at at the end of the corridor, so they would have to walk a bit to reach her chambers. Plus, he would never be able to walk by her chambers with out some one seeing him. He guessed Lady Catelyn planned that specifically.

Freya thanked him, settled in to the room. Jon was glad she talked. He liked her voice.

He showed Lord Reyne his chambers, which are on the same floor as Robb. Lord Reyne observed Jon silently. It made Jon's hands sweat, he was able to keep the tremble out of his voice though. He hoped Lord Reyne liked him better than Lady Catelyn.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

Jon hoped that he could see what Lady Reyne would look like the next day. His hopes were in vain. She wore a different veil, one which is a gossamer silk over a thicker veil, which covered all save her eyes, and the gossamer veil covered her eyes as well.

Lady Reyne sat her self by her father's side, ate little, it seemed there's another opening in her thicker veil which allowed her to eat. Still, Jon couldn't help look at her at times, he could feel her gaze on him at times.

"I bet she is looking at me." Theon said.

"No, she is not." Jon said before he could stop him self.

"How do you know?" Robb enquired.

"What? He can see through veils now?" Jon asked caustically.

If any thing, that seemed to increase Robb's curiosity. First, Jon accompanies the girl rather than him, then Jon, who usually doesn't raise to Theon's barbs comes to the girl's rescue. He is almost sure that the girl is stealing glances at Jon, rather than Theon. It just smelt like a puzzle he must solve. This is far more interesting than his lord lessons. Which he is suddenly sharing with Jon.

"I don't need to see through veils to know I can make her scream." Theon japed.

"I warn you not to approach her Theon. She's a guest of Winterfell, she must be treated with respect." Jon said through clenched teeth. He is sure if Theon said one more word, he most probably will get a fist in face in response.

Robb looked on curiously. Even Theon sensed some thing amiss.

"What's gotten in to you Snow? Fell face in for the ugly there? I bet she is ugly as a pig, that's why she wears that veil." Theon said. He payed more attention to what he is eating rather than Lady Reyne after that.

Jon looked down, clenched his fists under the table lest he really put a fist in Theon's face. He looked up to see Robb examining him.

"What is it?" Robb whispered.

"nothing." Jon said in equally low voice.

"It is some thing. Come on, Tell me. I promise not to tell Theon." Robb promised seriously.

Jon didn't want to. It's his secret and he did not want to divulge it. Even to his brother.

"It is nothing." Jon stressed, got up from the breakfast table before Robb could say some thing.

Half way through to the tilt yard Robb caught up with him.

"you have lessons with me to day, Snow." he called.

Jon swore internally as he turned back. He could have passed by Lady Reyne as she went to sewing lessons with Septa Mordane. Now that chance has past.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

A week went by just like that. Lady Reyne never stopped wearing that veil. Theon lost his interest in her when she ignored any kind of conversation from him.

Jon did not make any overtures towards her, she answered Robb's gestures with practiced formality that seemed cold even to him.

Lord Reyne seemed to watch him constantly, which is almost starting to grate on his nerves. It's worse than lady Catelyn. There's no disdain or anger, but it felt like he is being put on test literally every minute of every day. He wondered if this is how Robb felt. He felt a sudden respect for his brother's easy demeanor.

On the seventh day when Lady Reyne arrived in that veil of hers and shapeless gray dress with a red-lion on it, Lord stark called for a meeting between Jon and Gerald Reyne.

Robb's eyes widened in that fashion which indicated he came to a realization. Jon knew he would have to let go of his secret when he came back from this meeting.

Eddard Stark smiled genially at Lord Reyne.

"Good Morning Lord Reyne. I would get to the matter quick. Are we ever going to see your daughter with out her veil?" It is indeed quick. Perhaps it's southern lords or some one of more consequence, Ned stark might have engaged in more small talk.

Lord Reyne took it in a stride.

"I am afraid you won't, My lord. At least not until betrothal contract is signed." Lord Reyne responded calm as a cucumber.

"My lord, Please think of your words before you speak them. Jon may be a snow, he is still of stark blood and beloved in this household. If you think you can force him in to marriage of convenience for you, you are sorely mistaken." Lord Stark's tone could have frozen flowing water under son.

"My lord, you merely mistaken my intent. I assure you, my daughter is not lacking in any way. I am but a man of limited means, I could not raise an army to protect her if need be. As such, I will take any measures I can to protect her. Please, I implore you to think of my situation." Lord Reyne spoke placatingly. Yet, it's evident he is not going to renege on stopping Lady Reyne from wearing that veil.

"Aye, you can not raise an army to protect her. May I know what you are going to do if I were to order her to stop hiding her self?" Lord stark asked in equally cold tone.

"I am sorry to say, I would have to leave with my daughter my lord. She may remain unmarried, but I would not expose her to attentions of the world with out a sufficient protector at her side." Lord Reyne answered with that assured tone of his which meant business.

"Please, you can't." Jon exclaimed before he could stop him self.

Both lords turned their probing gazes on him.

Jon slowly shrunk in to him self. He liked what he has seen of Lady Reyne till now. She has pretty hands, it seemed she is better at needle work than Sansa. Which made Sansa hate her for the first day, while Arya loved having some one who can put down Sansa. The next day, she braided Sansa's hair in to a new style, which immediately brought her back in to Sansa's graces, which made her enemy of Arya. How ever, the next day, she braided Arya's hair twice as fast as her handmaiden, which let arya escape sewing lessons, which promptly brought her back in to Arya's nice list.

She is unfailingly courteous, she hated Theon Grey joy with a passion. It seemed like that hatred is a direct result of his treatment of Jon.

In fact, Just to day morning, Theon went on and on about how he would not marry some one like her if she doesn't show her face. Lady Eeyne banged her goblet on the table, which resulted in abrupt silence at their end.

"If Jon Snow were a farmer, and you king of westeros Lord Greyjoy, I will still choose Jon Snow. It is so before I met you, it will be so now that I met you. Don't you ever dare pretend otherwise." she hissed at him, so only he and Theon can hear. Jon would forever relish the expression on Theon's face.

He started liking her a bit after she said that to Theon. Even if she's not pretty. He did not want her to go back. He just wanted to see her and talk to her.

"I just want to get to know her better." he said in a small voice.

"You may interact with her in the presence of a chaperon, Jon Snow." Lord Reyne said.

"Are you going to follow at seven paces if I take her out on a walk?" Jon asked him sarcastically. Damn, he should have held his tongue. He is sure he failed some kind of unknown test Lord Reyne is preparing by speaking like that.

Surprising Jon, both lords chuckled at that.

"I trust you better than that Jon. How ever, I fear for my daughter's safety, now that Lannisters will know a Reyne is still alive. Sooner or later, it will bring it's affects here." he answered with out any ire in his voice.

They concluded the meeting there, but Lord Reyne let up on his daughter's and Jon's interaction after that.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

Robb ambushed him as soon as he came out of meeting.

"Spill, Snow. Or else I will make you." he said pointing a blunt knife at his throat.

"Fine. I will tell you. Let me go." Jon said pushing Robb's hands away. His brother is too intelligent for his own good some times.

"Lord Reyne sent a betrothal contract for me. Father invited him and Lady Reyne here so she can get to know me better." Jon replied.

"Reynes of castamere?" Jon nodded.

"Aren't they all dead?" Robb said.

"Apparently, this one's alive. Father's having their nobility documents checked." Jon answered.

"Even so, you can't take castamere's lands. It belongs to Lannisters by right of conquest." Robb pondered.

"By some arcane law, If I fly Reyne's flag on Castamere for three days straight, it will belong back to Reynes." Jon informed.

"Ah. The return of the lord law. It's made so that when the castle is claimed in the absence of the lords, it will go back to them when they returned with out there being a conquest." Robb said nodding at the knowledge.

"I need to know these laws now." Jon sighed. He liked being in tilt yard when Robb is having lessons. Now both of them have to attend these lessons with Theon. He couldn't take that much of Theon's company with out wanting to break some thing.

"I will reign in Theon." Robb said determinedly as they entered the solar set for their lessons.

"Thanks." Jon said gratefully. He is almost at his nerves end between Lord Reyne's silent observation and Theon goading him in to action one way or another.

͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘ ͚ ᾭ ▬ ● ◘

Lady Reyne almost never partook in dinner along with Starks. She had food brought up to her chambers, she will leave those utensils to be collected upon morning. It is a ritual that servants are used to. No body ever knew where she went during that time.

Jon simply wanted to escape the dinner after Robb opened his big mouth and told every one why Lady Reyne is here. Catelyn Stark shew no reaction, meaning she already knew. Arya is excited and worried Jon might not have as much time for her. Sansa gushed about their wedding and dresses already.

He could take it no more. So, he went to the only place where no one goes much, the Library tower. He is surprised to find Lady Reyne reading at one corner with two candles. Jon suddenly realized her gossamer veil is pulled backwards. I can see her eyes, he thought excitedly. He wondered if it's pathetic to be so excited over just being able to see her eyes.

He pulled a random book from isle, moved to her silently, or as silently as he could manage. Even then, Lady Reyne noticed him, pulled her gossamer veil back on. Jon's excitement seeped away like water from a pot with hole. He had a crazy urge to pull her veil away and look at her, but he resisted.

"You may want read at some point, My lord." Lady Reyne commented lightly, turning a page in her book.

Jon looked down at his book. He had it upside down. He turned it to rights hastily. Lady Reyne chuckled under her veil.

"I am not a lord. My name is Jon Snow." he said. He hoped it did not sound as snooty to her as it did to his ears.

Lady Reyne simply looked up at him in the same probing manner as her father.

What's with Reyne's and their tests, Jon thought annoyed.

"You may call me Freya, If I am to call you Jon." she informed him, went back to her book.

Jon decided he liked her voice.

"Do you come here often?" he asked.

"Yes, I do." she answered simply.

Jon looked back at his book. He had no idea what it is or why he picked it.

He waited for some time trying to sneak a peak at Lady Reyne. She kept to her book, seem to be reading at a fairly fast pace if the page turning is any thing to go by.

"Do you mean what you said to Theon?" he asked, abandoning any pretense at reading. After all, he is not reading.

"I said very few things to Lord Greyjoy. I meant each and every one of them." She answered evasively.

"You will really choose me over him even if he is a lord and I am a bastard?" Jon asked plainly.

"Yes, Jon. Before coming here, my father told me that there are two young men to choose from, Lord Greyjoy and bastard of Lord Stark. I chose you. That is why the betrothal contract is for you, not Lord Greyjoy." she answered equally plainly. It gladdened Jon's heart, but brought up more doubts.

"If Robb Stark is also with in the choice, what then, My lady?" he asked.

"Freya. You will call me Freya when I call you Jon." she corrected.

She hesitated before speaking her next words.

"I will not lie to you, Jon. If Robb Stark was an option before seeing any of you, I would have chosen him." Jon's heart sank.

"How ever, now that I met all of you, I will still choose you even if Robb Stark were an option." she continued, with out looking up from her book.

Jon smiled her beatifically. Some thing in her tone told her she is speaking truth.

She looked up at his face for a second, went back to her book immediately. Good thing, her veil is covering her blush.

Jon went back to his book with out reading and just smiling.

When the bells rang for signifying hour of lion, she told him her father will arrive in five minutes to escort her back. He asked her if she is going to be at the same place tomorrow. She nodded yes, Jon made him self scarce immediately.

He left the library after Lord Reyne escorted his daughter back to her chambers, still smiling happily.