Chapter Text
The day was going on as usual. Merchants sold their wares, and commoners were doing their daily work. You weren’t wearing much of a coat considering you already felt warm from the unusually warm day in Winterfell. You just finished the last of your daily chores and it was midday.
‘Not bad,’ you thought to yourself. You were the baker’s daughter. You didn’t do much of the heavy lifting because your brothers took care of that, but your father knew how talented and creative you really were. You loved baking and creating new pies for him and his shop. The shop has been busier than usual due to the upcoming feast the Starks will be having in three days’ time, so creating pies was not a priority.
Instead, you were stuck doing the usual daily chores. Heating up the ovens in the early mornings, collecting eggs from market, and other things were your sole responsibility. It took you till the early afternoon to get things done, but since you had extra time on your hands, you decided to go see one of your dearest friends in Winterfell.
Walking through the castle gates always put a certain rush through you. The castle itself was massive and thick. It was as warm as it was intimidating. People were bustling about and talking about either daily gossip or the warm day. Two children rushed past you. It wasn’t until three seconds later you realized it was Ayra and Bran. You chuckled and shook your head.
“They’re fast, aren’t they?” Jon said as he snuck up behind you.
“I swear they get faster every time I see them,” you smiled.
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be doing chores?” Jon gave you a concerned look.
“I finished them early,” you smiled at him again. “I thought I would come and see you.” Jon gave you a big grin. Usually he frowned and sulked, but when you are around him he smiled more. It made you feel special.
“I’m so glad you said that because there’s someone I want you to meet,” Jon grabbed your hand and both of you weaved through the servants of Winterfell. Dodging left and right, both of you moved like a team. Each of you responding to each other’s slight touch. It wasn’t too long ago that you ran around like Ayra and Bran did. However, you both learned how to move around people unlike the Stark siblings.
You had been friends with Jon since you were children. Lady Catelyn was always welcoming of other children playing with her own, however Jon was swept aside. When there was ‘proper’ things to do, you snuck Jon out of the castle (as if Lady Catelyn noticed) and you both stole some bread from your father’s shop (that he did notice) and explored where you could. Now, you both didn’t have time for childhood fantasies. Jon and you were growing up and fast.
Confused, but excited you followed Jon inside the kennels. He ran to the second to last kennel and motioned for you to come over. As he opened the cage, you eyed the bigger dogs kept inside the cages. They looked hungry, but you knew they meant no harm to you. You turned towards Jon and you saw him holding a ball of snow fur in his arms.
“(Y/N), I want you to meet Ghost,” Jon said. The small direwolf pup lifted his head. Your mouth dropped to the floor.
“Is that? Is it really a direwolf? Where did you find him? What? He’s so cute!” You said that all in the same breath. You held out your hands to hold Ghost. Ghost’s white fur was warm in your hands and his cold nose nuzzled your face when he sniffed it. You started giggling at the sensation. He wriggled and squirmed in your arms, but he was easy to manage because he was so small.
“We found a whole litter in the forest today. Six of them. Ghost is the runt of them,” Jon said.
“You mean there’s more?” You instantly replied back, eyes wide. Jon chuckled.
“Yes,” Jon’s smile turned into a frown. “It is a shame though. When we found them, their mother’s body was lying dead next to them.” You gasped.
“No mother? That’s awful,” you cuddled Ghost closer to you. “Good thing, you found them. Lord Stark is letting you keep them right? He’s not going to make you turn them loose all by themselves is he?”
“No, he’s not. We do get to keep them,” Jon lowered his voice. “As long as we walk them, bathe them, train them, and feed them ourselves.” You chuckled in response of Jon’s mockery of his father. Jon scratched Ghost’s ears. You looked down into the direwolf pup’s face. Ghost licked your cheek. You smiled, but frowned while you thought about the mother this pup and its siblings lost. Jon put his hand on your shoulder. You looked up to him and saw a serious face.
“It’s life,” he said. “But, if you still feel bad, you can be his mother.” Jon smiled at you the way he always does, and you felt your stomach flip with joy.
“And you can be his father right?” You smiled at Jon with the same enthusiasm. Jon stepped closer to you, and he reached for your right arm.
“(Y/N)!” Robb came strolling into the kennel with his direwolf trotting behind. Jon dropped his hand immediately. “I see you’ve met our new family members. This is Grey Wind.” You set Ghost down, and opened your arms for Grey Wind. He was much bigger than Ghost with grey hair. As you scratched his ears, he rolled onto his back for you.
“Oh, he likes me!” You exclaimed.
“He sure does,” Robb smiled. It seemed the Stark boys were happy with their new furry responsibilities. “You’re here early, don’t you usually come around the afternoon?”
“My father has kicked me out of the kitchen to prepare for the feast coming up. It seems he only wants serious bakers in his kitchen today.” You responded. Jon scrunched up his face and responded.
“Wait, your father kicked you ou—
“But you are a serious baker, (Y/N). Surely, your father knows that right?” Robb interrupted. “Sansa adores your lemon cakes. It’s a shame he kicked you out today.”
“I’ll be alright, Robb,” you said as you touched Robb’s shoulder. Jon felt his heart sink.
“If you say so. Now, Theon and I were going to go teach Grey Wind how to fetch. Would you guys like to come along?” Before Jon could answer, you spoke.
“Of course we would!” You started. “Let’s not waste today. Come on, Ghost. Come to mommy!” Robb and you left the kennels with Grey Wind and Ghost trailing behind. Jon took a deep breath and followed in annoyance.