The Old Gods and New

Bran's Fall

Jessica felt the walls cave in around her. The room was suddenly spinning.

Tyrion quickly lept into action.

"You three have mouths." He whispered urgently through gritted teeth. "Smile."

And in unison again they had fake courtly smiles when one had to fake being enthused.

Tyrion let his face fall in his hands. "Believable smiles." He shook his head. "This is going to be a long...life." He mumbled.

Jessica was never so glad that music had started up. She watched as Joffrey asked Sansa to dance.

Jaime downed whatever alcohol he currently had then smiled. "My nephew is being a better fiancé that I am at the moment." He stood up and offered a hand to Jessica. "I'd be honored."

Jessica took his offered hand. "The honor would be mine."

The pair of them walked down, Robb and Jessica quickly made eye contact. He gave a small forced nod.

Jamie twirled her into his arms, and it took everything in her not to admit she was charmed by the Knight.

"You can admit you like this." He smirked.

"I have absolutely no idea what you're referring too." Jessica raised both eyebrows.

He leaned in closer, noses almost touching, breath mingling. "Oh I believe you do Little Wolf."

Jessica's cheeks flushed pink. She wasn't, by Gods, wasn't going to give into the Kingslayer.

Jaime smiled complacently, as if knowing her internal struggle. "Fight now all you want Little Wolf. But the King has given his orders. Not even your father, Eddard Stark can get you out of this one."

Anger flashed over her eyes. Jaime slowed. He gently grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Pretend all your want that you don't want this. It only makes this more enjoyable for me." He kissed her cheek before leading her back up to her mother.

As the feast began to wind down, Jessica was able to slip away. Out the side door she was met with the cool night air. Finally she took a deep breath.

Conversation made her open her eyes and go to investigate. It didn't take long to see it was Benjen and Jon. They were smiling and laughing, Benjen clapped his shoulder. "I can't tell you not to, But if you do take The Black..."

"You're taking The Black..." Jessica's voice was no more than a whisper. But loud enough that both men turned around.

"Oh Little Wolf..." Benjen started in.

"You're marrying Jaime Lannister." Jon rounded on her.

"You're taking The Black." Jessica shook her head, tears filling her eyes. This wasn't the plan. This wasn't the plan at all.

"You're marrying Jaime Lannister!" Jon's voice rose as he advance towards her.

Jessica kept shaking her head. "You're taking The Black!" Sadness rose up in her. He was leaving her. She'd never see him again.

"You are marrying Jaime Lannister." He grabbed both her shoulders. "You are going to be whisked off to King's Landing. Be married, have children and live a life. A life without me. The Black will give me some sense of purpose."

Jessica shook her head, tears heavy on her cheeks. "I was going to take you with me."

Jon closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. "You and I both know that wouldn't work Love. The Lions would keep you in their den."

"I dont want you to go." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'll send Ravens every week, and if I get a chance to visit, I will."

"Jon." Jessica sobbed as he pulled her into his arms. He rested his chin rested on her head. The pair stood there Jessica refusing to let the other go.

Jon kissed the top of her head, then her forehead, her temple, her cheek, and finally her lips.

She let the night fall away. He was sweet, gentle as he'd always been. How could she ever let him go?

But as soon as it started, it stopped as footsteps rounded the corner. The pair just had time to put enough distance between them before the figure came into view.

"Ah, there's where you ran off too." Jaime flashed a smile over at the pair.

"Jon was kind enough to escort me back to my chamber." Jessica kept an even tone.

"There's no need for him to." He offered his arm to her. "You are mine now after all."

Jessica narrowed her eyes. "The engagement was only announced tonight. And I'm perfectly capable of returning to my own chambers."

"Oh no doubt you are. However a claim has been made, my claim, Little Wolf. And I will personally ensure that your honor has not been besmirched." His eyes flicked to Jon.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Jessica gave Jon's hand a squeeze, before crossing to Jaime and taking his arm. The pair walked across the courtyard and into the main part of Winterfell.

"You know," Jaime finally spoke as they reached the door. "Neither of you thought that through did you."

"What do you want me to say Kingslayer?" Jessica rounded on Jaime. She had reached her door. If it bothered him, Jaime didn't let on. "Admit to something you've only rumored. Something that you could easily mistaken in the dark of night. It will be my word against yours. And I don't need to remind you that you are a guest in my home." She headed into her room and closed the door. Jaime however, caught it, and followed her inside before gently letting the door close.

Jessica stood with her back to him, facing the fire. She could feel him move closer, the lion stalking his prey.

"He's taking The Black. A safer option than bringing him to King's Landing." Jaime stood right behind her. His hand rested on her hips. "Because if he were to be in King's Landing, anything could happen." His hands slid up to her waist.

Jessica didn't answer, eyes focused on the flames.

"A slip of the horse, a fall off the tower..." His arms snaked their way around her and Jaime pulled her against him. His chin rested again her shoulder, their cheeks touching.

"You can't keep me from writing to him." Jessica turned her head to look at him.

Jaime simply smiled and placed a kiss on her shoulder. "You've ever only loved a boy." His kisses began to trail up. "Only been kissed by a boy." His murmurs tickled her neck. Jessica closed her eyes and kept still, she wasn't going to give into the game the Kingslayer was playing.

"I'm no boy Jessica." He turned her so she was facing him. Her hands fell onto his chest. "No, I am no boy at all." He gently placed a finger under her chin, and tilted her face up to look at him.

In hindsight, Jessica should've dismissed him. Refused him outright. But she didn't. And that kiss that followed. Jessica couldn't think straight. That wretched kiss. It was nothing like she had ever felt. Fire and ice consumed her. Time itself melted away. Only passion that neither of them shied away from. Jaime easily picked her up into his arms. And Jessica realized that close would never be close enough, tight would never be tight enough. It was a physical attraction she had never felt before.

Jaime laid her down on the bed, peppering her with little kisses. "The bastard does not step foot into this room. Do you hear me?" Both of his hands were on either side of her keeping her in place. "I dont want to hear a word about Jon Snow." Another kiss. "And when you sleep tonight," the next kiss was deeper still, "remember no boy ever made you feel like this."

He gave her one more kiss, sweet, chaste. "Sleep well Little Wolf." Jaime eased himself off the bed and saw himself out.

Jessica stared at the door long after Jaime's departure. Did she go to Robb? To Jon. Certainly not her Mother and Father. She sighed, got up and undressed, changing into night robes. She laid under her furs, sleep quickly taking over once she settled.

The dreams were unsettling, she was in Winterfell and at the same time, not. Everything seemed off. There was a crow that urged her to follow, to follow down into the crypts. She walked along the long path, every tomb encroaching on her. She stopped at her Aunt Lyanna's tomb and it bore into her. Ther was a caw of the raven. Jessica turned to the sound. When she turned back to Lyanna's grave, it's eyes were crying blood. And the more she stated the more blood poured. From her eyes, her ears, her mouth, finger nails, wrists, her womanhood. A scream welled up inside her.

"Hey hey hey hey." Robb suddenly had hands on her. Grey Wind and Griselda barking.

Jessica's eyes opened, and she jolted awake.

"You were screaming in your sleep." Rob sighed. He went to sit on the side of the bed. "Why is your bed wet?"

Rob hopped up and drew back her covers, blood was covering the bottom bedding.

"Oh Gods." Robb pulled Jessica off bed. He turned her around and the whole back of Jessica's night clothes were blood covered as well.

Jessica started crying and shaking.

"What's going on? Jess..." Jon had entered the room, Ghost at his heel.

"Stay with her while I go get Mother and Father and Maester Luwin." Robb handed Jessica to Jon and rushed off. "Grey Wind stay." Robb ordered as he rushed out the door.

"Hey shhh shhhhh. I'm here." Jon held her close, noticing she was warm to the touch.

"Whats the meaning of this?" Ned rushed into the room. "Robb said there was blood." Ned looked to the bed.

"You can go." Catelyn dismissed Jon coldly.

Jessica looked up at Jon. He kissed her forehead and let her be. She looked over at her Mother.

"I'm sorry." Jessica whispered. Her mother came over and assessed the situation.

"There's nothing to be sorry for love. I should've known that your first blood would happen soon. Let's go draw you a warm bath."

A half an hour later, Jessica was soaking in a warm bath, her mother pouring water over her head. Jessica closed her eyes. Her mother made sure she was cleaned up, there were new bedding when they returned. Jessica was tucked back into bed and Maester Luwin administered some Milk of the Poppy. A heartbeat later Jessica was sound asleep.

Winterfell was rather quiet. Robert Baratheon took a large hunting party which included her Father. Jessica hadn't seen the Queen, surprisingly she hadn't seen Jaime either. Which was fine by her, she hadn't felt like keeping much company. But with Jaime's absence, Jon had been staying by her side, as well as Rob. When Jessica didn't feel like getting out of bed, one or both of her boys clambered on in. She could also be seen with two or three Direwolves near her.

Jessica finally felt like getting out on one of Winterfell's warmer days. She was accompanied by Grey Wind, Griselda and Ghost. She was walking across the courtyard and something seemed off. The Direwolves seemed to sense it as well. Jessica decided to take a sharp left. Not more than fifty or so feet from one of the towers, did she hear Summer's cry. She picked up the pace. When she rounded the corner, horror fell on her. Bran was lying flat on his back, he eyes closed and he wasn't moving. Summer was nudging Bran but even the pup couldn't get a response. Jessica ran and scooped Bran up. He was just a boy. A seven-year-old boy. She ran inside, four Direwolves ahead of her, screaming until she found Maester Luwin.