Chapter 15: Budding Fruit

Jon knew damn well Eddard Stark would never legitimize him, even if hundreds of people cheered the name Jon Stark outside the walls of Winterfell. Eddard wasn't a man who would bend to the wishes of other people. He obeyed only the laws that governed men, and his king.

Jon was forever destined to bear the name Snow. Even now, as he stood atop the walls of Winterfell, gazing down at the waves of people shouting his name. Jon knew Ned wouldn't grant him the Stark name. Ned cared for him, but he would never choose his nephew over his own children.

Taking the Stark name meant more than simply being addressed by a different last name. It would mean that he would have a claim to Winterfell. It would mean that he was entitled to some of the land and riches that belonged to the Stark name. He knew what Ned was thinking, if Jon suddenly had a claim to Winterfell, wouldn't he revolt later down the line?

Lord Stark had seen how temptation could ruin a man. While Jon knew the lord trusted him now, it would be different if he left on a journey and came back many years later. In the books, Ned didn't trust Robert, out of wariness that the king had changed since the beginning of his reign. It would be the same with him.

Time changed people, both Jon and Ned knew this. You can never judge a man by the days of his youth. Which was why Jon didn't intend on convincing Ned to legitimize him. He knew that under Ned's rule, he had no chance of ruling Winterfell. The only way to get Winterfell in his bastard hands was to rip it from his cousin's dead body. The best thing about it was, Jon didn't even need to interfere for this to happen. Robb's death was already set in stone.

He had a few plans for King's Landing, but that was many years from now. At the moment, he had to quell his dear father's heart, lest the old man worry himself to death. "Mother." Lady Catelyn looked over, hands still shaking, eyes still red. "Let's go down. I want to speak with Lord Stark about this matter of legitimization."

"Jon I-"

"Don't worry mother," He quickly interrupted, "I don't want the Stark name. I will not ask for it, nor will I ask for any land. I have no intention of doing anything that would harm your children's future prospects."

Whatever words Lady Catelyn had for him clogged in her throat as she looked at him with unmistakable guilt. He hadn't known what had suddenly spurred her to make such a bold request, but it didn't matter. He made sure to make Lady Catelyn feel as horrible as possible, even when she was trying to help him.

"Will you take my hand?" Lady Catelyn relented, and they both walked down the steps to Eddard, who had already run to the stairs the second Lady Catelyn had stopped talking. His expression was extremely amusing, and Jon once again remembered just how transparent of a man Ned was. He wore his concerns, worries and weaknesses on his shoulder like a badge of honor.

It was almost sad in a way, that such an incompetent and foolish man was in charge of the North. Jon thought that even if the events at King's Landing hadn't have happened, the North still would have fallen into peril. He could never trust a man like Eddard Stark to fight against the invasion of the Others. Then again, Eddard was never meant to be the leader of the North, so what could you really expect from a spare?

"Lord Stark. I hope you didn't come to tell me that I won't receive the Stark name?" He burst out in laughter when he saw Ned's face melt into horrible sadness. "I'm joking. I don't want to have the Stark name. I plan to leave tomorrow morning. My presence at Winterfell has caused enough trouble as it is."

"Jon..." He could see Ned trying to think of something to say, anything that could make this less awkward, but the Lord of Winterfell wasn't linguistically skilled enough to comfort him. "It's fine." He put on the largest, most genuine smile he could. "I don't need to be a Stark. I will become my own person."

Ned only stuttered as Jon brushed past him, and over to the guards, bag of money in hand. The men cheered for him, all of them in unison. It seemed that they had garnered a new level of respect for him after hearing what he had done to that Tully knight.

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning when the sun rises. I've already prepared most of the supplies needed for the journey. We'll be traveling south following the kingsroad. We'll be riding long and hard the first few days. So unless you're ready you'd best stay here in Winterfell. Which of you is willing to come with me?"

About twenty hands rose. "I am. May I accompany you on your journey Jon?" It was Jory who spoke.

"Anyone who wants to accompany me is welcome to do so. We will meet at the gate tomorrow morning. Thank you for all that you've done for me. It's been a pleasure serving Winterfell by your side." Jon gave a quick nod, and hastily left the guards alone.

At first Jon wanted to have a dramatic leave with Lady Catelyn, Ned, and his cousins. But now that the situation had turned sour, Jon had no intention of talking to any of his family members. It would be once he was gone that they had wished he'd stayed. Making their last memory of him an unpleasant one where they refused to legitimize him would be great when reaping favors in the future.

The bud would take years to grow into a fruit, but this fruit would never rot or spoil. Jon's succession to Winterfell was guaranteed, all he had to do was wait. And time was the only thing Jon had an abundance of.