<hr>


    Flashback


    Ned’s solar was warm, the fire crackling in the hearth as Jon stood before his father, his dark eyes filled with determination. “Let me do this,” Jon said, his voice steady. “I’ll get myself captured. They’ll take me to their camp, and I’ll find Alys. Once I know where she is, I’ll send a raven with the location. You can attack the camp and rescue us both.”


    Ned’s expression was grim, his grey eyes filled with conflict. “No,” he said firmly. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t risk your life, Jon.”


    But Lord Karstark, who had been pacing the room, stepped forward, his face pale with desperation. “Please, Lord Stark,” he begged. “My daughter is out there. If there’s even a chance to save her, we must take it.”


    Ned’s jaw tightened, his hands gripping the edge of the table. He looked at Jon, his eyes searching for any sign of doubt. But Jon’s resolve was unshakable.


    “I can do this, Father,” Jon said. “I’ll be careful." And Shadow will be watching over me.


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    Ned sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the decision. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. But if anything goes wrong, you send that raven immediately. Do you understand?”


    Jon nodded, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear.


    Robb, who had been standing silently in the corner, looked at Jon with wide eyes. “You’re really going to do this?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    Jon met his brother’s gaze. “Someone has to.”


    Robb looked away, his face flushed with shame. He wanted to volunteer, to prove himself, but the fear was too great. He couldn’t bring himself to say the words.


    <hr>


    End of Flashback


    <hr>


    Now, sitting in the wildling camp, Jon’s plan was in full motion. He had spent days selling small amounts of fertilizer in the towns near the Wall, drawing the attention of the Freefolk. It hadn’t taken long for them to kidnap him, just as he had hoped.


    The wildlings had brought him to their camp, a sprawling collection of tents and crude shelters deep in the forest. They had questioned him relentlessly, demanding to know the secrets of the fertilizer. Jon had played the part of a frightened boy, giving them just enough information to keep them interested but not enough to reveal the truth.


    And then, they had brought him to Alys.


    She sat huddled in a corner of the cage, her blue eyes wide with fear and confusion. When she saw Jon, her expression shifted to disbelief.