Scribblings of a Crow in the Snow

A black, tattered and somewhat faded leather-bound journal.

Within are the written personal thoughts, memories and emotions of Jon Snow -

man of the Night's Watch and Bastard of Winterfell.

However, at the top of the page, separate from the main bulk of writing, a sentence is scribbled in near unreadable writing.

I’m writing this journal so that my side of things, that my reasons may be known, no matter what happens to me. Perhaps, should the worst come to pass, this will some day end up in the hands of my family…and maybe they’ll understand.

Opening the journal you notice that the first page is partly frozen and that the writing is messy, seemingly rushed.

(From “Kissed by Fire in the Snow”.)

What have you got yourself into this time, Snow?

I was asked to do one simple thing…the Halfhand even offered to do it for me, but I was so eager to please that I was adamant I would take care of it myself. Not to mention I couldn’t stop thinking of what Father had once told me; “The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words.” I joined the Night’s Watch to honour my families name, so how could I ignore my fathers advice?

And so I spared her life. I couldn’t bring myself to kill her just because she was a Wildling, even if she would have killed me had our roles been reversed. She had done no wrong, and I could not kill her for that. Is that the only reason? I…don’t truly know. All I know was that it did not feel right. Ygritte, the fiery, redheaded Wildling woman, who is now my captive. She tried to escape, forcing me to chase her down. I took a long time for me to find my bearings and return to where my Black Brothers had left me, but they were long gone and the sun was beginning to set.

She’s asleep now, and I’m writing this with the last ounces of sunlight for illumination. She’s peaceful when she’s sleeping. I don’t know the way back to the Fist of the First Men from here, so tomorrow, at first light, I’m going to have to do my best to retrace our path here, and hope for the best. A great plan, isn’t it? I don’t know what will happen to Ygritte when I find the rest of the Night’s Watch, though I gave her my word she would not be executed…and I would not allow anyone to take advantage of her. Maybe I should just let her go, and deal with the consequences for my actions?

What have you got yourself into this time, Snow?