August 12, 2018

This is the evening of the day depicted in Lord of Winterfell.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE JON'S CHAMBER - NIGHT

NED STARK knocks on Jon's door.

NED

Jon.

No answer.

NED

Jon, open the door.

Another long silence, then finally the sound of footsteps. TINY JON SNOW opens the door a crack and peers up at Ned. It's apparent that he's been crying, and is stubbornly trying to look like he hasn't been.

NED

(kind)

May I come in?

Jon just looks at him, then relents and opens the door wider. Ned comes in. He sits down on the lid of the chest at the foot of Jon's bed.

NED

You weren't at supper.

Jon is closing the door, not looking at Ned.

TINY JON

I'm not hungry.

Ned smiles sadly. He pats the spot next to him on the chest.

NED

Come here.

Jon doesn't move.

NED

Come here , Jon.

Reluctantly, sullenly, Jon comes and sits down next to Ned. He stares down at his own feet.

NED

Are you alright?

TINY JON

Why does she hate me?

NED

She doesn't hate you, Jon.

2.

Jon gives Ned a look .

TINY JON

She does.

Ned hesitates, then heaves a deep sigh.

NED

I... dishonored her. Dishonored myself.

TINY JON

Do you wish I'd never been born?

That visibly hits Ned in the feels.

NED

(pained)

Sweet boy, no, no. I would never wish that.

TINY JON

But you're ashamed of me.

NED

I'm not ashamed of you.

TINY JON

You just said it.

NED

The shame lies with me, Jon. Not with you.

Jon just deadpans at him, unimpressed.

NED

Come here.

Ned pulls Jon into a hug. Jon doesn't reciprocate.

NED

I'm sorry Cat was harsh to you.

Jon's face starts to crumple a bit, but he reins it back in. He pulls himself out of the hug.

Ned considers his words for a beat before speaking again.

NED

Jon... you're young. None of this is your fault. But you must learn to be careful about what you say. Lady Catelyn wants what's best for her own children. It's only natural for a mother. She's afraid that someday, you might start wishing you could be Lord of Winterfell yourself.

3.

TINY JON

But I do.

Ned gives Jon an alarmed look. Jon meets his gaze steadily, and there's something dangerous and arresting in his stare that looks out of place on someone so young.

NED

(urgent)

Jon, you must never wish for that.

TINY JON

I want to. I want to be just like you.

A conflicted look on Ned's face. He's touched, but also disturbed. Jon watches Ned's expression and deflates in defeat.

TINY JON

But I can never be like you, can I. Because Robb is your real son.

Ned pauses, trying to think of the right words.

NED

You can never be Lord of Winterfell, it's true.

A heartbroken look comes over Jon's face.

NED

But you can be something else, Jon. You have the blood of heroes in you. Not all of those heroes were Lord of Winterfell.

TINY JON

Were any of those heroes named Snow?

Ned smiles wryly.

NED

You can be the first.

4.

TINY JON

How?

NED

I don't know. You'll have to find that out for yourself. When you're a man grown.

Jon deadpans at him some more.

NED

You must be hungry. I'll go ask the kitchen to send you something. Then I'll come see you again, hm?

TINY JON

Don't.

NED

No?

TINY JON

(sullen)

I don't want you.

NED

Fair enough.

Ned smiles at Jon, then walks to the door. Jon remains behind on the chest, staring dully at the floor. The door opens.

NED

Jon?

Jon looks up. Ned stands in the doorway, pausing to look at Jon before leaving.

NED

Is there anything you do want? That I could get for you?

Jon stares back at him expressionlessly. Finally:

TINY JON

I want my mother.

A silence. It's hard for Ned to conceal how much that hurts him. Then he turns and leaves without a word.