Chapter 16: Jon

Shaena had grown much in the almost two moon's turns she had been in the world. Theon and Lady Catelyn knew of her along with a few other household members but I had chosen not to share her existence with many until she grew larger. She was close to Ghost's size after about a half a year and spent a lot of her days in my chambers. She was content playing with Ghost but I felt bad cooping her up. At night I would let her roam the area to her hearts content but she would always appear back at my window at dawn.

After sending letters to all the Houses in the North I spent many of my days with Bran and visiting Lords discussing our shift in allegiance. The first House to visit us was House Poole, closely followed by House Mollen due to their proximity. Both Houses were surprised but listen to us as we told them of Joffrey's parentage and how that lead to Eddard Stark's death.

Soon after that I sent Jory back to House Cassel to tell his kin of what we know. He returned with their support the same day both House Cerwyn and House Condon came to Winterfell. Lord Medger did not ask why we were shifting our alliance, though we told him, pledging the full support of House Cerwyn to House Stark. He clapped my shoulder and told me the North Remember's and was choked up telling Bran and I of his sadness at the death of Ned. Medger and his daughter Jonelle stayed for a few days after that. House Condon had much the same response as house Cerwyn, declaring that their House will always follow the Starks.

Ser Helman Tallhart came to Winterfell two days after Lord Medger. Ser Helman was most respectful, listening quietly as we explained. He swore his allegiance to the House Stark and to support any person the Starks chose to support in their claim of the Iron Throne. House Lake and House Harclay came together, having met on the road to Winterfell, and responded much like House Tallhart.

When House Glover and the other Houses of the Wolfswood arrived, most of the other Houses who had visited had already left. Lady Catelyn busied herself in making the Keep ready for so many visitors. Bran hosted a feast for the Wolfswood Houses the day they arrived. There was much drinking and tales being told of great feats of the Houses present. Winterfell felt full and happy for the first time in a long time. The day after the feast Lord Galbart Glover and the representatives of Houses Bole, Branch, Woods, and Forrester met Bran and I in the Lord's solar. Their serious faces were a great change from the ruddy faces I had seen the night before.

Lord Glover spoke for all of them, "What is so important that you need to talk to us, Lord Brandon?" I think I would grow to like Lord Glover. He was a true Northern Lord, forged of steel and snow, but there was a softness when he spoke that hinted at a calm kindness as well.

Bran gestured to me and I stepped forward. "I apologize that Lord Robb is not here to great you, my Lords, but some news has come to us from King's Landing." Lord Glover tightened his hand on his sword and nodded for me to continue. I looked at all of the men in turn, "Joffrey is not a Baratheon but a Waters. He and his siblings are the result of a relationship between Cersei Lannister and Ser Jamie Lannister."

I watched the men all burst into outrage, hearing things like "the whore queen" and "Bastard King". Eventually I locked eyes with Lord Glover and he quieted down his men. He was red in the face and had gotten up to pace in front of the fire.

Lord Glover spoke then, "So what was your letter about? Supporting the True Heir? There must be another claim to the throne." He looked between myself and Bran. He was a smart man.

Bran spoke first, "There is Lord Glover. A Targaryen survived and has a stronger claim to the throne given that King Robert only sired bastards. Prince Rhaegar's sister, Danaerys Targaryen, lives across the Narrow Sea and plans to take the Iron Throne. We will support her claim."

I set my hand on Bran's shoulder, letting my pride in him seep through my touch. Lord Glover studied Bran for a few minutes in a heavy silence. He eventually nodded, kneeling before Bran. "The Glovers have been sworn to House Stark for a thousand years and will be sword to them until the end of our House. We support you, Lord Brandon, in this decision."

At the end of his statement every man of the Wolfswood kneeled and swore their allegiance again to House Stark. Bran stood up and asked the Lords to stand as well.

"Thank you, my Lords." Bran said. "We appreciate your support in this and I offer you all a place at my hearth and meat and meed at my table for as long as your wish." I felt my heart swell with pride for Bran.

I was relaxing in my chambers looking at a map of the North, thinking of how I would meet with other Lords, when Maester Luwin knocked on my door. He smiled kindly as he handed me a letter from Robb. I thanked the Maester as I moved back to my chair, staring at the seal. I was worried that the letter would contain more bad news. I steeled my nerves and broke the seal.

Jon,

How is the North? I feel like I have been away for too long but I will make my way back soon. I am staying in the Capital to attend Sansa's wedding to King Joffrey. Sansa will be wed in a fortnight as of me writing this letter. I wish you, Bran, Arya, Rickon, Catelyn, and Theon could be here to see her. She has matured much and will be a beautiful bride. I just wish… well, you know.

Sansa sends her love and as do I,

Robb

I instinctively moved my hand to the leather bracelet Sansa made me. She was going to be wed so soon. And in a place so foreign to her. I was happy Robb was with her but we shared the same sentiment, we wished Ned had not been killed and that Sansa was marrying someone worthy of her. I continued to look at the wolves on the leather, thinking. I should tell the family but it was late. It could wait until tomorrow.

Shaena and Ghost sensed my concern. Ghost came over and placed his head on my lap while Shaena wrapped herself around my shoulders. She was almost too big to do that. It felt nice having their warm weight on me. I would go to sleep now and tell everyone of Sansa's wedding in the morning.

I rose with the sun and saw that Shaena and Ghost had not left me in the night, both sleeping soundly in my bed. I smile and moved to get ready for the day when I heard a whine at the door to my chambers. I opened it, confused, but smiled when I saw Lady. She moved into my rooms, settling herself to wait for my to finish getting ready. She spent her days watching over the family member she sensed needed the most protection or comfort. Recently she had been spending most of her time with Lady Catelyn, comforting her over the absence of part of her family and the death of her beloved husband. Lady must sense that I have reservations about Sansa's wedding and having to break the news to the family.

I left my chambers with Ghost and Lady, allowing Shaena to leave the Keep in daytime. As I went to the main hall to break my fast with the family I thought of what to say. I was pleased to see that they were all gathered around the high table, talking happily.

Arya noticed me first, "Jon!" She gestured for my to sit in the seat next to her. I smiled, it was nice to hear her happy.

I sat next to her and turned to greet everyone, putting some food on my plate. Lady moved to Lady Catelyn and rested her head on Catelyn's lap.

"I received a raven form Robb last night." I started, and the meal came to a halt.

Bran spoke tentatively, looking to his mother, who's hands had turned to fists in her lap. "What did it say?"

I smiled at him, feeling the table calm slightly, "He sent his love, along with Sansa's, and told me he was hoping to come back North soon." At that the table cheered up again, Arya and Rickon talking of how they can't wait to see their brother again.

Theon was the first to realize Robb was staying longer than he originally intended. "Why is he staying longer?" He said, looking concerned again.

I looked to Cateyln, her hands had not loosened their grip. "Robb is staying for Sansa's wedding to Joffrey."

Most of the happiness shifted to anger after that. Rickon wanted to know why Robb wasn't coming now, being to young to understand the politics of it all. The rest were angered knowing of Joffrey's parentage, of his cruelty, and that Sansa was still going through with the wedding.

Catelyn spoke up, "She must need to, to conceal her true intensions." Her hands had drifted to Lady's fur, clinging to the connection to her eldest daughter. At the continued outrage at the table she continued, "I am just as angered as you are." She said, in her cool and commanding way, "But we must let her do what she feels she must. She is a smart women. I just wish we could have been there for her." She finished in a whisper. With that the family realized that Sansa was all alone with a young bastard king. Breakfast was subdued after that, everyone thinking of what she had to put up with at the hands of the King and how strong she was for it.