JON

A wolf howled into the night. Ghost, Jon thought as he put on his gloves. They matched his black doublet perfectly. His shining sword lay on his soft featherbed. Jon picked it up and sheathed it.

Ghost howled again. Jon wrapped his furs tightly around him and made his way out of the Lord's chambers.

Davos Seaworth was waiting for him at the end of the passage. He had a huge smile on his face. "He's here!" Jon's stomach did a triple somersault.

The Night's Watch had promised to escort his brother safely. Jon trusted the Watch very much but a part of him wanted to go to Castle Black and get Bran himself.

Jon didn't remember following the Onion Knight into the Great Hall. The room was buzzing with noise and laughter. A bunch of familiar faces could be spotted but Jon was only searching for one.

His eyes scanned the room eagerly and finally he spotted him. There at the high table sat Brandon Stark on a wooden chair. He was surrounded by men of the Night's Watch and admirers. Their eyes met.

The last time Jon had seen his brother, he was small child who loved to climb towers. The person who sat in front of him was tall,lanky and looked matured. He's grown a lot, Jon noticed.

Bran's jaw dropped to the floor. I must be dreaming, Jon thought. But this was too real to be a dream or a vision. They gazed at each other for a moment.

Without waiting another moment, Jon rushed to his brother and wrapped him in a tight bone crushing hug. He felt tears well in his eyes. He hastily wiped them with his thumb. This is real, he realized happily. He's really back!

"You're... You've... grown ," Jon said pulling himself free. He still couldn't believe it was actually happening.

"I have," Bran said smiling back at him. "I." Jon laughed and thanked the men of the Night's Watch.

More and more people were pouring into the hall. Many of his bannermen had come to see the true heir of Winterfell return.

"Bring more food and wine!" Robett Glover roared. "This occasion deserves a huge celebration!"

Once they were seated and feasting, Bran called a black haired girl to the table. "I want you to meet Meera Reed," he told Jon. "She is the one who stuck with me throughout my journey."

"I am more than thankful, Meera." Jon said shaking the girl's hand. "The hospitality of Winterfell is yours."

"Why don't you join us?" Bran offered.

"I don't think so, Bran," she told him. "I'm going to eat with father." She paraded off. Bran looked disappointed.

"Hodor and Summer were with you, weren't they?" Jon asked.

Bran looked down at his plate sadly. "It was my fault, Jon. The Whitewalkers killed them."

I shouldn't have said that. He wanted to steer the subject by asking him about the Walkers but he just patted Bran on the shoulder. There was no more mention of the giant or the direwolf.

The feast was getting very noisy. The people feasted on the food and drinks like a pack of hungry wolves. Many came to congratulate Bran on his return.

"I have tell you something very important," Bran told Jon.

"We'll talk about it later," Jon assured him. "I promise. Too many people right now. You never know who's listening." Bran agreed.

They talked about the battle for a while. Bran winced at the mention of Rickon's death. "How…"

"I tried Bran," Jon said sadly. "But Ramsay Bolton's arrow reached him before my hand could."

Jon told him all about how the knights of the Vale came to the rescue and how his sister killed Ramsay.

"Sansa's gotten brave," Bran admitted proudly. "Why isn't she down yet?"

"She's off to the Twins with Petyr Baelish… Well it's a long story," he said looking at the confused look on his brother's face.

Ghost entered the hall. He rushed towards Bran and licked his face happily.

"Now that we are all settled," boomed Wyman Manderly. "I would like to propose a toast to Brandon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and the King in the North!"

The buzzing hall suddenly became as silent as the grave. "Bran Stark isn't the king!" someone argued. "Jon Snow is!" It was followed by a few silent murmurs.

"Let's face the truth," Manderly said. "He's a bastard! Bran Stark here is the trueborn son of Ned and Catelyn Stark!" A few whispers followed.

Jon noticed the puzzled look on Bran's face. He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder

Lyanna Mormont stood up. "Why can't there be a Lord of Winterfell AND a King in the North? Bran Stark can rule Winterfell while Jon Snow will be king." The murmurs grew louder.

"My lords," Davos bellowed standing up."We value all your opinions. But what matters most are the opinions of the Stark brothers. I think we should let them decide."

Bran had a nonplussed look on his face.

"Do what you feel is right," Jon whispered. "I'm there for you, no matter what."

"Well…" said Bran clearing his throat. "I am really thankful that you are all so contented to see me come back. It pleases me even more that you want me as your lord." He looked at Jon. "However, my brother won the north for us. If it wasn't for him, we'd still be cowering under the rule of the Boltons. He gave us our home back. He may be a baseborn but he has Stark blood in him. And that is why my lords, I want you to approve him as the Lord of Winterfell and King in the North. It is my final word."

The people were silent for a moment. "Jon Snow, the White Wolf!" someone yelled. It was followed by a few cheers.

Then they all rose at once; Glover, Mormont, Arryn, Reed, Manderly, Cerwyn and drew their swords. Their shouts echoed in the Great Hall.

"The King in the North!"

"The King in the North!"

"The King in the North!"

"THE KING IN THE NORTH!"