ROBB IV

When Winterfell had come in sight, Robb had to not only keep himself from running to its gates-but also hold back the wolf, which for some odd reason wished to do much the same as him. However neither case would have been of help to Jon, so Robb held control of his desires for the moment. As they approached he could hear the horn announcing their arrival, and Robb thought that things were going to be all right.

"We're almost there." reassured Robb to his dazed brother, whose head would occasionally drop to the side as the wolf walked, before he would have to pick it up again.

What worried Robb was when he heard the call of "Wolf" ring out from the ramparts, and the archers began to take aim.

The wolf strangely seemed to understand the situation and in a frightened manner started to shy back further into the forest, causing Jon to lean to one side and his legs begin to drag on the ground.

If the archers weren't careful, they could shoot Jon just as easily as they could the wolf, and so Robb did the only thing he could think to do. So he placed himself between the wolf with his little brother, and the archers. He then cried out, "Shoot not!", hoping that they'd understand that the wolf was trying to help, not harm Jon. It was then that Robb saw his father emerge at the gate, and if he hadn't been the only thing between his brother and death, Robb would have broke his reserve and ran to his father like the child he felt like seeing his father at that moment. Instead he stood his ground, protecting on pane of his own life, brother and wolf. In Robb's own mind he was making a stand of tremendous importance.

His father called for the archers to stand down, and Robb breathed a sigh of relief in tandem with the gigantic grey-black beast next to him. Then, careful to continue to convey the conviction of his choice, Robb purposefully strode back through the Hunter's Gate, only embracing his father when it seemed the appropriate thing to do to ease a parent's worry.

Robb then broke into a fully detailed explanation of what had happened to them, but his father was still caught in worry for the well-being of Jon, and he rather dismissively took in what Robb had to say as examined Jon. Robb gave up trying to explain why they had left the castle at that point, instead his own brotherly concern edging out his duty to explain himself to his lordly father. Nothing of the initial examination shocked Robb to hear-Jon would need to be taken to his room and Maester Luwin sent for-and a guard was dispatched to the Maester's turret. However it was when his father looked the wolf in its blue eyes and murmured "Bran" that Robb was taken aback. His father was right, the wolf's eyes did, at least in the moonlight, seem to resemble his even younger brother, but the most eerie thing that Robb couldn't shake off for several nights thereafter until he eventually learned the truth was when the wolf barked in return, as though it had understood his father.

Since Jon was growing weaker from a long-held desire to pass out-which neither Robb nor Eddard would allow-it fell to Robb and their father to carry him up the steps of the Great Keep and into his room. The wolf, all this while followed, and to Robb's great surprise his father allowed the creature to follow, as though it were one of his worried siblings, eager to see that Jon was well taken care of before departing.

Maester Luwin arrived not too long thereafter, asking Jon several questions to ascertain his mental capabilities and for him to move specific body parts and examining the tender spot on his skull. All through the examination, the wolf was by Jon's side, licking his hand and nuzzling his side with an odd affection. Jon was then administered a dram of Milk of the Poppy to ease the pain was administered along with a sip of dreamwine Before the medicine came into full effect, the rest of the family, save Bran oddly enough, and his mother (which was to be expected) came bursting into the room to see Jon before he fell asleep. To everyone's surprise Arya the Aloof-as some of the servants had taken to calling her over the past few days-showed the most emotion of anyone, hugging Jon-which he seemed to take the most comfort in. Sansa asked Jon if he were comfortable, she blotted the sweat beading on his forehead with a dry cloth, and fluffed a pillow for him-acting part nursemaid and part mother to her older brother. Rickon had done much the same, but that had been expected from their youngest brother. What took Robb off guard was when he then immediately attached himself to the wolf, proclaiming it to be "Shaggy!" The wolf responded, at first annoyed, but eventually giving in and began oddly enough to roughhouse with the toddler.

"Rickon, get off that-" started Robb, his heart jumping into his throat as he saw his brother carelessly manhandle a beast at least six or seven times his size.

His father put a hand on his shoulder and said, "I'll speak to them." And with that he called for Rickon and the wolf out into the hallway. It was then that Robb noticed that Arya hadn't left Jon's side, but seemed to be falling asleep clutching their brother. If Jon didn't also need his sleep, Robb might have been inclined to let them be and jibe Arya about it in the morning.

"Arya, get up. Jon needs his sleep."

"No, I'm staying here."

"Arya, that might not be such a wise..."

It was then that Jon weakly brought his other arm up that Arya had not pinned down, and ran his hand affectionately through her hair and said, "Welcome back, little sister."

Her response was typical Arya, "You're not allowed to leave. Ever. Not even to the wall." Robb couldn't help but laugh.

Jon tried to laugh as well, but it came out rather muted. He then mockingly asked, "Would you keep me prisoner here then?"

Arya's answer was in response to Jon, but her eyes met Robb's as she said, "I'd keep you safe," and for a brief moment Robb thought she might be talking about more than just Jon.

It was at that moment that a yelp was pained heard out in the courtyard, Robb then went to the window to see the outline of the wolf-Rickon still climbing all over it-and an arrow stuck in its left rear paw. Robb followed the arrow backwards from where he guessed it had come and saw the last person he'd expected to see in Winterfell again. Theon, with another arrow aimed right for his little brother.