Author's Note:
I do not own Game of Thrones.
A month before Robb was set to leave Winterfell, Ned found him in the godswood, knelt before the heart tree. A touch unusual for him. Cat had tried to push their children towards the Faith, and Robb was the only one to accept her guidance, with the others preferring the godswood and the Old Gods.
How much of that had to do with Cregan and Sara?
"What did I do wrong?" Robb asked suddenly.
Ned frowned. "Wrong?" He sank to the ground at Robb's side. "Have you been causing mischief again?"
"No, it's not that. It's–" Robb stared at the ground. "The gods favour Jon. And you. They gave him Cregan and Sara, and you Winter. And everyone else has met them, even Rickon, but not me. Why's he special?"
Ned sighed. "Oh, Robb."
"It's not fair!" he snapped. "I'm meant to be your heir!"
"And if you die, that title will fall to Bran."
"Am I going to die?"
"No. But the world isn't always fair, and it doesn't always care what you want."
"The Septa says Jon will steal Winterfell," Robb said suddenly. "Because he's a bastard. Mother says that's what bastards do, but not Jon because Jon's different but why is he different?"
"Has Jon ever said he wants to steal Winterfell?"
"No. But you gave him a castle; what if people like him more because he looks like you?"
"Robb," Ned said gently. "I gave Jon Queenscrown because of Cregan and Sara."
Robb frowned. "What?"
"The Gift is an area frequently raided by Wildlings. You know that from our lessons. It's why most people have left the area. Jon, having Cregan and Sara, who look like direwolves, can hopefully protect it."
Robb looked thoughtful. "Will it be safe for him there?"
"With Cregan and Sara, I hope so."
"What are they, do you think?"
"I don't know." Ned opened his arms for him. "And I'm not sure I want to."
Robb flung himself into his arm and they sat there as the sun sank below the horizon.