A/N FF wouldn't let me type the whole chapter title in the title -_- lol. The full chapter name is A Wolf Lives, a Lion Burns, the Night Continues. Anyway. Here's chapter 2. I can't wait until I get to start writing more fun and exiciting stuff.
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A huff of air travelled out of the direwolf sitting beside his master's bed. Seemingly saying just with that sound the beast disapproved of Robb's current task he was attempting. He had made up his mind to try standing. It was not going well. The moment he had managed to sit and swing his legs to the side, his head swam. Lying on a bed had been all he'd known since waking at Castle Black. Occasionally pillows at his back so he could sit up. But standing and walking were still stranger as he continued recovery. Robb took a slow deep breath, his hands pressing against the bed frame. His mind kept saying stand, but his body kept arguing no. Perhaps Greywind could offer a bit of support, but even the direwolf would grow tired of it. No doubt Greywind wouldn't like it either. Robb would also rather not have to rely on a wolf just to stand. He wouldn't want to have to count on his brother either.
Robb's brother has rarely left his side ever since his arrival here. Or so the Maester and Sam-he thinks that was his name?-have said. It was a small comfort to know Jon had been here both before and after Robb had woken. It had also been a guilty weight on his shoulders. Knowing his brother has been worrying and caring for him almost nonstop. Jon has made it clear he wishes to help take back the North, but he still had duties in the Night's Watch to fulfill. At least while they were still at Castle Black. Robb would hate for his brother to be reprimanded for his slacking in duties. While he did have a reason, Jon could only avoid his tasks for so long. But even if it were excused that he had been doing nothing, Robb was sure Jon was growing restless from doing nothing. He could tell Ghost was too, and Greywind. Both the direwolves more than likely longed to run in the woods.
Perhaps he'd be able to convince Jon to leave his side for a longer period of time. He could go and train with the Night's Watchmen, and he could let Ghost and Greywind out to roam a bit outside the Wall in the North. That would also give Robb more time to attempt standing without worrying his brother might step into the room and force him to lie back down. Or worse, try and help him stand and walk. Robb would not let his brother do more than he already has done for him.
Greywind snarled beside him, and Robb lifted his head to see his direwolf's ears held tense. Eyes locked onto the door. He gently raked his fingers through the fur on the back of Greywind's broad neck. Then the sound of the door creaking open reached him, and he understood the wolf's actions. Greywind had heard the footsteps. It was probably Jon. Which meant his attempt to stand was being brought to a quick end. Instead of his brother, however, Maester Aemon stepped in. Eyes looking calmly and blankly ahead. Robb had noticed the man's blindness the first time the Maester checked on him when he woke. He was used to the old man staring at nothing but the wall above his head. Robb gave his direwolf a short command, and Greywind ceased watching the Maester. Instead laying down and placing his head gently on Robb's feet.
"Lord Stark I trust you know standing is not a clever thing to try."
Robb's brows dropped down in confusion, and the question of 'how' sat on his lips.
"I may be blind, but if you and Jon Snow are anything alike then I know you're trying to stand. Shortly before your arrival, he returned to Wall with arrow wounds. He had slept for a day, and you arrived the day after he woke. He forced himself to stand as you are trying now. There was a-" The Maester gestured to his forehead "-small bruise on his head for a short time from his fall."
That sounded like something that would happen to Jon. He was only a half-sibling but no man could ever say Jon didn't care more about his family then himself.
"How did he get hurt?"
The Maester moved closer, his hand reaching for the back of the chair Jon usually occupied. Greywind had offered a quiet threatening growl, but he didn't move. The direwolf was just being protective. Robb knew Greywind wouldn't harm anyone here unless told to do so or if someone tried to attack him. Maester Aemon cleared his throat, and Robb's attention was brought back to the old man.
"Jon had left the Wall some time ago with the Lord Commander Mormont and the rangers. To keep it short and simple, he had gotten separated from them. Captured by Wildlings and brought to Mance Rayder."
"Mance Rayder?"
"Once a man of the Night's Watch. Now the Wildings call him their King-Beyond-the-Wall."
"They injured my brother when he escaped?"
"No. Qhorin Halfhand managed to get them to trust Jon and get him an audience with Mance to be given a chance. He died so Jon could be an inside man. Later Jon and a group of Wildlings climbed the Wall. Events led to him leaving them to come back to the Wall. One of the Wildlings shot him with arrows when she caught up to him. Thankfully they weren't fatal injuries and only a few. He's lucky to be alive. Something you share in common with your brother, Lord Stark. Either of you could have very easily been killed."
He had almost lost another of his family. All he had now was Jon, Sansa, and Arya. Robb reached his hand down to brush it through Greywind's fur. He had a lot to do. Not just taking back the North. He was going to protect both his sisters and his remaining brother. If it was the last thing he would do then so be it. But first things first. The North needed to know there were still Starks. Ones who were still calling on them to fight for the North.
"Maester Aemon. I have a request."
~~~~~•~~~~~
If it were possible, Jon would be radiating relief with every step across the snow. If it hadn't been for Maester Aemon that meeting would have gone in a very different direction. They had been putting off speaking to him so he could care for Robb and be at his side. But now he had finally been confronted about what had happened after he was separated from the other Night's Watchmen outside the Wall. He was more than glad that it ended with him keeping his head and them knowing what Mance was bringing.
"Jon!"
Pyp was waving him over with a hand. Jon wanted nothing more than to return to his brother's side. But Maester Aemon requested a private audience, which left him wandering until the Maester was finished speaking to Robb. He inhaled a breath of cold air, then let his feet guide him to his friends gathered. Grenn tapped him on the arm. Edd greeting him with a head nod.
"So? How'd it go?"
"How do you think it went, Grenn? He's still alive isn't he?"
The look on Edd's face just yelled that he was calling Grenn stupid. Jon just smiled and nodded.
"They won't be hanging me anytime soon, no matter how much Alliser wants to."
"I bet Alliser will want to hang you more when you're Lord Commander."
"I'm not going to be Lord Commander, Pyp."
When Grenn clapped him on the back with a 'sure you will', Jon just looked down at his feet. He hadn't been able to tell his friends that he planned to leave with his brother when Robb was recovered. While they had the Wildlings and White Walkers posing danger, he couldn't leave his brother to continue the war by himself. He'd already done that once when he came back to Castle Black when their father died. Jon hadn't been there to protect him when he almost died. He was going to be there now.
He just…couldn't think of how to tell them. They would try to stop him again. Jon was sure of that. He wouldn't let them. They could cut off his legs and he'd still do what it took to follow his brother. To return to Winterfell and take it back. To get their sisters home.
"Jon! Jon!"
He turned to look over his shoulder just as Sam reached them out of breath. Jon waited while his friend worked to catch his breath. The others seemed to be doing the opposite. At least judging by their expressions.
"What is it you need, Sam?"
"A…a raven…here.."
Jon took the rolled up message held out towards him. It was only after he opened it and read the contents that he understood why Sam had rushed to bring it to him instead of the Maester or Alliser. He could only look back and forth between the words on the paper and Sam's face.
"What's it say?"
Ignoring Pyp's question, Jon found himself walking as quickly as he could. Ghost soon caught up, following him to Robb. He'd have to apologize for interrupting the Maester. But this was important.
~~~~~•~~~~~
"Are you certain Lord Stark? Once the North knows, it won't be long before the news reaches King's Landing. They'll be looking for your death again."
"I am. They need to-"
The door slammed open. Cold air was accompanied through the doorway by Jon and his direwolf. If he knew his brother was going to be barging in, Robb would've tried to at least lay back down so Jon couldn't see that he tried to stand. Apparently Jon didn't pay it any mind. All he did was rush forward and hold out a piece of paper.
"What is this?"
"Read it."
Robb took the message from his brother. Questions were forming that he wanted to ask. He kept himself from asking them, and looked down at what Jon gave him. Whatever the paper said, it had to be important. When he did read it, Robb almost couldn't believe what the black ink letters said. His eyes travelled from the paper to his brother's face.
"Joffrey is dead?"
"According to that, yes."
"One king lives and another does not it seems."
The contents of the paper and Maester Aemon's words hung heavy in the room. Robb only sat in silence. Reading the words 'King Joffrey Baratheon was killed' over and over.
"I will let you two speak amongst yourselves."
A Night's Watchman entered the room. He must've been stationed outside the entire time. He helped the Maester leave the room, and Jon took a place on the chair the old man previously occupied. Neither of them spoke. Seconds turned to minutes. The silence was deafening. This was almost too good to be true. Almost too much to process. While he hadn't gotten to kill the bastard himself, his father's murderer was gone. Tommen Baratheon would no doubt be 'king' now. He was more of a boy than Joffrey.
"He deserved to have his limbs and head cut off. But at least he's dead now. He got a better end than what he deserved for calling father a traitor and sentencing him to death. I hope it was slow. For what he has done."
Jon's words rung true. Joffrey deserved the wrath of the Gods and the North. Whoever did it would have the gratitude of hundreds if not thousands of people. Joffrey had been a tyrant. A murderous bastard. People would be safer with him gone.
"Sansa will be a little safer. Arya as well if she's in King's Landing. So long as Tommen Baratheon is nothing like his tyrannical brother. We'll get the girls back when we're able."
"There's not as many bannermen anymore. Not after the red wedding. Maybe if the captured men were rescued it'd be a larger number. But that would be difficult. The Twins are days away from the Wall. The bannermen left would need time to gather themselves and reach the Twins as well. Of course that's hoping they will keep their oaths again and come when you call for them."
"We'll find out if they will after Maester Aemon sends the ravens."
"The ravens?"
"I've asked the Maester to send a message to the houses in the North. Not to the Freys or the Boltons or anyone else who are traitors. Only to the loyal bannermen. They won't be gathering into an army yet, but they'll know I still live. They'll know the North isn't done fighting if they are all still willing to stand beside the Starks again."
Even if there were only a few houses who would fight by his and Jon's side, that would be enough. Just until they could regain the numbers they truly needed. That would take time that Robb hoped they had.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to let everyone know you're alive before you're back on your feet? What if the Lannisters try to send someone here to kill you?"
"I've asked the Maester to make certain it won't be known that the ravens come from Castle Black. We need the houses to know. If someone does find out then they'll have to get through Greywind and my own sword."
"They can't get to Greywind and you if they can't get past me and Ghost. The Night's Watchmen would help too."
As if understanding the situation, both the direwolves stood straight. Greywind releasing a quiet grumble while Ghost huffed out a breath. Sometimes it felt like the wolves could understand every single thing they were saying. They had more emotion and reactions than any man would think beasts such as them would be able. What's more, the direwolves have always been protective and caring. Robb always felt at ease with his direwolf at his side. He could still remember when they first found the six pups.
"Looks like these two agree with you, Jon."
"Well I'd hope so."
"Never let it be said that two direwolves didn't agree with Jon Snow."
The small laughter his brother produced was a good change of pace. There had been so much loss. So many battles and deaths and homes lost. Seeing one of his siblings safe and feeling joy was the best sight he'd had of family in some time. That and moments with Talisa. He missed her smile and laugh.
"Robb?"
"Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'll be even better when we're back at Winterfell seeing those same halls we grew up in."
"We'll have to start working on plans to take it back."
"Before that, I think you need to go and cross swords with some of the Night's Watchmen and train. You've been getting restless."
The incredulous look on Jon's face was almost hilarious. He wasn't even trying to deny it though. Only sitting there looking at Robb as if he had his hair braided in a bun. He lifted his hand to gently pat his brother's knee twice.
"You can't stay cooped up in here with me the whole time, waiting for me to be able to move around. Take Greywind with you as well. It would do him good to run around with Ghost."
Once more the wolves seemingly picked up on the conversation their masters held. Ghost already traveling to the door. Staring back at Jon expectantly.
"Only if you don't try getting up. Don't think I didn't notice Robb."
There it was. The much awaited comment.
"I won't for now. Mostly because I'd rather not make the same mistake you did and get a bruise."
"How did you-"
"Go on. Greywind and Ghost are getting impatient."
They may have different mothers, but the look on his brother's face was far too close to one Robb's mother had given him in the past. Jon didn't try to bring forth any arguments. Instead offering a quick nod while raising from the seat. Robb spoke quickly to Greywind, and the direwolf followed closely behind Jon. Ghost trailing just on the larger wolf's side.
Once the three were gone, and the door closed, Robb slowly laid back down. The pillow his head came into contact with was far too comforting. He would allow himself to rest for a few more days. He would begin to start standing and walking right after. When he felt able, Robb would train with his brother. To make sure he had recovered enough to wield his sword properly again. He couldn't continue this war without being in good enough shape to fight. Because as soon as he could, they would be planning. He and his brother would meet with any Northmen who would stand and fight. They would accomplish what they would set out to do. Robb was sure of that.
~~~~~•~~~~~
"So how did your brother take it?"
Jon watched the direwolves rush into the woods. Both of them howling when they got deeper in. Robb was right. Ghost and Greywind had been needing to run. The wolves had been limited on space for a bit too long.
"He took it the same way I did, Sam. Happy that that bastard is finally gone. Our father can rest easier."
"I suppose that's true. He won't have to be fighting so much anymore now too. I mean, I think there's still things to do in the North for him. At least he has one less battle to worry about. I wonder what it's like to be king. That's what your brother is right? Do you think-"
"Sam quiet."
Jon raised his hand in a gesture towards his friend. He needed to listen. He couldn't hear the wolves. They had been staying close enough for him to hear their howls. To hear them running through the snow. But now it was quiet.
"Ghost! Greywind!"
"They probably just went a little farther."
"Maybe."
Jon's hand grabbed the hilt of his sword. His steps quiet as he moved forward. He could hear Sam following behind him. They didn't get too far into the woods before the direwolves jumped through the brush. He knelt down to pet the side of his wolf's face.
"Jon."
"What?"
When he looked at his friend, Sam was pointing upwards. Jon followed where he pointed. His gaze going more than halfway up the tree. Where it held two occupants dangling from the branches. They were impaled on the wood.
"Wildlings don't do that."
"No they don't. The only thing I could think of that might've done it would be the White Walkers. The men on watch duty haven't seen anything so it must have only been a couple. I'm sure they're gone now. We should get back to the Wall, Sam. Ghost, Greywind."
His own direwolf followed at his side. His brother's was just behind. Sam at his other side. White Walkers. The Free Folk. The Lannisters. There was danger on both sides of the wall coming for whatever they could. Even if he planned on going with his brother, there was going to be countless fights on all ends from even creatures in the night. He could only hope that they were fights to be won. Especially when the White Walkers came. When and not if. There was going to be too much bloodshed to come.