Full chapter name is 'We Know None But the King Whose Name is Stark'. Curse you limits T-T

A small and quiet whine beside his ear is what caused Robb to open his eyes. His wolf stood at his side. Greywind's chin pressed onto the bed, eyes inspecting his master closely. Robb lifted his hand and moved it so he could scratch the direwolf behind the ear. The large canine seemed to have taken it as permission to carefully climb onto the bed, and step over his master to the other side so he could lay beside him. The eldest Stark laughed quietly before he had to pause to wince. Robb held his breath when he heard movement beside him. Relaxing only when Jon settled back into his sleep. He let out the air he had been holding, then gently patted his younger brother's head. Soft enough to not wake him. Jon hadn't been able to keep himself awake despite his best attempts. Jon had been stubbornly refusing to do anything but keep watch over his older brother, after a bout of fever hit him again a couple days ago. But even Jon couldn't stay awake forever. Robb remembered watching his brother's head slowly droop down. He would react and raise it a few times, but eventually Jon's head ended up resting on the bed the older one of them was unfortunately still on. He didn't feel warm anymore so he was certain the fever was gone now. For good this time hopefully.

A huff of air sounded in the room. Coming from the white furred wolf resting beside his own master. Ghost and Greywind were as stubborn as Jon. Both adamant about staying at their masters' sides. Robb wondered if Ghost's increased watch over Jon had to do with the arrow wounds. His brother's injuries were no doubt hurting and not 'completely fine and healed' as Jon put it. Robb returned his arm to rest over his stomach. He considered attempting to get up, but the risk of waking Jon kept him from doing so. He groaned quietly in frustration. Hands now cupped around his face. Every day he spent in this bed was one less day he could be spending more productively. He was ready to take a sword and drive it through the sheets and mattress in his frustration with it. The Maester no doubt would not appreciate that.

Robb dropped his hands back down a little too harshly. He scolded himself in his thoughts when black curls moved. The head they were attached to slowly raising from the no doubt uncomfortable resting spot. He already felt terrible for waking his younger brother from the much needed rest. After Jon rubbed his neck, and Ghost nudged his head into his master's leg, Robb slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position. Jon's reaction was instant. A hand already shooting out to support the elder Stark's back. The other gripping gently onto his arm.

"Robb, careful. You shouldn't move too much."

"If I lay still any longer Jon, I'm going to go insane."

"Healing takes time and rest."

"Correct. So why are you not in bed?"

Robb could have sworn he heard Jon's teeth smash together when he clamped his mouth shut. His brother of course had nothing to say in retaliation to that. Instead his eyes dropped down to his feet, clearly defeated. Robb smiled and despite his still poor physical state, he wrapped his arm around his brother's neck. His other arm raising to playfully dig his fist into Jon's hair. The younger of the two was able to slip out fairly easily, but not without his hair being thoroughly tousled.

"I'm not a child anymore."

"You'll still always be my little brother."

The smile on Jon's face warmed the elder Stark's heart. He didn't think he'd ever see such a bright smile on any of his siblings' faces again. Talisa's smile was bright and warm. Robb clenched his fist and closed his eyes to block out the memories. He refused to allow himself to fall into sorrow in his brother's presence. He needed to be strong. For Jon. Sansa. Arya. All of his family. Gone or otherwise.

"Robb?"

He opened his eyes to see his younger brother watching him with worrying eyes. That was all Jon had been doing for a while. Just watching Robb closely to make sure he'd live to see the next day and the next. This time when he raised his hand, it was just to place it reassuringly on Jon's shoulder.

"I'm alright. Just thinking."

Jon didn't seem convinced, but he let it be. Robb returned his hand to his side. The edges of his worst wound pulled a little with the movement but he managed to not grimace. Greywind grumbled at his side however. The direwolf slightly nudging Robb's leg with his nose. They sat in silence for a few short moments. Neither being able to come up with something to say. The silence pricked at Robb's nerves and impatience even more. So now he was swinging his legs off the bed. Jon desperately reaching out immediately to try and stop him.

"Laying here is going to make me lose my head. I need to walk around. You can stay as near me as you want, but I have to move."

"Robb, you'll hurt yourself."

"I'll be fine. I am a Stark, and I've been resting long enough. I have to start moving and getting more of my strength back. I need to be able to use a sword again."

"But-"

"Jon, if you want me to stay in this bed then you'll have to lay down too. Give your wounds time to properly heal."

That got his younger brother's protests to end. A defeated exhale escaping Jon's lips, as he moved to duck under his elder brother's arm. Robb only tried to pull away once. The harsh glare the younger gave him stopping any further attempts. It took time to walk with his brother to the door, but as soon as the cool breeze hit his face Robb felt himself relax. Welcoming the cold. Going down the steps was surprisingly not as difficult as he assumed it was going to be. The two direwolves trotted ahead of them, with Ghost eventually leaping at the bigger wolf. Teeth playfully clamping down on Greywind's ear. To which the bigger direwolf responded with a grumble, and a paw to the white wolf's head.

"So, Ghost is a puppy again?"

Jon snorted, only barely being able to fight down a laugh.

"Shut up. He just missed being around the other direwolves. If the others were here too they'd all be prancing about. Except for perhaps Greywind. It seems he's inherited your serious 'no time for fun' trait."

"Hey!"

Now that got the laugh out of Jon. Robb couldn't help but chuckle alongside his little brother. The little punk. He was half tempted to dig his elbow into Jon's side. He didn't, mostly just because he was pretty sure he'd fall flat on his face. But in his mind the only reason was because he didn't want to hurt his brother. Yes. That was the only reason.

"My lord!"

Robb barely managed to lift his head in time to see who spoke, the man already rambling on about how relieved he was to see him walking around. He recognized him as one of his bannermen. He couldn't quite place the lad's name. Another bannermen limped over, the same relief on his face.

"Lord Stark. I'm glad to see you're recovering well. When we managed to get you here, we feared the worst."

He gave both the men a swift nod in gratitude, raising his hand to clap the second on the arm.

"I owe you both a great deal of thanks for saving my life."

"You owe us nothing my lord. You are our King in the North. We gladly help you."

Robb could practically feel his younger brother radiating with pride beside him. Only a moment passed before Jon too was thanking them as well. Whether they wanted it or not. The younger of the two just seemed intent on making sure they knew how much it meant to him that they protected his brother. He waited until Jon was finished speaking, before addressing what pushed itself to the front of his thoughts.

"I do have to ask, are you two alright? I noticed your limp on your way over here."

The two men shared a look, their eyes only returning to Robb after they seemingly had a silent conversation.

"Shot in the leg is all. Randy only got a few cuts here and there. The Maester tended to us both. We're well enough now to do anything you require of us though my lord."

"Thank you, but all I need from you for now is for you to continue resting and regaining your strength. You'll need it."

The men gave him a synchronized and very determined nod in response. After they left, Robb felt a finger poke him in the ribs.

"You know, that's great advice Robb. I wonder who else could benefit from those wise words."

"Sure. Let's both go lay in bed now shall we?"

A disapproving grumble from his brother. But he did still continue to help Robb walk carefully. Eventually pausing to sit on a couple crates for a break. The breeze ruffling his hair felt nice, and it definitely smelled a lot better out here then it did in there. Snow flung onto his and Jon's legs when Ghost skidded past them. The wolf bouncing to the side a moment, trying to get Greywind to play with him. To which the larger of the two replied with another grumble before plopping down beside his master. The white one of course proceeded to jump on top of his bigger sibling. Munching on Greywind's ears while the wolf just laid there not paying any mind to Ghost's puppy-like behavior.

"Is it bad to say I'm embarrassed of my own direwolf?"

"What? You don't approve of Ghost acting like a newborn pup?"

Ghost's ears perked up, like he was listening to the conversation intently. His head lifted soon too, one of his paws moving to smack itself into Greywind's face. Robb was pretty sure his direwolf had somehow fallen asleep though because he made no reactions…

"I don't think he liked you calling him a pup."

They spent a few minutes just laughing with one another, Ghost's head tilting to the side as his scarlet eyes watched them. It was another minute of laughter, and the white direwolf starting to eat Greywind's again, before Robb decided maybe it'd be smart to listen to his brother's wishes now. He didn't exactly want to keel over because he pushed himself too hard. He lightly tapped the back of his hand against Jon's shoulder. The younger immediately focusing his attention on Robb.

"Come on. Help me get back inside."

There wasn't a moment of hesitation to Jon's movements, as he helped his big brother stand again. The two didn't exchange any more words as they carefully made their way back. Their wolves had started following them the moment the Stark brothers were up. Though not before Ghost nibbled the tip of Greywind's tail.

When they were finally back inside, and Jon was helping him lay back down, Robb felt like needles were poking him in the side. But that was actually an improvement to the pain. He did also hate how much his body seemed to love being back in the bed.

"You alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Get some rest. Please?"

Robb wanted to say no, but Jon seemed to have perfected the puppy eyes that the direwolves once had. So with a very long sigh, he reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. Curse his little brother's damn sunshine smile. Jon took up residence in his usual chair, after getting up for a moment to grab a random book laying around. He probably wasn't actually reading the words, but Robb was a little grateful that he wasn't going to sit there awkwardly watching his big brother fall asleep. He chuckled once, patting Jon on the knee, before letting his eyes slip shut. Once he recovered, he probably wasn't going to be able to sleep for weeks after all the resting he'd gotten in at this point.

~~~~~•~~~~~

The next week or so seemed to just be a blurred mess of days that flew past. Each day consisted of Jon helping his brother walk around for a while. Robb was beginning to be able to for longer as each day passed. His strength beginning to slowly return. Jon's arrow wounds were practically healed, even if some movements still pulled and made them sore. His brother's injuries were improving as well. He still had many days of recovery ahead of him, but Jon was just glad his life wasn't hanging on by a thread.

When they weren't walking, they were conversing with one another. Sometimes it was about their plans and the North, other times it was just brotherly banter. Jon was not pleased to admit that his hair had been tangled and tousled many times by his big brother. The curls looping together as Robb's fist playfully dug into his hair. He did not approve of his brother laughing as he struggled to get his hair out of the little knots.

He'd started fighting and training with the others again a couple days ago too. He wanted to feel bad for still being a better fighter even after days of not wielding his sword, but it was a little bit funny. Especially when his friends would just shake their heads and try to pile on top of him after they all set their swords down.

When Robb asked him about why he was rubbing his side, Jon just said one of the men managed to smack him with the hilt of their sword while they were training. Refusing to admit that Edd accidentally elbowed him in the ribs during their throes on the ground. He was not going to give his brother the blackmail ammo of Jon rolling around like a child with Edd and Grenn.

The normality of the past days though were..a great relief. There was no danger from Lannisters, Freys, Mance Rayder, nothing but easier days with his brother and the Night's Watchmen. Less worry prickling at the back of Jon's thoughts. Then came the day when they came. Just yesterday. Maester Aemon's ravens returning with messages from the lords. Bringing responses to Robb. They all said the same thing.

We know none but the King in The North whose name is Stark.

That simple sentence told Jon and his brother more than they needed to know of the loyalty towards Robb. Even after everything that happened, it seemed that wasn't enough to sway the loyalty to the North and the Starks. Jon remembered being filled with pride that all those peoples trust lie with his brother. Robb who he was proud to call his brother. Robb who was one of, if not the greatest man Jon knew. He was proud that this was his brother, who held the hearts of the North. As far as he was concerned, Robb was the person most worthy of the title of king. That's how it was in his eyes.

They'd spent the rest of the night talking about the messages, about ideas and plans. It was just a matter of waiting for Robb to finish recovering. Or at least be better enough for the endeavors ahead of them.

Now, Jon had no choice but to be standing on the Wall with Sam and the other Night's Watchmen. It was dark and of course freezing. Sam had at some point starting asking about Ygritte and what she was like. The conversation made him a bit sour, only because the memories of the woman he'd fallen for hurt him. Each and every day he hated that he'd had to break her heart. The look on her face when he left still haunting him. The scars of her arrows would stay with him. After Sam went back down, Jon wandered off to a part of the Wall where he could be somewhat alone. He closed his eyes, fiery red hair dancing behind them. Then they came.

One time it blew.

Jon turned on his feet, rushing to get to where he could see.

A second time it blew.

He had to shove past several of his Night's Watch brothers. The pattern of the horn repeated, just as he reached the snow covered platform. Jon exhaled a long puff of air that turned to smog in the cold. Flames burned and danced on the trees ahead. Turning them to ash. He moved his hand to the hilt of his sword, squeezing it tightly. The Wildlings had come. He whipped around, feet moving just as fast as before. He had to get to his brother. If there was anything Jon knew about the night now, it was that they were in for a long and hard battle. Lives would be lost and he'd be damned if Robb's was one of them. The sound of the horn continued as Jon kept his pace. The battle between the Wildlings and the men of Castle Black itching forward with each step he took. Gods help us.

That brings chapter 3 to an end! Time to start moving on to the fun stuff. Stay tuned for chapter 4!