Jon

Sweat was on his forehead and he wiped it off once again with a scowl. Jon took a swing from his flask. He felt trapped in his tunic and his pants, and his armpits were beginning to feel damp. It was humid and hot, very exceeding weather for the men of the north. Jon steadied his horse and glanced behind to see the huffing and wheezing north men and at the calm breathing of the Riverland folk. It was easy to see what the problem was. The folks from the Riverlands were farther south, and therefore more suited to the warmer temperature. Jon himself was more fitted because of the harsh environment of Valyria he explored.

When the river land men took notice of his glancing he received glares in return. Jon merely smiled at them and turned his head back around. After traveling through The Twins, Lady Stark persisted to regroup at her house home and to march to Harrenhall as one huge force. As expected, Jon was being glowered at from the start to the finish, especially from the blackfish. If they don't say anything to me they're fine, they know better.

Green was all that can be seen to the eye. Green leaves, bushes, and the bright grass made his eyes hurt. This is the greenest land I've ever seen in my life. Jon thought to himself. Though, it was nice enough. He could see why the southerners fell in love with these lands. It was rich. And Jon saw the blue ponds as the party moved onward.

"This is the greenest land I've ever seen in my life," Robb said, cross-eyed at the vibrant colors.

"Me and you both."

"Don't worry, young lads!" Lord Umber hollered, riding up to Robb's right. "You'll get used to this shit soon enough."

"I hope so too, my lord," Jon replied. He was not particularly fond of this new environment aside from the blue ponds.

"I, for one like it here. It feels different," Domeric said as he came to Jon's side to his displeasure. The lord must've seen his look as he reached out with his hand. "Hello once again, Snow. I know we've left on unpleasant terms. Let me make it up."

Robb and Lord Umber watched curiously as Jon looked at the offered hand in silence. In the end, he finally smiled and shook his hand. "No hard feelings for me." If this lord was genuine, Jon had no reason to act gruff and rude. But it doesn't mean that he will be friends with him.

This put the others at ease. And Robb smiled."Lord Bolton! I feel glad that you're enjoying our surroundings," he said. "Thus, it pains me to say that I can't relate to that. It's too bloody hot.

Domeric chuckled. "I also find the weather taxing. But the trees and the ponds make up for it."

Jon nodded. "It's nice. I look forward to seeing the God's Eye.

Robb clamped his hand on his shoulder. "If we have the time we can go together."

"Me too," Lord Umber said.

"Me third," Domeric added.

"And me fourth!" Arya shouted from the carriage not too far away from them. There were sniggers at the way the young girl stuck out her head from the opening of the carriage. "Look! We are here!" Arya exclaimed, pointing up ahead.

There were a few whistles and gasps. Jon only half realized he was one of them too. The party consisting of the north and the Riverlands stopped and gawked at the towering piece of artwork in front of them. Further down the party, people climbed off their horses and stared too.

When they said that they rebuild this they weren't jesting. Jon thought as he silently praised the castle. Gone were the charred walls. In its place was fresh placed restructured walls that seemed so massive compared to Winterfell. Or any other castle for that matter. There were five towers and thick gates. The width of the castle amazed Jon. It was double the size of Winterfell and covered any ground he can see. Along the walls were banners, banners of the great houses.

Hmm, some houses are already here. Interesting. Jon thought, slightly apprehensive as the world sped up his reunion with his family from afar.

Robb turned his horse around and faced his party, a gleam in his blue eyes that hid none of his excitement. "We have arrived, my lords. Let's ride!"There were shouts and cries as they moved on again, at a noticeably faster pace

The sun touched them as a soft breeze swept through the air. Jon sighed in contentment as he felt the air through his thick curls and through his neatly trimmed beard. This feels nice.

"Behave, Jon," Robb said as he slowed down his pace to match his.

Jon snorted and glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means don't go crazy on these ladies, Jon."

"I'll try," Jon said cheekily, just to humor the Stark.

He shared a knowing look with Robb, and they both cracked up laughing. The onlookers didn't know what caused them to laugh and soon they laughed along as well. In no time the whole gathering was lit up with laughs for no apparent reason. Everyone was just content to enjoy the moment.

The laughs were soon gone as the party came nearer to the castle bit by bit. As Jon looked ahead, there lay the camps. From what he could see so far, the men from the vale and the Stormlands were the only ones set up. Obviously, the rest of the camp was hiding from view and needed further exploration around the castle to see.

As they got closer the smell of cooking food reached their nose. Jon hurriedly turned his horse as curses flew by his ear. His fear was essential as horses shrieked and the familiar sounds of barking were heard. The large shapes of the direwolf's racing through the crowd set a stone in his stomach.

They smell the food. Jon cursed and climbed off his horse. "Don't worry!" He yelled to the panic Robb. "I'll handle them."

Jon excused himself past the fellow men as the direwolfs rapidly decreased the distance. He planted his feet to the ground and glared at the approaching wolfs. "Down!"

To his dismay, they didn't stop. Jon felt his world turn black as he was roughly run over by pure muscle.

Robb

Robb stared hard at the direwolfs that now grouped around the fallen Jon like a circle. The wolves had the decency to look sympathetic as they softly nipped the Targaryen's side as if to wake him up. Jon stirred, his lean form shifting before stilling. His head was busted open, with a long line of blood that touched his lips.

Others climbed off their horses as well to peer at the commotion, faces curious as they looked down at the unconscious man. The Stark carriage curtains opened and Arya ran out, followed by a worried Sansa and a shocked Alys. Catelyn swept passed through the curtains and glanced at the crowd. Rickon and Bran hurtled out the carriage and beeline to the center of the attention.

"Bad, Lady!" Sansa said as she slapped Lady on the head. "That's not good! Look at what you have done!"

Robb nodded as his siblings scolded their respectful direwolfs and looked at Greywind. His wolf sat behind the silent Ghost as if his brother would protect him from the scolding that he knew was coming. Ghost lazily stood up and sat by his master's side and watched from a safe spot. Greywind growled at his brother's betrayal and looked uneasily at Robb.

Robb gazed at his grey wolf, his mind making decisions. He sighed. I will deal with him later. Jon's condition is more urgent right now.

Robb looked up and scanned through the crowd for a face. "Jory!"

Jory shoved past the mob and stood near him. "Yes, my lord?"

Robb's words came out efficiently, his father taught him that his words have to be confident and true if the lords can respect him and Robb took it to heart as well as his head. "Go to the castle and find a maester, quickly!"

Jory bowed. "At once, my lord," He said as he rushed to the rustling camp in search of a healer.

Robb looked at Lord Umber. "I'll set up camp," Umber said before Robb can explain, perfectly aware of Robb's desire without him having to speak. "I will take care of your brother and his wolf for ya."

Robb was pleased. "Good." He looked at his family and calculated on how far the castle was from here. "Let us continue. The royal family is waiting on us."

The ride to Harrenhall was short and quick. Before he was aware of it, they now were outside the doors of the great hall waiting to be announced. He can even hear the loud noise from the other side.

His heart was pounding too hard. And none of them noticed it. Bran, Rickon, Arya were all bouncing on their heels. Sansa was scarcely faring better. He can see that her eyes never once left the massive doors.

Alys placed a warm hand on his arm. Robb smiled gratefully at her and then met his mom's gaze, seeing the slight worry in her eyes. Knowing this tourney could spell disaster for the family and the rest of the north.

I'm ready.

The doors opened.

"Welcome, house Stark!" The herald cried out in a great voice, banging his staff against the floor. The sound of the revelry died down, and Robb can taste the eyes that pinned on them as he and his family walked forward.

The long tables, holding a good supply of people and a whole lot of food, caught his eye. The hall was bright with torches that darkened the room to an orange hue. The hall was so large that Robb could swear this was the biggest amount of people he had seen in a single room in his life.

Right off the bat, he could identify which house was what. The Westerlands were on the left side of the room, banners on their table resembling the proud lions.

Is Tywin Lannister present? Or for that matter, is the imp here?

Indeed he is present. The imp of Casterly Rock was there drinking from a goblet with expertness and ease that made Robb sweat. Tyrion eyed him and raised an eyebrow. Robb looked away.

All the houses had space between the other so that at least three people can move without having contact with a single person. Most notable was how distant the Stormlands and the vale were from the rest. Robb didn't find it surprising that they clung to themselves only. Old wounds can still fester. He can see how by the look of suspicion they equip on their faces when someone from the other table swings by.

The Reach and Dorn sat right next to each other and Robb can now put this on his more than surprise list. From what he can gather, lord Oberyn crippled Willas Tyrell for life and the two houses hated the other ever since.

I guess old wounds can heal. Rob thought as he wandered his eyes to the high table. They must be the Targaryens, they have to be. They were the very example of the perfection of what everyone wants to be and what they can't be.

One of them was a broad-shouldered man that seated to the far left of the table. His long blond-silver hair reached his shoulders. And He has a neat beard that suited his sharp features and his lilac eyes. Next to that man was a woman with golden hair and cold green eyes that seemed bored as she looked at them.

In the middle was another man that shared the sharp features and the hair. He was younger and more joyful in the face. The man was the prince.

Jon's half brother. Rob sought out the features that were in his face and compared it to Jon's. It was pure instinct. Robb can see they had the same jaw, the same shape of the nose, the same cheekbones and the same eyes.

Damn, the only thing different is the hair colors. If the hair colors were the same they would be looking like twins. Oh, gods, I can finally say why Jon loves his hair now.

To his right was a striking woman with a heart-shaped face and brown hair. Presumably, Margaery Tyrell. Her arm was wrapped around the princes like a rope that was tightly knotted together. Her face was positive but not her eyes, it was smug looking.

A plump old lady was to the right of her. The aging woman was Lady Whent.

Lastly, to the end, was a chocolate skinned young woman with dark hair that was in ringlets that fell to her back. Her cheek rested in her palm, brown eyes bored but also sharp that never failed to catch anything.

As Robb was done with his observation, he took notice of the lack of numbers at the high table. There has to be more isn't there? Where are the king and the queen? And where are the queen dowager and her daughter? And instead of the reported six kingsgaurd, there were only two. The protectors were located by their table, eyes watching everything and everyone.

Aegon stood up and smiled. "Robb Stark, it's good for you to be here. I thought you wouldn't make it."

"We ran into some inconvenience on the road. Nothing too troubling, my prince."

Aegon's smile stayed pure. Robb could hear the ladies hearts thump in their chest as they gazed at the prince.

"That's good and all. But where is Lord Stark? Isn't he here?"

Here we go, damn you, Jon.

"No. My father isn't here with us. He sent me in his stead. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell."

Whispers scattered in the hall at the revelation. Robb kept his face natural as the royal family frowned. From the corner of his eye, his siblings started twitching and Alys gripped his upper arm. Catelyn stayed motionless and eyed the prince with calmness.

"This is a dilemma, I'm afraid," Aegon said fluently, frowning. "Your father did this twice."

Robb's blood rushed to his ears, and his body stiffened. The hall was without a single whisper as everyone held their breath to see where this was going.

Like a lightning strike, the prince's grin was back in full force. "Ah! What the hell! Tywin did the same and he is also absent! No harm was done, my good friend!"

At once the hall was echoing with laughs. The Westerlands took no part in this, scowling as they perceived this as a slight to their warden. The golden-haired woman on the high table scowled and whispered into the bearded man's ear harshly. The Targaryen flinched and scooted his chair a few spaces.

"I also heard your brother returned," Aegon said, bringing everyone's attention back to the fold. "Congratulations are in order."

Robb smiled to himself. He was truly happy that Jon came home to them. He felt complete, like if Jon was his other half. "I'm forever grateful that he has returned to us."

Someone snorted to his right. Robb glared at the man and the instantly looked down. I am not taking any smack talk about Jon by any means.

If Aegon saw this he didn't mention it. "I hope to see him in the melee and the joust."

"You will see him."

Aegon's showed his shiny white teeth. "I expect him to do well for all the talk Essos says about him."

"I am sure that he would exceed your expectations, my prince."

The prince sat back down and grabbed his goblet. "I have faith in your words, Robb Stark. It would be a disappointment if the 'white wolf' takes more than he could chew. I will be sad if one of his fangs falls off."

The folks began to laugh. Some even tried to mimic the sound of a wolf howling. Robb could see the princess smirk and roll her eyes.

Is he mocking Jon? Oh shit. He has no idea what Jon can do to him like what he has done to me. I will pity him when Jon meets him in the field.

"You will find out, my prince that a wolf can chew a lot and have the appetite for more." That sounded wrong on so many levels.

The crowd was shocked into silence. Aegon chewed on his lip in amusement. "Big mouth and big words, Stark!" He said as he seated himself. "Don't let me take up more of your time. Surely you need to organize your camp."

"Yes, my prince," Robb said as he walked out of the hall. His family fell in step with him, no one saying a word. It wasn't long before the silence was broken by an angry Stark.

"I can't believe he insulted Jon like that!" Arya hotly said. "He is a prick." Bran and Rickon nodded with her, Alys more secretly.

Catelyn rounded on her. "Keep your voice down!"

"No!" Arya refused. "They wouldn't be saying stuff like that if Jon was there!"

That is something I agree with you, sister.

"Aegon is the crown prince," Sansa said as if that solves everything. "He can insult anyone as much as he likes. Jon can do nothing if he was there."

"Shut up stupid! Jon is our brother!" Tears of frustration glistened in Arya's eyes.

"Cut this out! Both of you," Catelyn chastened. "This will do nothing, Arya. You cannot barge into that hall and stab every one of them with needle just because of what the prince said."

"Yes, I can!"

Robb knew Arya is deeply protective of Jon ever since she can walk on her own two feet. She is probably more protective of him than her real brothers because of the stunt Jon pulled off years ago. Having someone insulting the person you love is a tough thing to stand.

"Calm down Arya," Robb said. "Maybe the prince wasn't intending to disrespect Jon. The melee and the joust are just around the corner and the tourney is going to be filled with competition. This is all a sport, don't take it personally. You know Jon is good with the sword. People are going to be eyeing him."

Arya closed her eyes and nodded in acceptance. Robb smiled, he slung his arm around her skinny shoulders and led her through the halls. "Everything is going to be okay, little sister."

"Hey!"

Jon

He woke up rather confusing to his surroundings. He was propped up in a bed with thick bandages that draped his head. He figured that he was in a tent from the loud noises coming from the outside of the flap. From the side of his bed was Ghost, who was now on the bed licking his face with barely restrained glee.

"Ghost, stop!" Jon ordered, pushing his wolf away so he can have fresh air. "This is your fault," He accused, glaring.

Ghost tilted his head to the side, tongue hanging out. Jon softens. He couldn't stay mad at his buddy for long. He rubbed Ghost by the ear. "I guess it's alright pal."

The bandages on his head felt sticky and uncomfortable, and so he ripped it off and threw it to the ground. "That's better," Jon declared as he touched his forehead for any marks. Finding none, he laid back into the pillows. "Note to self, don't ever stand in the way of hungry direwolfs."

Ghost glanced at him in a sort of approval before lying down again. The Tents flag was set to the side and Robb came in.

"You shouldn't have done that," Robb stated as he looked at the neglected bandages on the ground.

"My head is fine, see?" Jon said as he pointed his head, proving his point. "It hurts a little but it's good."

"It hurts?"

"Its fine, Robb," Jon said firmly.

Robb sat in one of the chairs and sighed. "You should've moved out the way."

Jon shrugged. "Somebody had to stop them. They would've caused a fuss."

"How does it feel to get ran over by six direwolfs?"

"Unpleasant."

"I bet it was," Robb replied.

"I take it that you met the royal family," Jon said.

"Aye, I did. Your sister is one fine woman."

Jon threw the pillow right in his cousin's face. "That's not what I want to know, you horny wolf!"

"Ok, ok," Robb backing off, chuckling. He picked the pillow up and placed it back behind Jon's head. Jon thanked him as he got comfortable again. "I was just looking. I'm loyal to my wife."

"If you were loyal you wouldn't be eyeing my sister like that."

Robb groaned and crossed his arms. "I can look, Jon," He said slowly as if he was explaining this to a little boy.

"Ok. The next time I see your wife, you will feel what I feel."

"What?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it."

Robb searched his face for a moment before speaking. "Alright."

"How long was I out?" Jon asked.

"Not too long, a couple of hours," Robb answered. "Just in time for the welcome feast."

"Did you see my father?" Jon asked hesitantly.

His heart took a blow as Robb shook his head in no. "Unfortunately not. The king and the queen are off doing some duties. I don't know where the queen dowager is either."

"Hmm…"

Robb stood up, cracking his knuckles. "Get up and get dressed. The feast is going to start any minute now."

The Stark left him alone. And Jon picked through his bag for a nice outfit. He grabbed a black tunic and black pants and nodded. Black was always my color.

He was ambushed by the Starks as soon as he left his tent. "Are you ok, Jon?" Bran asked concerned.

Jon smiled, though perhaps to the others, it looked a bit tired. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"I won't let Shaggydog be anywhere near you again," Rickon said.

Jon laughed, and he knew it was wrong. His family was worried about him and he was finding it funny. "I don't think you should go that far. Just give him a good kick up his ass and I will be happy."

Sansa and Catelyn frowned at his crude way of speaking while the others sniggered. By the way Rickon's face was crumbled up, he was seriously reflecting on his offer.

"Shaggy!" Rickon called out. "Com-"

Jon and Robb hastily placed their hands on his shoulder. "It was a joke, Rickon," Robb explained.

Rickons face turned red and he stuttered out. "Oh-sorry."

"You dummy," Arya teased, making Rickon's ear change color to a ruby.

"That's enough," Catelyn said, saving her son from more pain. "Stop teasing your brother."

The walk to the castle was short and peaceful with the sun beginning to set. Several groups of people were already going inside and talking with merry. More than once Jon found himself stopping to stare at the massive towers and the massive walls that dwarfed Winterfell at least three times. His cousin had to push him along or he would have been stuck there in the same place all day.

The halls were so wide that it provided a great number of people to walk freely without them having to be in line or such. They did a hell of a good job rebuilding this. Jon thought.

The doors to the great hall opened and the sound of plates clattering immediately stemmed. Jon's stomach growled at the scent of the heavenly food and realized he hadn't eaten all day.

He attempted to catch a glance at the high table but his cousins and everyone else pushed him towards the empty tables that were meant for the north. Jon sat between Robb and Arya while Bran and Rickon went with their mother to seat with the Tully's.

Blackfish snarled at him and turned his attention back to Lady Stark. Jon shrugged. He has been giving me those looks for the entire time of the ride. why should I be intimidated now?

"Ignore him," Robb said as he grabbed a roll of bread. He must've seen his uncle in the act.

"Easier said than done."

Robb chewed on his bread and looked around the hall thoughtfully. "Have you seen Theon?"

"I haven't."

With no one to disturb him, he, at last, looked at the high table. He was momentarily stunned on how elegant they looked and how they establish themselves as royalty, they were perfect. From their hair to their clothes they stood out from the rest.

That could have been me. He thought bitterly. Another grievous thing Ned Stark had done to him.

Jon was oblivious to the way his hand was clenching or the way his purple eyes were sparkling with anger until Robb's hand touched his shoulder. His eyes were too sympathetic for Jon's liking.

Jon was now mindful of his deep breathing and the curious glances he was getting as everyone connected the dots on who he was. Suddenly, his blood rushed to his ears. Who are they to judge him? They don't know what he is or what he has been through and so they cannot judge. How could they?

"I don't need your pity," Jon hissed as he stood from the table. Eyes turned to him as he left the table and Headed for the doors.

"That's Jon Snow!"

"The bloody white wolf!"

"Why is that brute in this hall?"

Jon had the itch to look at the high table again for some strange reason. It was there where his eyes met a set of sharp brown ones. It was Princess Rhaenys. Her eyes were intense and filled with curiosity. Jon struggled to hold her stare but held himself strong and braced. The contact was brief to others but to Jon, it felt it last minutes. Jon was the first one to break. He turned to leave the hall, and he was sure that the princess never took her eyes off him. Jon's heart burned, and his breath quickened. It was a puzzle as to why.

Not too long after he left, Jon wandered through the halls and quickly finds himself in a sticky situation, he was lost.

Damn, I think leaving the hall was a mistake. Jon thought as he turned another corner.

"The bastard of Winterfell!"

Jon felt a grin come to his face as he turned to greet his old friend. "The Imp of Casterly Rock. Nice to see you here."

Jon walked until he was right next to Tyrion and held out his hand. "Now where is my gold that you promised me?"