Benjen
He'd had a shitty night's sleep and itwasn'thard to figure out why. He'd spent most of the night trying to get to sleep but his mind just wouldn't allow it, there was too much to think about, too much to worry about. The little sleep he did get was inincrements, half an hour here half an hour there, just enough to get him through the day but not without making him feel shit for the majority of it.
He groaned as he sat up from his bed, best get up and see if Jon's awake. He got ready for the day and left his sleeping quarters,stiflinga yawn as he passed a few of his brothers.
Not the brothers he'd like to be seeing right mused. He still couldn't believe what Ned had done, whatpossessedhim to do such a thing was beyond him. Hewouldn't believe it if itweren'tfor all the mounting evidence that seemed to all but confirm what he'd done. The way he didn't speak about their sister but talked about their brother had been the first red flag right away, Aemon's evaluation and reaction had really blown air onto the embers and then the fucking dragon had all but lit that fucker up, a blazing inferno of truths and lies.
He couldn't imagine how Jon's night had been when he left him. The ladlookedlost, betrayed,distraughtand all in all, fed up with everything. When he'd broken down at the top of thewall,he'd become rightfully concerned, he'd never seen Jon cry, it was like he was letting out 17 years of pain.
Jon wanted to hurt Ned andBenjenwas inclined to join in with him.
He shook his head as he headed for the common hall to break his fast, hopefully Jon was in there 'dhave to check his room after he'd eaten if he wasn't, he really didn't want Jon to be alone right now. After last night, that wolfs blood of his, that he now knew he got fromLyanna, would probably get him orsomebodyelse into trouble if the wrong thing was said.
He entered the common hall, it was full ofboisteroustalk and laughter but he ignored all that, he was looking for that head full of curls as he scanned the room.
"Lookinfor someone eh?" Someone said to his left,Edd, one ofhisbrothers he realised as approached the table he was sat at with a few other lads.
"Edd." He nodded to dour man "Lads, hope youaren'ttalking nonsense again, I know what your likeGrenn." He said as one of the other brothers,Pypar, smiled and nudgedGrennin the arm. "Fuck off wouldya." WasGrenn'sreply toPyp.
"You sitting?"Eddasked.
He waved his hand "Nah, justgonnagrab something quick." He said as he carried on scanning the room, Jon nowhere in sight.
"Ifyou'relooking for that lad you were with yesterday, he's not here. We've been waitingto meet our new brother."Eddsaid as he bit into some bread.
He looked back and shook his head "He's not joining the watch, that's my nephew. He's just visiting his favourite uncle that's all." He explained.
Edd'sface scrunched up for a second then went straight back to hisfood "Shame, was hoping for somebody new and interesting to talk to instead of listening to these pair of pricks." He said asPypstole a bit ofEdd'sbreakfast.
Before he could even open his mouth to reply the door to the common hall burst open, Satin entering the hall seemingly out of breath.
"BrotherBenjen! Thank god." He said as he caught his breath.
"Slow down son, too earlyto be running about like." He said to the lad.
"Need your help,can'tfind the Lord Commander soyou'rethe next best thing." He said as his breathing finally evened out but the look of concern on his face was still there.
Now he was concerned.
"What'shappened?" He asked as the table that hadEdd,GrennandPypall started to stand due to the commotion. Now everybody in the hall had gone quiet and was looking towards Satin.
"There'sfighting in the yard...Jon's there as well." Satin said as a funny look took over the boy's face.
He didn't even think, storming straight towards the door to make sure Jon wasn't in some sort of trouble. He wasn't naïve, these were his brothers but most of them were here because they were criminals. Murderers and rapists shared these halls with him, men that had done unspeakable things, men who could bedoingsaid things tohis nephew right now.
The whole hall seemed to get up to their feet to follow him as he headed outside, the wall was a terribly boring place to live so any form of entertainment was like gold to these men.
He met the Lord Commander on the way to the yard, Satin had run off ahead and seemingly located the old bear.
"The fucks happening Stark? Satin said there was trouble in the yard." He exclaimed as the pair of them walked through the hall to get outside, a lot of the brothers were already outside on the balconies watching whatever was going on when they arrived at the yard.
Please don't be involved Jon, please don't be thought.
He stopped dead and leant against the balcony railing.
Jonwas involved...
...and he was in awe with what he was seeing.
What the fuck?
Karl and Rast, two of the biggest trouble makers in this entire castle were currentlyreceiving a humbling experience from his nephew. The pair of them were attempting to strike Jon with the training swords in their hands and were failing miserably.
A man of Jon's size and height did not have any right to be moving so quickly and fluidly, every movement was a correct prediction of the pair oftwatsattacks as Jon avoided a swing at his head and followed it up into a counter, gripping Rast's arm, locking it behind his back and essentially using him as protection from Karl's strikes.
Wait?...Jon's unarmed...they were attacking his unarmed nephew!He had to stop this before something regrettable happened.
Before he could even say anything, Jeor opened his mouth "ENOUGH!" He bellowed out as Jon all but threw Rast into Karl, sending the pair of them into the dirt in a heap, spitting into the ground with a look of disgust on his face.
He followed Jeor down the stairs to the yard, "ITS OVER, GET BACK TO YOUR DUTIES MEN!" The Lord Commander yelled out as the crowddispersedin a cloud of chatter.
"And what the hell was all this in aid of?" He asked as they approached the three men. Jon looked Jeor right in his eyes with a cold look of indifference "Ask thesecunts." He said as he looked at the two idiots who were just collectingthemselvesoff of the ground.
So much for keeping that wolfs blood quiet.
Jeor looked annoyed with the reply but still looked at the two brothers with a stern look "Well?" He asked.
Karl raised his chin with false confidence but it was Rast who opened his mouth "We were just sparring mi lord, wanted to see if he could fight for ourselves that's all." He said.
Jeor looked back at Jon "Is that true lad?" He asked as Jon glared at Karl and Rast.
Fuck me, who taught him to glare at a man like that!?He thought.
Jon opened his mouth but the answer he wasn't expecting came fromit"Yeah, just sparring." He said, still glaring at the pair, Karl lookedaffectedbut held his groundand Rast just straight up looked away.
"Just a word of advice for them though." Jon said as he moved closer to them, looking down at Rast like he wanted to gut him. "The next time you try tointimidate me, I'll use cold steel instead of my bare hands." He finished as he walked away without another look back.
Jeor looked back at Karl and Rast "Put those swords away and get out of my sight,you'reon trench duty for the week." He said as Rast looked stricken.
"Oh, what? Thatain'tright." He idiotically suggested.
The Lord Commander's eyebrows rose at that "A month?" He asked.
Rast wisely shut up.
After they'd both put their swords away and fucked off, Jeor turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
"That was somethingwasn'tit? Is he the son that went missingfor a few years?" he asked as they both made their way out of the yard.
He nodded "Yeah that's him.I'venot gotten the entire story of where he'd been for so long butit'sclear hewasn'twasting his time while he was there." He said.
He was unarmed and he looked dangerous, what the fuck is he like with a sword in his hand?
"And your positive he's not interested in joining us? A lad with his talents could reallyhelp get these wastes of space into shape. Probably give your old arse a run for your money." Jeor japed as he nudged his shoulder.
He chuckled but quickly sobered "Nah, he doesn't belong here, he's got some things he needs to sortout before he makes any permanent life choices like joining the watch." He said.
"Shame. The offer is there though, a youngand clearly talented lad like him could bethe revitalisationthis place needs." Jeor finished as he nodded to him before going his separate way.
Rotting away in this shit hole was the last thing that was on his nephew's mind right now.
Speaking of Jon, he needed to find him and make sure he wasn't getting intoany moretrouble.
Jon
The library of Castle Black was as dingy as he expected. Books, scrolls and thick leatherback tombs of ancient knowledge lined the walls of the room, the couple of candles he'd lit the only source of light and warmth as he sat on the rickety bench and read through one of thebookshe'd grabbed in haste.
A distraction to cool his temper.
His uncle had been right yesterday, the first thing he needed to do was keep a level head, and he was already failing at that.
He couldn't have helped itthough,those pair of idiots had brought it on themselves, a clear attempt at intimidating what they thought was the fresh new recruit at Castle Black.
The truth of it really was that he was in desperate need of a release and they'd just handed him anopportunityon a plate.
He shook his head as he attempted to immersehimselfin the book in front of him,Etched in Stonethe spine read and it seemed to have something to do with axes.
This wasn't working.
He sighed as he closed the book and moved it across the table away from him. He sattherein silence for a few minutes before resorting to just watching the flame on the candle slowly melt the wax. Looking into the flickering flame wassurprisinglyhelpful at calming him, the random flicks of heat and the slow dripping candle a balm to his running mind.
Weren'ttheTargaryensobsessedwith this sort of stuff?He chuckledhumourlessly.
Targaryen.
A foreign name to him even living in Winterfell all his life, a word not to be mentioned or at least not around him. Supposed it made sense with all things considered now.
Turned out he was one of them.
Or shared blood with them at least, he could be a Targaryen bastard for all he knew.
DidLyannaandRhaegarwed?He wondered.
He was broken from his thoughts as he heard footsteps and the rattle of chains coming from the stairs that lead into the library.
The man, who was clearly the oldmaester'shelper and Aemon himself came shuffling into the library, the servant whispering into Aemon's ear as the old man's face seemed to light up.
"Ah, young Jon,It'ssuch a delight to find you here." Aemon said as he shuffled over to thetablehe was currently stood up at. He turned to his helper "You may leave me, I'd like a chat with Jon." He said as the man bowed and left back up the stairs where they'd just come from.
He reached out and helped out Aemon, easing him into a chair "Thank you." He said as Jon just nodded "No problem." Hereplied.
He returned to his seat and sattherefor a few seconds incompanionablesilence before Aemon spoke up.
"I hear there was an incident in the yard earlier." He said, a small smile on his aged face.
He sighed, he didn't really want to get back into that "Nothing important, just a couple of idiots trying to start an argument,it'sover now." He replied.
"You never argue with an idiot, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you through experience." Aemon mused. He justchuckled, he might use that one himself.
"What had you worked up so much, son?" Aemon asked, incredibly perceptive for a man lacking sight.
He sighed,does he tell him?He might as well, the man probably hasn't been with family for years and he already seems to suspect who he really was anyway.
"I got some news last night." He said, resolved to the fact that he'd be talking about this again so soon. It was still raw to the touch and he hoped burying it for a few days would sort hisfucked uphead.
"I hope it was good news." Aemon replied.
"I don't know if it was or not." He said "I had a little cry but theyweren'ttears of happiness." He said as he cleared his throat.
"That'sfor you to decide." Was all Aemon said.
He nodded to himself, he cried for the mother he'd never meet, he cried from relief of finding out her identity, he cried out of worry, of his siblings no longer seeing him as a brother anymore.
And he cried out in anger, of the lies and thebetrayalof a man claiming to be his father.
"You have to take the positives and negatives out of this news,to decide for yourselfif theoverallchanges are good or badfor you." The oldmaestersaid.
He knew.
He swallowed thelumpin histhroat "You know don't youmaester?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
Aemon smiled softly "You may call me uncle." He said. Jon dropped his head and looked at his lap to hold himself together.
"Uncle." He rasped out as the old man's smile became wobbly.
Aemon let out a joyous laugh as tears, of joy he hoped, slowly ran down his cheeks. "Can an old man like me get a hug fromhis blood." he asked as Jon smiled and chuckled.
Maybe thiswon'tbe as bad as he suspected, he'd just gained another uncle!
"Of course, uncle." He replied as he got to his feet and walked over to Aemon. He helped him to his feet and brought him into a big must have hugged for what seemed like minutes.
That's until there was a throat being cleared...
He turned towards the noise and saw his other uncle giving the pair of them a confused look, he was smiling however.
"What'sthis then? I don't get hugs like that Aemon and I'veknownyou for years." His uncleBenjenjaped as he made his way to them.
"Ah brotherBenjen,it'snoteverydaya dragon is spotted this far north." Aemon said as he broke away from the embrace. It's a good job as well or he'd have felt the shock go through his body, being described as a dragon had well and truly caught him by surprise.
Benjenchuckled "I see you've told him about her then." He said as all three took a seat. He looked atBenjenwith wide eyes and shook his head.
"Her?" Aemon asked, brow furrowed.
He shook his head atBenjenwho had the decency to wince and mouth'sorry'at him "Erm yeah..." He chuckled "I would tell you sit down for this but you already are." He said.
Aemon smiled at him "Have you wed Jon? Is that it?" He asked.
He snorted "No, not exactly. We'vebonded though." He said.
"Ohhow lovely, what's her name?" He asked, unaware of what he was walking into.
"Her name'sKireina." He answered. UncleBenjenwas smiling now.
Aemon smiled wistfully "Ah, a beautiful name, what is she like Jon?" he asked.
"Bloody massive." He said asBenjenhis snort with a cough and shook his head.
Aemon lookedthoroughlyconfused "Massive? I'm...okay..." He drawled.
He decided to have mercy on him"Kireinaisn'ta person uncle Aemon, she's...well she's a dragon."He finally answered, smile on his face as he waited for the man's reaction.
A look of awe on the man's face took over as he gasped, holding his chest as his breathing became heavier.
Wait, shit.
"Uncle Aemon! Are you okay!?" He asked as he got to hisfeetand crouched next to his uncle.
I hope Ihaven'tjust killed my new uncle!
Thankfully, the man's breathing evened out as he collected out a sigh of relief as he looked over atBenjen, smile completely gone from before.
The smack around the head caught him completely of guard as Aemon clipped around the back of it.
"Are you trying to get rid ofme so soon Jon?" He asked as Jon rubbed the back of his and sat back down.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." He said,genuinelyremorseful for what he'd done.
"Did my earsdeceiveme or did you say, dragon?" Aemon asked.
"Yeah."
"Hmm. I want to believe you Jon but..."
"He's telling the truth Aemon, I saw her with my own eyes last night. I couldn't believe iteitheruntil I saw her for myself." His uncleBenjenintervened.
Aemon looked awe struck"Gods..."He seemed to say to himself as he leant back in his chair.
He needed to meet her, they both did. He had to make it happen somehow.
He cleared his throat "Erm...would you...would you like to meet her, both of you?" He asked asBenjen'seyebrows shot up.
"Iwould be honoured." Aemon breathed out.
"I...Idon't think..."Benjenmurmured.
He shook his head to stop his uncle's protests "It'll be easy, a horse and carriage to get us a few miles out and a little white lie as to why uncle Aemon is with us will do the trick." He said as he looked atBenjen. "We'll say we're helping him collectaspecificplantor tree bark for research or something, it'll be fine." He explained.
"Do not deny this old man such a wonderful thing brotherBenjen, we'll go with or without but with you is preferable. We don't want the brother's thinking Jon here has stolen me." Aemon chuckled asBenjenshook his head and smiled.
"Fine..." He said but pointed at him "...but if she eatsme,I'll haunt you forever." He warned.
He shook his head "She's a good girl, shewon'tdo that, trust me." He explained as he got to his feet.
Benjenlooked shocked "What!? Now!? You want to go now!?" He said as Jon helped Aemon to his feet.
He chuckled "Of course...or are you too pussy uncle?" He asked as he gaveBenjena grin.
"Come along now brotherBenjen, I'm not getting any younger and I want to meeta dragon before my time is over." Aemon said as Jon helped him towards the stairs. "Stop being a big pussy and help an oldman experience one ofhis dreams, chopchop." Aemon finished as Jon just guffawed.
"Fine."His uncleBenjenmuttered under his breath as he got to his feet and helpedhim escort Aemon to the stables. Benjen shot away for a quick minute and came back with an armful of cloaks and furs.
"Don'twant youfreezing to death before you get there,dowe?"Benjensaid as he helped Aemon into a big fur cloak and up onto the only carriage that seemed to be in the stables.
"Got yours out of your room as well, along with these." He said as he handed his bear fur cloak and his swords to him "I let the Lord Commanderknowthat we were heading out as well, he seemed to buy that white lie about bark you came up with." He said.
Benjennodded tokatanashe was strapping to his back "Some fancy blades you gotthere, there's a story behind themI'msure."Benjenfished.
He replied as he finished strapping them to his back "There is indeed, and I'll tell you that story when we get back." He answered.
Benjenlooked at Aemon who was getting comfortable in his seat with a big grin on his face "Look at him..." He said to Jon as he nodded towards the old man "...like a pig in shit. Think you might be making his week doing this." He said to Jon.
"More like the past 50 years brotherBenjen." Aemon responded from where he was shook his head and smiled.
"C'mon then, before we start losing back beforeitgets dark."Benjensaid as they all got seated in the carriage and headed out of the castle.
The gate closed behind them as they made their way down the beaten path away from Castle Black, he looked behind them towards it and nudgedBenjenin the arm "This'll haveemtalking I bet." He said asBenjendirected the horse on.
"Ah letemhave their fun. Life as a brother can get terribly dull."Benjenanswered.
"Until you meet a dragon." Uncle Aemon furthered as Jon chuckled at the child like glee on the old man's face.
"You'rereally lookingforwardto thisaren'tya?" He asked with a smile.
Aemon's smile didn't faulter as he turned to him "You have no idea." He replied.
They must have riddenfor about half an hour before he sensedKireinaclose.
"Could you land somewhere closeKireina, I'd like you to meet some of my family."He asked her through their bond.
"Absolutely."She replied. She sounded excited herself at the prospect.
"How much further do you want us to go?" His uncleBenjenasked.
"We can stop here, she's close." He replied asBenjenpulled on the reigns to halt the horse.
"You seem to have a deep connection with her." Aemon said as they all disembarked from the carriage and slowly made their way off the road.
He held on to Aemon's arm to keep him steady as they trudged through the snow and made their way towards a clearing where he knewKireinawas already waiting for them.
She seems very thought amusingly.
"Ayewedo, at first I thought it was the oldskinchangerblood from my Stark side but she explained to me through our bond that it was thevalyrianblood as well. Blew my mind the first time I heard her in my head." He explained.
"I can only imagine." Aemon replied asBenjenchuckled.
He helped Aemon over a fallen trunk "We're close." He said to him as they climbed overwhat he hoped wasn't something to do withKireina.
"You insult me Jon,I'vegotten a lot better since the forest."She projected.
"I know you have, I apologise."He replied.
"Seven hells..."His uncle whispered out from in front as he finally helped Aemon over the trunk. He turned around to see what had him cursing.
About a hundred feet away from them,Kireinawas laid down with her tail curled around herself, wings tucked in and her eyes were eyeing his uncleBenjenwith a burning intensity.
He ducked his head and smiled.
Benjencleared his throat as he slowly stepped backwards"Jon?..." He whispered out. He chuckled at his uncle's actions.
He completely understood his uncle'strepidation, but itdidn'tmean hedidn'tfind it funny.
He looked at Aemon "We're here uncle." He said to him as the old man's face lit up.
He escorted Aemon towards the bulk of impossible power, looking atBenjen'sfrozen stance as he walked past him "It's okay uncleBenjen, shewon'thurt you. She's a good girl." He said to hisuncle who was in slackjawedawe.
He saw himvisiblygulp but nod in response, moving closer to Jon than he really needed to be.
Kireinalifted her head into the air and seemed to nose the three of them from a distance.
"They smell like you."She said to him.
"I imaginetheydoKireina, their blood runs through me."He replied.
"Yes,it does." She answered with conviction as she lowered her head and looked at himintensely.
It would seem she'd made her mind up on the whole situation and he trusted her word over Lord Stark's any day of the week now.
The meet and greet between her and his two uncleswasbrief but beautiful. Uncle Aemon had teared up as he stroked his hand down her snout and flank, whispering words of endearment and all round having the time of his life.
His uncleBenjenwas a lot more skittish than Aemon to Jon'samusement. He'd stroked her down her side and that was about it, he mainly stood awfully close to Jon and just stared at her.
Now they were heading back to Castle Black,Benjenhad ripped off a piece of bark from the fallen trunk they'd climbed over to sell the fib he'd told Jeor. Aemon had climbed up into the carriage with the biggest smile he'd ever seen on him.
He was glad he could do that for him.
The journey back was swift and without incident, Aemon was talking aboutKireinaalmost all the way back to his amusement.
"What about you uncle?" He said towardsBenjen"What was yourfavouritepart about meeting her?" He asked with a grin on his face.
"Thepart where Idin'tpiss mesen." He replied, him and Aemon just chuckled at him.
They rolled into the courtyard of Castle Black with an hour or so of light left if the low hanging sun wasanythingto go by.
"Got whatyaneededmaester!?" The Lord Commander spoke as he made his way towards the three of them. He was currently helping Aemon out of the carriage.
"Mostdefinitely, LordCommander." His uncle them from retrieving the bark and handing the horse and carriage to thestable hand.
The old bear nodded as he looked at the three of them "Good." Was all he said as he turned on his heel and made his way out of the yard.
Before he left however, he turned around "That reminds me..." He said as he walked back towards them "A raven came, for you Jon." He said as he pulled a small scroll from his sleeve. "From your brotherLordRobb,it would seem." He finished as he handed him the scroll.
He looked at uncleBenjenin confusion as he opened it up, looking down at the note and scanning it answered his intrigue.
His brother was getting married very soon and he really wanted Jon to be there for it.
Apparently, LordKarstarkalong with LadyAlys, LordHarrionand afew other guestshad turned up at Winterfell literally two days after Jon had left for Castle Black. Lady Stark was hell bent on having the wedding as soon as they came through the gates that very night but Robb wanted him there,Alyswould also really appreciate his appearance as well after what he'd done for her andHarrion.
He handed the note to uncleBenjenas he furrowed his brow.
Looks like I'll be back in Winterfell a lot earlier than I wanted to mused.
UncleBenjenlooked back at him with an odd look, almost like he was asking ifhe'd be okay going back so soon.
He just shrugged his shoulders and gave him a sad grin.
Robb wanted him there at his wedding and nothing else mattered at the moment, he'd be damned if he ruined his brother's wedding by making a scene with Lord Stark.
"Looks like a hot meal and an early night for me uncle, back on theroad at thecrackof dawn." He said as they helped Aemon towards his quarters.
"You sure you'regonnabe alright?" He asked as they entered themaester'squarter.
"He's going tobe fine. He's goingto be patient and levelheaded, and he's going to come out of this an even better man than the one I met only yesterday." Uncle Aemon said as he took his seat.
He felt infinite gratitude and respect for the man sat in front of him in that moment.
"Thankyou, uncle." He said as he squeezed the olderman'sshoulder.
The rest of the night was spent chatting with Aemon andBenjenas they ate their supper and before he knew it, he was hugging the pair of them and heading for bed.
His night's sleep was a lot easier than the one he'd had the night before, regardless of the weird dream he about blue eyed shadows following him through a forest as he tried to hunt his dinner.
He woke up before he got chance to encounter one of them so that was that.
He got washed and ready for his journey, packing his rations that he'd been given for it before heading out of his chamber and heading towards the common hall. A few brothers gave him a couple of looks but apart from that it was pretty uneventful as he grabbed a hard roll and a mug of ale.
He barely tasted his breakfast,thank god,and before he knew it, he was at the main gate to the castle, hugging both of hisuncle'sgoodbye.
He huggedBenjenfirst "Pleasedon'tdo anything stupid Jon." He said as he patted him on the back.
"I'll try uncle but I'm not promising anything. It'll dependon your brother won't it?" He replied as he gave him a sad smile.
He hugged his uncle Aemon after that "I'll miss you.I'veonly just met you andI'malready saying goodbye." He said as he broke from the embrace.
Aemon put his hands on his shoulders and looked at him "We'll meetagain sometime soon, whether it be in this life or the next." He said. A sadness washed over him.
"Uncle..."
"She'll be proud of you your mother, I know it. Andsowill your father, your real father when you meet him." He whispered out as his eyes became hazy.
He sighed as he nodded, he looked down at the ground to avoid the looks from both his uncles.
He was never comfortable in these types of situations.
UncleBenjenpatted him on the back "C'mon then, offwithya. You don't want to be late to your brother's wedding, you'll never hear the end of it." He said as he smiled at him.
It still felt right Robb beingreferredto as his brother.
Hope it'll be mutual.
He nodded at them both as he headed out the main gate, the morning sun beaming over the snowy landscape in front of him looked stunning this far north.
The walk took him around an hour before he reunited withKireina,he found her with blood around her mouth which he would later learn was due to her hunting whale off the eastern coast.
Explained the smell as well.
"C'mon then, back to Winterfell we go." He said to her before she took off with haste, southbound towards a place he both did and didn't want to be heading to right now.
Robb
Two days later...
Every passing hour that went by where his brother didn't walk through those northern gates was another pound of pressure added to him. He really wanted Jon to be here for his big day, the raven he'd sent to Castle Black nearly a week agoshould'vearrived there in only a few days.
And hopefully Jonhad received it andwas on his way back.
He sighed as he walked along the battlements thatfacednorthbound, he'd been looking out for half an hour in the hopes of catching a glimpse of his brother.
He walked down stairs and headed across the yard towards the great hall. The guests that had arrived for the occasion were currently being feasted by his parents, in the hopes of keeping them distracted from the wait.
A wait his mother was pressuring him more and more to end.
He could understand why she wanted the wedding to happen now rather than later, the longer the guests waited, the more they ate into their reserves for the winter.
Winter is coming after all.
But he couldn't help but be selfish, it wasn't a crime for him to want Jon there andAlysreally wanted him to be there as well.
The warmth and noise hit him as he opened the door to the great hall,GreatjonUmber's bellowing laughter filling the room as he laughed at his son cough up his ale for whatever giant of a man and his son had turned up along with LordKarstark'sretinue.
He reached the high table where his seatin betweenhis father and his betrothed was currently stolen by Arya.
"Shift thee." He said to her as she got to herfeetand grumbled something.
He sat down in his seat and gaveAlys' hand a squeeze as she looked at him.
"Any sign of him son?" His father said to his right, the bruise around his eye had lost its black colour and currently had asickly-lookingyellow hue to it now.
He knew there was more to it than him just walking into a cabinet, Jon's abruptdeparturejust made him even more thought.
He sighed as he shook his head "Nothing, starting to get dark out there as well." He said.
"Wecan'twait forever for him Robb." His mother said as she poked her head into the conversation.
"I know I know. Give him till tomorrow at the latest and if he's not back then we'll just have to proceed without him."He said as he gaveAlysa sad smile.
"Bytomorrowlunch time at the latest, gives us enough time toprepare for the ceremony and feast later in the day." His mother almost demanded as she returned back to her conversation with Sansa withouta second look at him.
C'mon Jon, don't let a brother down mate.
The rest of the night went in a faze, the only thing he remembers was Arya throwing a spoon of mash atSmalljon'sface after he unwisely called her an'annoying little lady'after she'd accidently knocked his drink out his hand.
Greatjonhad laughed the loudest he had that night when all was said and done.
A few hours passed and hefound himselftossing and turning in his bed in an attempt to get back to sleep, based on the little light that was coming through the window slats, it was way too early to be getting up.
He'd be too tired to make it through the wedding night.
He managed to get back to sleep as he thought of his future wife.
He woke up with a start a few hours later, the morning rays creating a glow around his window. His chamber door was currently being knocked on.
"C'mon Robb,it's my son's big day." He heard his mother say from the other side of the door before she knocked again. He groaned as he rose from his bed.
The morning went in blur of movement and chatter around him, the whole castle seemed to be at work, servants heading in and out of thegodswoodwhere the ceremony would take place.
And before he knew it, it was lunch time.
And Jon was nowhere to be seen.
His disappointment wasimmeasurable.
He talked to no one as he rippedthrough his food, the only interaction being his father squeezing his shoulder in comfort.
"He'd have tried his best to get back in time son." His father said. He didn't say anything in return.
He needed to get out of this mood before tonight so he did what he always did when he was in a bad mood, he sparred.
With a dummy.
He must have hacked and slashed at that straw prick for nearly an hour, releasing all his pent-up anger and disappointment, leaving a fresh mind for when he said his vows and became a married man.
"That supposed to be me." He heard a familiar voice say.
He turned around in a flash and saw Jon with a small grin on his face as he leant against a wall with his arms crossed.
"Bloody idiot..." He said as he chucked the blunt sword on the ground and pulled Jon into an embrace.
Jon chuckled "Not toolate,am I?" He asked as theyseparated.
He shook his head "Just in the nick of time." He replied. "When did you get back?" He askedwith a smile on his faceashereturned their way back towards the main courtyard and away from the quiet cornerhe'd beenstewingin.
"Just now,wouldhave been earlier if it wasn't for the mess at the gates." Jon said.
He looked at him in confusion "Mess at the gates? Has something happened?" He asked.
Jon shook his head "Not really, guards wouldn't open the gates for allowing anymore guests or something, I wasn'tlisteningproperly. Ended up bored with the conversation and found a spot to scale up the wall to get in instead. Lord Stark will have to be warned that there's cracks that can be used as footholds on the western wall, I could've been anybody." He said.
"Don'ttell Bran, he'll have a field day climbing up and down that." He japed, Jon smiled in return but it didn't reach his eyes.
He furrowed his brow "You alright?" He asked.
Jon shook his head and smiled at him "Don'tworry about me,I'mfine. You should be more worriedabout your wedding than my mug." He answered as they walked towards his chambers.
He sighed "I'm not worried,I'mjust nervous that's all. I was rather upset when I found out you might not be here for the whole thing, hence the act you caught me in." He replied.
Jon put his arm around his shoulder, he sometimes forgot who was the older brother between the two of them "Listen, you'll be fine. YouadoreAlys,I'veseen the way you look at her, andAlystolerates you so your marriagewon'tbe all thatmiserabl...ahaha." Jon said as Robb tried to get him in a headlock for that last comment.
He playfully shoved him away when he failed to get a hold of him, Jon turning around and walking backwards as he smiled towards him "C'mon, up your pace you ready for your bride, wouldn'twantAlysmarrying a stinky Stark...especially her secondfavouriteof the Stark brothers." Hecheekilysaid.
I'mgonnabollock thought amusingly as he caught up with Jon and thumped his arm.
He chuckled as he remembered something, something Sansa had told him "I think you'll be too busyto be worryingaboutmywife, a little ginger birdie told me something the other day." He said in a secretivetone.
Jon was still smiling but had a confused look on his face "Oh yeah, do tell." He asked.
He gave Jon a wicked grin "Sansa told me that Jeyne likes ,she thinks herself half in love with you and she's already started coming up with ideas and designs for the dress." He said, the last part about her being in love and designing a dress he lied about just to see his brother squirm.
Jon's eyes went wide and his smile morphed into a cringe.
Missionsuccessful.
"I'vebarely spoken two words to the girl!" Jon exclaimed as they finally made it to Robb's room. He entered and Jon followed him inside.
He shrugged his shoulders at him "Don'tshoot the messenger, probably thosesilkyblackcurls on your bonce, or thosethickeyelashes you like to bat at her." He said. He was japing of course but he'd missed this type of thing with Jon.
Jon gave him a sly grin "Or maybeit hassomething to do withmylooong,thiiick..."
"Don'tfinish that sentence." Heinterrupted.
"...beard." Jon finished as he smiled at him.
He shook his head as he grinned athim"Fuckoff."He muttered. Jon laughed at him before telling him he wasgonnadrop his stuff off in his chambers and get himself ready.
"I'll seeyoulater...brother." Jon said before closing the door behind him.
That was hours ago, now he was stood in thegodswoodunder the Winterfell's heart tree. The cool evening breeze sending a refreshing chill up his back as he stood ramrod, waiting for his bride to enter the grove.
Everybody was in the grove to witness the ceremony, his father would be officiating the whole thing, his mother was stood with his siblings on one side with a smile on her face as she looked at , his sonSmalljon, Ser Rodrik, Jory, Theon and everybody else were stood on the other side, including Jon and Jeyne. The former rolling his eyes as he caught his gaze, Jeyne wasn't being subtle with how close she was standing next to Jon.
Robb grinned and looked at the ground.
He heard someone clear their throat, he turned and saw that his mother didn't look impressed at all as shesneaked a look at Jon.
She couldn't take a break from it for one day, even on his wedding day.
Before anything could be said, his father cleared his throat and nodded towards theentranceto thegodswood.
His breath caught as he saw his future wife.
She looked beautiful in her white gown, a light grey pelt laid across her shoulders and a marriage cloak in the colours of her house hanging across her back. Her father was escorting her towards them.
A smile bloomed on his face as herealisedshe would be his wife very soon.
In no time at all, the vows were taken and sealed with a kiss. The people inattendancecheered andcongratulatedthenewlywedsas the whole procession made their way towards the great hall for the feast.
On the way there he caught a glance of his father trying to talk to Jon as they walked,surprisinglyhis brother completely blanked him as he took Jeyne's arm and escorted her away from their father. A huge blush emerged on the girls face whilst his father looked troubled.
At least there was no heated words between them, he wouldn't forgive them for causing a scene.
The feast went without a hitch, he spent the majority of it holding hands with his wife, chatting away blissfully whilst giving each other shy smiles. They both knew what was to happen later tonight and their nerves seemed to show within those smiles.
The dancing was interesting as well, he had the first dance withAlysand didn't step on her toes once. Afterwards, he passed her off to her brother and went to sit down. He noticed Jon finishing his dance with Arya before being dragged into another dance by a rather tipsy looking Jeyne. The tight smile on Jon's face was priceless as he danced with her, clear discomfort to anybody who knew him properly.
After all the dancing was done (Sansa must have danced the most by his accounts), the bedding ceremony was called for asGreatjonUmber bellowed out the request.
There were a few men trying topawoff hiswife'sdress off as she was lifted in the air. Thankfully, his brother wasthereto send a few elbows into their ribs to cease their bawdy actions.
He himself was escorted to their chambers, a few giggling girls pulling fabric and copping a feel as they moved through the castle.
He was pushed into the chambers by the women, Arya had managed to sneak into the group of girls and ended up kicking him up the arse, sending himbarrellinginto the room. He could hear her laughter as he closed the door behind him.
He turned around and looked at his wife, she was stood there at the end of the bed in her ivory shift and her white wool stockings. She blushed and looked down when she saw the heatedlookhe was giving her.
He gulped as his breeches became tighter.
She turned around and crawled up the bed towards the head board, giving him a view that left little to the imagination.
His breeches were off in a flash.
She laid back against the pillows and looked at him, she looked excited but still a little nervous as she looked down at his tenting smallclothes and bit her bottom lip.
She'stryingto kill him.
She slowly looked back up to his face and locked eyes with him "Come to bed my love." She whispered out.
Robb had never moved so fast in his life.