An Offer You Can’t Refuse

Benjen volunteered to go out of the cave and check up on the men. Jon had fallen asleep to recover from whatever he experienced when he had gone into the trance. Asher and Torrhen said that they would watch over him. Benjen thought Robb would take some rest as well since he didn't move from Jon's side for a single moment. But he was surprised when he too came out of the caves with him. Together, they went to inspect the men and give them the necessary orders. Benjen let Robb take the charge since Jon and he was the commanders of this troop. He gave him suggestions to set up a scheduled perimeter watch since they were deep into wildling territory. After they were done with their intended works, Benjen wanted to get back to Jon, but Robb begged off for some time alone. He sat leaning on the Weirwood tree looking at the distance, deep in thought. Benjen sighed and went to sit beside him, keeping an eye out for any eavesdropper.

"What is troubling you, nephew?"

Robb jumped as if he didn't notice when his uncle came and sat beside him. "It is nothing, Uncle Ben." He stuttered.

"I have known you two since you both were mere babes swaddled in blankets. I have watched you grow. Granted, I didn't see you as often as I wished for, but I had seen you waddling around Winterfell. Saw you when you took up your practice swords for the first time. I even knew that it was you two who taught Arya to prank me by putting horseshit in my shoes. So, want to try to answer me again? But this time, lead with the truth, please."

Robb sighed and leaned his head on the tree trunk. "I don't know, Uncle. What are you supposed to feel when you find out the brother you grew up along with, wasn't your brother at all. My father, the most honourable man in all of Westeros, had been lying to me, my mother, you and to everyone else for the past fifteen years. I don't know what to think. The Jon I knew, doesn't even exist. Hells, it is not even his name."

Benjen put his hand on Robb's shoulder, "I get it, Robb. I know how you feel. I was angry at Ned too when I found out about your aunt and Jon. But you must understand what your father went through during that time, just as I did when I had calm down enough. You need to know the risk he took when he came back home with him. All I can advise you to ease your mind is that you go and talk with Jon, nephew. He is the same person as he had always been. Him having a different name doesn't change the lad you know."

Robb let out a hollow laugh, "But it does, Uncle Ben. If someday I come to know myself that I am not Robb Stark, son and heir of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, but instead I am Robb Snow, bastard son of the deceased Brandon Stark, that will change everything. My life and the lives of others will become completely different from what they have been. I am not even talking about the emotional scars, no. Now, I am training to become the next Lord of the North. In that situation, all my learnings will be for nought, because it is not me, but my young brother, or cousin in that situation, who is set to be the Lord of the North. Jon -" His breath hitched, "Jon was brought up as a bastard when the truth is that he is a prince of the realms. The true heir to the throne. The misunderstanding my father caused, had cost him the lessons he needed if someday he is to go for his birthright. He doesn't know how to be a lord. Seven Hells, my mother had seen to it, and I helped her whenever I overlooked her scorns or Theon's insults to him. It must have been the Gods who intervened and had let us go for our fosterage. Jon had finally got a semblance of lessons in being a lord from Lord Karstark, but not from my father. He would have wanted for him to join the Watch and throw away his life. If the situations changed, I don't think I could have ever done something like that for the son of Sansa or Arya."

Benjen sighed, he was glad to know that his nephew was such a loyal person with strong morals. Robb's blaming himself for the follies of others was proof enough of how much he loved his cousin.

"What I have been told, Robb, is that they have reconciled, your parents and Jon. They had talked after the truth became known and cleared everything between them. I don't know about the Ironborn and I don't care either. But you need to talk to him first before you start to blame yourself. Jon is the same lad, even if his name or parents are different than you grew up to know. Do you understand?"

Robb nodded his head reluctantly.

"Then come on, it is not safe to discuss all of these out in the open. Let's go and see if our ljós leggja has woken up or not."

They got up and made their way to the caves.

"What does it mean, Uncle, ljós leggja? The Children were very excited about it."

"As far my knowledge in Old Tongue goes, it means the Light Bringer."

Robb had an awed look on his face, "The Light Bringer? From the myth? But wasn't that the name of the sword the Last Hero wielded?"

"Aye, that is what I heard myself too. But who knows what is the truth among all these myths. We have all thought the Children of the Forest to be a myth, but then again, here we are." Benjen gave him a smirk.

Robb shook his head, truly, he had never even thought in his wildest dreams that they would get to meet a part of the Northern legends.

[CotW]

Jon woke up with a start, he had entered into Gale's mind in his sleep. It had been a long time since he warged unknowingly. He looked wildly around the cave because just a moment ago he was thinking about hunting a rodent. He had practised enough to block out Gale's thoughts from invading his mind, but it seemed all of his controls over his power were gone.

"You look spooked, Aemon. What happened?"

Jon remembered with a jolt about where he was and with whom he was. He turned to see that Bloodraven was smirking at him.

"I skinchanged into my bird in my sleep, Uncle, it had stopped long ago. I don't know why I can't control my power anymore."

"That would be the Weirwood paste, it tends to disrupt our mental stabilities for a time. As it makes it more fluid and open, it helps with glimpsing into the past, future or present. I had to start practising my skinchanging abilities from the scratch myself after I was administered with the paste by the Children."

"Great," Jon muttered under his breath, "another thing to learn anew."

"Stop grumbling, boy. It is unbecoming for a prince of the realms. Now, tell me, what have you learned in your trip?"

Jon looked around to find that Asher and Torrhen, who were sleeping beside him, were getting up, but he couldn't see his uncle or cousin anywhere.

"If you don't mind, I would like to wait till the others are here so that I don't have to repeat myself." Bloodraven nodded in agreement. "Where are they anyway?"

"They went out to check up on the men. They should return in a while."

A rumbling sound came from Jon's belly, making him blush. Bloodraven chuckled hearing that.

"Ah, it seems I have been remiss in my hospitality. Rain, megþúr leggjfyrirr sumr matr?" (Rain, can you bring some food?)

The Child who was asked nodded happily. Along with some others, they brought platters of fruits for all of them to eat, with ice-cold water in earthen pots to drink. Jon smiled at his friends as they sat down together to eat. They were making small talks while they ate but largely avoided mentioning anything about Jon's heritage, for this was not the time neither the place for such discussion. After a little while, Benjen and Robb came back to the cave. Robb tried to smile at him but it was more like a grimace, his uncle meanwhile greeted him enthusiastically.

"Ah, finally you are up, lad."

"Aye, Uncle Ben, it took a lot out of me."

"So, tell us what did you mean when you said that you met a Goddess." Benjen said as he took his seat across from them and picked up a piece of fruit.

Jon took a healthy gulp of water to clear his throat, then he started to talk about his experiences. He didn't say anything about his visions in the smokes, neither did he mention anything about his bracers since nobody seemed to notice it, ever. He told them all about the Ancient Ones, how they made the world as they knew, the religions formed based on them, and finally, the warning about the Long Night.

Everyone was fascinated by Jon's tale. But Benjen scoffed when he heard the warnings concerning the Night King and his army. Bloodraven pointed out that everything the Northern lore tells about, Children of the Forest, wargs, Greenseers – almost all of them were present at that cave, refuting their mythical status, then why couldn't the stories about the Long Night be true also. Benjen didn't have any rebuttal for that.

After the meal was completed, Bloodraven asked about their plans. Neither of them had any clear plan of action. Benjen told about the abysmal state the Watch found itself in nowadays due to negligence for years by the King and the lords of the realms. They didn't have the strength to stop the wildings from infiltrating, let alone stopping powerful enemies like the White Walkers. They didn't even know how to kill one. It was all lost in the pages of history. Jon and the others talked about the overall martial strength of the North, while they could call up to their forces of about fifty to sixty thousand strong, convincing the lords of doing so would be a colossal task. Making the other kingdoms come to their aid for the same would be even harder. Jon mentioned what the Goddess had told him about the Andals suppressing their magica. The Southerners, who were mostly descendants of the Andals, would never accept the fact of a magical threat. Everyone fell quiet, contemplating about the future.

Bloodraven cleared his throat and leaned forward in his seat. "If you don't mind listening to an old man, I may have some basic plans for us to follow, to begin with."

Everybody nodded in acceptance. What the old man told them was that they had the First Ranger of the Night's Watch and future Lord of the North with them. Robb, with the help of his father, could strengthen the North, and in turn, the Night's Watch, while Benjen invested his times to find proofs about the return of the Others. Bloodraven himself would be looking through times for any possible way to stop or kill the White Walkers, or the Night King himself as everything that he thought he knew had changed due to the Gods' intervention. He would also keep a lookout for any movements of the Others by his power of skinchanging. Granted, it was not a very good plan, but it was all they could do for the time being, for neither of them had the power to command and make every highborn do their biddings.

Jon was surprised that he wasn't included in those plans, "What about me, Uncle Brynden, what am I to do?"

"You, dear nephew, are needed to bring the kingdoms together. If Lady Minerva was correct, then you are now needed out of the North more than you can imagine. We have about a decade according to her. This time that you were granted, you should utilize it to the fullest, these years you should spend to grow, both as a warrior and a leader of men. The future of mankind may depend upon your success. Also, very soon, you will be leaving these lands for a long time."

Jon gave him a puzzled look, "And where will I be going?"

Bloodraven gave him his annoying smirk once again, "You will find that out soon enough. Now, time is of the essence, you cannot be here for an indefinite amount of days. What I propose to you all, save Aemon, is to eat the Weirwood paste."

Everybody looked squeamish hearing that, they all remembered the pain Jon went through.

"While I cannot promise that every one of you will become wargs or Greenseers, I can give assurance that your mental aptitude will advance in leaps and bounds, which you will need for the coming future. The decision is, of course, yours."

After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Benjen said, "I don't know about you lads, but I find that I need to have my mind more acceptable to all the surprises I am facing. I don't think I am too old to learn new things. I will be having that paste, please." He extended his hand towards one of the Children who was holding a pot of paste. They smiled their beatific smile and gave Benjen the pot.

Robb, Asher and Torrhen looked at Jon, silently asking for his opinion. He gave them a soft smile, "I think you all should have it, we are to face very interesting times ahead. We should utilize every advantage available to us"

They acquiesced and each took a pot. Soon, all of them were lying on the ground unconscious. Jon, with the help of the Children, moved them to more comfortable positions.

"While they are out for the count, nephew, I think we should have a chat ourselves."

Jon nodded and went to sit before Bloodraven.

"Listen carefully, Aemon. You will find many things on your journey. Some very welcoming, some quite disturbing. I cannot tell you each and everything right here, for you need to find them yourselves. But what I can tell you is you must let the wheel roll before you can break it. Do you understand?"

Jon thought hard, "Do you mean to say that I must let things play out before I can change things?"

"Yes, and no. You remember your visions in those smokes, and what I told you about them?" Jon grimaced and nodded his head, "You must let fate play their hands for everybody. Remember, you cannot save everyone. I don't think I can stress enough on that fact alone."

"So you are telling me to stand aside and watch as my family suffer?" Jon was fuming.

"Did I tell you to do that? No, you must do what you feel is right. But you can't save them till they needed to be saved."

Jon had gotten even more confused, he shook his head to clear his thoughts. Bloodraven sighed seeing the confounded look on his face.

"Forget it, you will know when the time is right for you to act upon them. For now, the paste is interfering with your thought process. But remember, you must be wary of the grey rats when you will visit the Old Town. Do not forget about this warning, Aemon. You will be needing a supply of the paste, for one of my future disciples cannot reach to me. The other will find his way to me himself. I will ask the Children to give you some when you leave, they do not get spoiled, so you don't have to worry about that."

"Am I not your disciple, Uncle?"

Bloodraven smiled at him, "I am afraid not, Aemon. You are destined for much greater things. The ones I am talking about will help you pave the way for a peaceful future, for my time is coming to an end." Jon tried to speak, but Bloodraven raised his hand to stop him. "Do not fret, nephew. I have lived more than my share of life. For over a hundred years, I have served my duties, I think I have earned my rest, don't you? Now go and get some rest yourself. You have done all you could do here for the time being. You need to be ready to leave with the first light. And I must warn you, you will be receiving some blessings from the Gods." He gave him a mischievous smile and leaned back in his seat. His eye once again went white.

*Line Break*

At the dawn of the next day, they got ready to leave the cave and return to Castle Black. Bloodraven once again reminded them about the coming dangers and urged them to carry out their parts. He said he will be keeping watch over them and will communicate in his unique way, through animals. Jon was the last to bid him goodbye, he didn't know if there was the next time that he would see him. Bloodraven understood his feelings, he laid his hand on his head and muttered a soft blessing in Valyrian tongue, the ones that family members say to the young ones in the hope to keep them safe. Tears threatened to fall from Jon's eyes. He muttered his farewell and rushed out of the cave, not wanting to show his tears to the old man.

Bloodraven chuckled seeing his nephew's reaction, "Ah, youth, so very ashamed to shed tears. I wish you good fortunes for the days to come, Aemon Targaryen. May the Gods keep watch over you." He was about to lean back and went into his trance when he sat back right up.

"Fuck, I almost forgot about his gift. Logr, munu þú leggjminnr kind hans gift? (River, will you bring my nephew his gift?)

The Child smiled and nodded their head. They rushed out of the cave to do the old man's bidding.

[CotW]

The men were ready to depart. They were waiting for the lords to come and take charges. When the five appeared out of the cave, they brought their horses to them. The man who brought Jon's horse to him stood transfixed at his spot, looking behind him with wide eyes. Seeing the man like that, Jon turned around thinking of some danger sneaked up to them. But he found one of the Children, the one who was called River, came rushing to him, carrying a bow in their hands.

"Khampion, þinn fǫðurbróðir hafði spyrjumk oss til gerþessir bow fyrir þú. þat er gerumk ór ironwooð. Engi megmunur sinn equal en weirwooð longbows. þat er einn ór kindr, því at vér nýtöttumk magic til benð bússrinn til þessi shape. þat munu hafsamrr reach ok megin sem einnhverr weirwooð longbow. Nýtatt þat inn þinn travels vel." (Champion, your uncle had asked us to make this bow for you. It is made of ironwood. None can be its equal but Weirwood longbows. It is one of a kind because we used magic to bend the woods to this shape. It will have the same reach and strength as any Weirwood longbow. Use it well in your travels.)

Jon got down to his knees and received the gift with bowed head, "Ek thank þú, ancient einn, fyrir þessi rikki gift. Maygodanar watch yfir þú. Please takgóðr kare ór minn fǫðurbróðir." (I thank you, Ancient One, for this great gift. May the Gods watch over you. Please take good care of my uncle.)

The Child smiled their wide smiles, "Vér munu, khampion. Hann er ok dýrr til oss. Maygodanar bless þú sem vel." (We will, Champion. He is also dear to us. May the Gods bless you as well.) They turned away from them and seemed to be melted into the greenery.

Jon was about to get up on his horse when he realized that everyone was looking at him. He shrugged his shoulder. "What?"

"What is that? It looks like ironwood!" Asher could recognize it anywhere since it was the main source of income for his house.

Jon looked over the bow, it was a result of beautiful craftsmanship, images of wolves and dragons entwined every inch of the delicately curved bow. The Children's magica made the wood, which was truly as hard as iron, more pliable to use as a bow. He tried to pull the string but found that he needed to put in much more strength than normal bows to it.

"Aye, they made it especially for me. According to them, it is one of a kind, since nobody can bend ironwood this way."

"Aren't You a lucky fuck." Asher grumbled.

"Don't get jealous, Asher, I also look better than you." Jon smirked.

"Let's get on with it, lads." Benjen interjected, knowing that those two will not stop otherwise.

Once again, they were stopped from leaving the hill. This time, by Gale. She landed on a branch of a nearby tree and screeched loudly at Jon. Jon had to concentrate harder to share his mind with his familiar, he hated that he needed to learn to control their connection all over again. He raised his arm and asked them all to halt.

"What is it this time?" Robb was annoyed to be stopped once again from leaving.

"I think Someones want to meet us." Jon said mysteriously and got down from his horse.

The men let out cries of shock as two huge direwolves came out from the nearby bushes. They raised their weapons to attack the vicious beasts when Jon spoke out loudly –

"Stop, they do not mean any harm to us."

Jon advanced slowly to the wolves who were sitting quietly, looking curiously at him. He took off his gloves and put out his hands for them to smell, he could hear everyone behind him make choking sounds of stifled gasps, but he didn't take his eyes off the wolves. The wolves nudged at his hands, their noses were cold to touch. Soon, both of them were licking Jon's hand. He let out a laugh of utter delight and started to scratch them behind their ears. Benjen called to him with uncertainty in his voice.

"Jon…"

"Fear not, Uncle Ben, this is the blessings of Gods that we were told about. Living sigils of House Stark, companions of the Winter Kings of old." He turned towards the Weirwood tree and bowed his head, "Thank you for your gifts, Lady Minerva."

He called for Robb and Benjen, "Robb, Uncle Benjen, please come forward and let them have a sniff at you. I promise you that they will not attack."

Both of them reluctantly got off from their horses and approached the three with caution. Soon, they too were being licked by the huge beasts. Jon noticed that the one with the fur black as the night, was the male, and the other one, the one with grey fur and white underbelly was a female. It appeared that the female was heavy with pups. The male wolf seemed to have taken a special liking to Benjen.

"He seems to like you, Uncle Ben, you may have just gotten your companion."

Benjen had a look of pure delight on his face as the wolf continued to nudge him for more petting, he laughed as he licked his face.

"Aye, you are a friendly one, aren't you, boy?"

Robb, who was still scratching the ears of the female wolf, asked, "What about this one, Jon, for whom is she to be the companion of?"

Jon put his face near the wolf, who licked his entire face, he laughed at that, "I don't know brother, I feel a faint connection with her, but it is not her…its quite hard to explain in words."

Robb looked at him with wide eyes, he whispered, "I kind of have the same feelings."

Jon looked curiously at him, could the paste started to work its magic for Robb?

"Mayhaps one of her pups…" He didn't complete his thought.

With one final scratch to the black wolf, Benjen urged his nephews to get a move on, they needed to return to Castle Black as early as they could. Jon tried to tune out the mutterings of the men who were still shocked by the events. Soon the legend of the White Wolf would grow further, tales would be told of him being blessed by the Old Gods as myths came to life in the forms of the Children of the Forest and direwolves in front of him.

*Line Break*

Tormund, Mara and their band were hiding quite a bit away from the men from the south. Aurick was correct, there were fifty men, and all of them were armed to fight. They didn't have a chance to take them on by themselves. They watched as a crow and a young lordling appeared from the other side of the hill and ordered the men about. When they again disappeared, the men posted guards all around their camp.

"What are we ta do now, Mara?"

"Look on, what else?" Came her curt reply.

Tormund snorted and dug in for a long night.

The next morning, the southerners were getting ready to leave. The crow from before once again came back from wherever he had gone to, but this time he had four lordlings with him. Ygritte, one of Tormund's best hunters, let out a low whistle.

"Those are some pretty lookin' lordlings." She said appreciatively.

"We coulda take them down from behind, ya know, when they turn ta leave, we coulda attack them from behind these trees." Tormund put out his idea for all.

"Shut yer fuckin' gob an' use yer eyes." Mara snarled at him.

And Tormund did so, what unfolded before his eyes, he hadn't expected to see in his life. A Children of the Forest came to them. They talked with one of the lordlings and gave him a bow. The Lordling went to his knees and showed them proper respect. And here he thought that the southerners on the other side of the Wall had forgotten their roots.

"A fuckin' Child of the fuckin' forest blessed him!" Ygritte swore under her breath.

"Aye, and yer leader wanted ta attack them." Mara's glare only made Tormund's cock hard, he gave her a leer back, he for sure liked women with fights in them. "Fuckin' idiot." Mara turned her head back towards the southerners.

It was not only the Child who came for them, before their unbelieving eyes, they saw two huge direwolves came ambling out of the forest and started to act like Godsdamned puppies with the boy.

"Methinks we must leave now." Tormund would never risk his men to those wolves. Men with steel arms was one thing, but attacking those beasts? Not on your fucking life.

They quietly got back to their own camp. Tormund called for one of the women to bring them mugs of fermented goat's milk. Mara was deep in thought. Tormund emptied his cup in a single gulp.

"Mance should know what we saw here." Mara mumbled in her cup. Tormund nodded in agreement. Their leader should most definitely know about the reappearance of the Children.

"Aye, ye need ta leave soon and go ta him."

"What are ye gonna do?" Mara asked him back.

"I shoulda go ta that fucker Craster and find out abou' the crow."

"Why the crow?"

"Dinnit ye see he was orderin' the lordlings abou'? I bet me axe that he is someone we shoulda know."

Ygritte, who was sitting quietly, spoke up then, "Shouldn' we follow that lordling with the bow and those wolves?"

Tormund guffawed, "Har, I know why ye wanna go fer 'em but keep yer breeches on, lass. This ain't the time."

"I shoulda steal him on his way back ta Wall." She grumbled to the laughter of all in that tent.

*Line Break*

Their way back didn't seem that much longer due to their treading through the known path. Jon didn't find any chance to talk with his friends or Robb about the revelations at that cave. He planned to have a chat with them at Castle Black, whichever of them he could find alone and first.

The wolves have gotten along very well with the party. They kept themselves apart from the horses so that they are not spooked and hunted for their own food. Sometimes they would bring elk or deer carcasses for the humans. The men appreciated having fresh venison at their meals. The male, black-furred wolf never seemed to stray far from Benjen other than when they went hunting, Jon suspected that mayhaps his uncle was on the verge to establish his warg connection with the wolf. Benjen was quite happy to have a wolf companion for himself, he had decided to call him Grim. The wolf seemed to be quite pleased with his name, he wagged his tail and licked Benjen's face when he was called by that name for the first time. Robb and Jon tried to name the she-wolf, but she didn't like any of the names they had come up with for her. Winter, Proudfoot…even Lya, for their Grandmother Lyarra and of course, Lyanna Stark. But the wolf huffed and turned her head away each time they tried to call her by one of those names.

Both the cousins still felt a sliver of connection with the she-wolf. But not as strong as the one Jon had with Gale or Benjen started to form with Grim. Jon was quite sure that what they were feeling, was the faint connection with the unborn pups in the she-wolf's belly. Jon practised hard to re-establish his mental connection with Gale. Slowly he was reaching the point he was at before with her and stopped having his or Gale's emotions mixed up and in turn making both of them dizzy. He tried to teach Benjen and Robb the first few steps to skinchange into an animal, but there seemed to be a wedge formed between the cousins. Robb took every chance to avoid Jon whenever he could.

Jon had reached the end of his tether with Robb's behaviour by the time they neared Castle Black. They had reached the Godswood where the Black Brothers went to take their vows. Jon stopped his horse there and said –

"If you don't mind, Uncle Ben, I want to offer my prayers to the Gods before I went back to the Castle. Would you please wait for me for a while?" Benjen tried to object as they were only a couple of hours away from the Castle, but seeing the look on Jon's face, he gave his consent. With his uncle's permission, he turned to Robb, "Join me, brother."

Again, Robb tried to avoid that, "You can go ahead, Jon, I will offer mine later."

"I am not asking, Robb." His voice was cold, Robb could see the glint in his eyes which made his now purple coloured eyes appear as if twin purple flames even in the gloom of the forest. Quite unnerved, Robb followed Jon towards the Hearts Tree.

When they had entered the clearing and were away from prying ears, Jon turned to his cousin and exploded at him.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Stark?"

"I don't know what you mean…" Robb averted his gaze from him.

"Look at my face and say the same thing." Jon challenged.

Reluctantly, Robb turned his head towards Jon, both cousins were standing with their feet apart, shoulders strained and with all-consuming fires in their eyes. An outsider would have thought that they might be preparing for a duel to death.

"Thank you for finally looking me in the eyes, now would you like to tell me what is wrong? Why are you avoiding even talking with me?"

"I am not avoiding you…"

"Cut the shit, brother, you were never good at that like Greyjoy."

It was Robb's turn to explode, "That is exactly it, we are not brothers, are we? Jon? Hells, it is not even your name, Aemon Targaryen!" Robb yelled in frustration.

Jon's shoulders slumped at Robb's words. The fire went out from his eyes. He slowly sat down in front of the Weirwood tree and leaned on it.

"Do you truly believe that, Robb? Do you think that we are not brothers?"

Robb too deflated seeing the look on Jon's face, it reminded him of the times back at home when anyone would insult him for his bastardry and he would sink into the shadows with a defeated look about him.

"Gods, Jon – Aemon, I am sorry…I-I didn't mean to say that…"

Jon sighed and put his head to his hands. "Would you like to sit down, Lord Stark?"

"Please, bro- cousin, fuck it…Jon, please don't…you know me, I always run my mouth without thinking…"

Jon took a deep breath and raised his head, "Sit down, Robb. It is time that we have cleared whatever this is between us. No more avoidance, no more secret. I have had my fill with that shit."

Robb slumped down beside him.

"Why are you acting like this?"

"I don't know. Uncle Benjen told me to talk to you, but I don't know how…What do you say to someone you think of your brother, but find out that he was your cousin and your father had been lying to you about him all of your life." He chuckled ruefully.

"You do understand why he lied, don't you?"

"Aye, he did it so you wouldn't have the same fate as your siblings."

Jon nodded. "Now, care to explain to me, what troubles you so, apart from what you already mentioned?"

Robb ran a hand through his hair, "I reckon I was upset about what father had intended for you. First, I was shocked when I heard you say those things in the cave. Then you were unconscious and Bloodraven also left us alone. Uncle Ben told us how you found out about your heritage." He indicated towards Jon's sword, "Dark Sister, and you had the gall to not show it to me properly."

Jon let out a laugh, the wall between them that had arisen was slowly crumbling away.

"Aye, I am mostly angry with father, and I think I mayhaps took that out unknowingly on you, by avoiding you. As if I was trying to atone for the wrongs of my father's by pushing you away." He held up a hand to stop Jon from speaking, "I know, it was quite moronic. In my defence, I wasn't thinking straight…you know how that weird paste scrambles your head. I was angry at everybody for the insults they showed to you. I was angry at my mother for the way she treated you. I was angry at father for not telling at least the family the truth…it all culminated in my acting poorly."

Jon put an arm around his shoulder, "You know that we talked and have cleared things between us, your parents and I?" Robb nodded, "I thank you for the love you hold in your heart for me. It is because of that that you want to lash out at everybody for every wrong they have done to me. I understand that Robb, truly I do. We may not be brother in real, but I have always think of you as one, and I will be forever grateful to you if you allow me to call you so."

"You are my brother, J..Aemon."

"No, brother, Jon will do for now. And if you want to hear my opinion, do not be too harsh on your father. He did what he could to keep everyone safe and maintain the peace between the kingdoms after a horrible war."

"How can you just overlook what he did to you, Jon? He never even allowed you to take your lordly lessons with me. You, who is the true heir to the Iron Throne, was not even allowed to know how to maintain his keep. Only thanks to our fosterage that you finally had your lessons in lordly duties. And what of the future? If you hadn't find out yourself, I don't think he would have ever told you about your parents. Also, he would have probably made you take the black."

Jon sighed, "I said I understand his reasoning, I didn't say that his reasoning was sound. He tried to do his best in his circumstances."

"Whatever, I will be discussing with him once we return home."

"For fuck's sake, Stark! Please, once in your life, try to not be such a mulish fucker and think things through before you act on them."

Robb remained quiet, but the stubborn settings of his jaw let Jon know that his requests fell into deaf ears.

"I think we have been here for quite a while. Let's go back to the others."

They got up to their feet and started to make their way out of the Godswood.

"I am yet to speak alone with Asher and Torrhen after everything. I plan to do so on top of the Wall after getting our rests. I would prefer it very much if you are there to support me."

Robb stopped in his tracks and turned towards Jon, "You will always have my support, brother. Now that you have mentioned it…" he started to go down on his knees.

"What the fuck are you doing, Robb?"

"I want to offer my fealty to you, Your Grace."

"Get up from the damned ground, you fuck. I am not the King yet. Stop acting like this, Robb!" Jon was frustrated with the way his cousin was behaving.

Rob got up muttering under his breath, "The idea seemed quite good in my head."

Jon looked at him with narrowed eyes, "The paste truly fucked up with your head, didn't it? That's it, you are going to learn the meditations that Lord Reed had taught me."

[CotW]

The men back at Castle Black were wary seeing the two large direwolves came ambling with the returning party. Benjen had assured Lord Commander Mormont that the wolves would not harm anyone if they are not attacked, or any of the Starks were threatened. Grim had gone with Benjen to his quarters while the she-wolf had trailed after the cousins to their rooms. She claimed the foot of Robb's bed and laid down for a nap. The boys decided to follow her example to get some rest for themselves.

After supper that evening, Jon asked Asher and Torrhen to come with him and Robb to the top of the Wall. The four of them stood huddled together around a brazier at a secluded spot, looking out to the vast snow-covered wilderness.

"You lads haven't yet mentioned anything about the cave." Jon threw his comment to the wind.

Asher looked at him with an eyebrow raised, "You expected us to holler at the top of our lungs to all about stuff which is the most well-kept secret in recent times? Truly, Jon?"

"I didn't mean it quite like that…"

"Aye, we know what you meant. But we didn't have the chance to talk just among ourselves, did we?"

Jon dropped his head to his chest, he didn't open the conversation the way he wished to. Torrhen looked at him and let out a deep sigh.

"You are worried about our opinion of you now, don't you?"

Jon nodded his head.

"Well, what do you think?" Asher asked.

"I don't know. Northerners are generally untrusting of the Targaryens. It only reached a new height after one of my grandfathers killed the other by burning him alive and strangling his heir to death."

"Quite true, but I didn't see a Targaryen prince who fought and protected my home from the Skagosi and wildling invaders." Torrhen said in a challenging tone.

"Neither did I when I followed the man through freezing water to capture Ironborn ships and stood only with four others to stop a horde of Ironborns."

"Aye, we know you, the White Wolf, Jon Snow or Aemon Targaryen, whatever your name be, you are the lad who sang lullabies so that my sick and whiney sister can sleep."

"…and you are the lad who didn't think about his safety and dived into the fights of immeasurable odds. You are our friend, nay brother, Your Grace. Even now, when you suddenly had grown a thick tail of pomp and entitlement to go with your even thicker head."

Jon kept looking between the two as they were tagging on one after the other. His shoulder slumped as the weight of unease lifted from them. He beamed at the two.

"Thank you, both of you. You don't know how much I appreciate your acceptance." He slung his arms on their shoulders and dragged them into a hug. "Oh…and fuck you, Forrester."

Asher pushed off from the hug, "Fuck you too, My Prince!" He bowed mockingly at him.

All of them laughed freely. Jon felt as if the cloud of uncertainty that hung over them since their encounter with Bloodraven had lifted from their heads.

Robb said, "I have a question though, It seemed to me that the old man kind of cornered you to admit about your heritage."

"Aye, it seemed very strange to me too, you didn't need to say those things just to glimpse at Lady Minerva." Asher retorted.

Jon ran a hand through his hair. "I know, I was warned about his machinations. He had his motives for making me do so. But what they might be, I have no idea."

"What are we to do about the Night King and his army?" Torrhen asked.

"What can we do? Can we make the lords listen to us? They have no reason to believe the words of the boys no older than fifteen namedays. Even when they had proven themselves in battle. They believe that magic had left this world along with the dragons. The Northmen still may see the reasons, but the Southerners are an entirely different cup of ale." Jon turned away from the brazier to look down at the yard. "For now, all that stands between mankind and its doom is a bunch of men who were sent here to be forgotten."

"I will try to do my best to make father believe in us, Jon." Robb put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not that easy, Robb. Let us pretend that Uncle Ned believed us, he takes steps to make the North as strong as possible, what of the other realms then? They would think that we are preparing for a war against them. Let's say we ask him to write to the King for aid, Lord Arryn may or may not listen to our plea. What of Tywin Lannister? Mace Tyrell? They are the lords of the two wealthiest realms, also martially the strongest. Both realms have stronger connections within the Capitol than the North because of our normally reclusive tendencies. No brother, we are completely on our own. We have to maintain a very fine balance in strengthening ourselves as well as not to raise suspicions of the other realms. We need to plan each of our steps very carefully before we take them."

Asher leaned on the footwall, "What about Bloodraven's prediction that you are soon to travel out of the North?"

"I don't know, Asher. I cannot see that happening in near future. I want to travel, aye, but when and where, I do not know."

"I think we should get back to our rooms, Icicles have started to form under my nose." Torrhen wrapped his cloak tightly around him.

[CotW]

A couple of days later, they took their leave from Castle Black. Jon had gone to Maester Aemon and told him about their journey beyond the wall. He was genuinely shocked about knowing the origin of the Gods, as well as the ominous warning about the approaching danger in form of the Night King. He promised Jon that he will direct his steward to research any information about the White Walkers that might be in the archive of the Castle.

Grim stayed back with Benjen, he had formed a fledgling warg bond with the wolf. Jon had given him some instructions about the way Lord Reed had taught about how to further strengthen their bond. On the morning of their departure, Grim came down with them to the gates to bid them and the she-wolf goodbye. He licked Jon's hand and looked from his face to the she-wolf as if asking him to take care of her. Jon scratched behind his ears and promised the wolf that he will do just that. Benjen had come down to bid his nephews goodbye. Jon could see Ser Aliser was looking at their party from afar with a sneer present on his face. In another life, you would have bowed to me. – thought Jon.

"So, this is it then?" Benjen had finished saying his farewell to Robb.

"Aye, Uncle Ben, we have been away for far too long. 'Tis time for us to return."

Benjen wrapped Jon up in a hug, "Take care of yourself, lad, you have quite the burden thrust upon you."

"I will, Uncle Ben, promise me that you will take care of yourself too. Don't be too far away from Grim, he will protect you from dangers you are not even aware of. Trust in his instincts and do practice the meditations techniques I showed you. They indeed help with the bonding."

Benjen chuckled, "Aye, Maester Jon, I promise to take great care of my lessons." He ruffled his hair.

"I will miss you, Uncle Ben."

"I will miss you too, lad." He clasped his forearm, "I wish good fortunes to you for the days to come."

"And I, you." Jon squeezed back on Benjen's arm.

*Line Break*

Kings' Landing, Nearly a year ago

Lord Jon Arryn sighed as he neared the Small Council's room in the Red Keep. He could feel in his bones that age is nipping at his heels. He would have been happier if he was back at his own home in Eyrie, raising his newborn son and spending the rest of his days in peace. But Robert needed him at the Capitol, to run the realms. The weight of the pin attached to his chest seemingly getting heavier with each passing day. The childless man was glad when his friends Lords Rickard and Steffon had sent their sons to him for fosterage. He tried to raise Ned and Robert as he would have done his sons if he had any. While Ned grew up to be an honourable and just man, he didn't know where he went wrong with Robert. Nowadays, whenever he saw the man with growing girth, reeking of wine and the cheap perfume of whichever whore he had spent the night with, Jon had a hard time comparing him with the lad he had welcomed to his home all those years ago. He wanted to blame it all to the Stark girl, Ned's sister, for her being abducted and dead led Robert to become such a man, but if he was being true to himself, Robert had been just as he was right then since his days of youth. Why he even fathered a lass while he was fostered at Eyrie. Jon had made arrangements to raise the girl while Robert didn't even blink an eye for his daughter. Not to mention all the children he had fathered since out of his marital bed. He kept a closer eye on the children, arranged for them to grow up in orphanages when their mothers couldn't care for them. He charged the Qohorik smith, Tobho Mott, in secret to take Robert's eldest bastard son as his apprentice. He didn't trust the Lannisters that now filled every corner of the city. The Queen was indeed her father's daughter in ruthlessness. He could still see the images of Princess Elia and her children's bloody corpses in front of his eyes, presented to Robert at the throne room by Tywin Lannister. Ned was in the right to demand justice for that brutality, but what shocked Jon was the contempt Robert had shown for the innocent children and their mother. Dragonspawn, he called them. Seemingly forgetting that he was one such dragonspawn himself as his grandmother was a Targaryen – one of the reasons why they had put him up on the throne, his blood connection with the dragon lords. Sometimes, Jon wondered why they had exchanged one inept ruler with another. He tried to maintain the peace among the realms as the Hand of the King while Robert ate, drank and whored his way to an early grave because he still held on to a sliver of hope and love for the young lad he had taught at his knees. One day soon, when his son grew up a bit, he would give the pin back to Robert and would bid this city full of shit-stench and backstabbing sons of whores goodbye and go back to his home.

He opened the doors to the Council's room and found the rest of the members were already present. Ser Baristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard; Grandmaester Pycelle; Varys, the Master of Whisperers; Stannis Baratheon, the Master of Ships; Renly Baratheon, the Master of Laws and finally, Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin. He had brought young Petyr from Vale to act as the Master of Coin when Lord Qarlton Chelsted had died and left the seat empty. The young lord of Baelish Keep from Fingers had proven his worth when he somehow kept Robert's reign afloat despite the dismal state of the King's coffer. They needed to cut back down on the frivolities, but none could dissuade Robert from holding feasts and tourneys, or his wife from spending the non-existent golds for useless junks. Robert wouldn't even listen about the dire state of the economy, 'counting coppers' he derisively called it.

He gave a small smile to Petyr as he took his seat at the table. Petyr smirked and bowed to him.

"My Lord Hand."

Stannis, who was sitting beside him, gnashed his teeth as per usual and gave him a curt nod, Lord Arryn tolerated the man because of his steadfastness and sense of justice, but the rigidity that he showed in every other aspect of life grated on his nerves.

"Shall we continue with our meeting for the day, My Lords?"

Pycelle let out a wheezy cough, stopping Lord Arryn from opening the meeting, "Pardon me, My Lord Hand, but should not we wait for His Grace to come to this meeting?"

"I am sure our King has other things on his agenda than participating in the meeting to run his realms properly." Stannis gritted out.

The words just left his mouth and the doors to the room were opened with a resounding crash. Robert Baratheon had arrived for his Small Council's meeting, a rare occurrence if ever. He staggered to the table, clearly still drunk from the previous night. His squire, a Lannister boy, came running after him. Lord Arryn had objected to his presence in the Council's room before, but Robert had waved it away, saying he needed his glass to be full if he was to sit through the tediousness of the meetings. Lord Arryn knew the lad was more of the Queen's spy than the King's squire, but his complaints fell into deaf ears.

They all had gotten up on their feet when the King entered the room, King Robert indicated them all to retake their seats. Renly laughed as Robert crashed into his seat at the head of the table. "You just proved Stannis wrong, brother dear. He was so sure that you will not come to this meeting." Stannis scowled and gnashed his teeth some more.

"Yes, yes, we are all very glad for my presence. Now, let's get this shit done." Robert extended his hand for his squire to shove a glass full of wine in it.

Lord Arryn sighed inwardly and continued with the meeting. Reports from the realms were read, trade deals with Essosi merchants and between the realms and the taxes for them planned. The Council members gave reports after their charges, all the while the King sat slumped in his seat and kept drinking glass after glass of wine. The meeting nearing the end leaving only Varys' reports.

"What of the dragonspawns?" Robert growled over his glass.

The eunuch teetered and said, "My little birds had spotted them in Lys a few months ago, but they had since disappeared from there."

"Send more men, I want them found as soon as possible."

Jon shook his head, even after all these years, Robert still thirsted for Targaryen blood.

Varys laughed and bowed low, "It will be done, Your Grace." He reached inside of his loose sleeves and brought out few small pieces of parchments. "My little birds have been singing in quite a different tune from the North…"

Robert sat up straight in his seat, news from his brother in all but blood had always managed to get a rise from him.

"Oh? How is the dour fuck?"

"Lord Stark is quite well, Your Grace. He has arranged for his heir to foster at the White Harbour."

"Of course he did. See Jon, Ned sent his boy away to foster. Just as we went to you at that age."

Lord Arryn nodded his head. He had hoped that if Ned decided to foster his children, he would think of one of the Southern houses, to create better ties with other kingdoms. But then again, it was his heir, so fostering him to one of his leal houses should help the lad in the future, and Ned had other children to foster out of the North.

Varys gave a fake cough, "Ah, yes, Your Grace, but the song continues…" Robert motioned for him to speak, "It appears that Lord Stark has also sent his baseborn son for fosterage to the Karstarks."

"So finally Lady Catelyn managed to get the bastard out of her home, how very interesting." Baelish leaned forward in his seat.

"Yes, My Lord Baelish, but it is this young man that my little birds sing quite intriguing songs about."

"Well, don't keep us waiting, man. Tell us what so interesting about Ned's son?" Robert demanded.

"Of course, Your Grace," Varys cleared his throat, "While the heir, Robb Stark, has taken well with the Manderlys, taking lessons in arms and trade deals, this Jon Snow is apparently becoming quite a young warrior. He has slain a giant bear with nought but a skinning knife and has almost single-handed thwarted a Skagosi attack at his foster father's home. Also, he had stopped an invasion of a wildling band and rescued a few abductees. The smallfolk have been singing his praises all around the North, saying he is the hero from the old legends reborn. As of now, Jon Snow and Robb Stark are taking a ship to the Bear Island to partake in the celebration of the youngest Mormont daughter's nameday."

Renly, who had been leaning back lazily in his seat, laughed as Varys finished his report, "Ah, how the mark of a warrior has fallen these days. Now anyone can be called a great hero after chasing away a few stick-wielding savages." Baelish also snorted at that.

"Savages with sticks or not, it is indeed remarkable for a young lad to fight against grown men and came out the winner. How old is he? Ten and two?" Stannis spoke through gritted teeth.

"Of course, I bowed down to your superior knowledge of warfare, dear Stannis." Renly bowed his head mockingly to further irk Stannis.

"Enough!" Robert boomed, "It seems to me that Ned has done quite well in raising his whelps. Don't you think so, Jon? After all, he named the lad in your honour." Lord Arryn grimaced at that thought. He didn't know if it was a sign of adoration or a slight that Ned had named his baseborn son after him. Robert continued, "Varys, keep me informed if you hear anymore songs about Ned's boy. Now, if we are done with all the other horseshits, I want to hear where are we at arranging for my feast. I want all the fucking Crownlanders to be present for that."

Lord Arryn felt a headache is about to settle in, another meaningless feast. He cleared his throat, "I don't think the Royal Treasury can afford such a lavish feast at this moment, Your Grace. Perhaps -"

"Bah! I didn't take the damn throne to count coppers like a miser, Jon. I want a feast. Make it happen."

He sighed helplessly and looked towards Petyr, who smirked and bowed his head, "As you wish, Your Grace, I may have to shuffle things around for a bit, but it is indeed possible."

"There, problem solved. See Jon? Now, if there is nothing else, I call this meeting to an end." He heaved himself off the seat after a few tries and stumbled out of the room, his squire dutifully running after him. Renly and Petyr made their way out of the room talking and laughing between themselves. Grandmaester Pycelle walked out quite faster than his normal slow gait, no doubt going to send a raven to Tywin Lannister. Only Stannis, Ser Barristan and Lord Arryn himself remained behind in the room.

"Another feast, My Lord Hand? How much deeper in Lannister debts are we going to find ourselves into?"

Lord Arryn sighed, "You did hear what His Grace has said, did you not, Lord Stannis? He hates, as he says, 'counting coppers!'" He spat.

"His whoring and drinking is leading the realms to the depths of the Seven Hells. Speak to him, Lord Arryn, for he listens to none but you." Stannis gave them curt nods and strode out of the room.

"What do you think, Ser Baristan?"

The aged knight rubbed his face tiredly, "What can I say, My Lord Hand. I am but a humble servant to the throne. Gone are the days when the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard had a sway to the Council or the King's opinion."

"Careful, Lord Commander, others may not be as generous as I for if you continue to speak such way."

"Pardon an old man's tongue, Lord Arryn. My head is not what it used to be." He bowed to him and got up from his seat. As he was making his way out of the room, he stopped and turned back towards him, "What do you think about Lord Stark's son?"

"What about him?" Lord Arryn too got to his feet.

"As a baseborn son of a lord, he doesn't have many prospects for his future, other than mayhaps joining the Watch. If he is truly becoming as good with the sword as Lord Varys claimed, we could offer him a place with the White Cloaks. Gods only know we need good men in our Order."

"That is indeed a sound plan, Ser Baristan. But let the lad grow up a bit more, then I will talk with Ned about his son squiring for you."

"With your leave then, Lord Arryn." Ser Baristan bowed and left the room.

[CotW]

Kings' Landing, Three months after the North's retaliatory attack of Skagos

Yet another pointless meeting to pander Robert's whims. – Thought Lord Arryn as he sat through the Council's meeting for the fulfilment of His Grace's latest desire to hold a tourney. Petyr was saying that to make proper arrangements for everything, the crown would need to take a further loan of two million Gold Dragons from Lord Tywin Lannister when Robert burst into the room with his drunken stagger, Ser Jaime Lannister was helping him to keep steady on his feet. They all rose to their feet as the King took his seat, Robert slumped down on it and waved negligently for the Council members to sit back down.

"Where are we with my tourney?"

"Ah, yes, Your Grace, I was just telling to My Lords of the Council that we need to take another loan from Lord Tywin." Baelish simpered.

"Then what is stopping you from doing so? Tywin won't mind. They say the Lord Lannister shits gold. Isn't that right, Kingslayer?" He guffawed at his jape.

"Yes, Your Grace." Ser Jaime's face appeared as if hewn from stone.

"Ha! His very own son says so too!" Another round of guffaws followed, "So get the coins from Tywin. Gods know he owes me for tolerating his shrew of a daughter."

Everyone else present in the room squirmed in their seats and cast discreet glances at Ser Jaime. But the Golden Lion appeared as if he has heard nothing, he bowed his head to the king and strode out of the room to stand guard beside the doors.

"So, that's done with, is there anything else I should know about?" The King said between taking gulps of wine.

Varys teetered and wiped his powdered face with a perfumed kerchief. "Pardon me, Your Grace, but you gave me orders to keep you informed about Lord Stark's son…"

Robert opened his half-lidded eyes with a snap and sat straight in his seat, eager to know about his friend's son.

"Oh? And what the lad has done now?"

"It appears that the Skagosi had planned a large scale invasion of the Northern lands. The first stage of that was an attack on Bear Island. But Lord Stark stopped that attack with the Northern host at his back and in retaliation, took arms to the Skagosi and brought them to heel at last. But the interesting fact is, Jon Snow, Lord Stark's son, was one of the leaders to defend the Island till Lord Stark arrived with his forces. I heard from my little birds that he even led a cavalry charge out of the keep to further drive the invaders to the sea while Lord Stark and his men cut them down from the back. Later, when the Northern lords went for the retaliatory attack to Skagos, he and the Stark heir led a company of men, who were in charge of guarding the supply line for the army and evacuating the wounded from the battlefields. From the lords to the smallfolk, everybody is singing praises for the White Wolf. As of now, he has gone to the Wall to pay a visit to his uncle, Benjen Stark." Varys finished his lengthy report.

"Hah!" Robert slapped on the table with absolute glee, "Ned raised his boy right, didn't he, Jon? That settles it, send a raven to the North. If Ned doesn't want to come south and visit me, then his son must come. It would be a great opportunity for the lad. A warrior like him will learn a lot from the King's tourney. I hope he takes part in it, unlike his dour father."

Lord Arryn bowed his head in compliance. Renly leaned towards Baelish and muttered to him, "So, it appears that we will be hosting a Northern wolf pup."

"Yes, My Lord Renly, it will be very interesting to meet the Bastard of Winterfell."

Lord Arryn couldn't help but agree with that, it would certainly be very interesting to meet his namesake.

*Line Break*

Jon and Robb had decided to ride as hard as they could since they had left the Last Hearth behind. Jon had been long away from his home, Robb even longer. Their stay at the Hearth was very awkward for the cousins because Lord Umber kept pushing his niece to seat beside or spend time with either one of them. While Robb had no problem conversing with Lady Sara Umber, Jon was tongue-tied whenever she came near him. He would be lying if he said that he didn't enjoy her company, but in his mind, he kept comparing the girl with Dacey Mormont, and to his surprise, Sansa. Hence, the poor girl always came up short in Jon's mind in terms of beauty or sensuality.

The Greatjon was very happy when he heard that Jon had developed a fighting style of his own by using the very axe he had gifted him. He said that he would give him a better axe from his collection, but Jon declined, saying he became quite attached to his axe. Lord Umber praised in his loud voice to all for Jon's choice of name that he had given to his axe, for it was indeed the cause of freedom for all the women he rescued from the Skagosi invaders.

A week of hard riding later, they could see the grey castle of Winterfell looming at the horizon. Jon and Robb shared a happy glance between them. Finally, they had returned to their home. Suddenly, the she-wolf let a keening sound and laid down on the ground, panting heavily. She had become even heavier with her pups. The wolf was strangely absent during their stay at the Last Hearth, she had gone into the woods and stayed there as if she didn't want to scare the men with her presence. Jon got down from his horse and approached the giant beast.

"What is the matter, girl? Are you feeling alright? Come on, we are not that far from home. You can rest your feet there."

The wolf whimpered and turned her head to her belly.

Ping!

Quest Alert!

Make sure that the she-wolf gives birth within the walls of Winterfell

"Oh shit!" He loudly exclaimed.

Robb, who also had gotten off his horse and came to stand beside them, asked, "What is the matter, Jon?"

"I think her pups are coming. But this isn't a suitable place to give birth. She needs to get behind the walls of Winterfell."

"How?" Asher interjected, "If you haven't noticed yet, neither of us can carry her. She is huge!"

The she-wolf turned her head towards Asher and growled low in her throat. Torrhen laughed and slapped Asher on his back.

"Haven't you learned anything, Forrester? You should never comment on a lady's weight" Asher raised his hands in surrender to the chuckles of all standing around the wolf.

Jon was thinking hard, how could he move the she-wolf to the castle. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his head. Could it be done? He debated within his head. Only one way to find out.

"Get me some spears. Lads, I will need your cloaks, now!"

"What are you doing, Jon?" Robb asked as he unclasped his cloak.

"We will make a stretcher for her…"

They all looked at him incredulously as he started to arrange the things he had asked.

[CotW]

Ned was sitting in his solar, having a chat with Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone over a few cups of ale. He was on his way to the Wall escorting his youngest son, Ser Waymer Royce, who had decided to take the Black. He stopped on his way to Winterfell to meet with him. When Ned was staying at Eyrie under the fosterage of Lord Arryn, the two became quite close. The older man had invited the shy, young boy to go hunting with him on numerous occasions. Lord Royce was laughing over a particular humorous memory of their time together at Vale when someone knocked on the doors of the solar.

"Enter." Ned called out.

Vayon Poole, the steward of Winterfell, came in and bowed to the lords. "Pardon me for the intrusion, My Lord, but the men at the gatehouse have spotted riders approaching."

"Are they flying any banner?"

"Aye, My Lord, the Stark direwolf is flying high over their heads. Lord Robb and Jon Snow are back." He had one of the biggest smiles on his face.

Happiness blossomed in Ned's chest, his boys had finally returned. He smiled at his steward, "Send for Lady Stark, she will want to be present to welcome the lads."

"I have already sent someone to inform her, My Lord. She may have already reached the yard as we speak."

Ned nodded and turned towards Lord Royce. "If you will excuse me, My Lord, it seems my sons are finally back home after a long absence."

"Of course, Lord Stark, let us go and greet your sons. I have heard about their heroics on my way here. I very much would like the meet with such fine young men."

Ned went to the yard with a bounce in his steps. Already Catelyn and his children gathered at the yard, waiting eagerly for the boys. Ned went and stood beside his wife, who gave him a beaming smile. She was happy more than words could describe and almost jumping on her feet like a young lass in excitement. Her boys were finally back. Almost all of the household staff came out to the yard to welcome the heroes of Bear Island.

Two men in Stark livery raced past the gates in a gallop yelling at the top of their lungs.

"Clear the way! Clear the way to the kennels!"

"Not the kennels, you idiot! She won't fit there! Clear the way to the broken tower!"

Ned and Cat looked at each other dumbfounded, the same thought running through their minds – What in the Seven Hells is happening? Very soon, the question was answered when Robb, Jon, Asher and Torrhen came charging through the gates, carrying something huge in between themselves. Their faces were red and sweat-stricken from exertion. They didn't stop but raced their horses on the path made by the man who came riding before them. As they passed them by, Robb and Jon threw their greetings in the air –

"Pardon us, father! But we are in a hurry!"

"Aye, we will be right back!"

Some more men rushed after them, while the rest of their troop made their way into the keep in an orderly way. Ned hurried on his way to the broken tower with a frown on his face. He heard Jon's falcon screeching as she flew over his head.

"What are they up to now, Ned?" Catelyn asked, she was agitated by the way the boys acted as she hurried along with him. Their children ran before them, even Sansa didn't wait for her parents and ran after her siblings.

"I don't know, Cat. As you know, Benjen sent the very cryptic message, telling me to expect a surprise, but I certainly didn't expect something like this."

As they neared the broken tower, they could see some of the men were helping the boys to unload whatever it was they were carrying, down on the ground. When they lowered the bundle, everyone in the vicinity gasped in shock and took a few steps back. There lay a giant wolf, the biggest any of them had ever seen, it was clear that the wolf was carrying pups in her belly and quite near to give birth. The boys had made a stretcher out of spears and cloaks and tied that thing to their saddles as they carried the huge beast into the keep. The men had hard work lowering the wolf. Jon leapt from his horse as soon as it was free from the burden and rushed towards the wolf.

"Hold on, girl! We are nearly there!" He rubbed the wolf between her ears.

He and the other three went two to each side and heaved one end of the stretcher up while another four of their men held it up in the back. Together, the eight of them carried the she-wolf inside of the broken tower. The two that came riding before them, had already been to the inside, they arranged heaps of hay at a corner as a bed for the wolf. The men carried the wolf and lowered her gently on top of the heap.

As they came out of the broken tower, leaving the wolf inside, Robb yelled at the top of his voice. "Mollen! Someone send for Mollen!"

Mollen, the kennel master, was among the men who had gathered in the yard. He came forward as he heard his name being called.

"I am here, milord."

Robb waved his hand to the tower, "She is about to give birth. What shall we do now?"

Mollen peered inside from behind the cover of the door, he didn't dare to go near the giant wolf, "Nothing we can do for now, milord. She will take care of herself and her pups, 'tis in their instincts. We can only make sure that she has plenty of food and water while she is nursing."

They let out a collective of sighs hearing that.

Ned cleared his throat, the boys jumped at the sound and turned to look at him. "Would you boys mind telling me what is going on?"

Again they had their silent conversation, finally, Robb gathered up his courage and spoke up, "We found her, father, her and her mate, who was named Grim, by the way, he stayed back at the Wall with Uncle Benjen. We found them when we went beyond the Wall -"

He was cut short by a thundering Catelyn Stark. "You went beyond the Wall?!"

Fuck, thought Ned, he forgot to alert the boys that he didn't tell Lady Stark about their venture beyond the Wall.

[CotW]

It took quite a while to Calm the Lady Stark down. Ned and Robb both promised her that they would speak with her later. Jon didn't dare to come in front to face her ire. He would approach her once she calmed down somewhat. They had an impromptu introduction with Lord Royce and his son Ser Waymer there in front of the broken tower. Both of them were quite amused and intrigued by the events that unfolded before them. Their conversation came to stop by a squeal from Arya.

"The pups! They are here!"

"Careful, Arya. Do not go near them. The mother won't like it." Ned cautioned his overenthusiastic daughter.

True to his words, the she-wolf growled when anybody peered in. But she didn't make any sound when Jon or Ned poked their heads in as if she approved of them. Carefully, uncle and nephew went inside of the tower and stood at a safe distance, watching as the mother wolf nursed her six newborn wolf pups. Both of them had soft smiles on their faces.

"I never thought that I would see a direwolf on this side of the Wall." Ned said with reverence.

"And now there are seven of them." Jon replied.

"Aye." Ned put an arm around Jon's shoulder. "You mentioned that her mate is called Grim. What is her name?"

"She doesn't have any. Whatever Robb and I came up with, she never seemed to like any of those names."

Ned looked closely at the she-wolf, he felt an unexplainable nudge in his head. "How about Iss? It means ice in Old Tongue."

The she-wolf turned her head towards Ned at the sound of her name. Jon smiled at her reaction.

"Aye, I think she likes her name."

Ping!

Quest Completed!

Make sure the she-wolf gives birth within the walls of Winterfell.