33

Chapter Text

Chapter 33 ….and still Awkward

Jon Targaryen

They were all tense and wary...but it was to be expected.

The Karhold and the Karstarks were assembled in force to greet their arrival. What little coherent and polite communication they'd had through ravens had at least ironed out an agreement to meet and discuss the future, even if they hadn't gone into specifics. The fact that Rickard Karstark remembered was more than a mild inconvenience, but he was willing to talk to Eddard Stark...for old times sake. And only for old times sake.

The coming meeting would be uncomfortable and the Karstarks would be difficult to deal with.

Jon put his worries aside and kept his eyes open and wary as they entered the courtyard of the Karhold. Lord Karstark's men were assembled in waiting lines with Lord Karstark and his sons standing at their head...but there was no sign of Alys.

Rickard Karstark stood there with disgust and anger in his eyes. The gruff and prickly lord of the Karhold, eyed them all. With him stood his sons, Harrion, Torrhen and Harald. The eldest, Harrion, stood next to his father with an unsure expression on his face while his two brothers were like copies of their father in their disgust and anger. He'd never met any of them, but he knew that Jaime had killed the eldest two and Harald had died during the battle of the Bastards. And he still couldn't see any sign of Alys Karstark anywhere.

This meeting was crucial to the restoration of the North...it was also probably going to be the most painful. The future meeting with the Umbers would be bad...but probably not as bad as this one.

He refocused on Rickard Karstark just in time to see him catch sight of the flying Targaryen banner. The Northern Lord's disgust disappeared for a moment, being replaced with shock and disbelief. The disgust returned just as quickly and his face turned darker than it had already been before.

They came to a stop and Jon and the others dismounted quickly, Stark men took the horses as others formed a wary honor guard around them. Father stepped forward the mask of Lord of Winterfell firmly in place as he stepped towards Lord Karstark.

"Rickard," Father said in a grave tone.

Lord Karstark didn't answer him, instead he stared up at the flying sigils and pointed irately at the standard of House Targaryen, "What in the name of the Old Gods and the New, Ned?! We fought a fucking war to remove the damn dragons!"

Father sighed unhappily, at Lord Karstark's comment.

He watched as Father's shoulder's squared and he straightened up to his full height, "The world has changed and the North is in danger."

"I don't fucking care!" retorted Rickard, "Those cunts burned Lord Rickard and strangled Lord Brandon! The fucking silver haired bastard kidnapped and raped your sister! How much can the world change to make that right?!"

Father's expression darkened and he looked to be steeling himself, "Lyanna was not raped. She was not kidnapped," he sighed, "Rhaegar Targaryen did nothing to her that she did not welcome because they were married."

He watched as Rickard's anger and contempt changed from into confusion with each of Father's revelations. His face turned a myriad of colors before it settled back into stone and outrage.

Ned didn't wait for Rickard to react more, he pointed gestured to Jon as he stepped up next to Ned, "I have sworn the North to the true king, my sister's trueborn son, Jon of Houses Targaryen and Stark."

Rickard's attention turned towards him as the prickly lord gave him a hard scrutinizing stare.

"You're Lyanna's son?" Rickard asked in a sneering tone, and hard look.

Jon met his stare unflinching, and answered in the same disrespectful tone, "Aye, I am." He only ever seen Lord Karstark before from afar not really dealing with him the few times that he'd come to Winterfell as he was growing up, but now up close and personal and with how Robb had described his actions in the War of Five Kings, Jon was seeing a lot of resemblance to a couple of the more obstinate and stubborn Free Folk leaders.

They stared at each other before Lord Karstark suddenly let out a hard laugh, ignoring Jon he turned back to Father and gave him a dubious look, "Well ain't that fucking convenient? Lyanna's son? By the silver prick? Are you that desperate to have a Stark King now, Ned? I didn't think you had such ambition! Or is this your southern wife's idea? Better your bastard than the Lannister bastard?"

Father bristled at the insult and stared back coldly. Robb stomped up to stand by them. Jon grabbed his shoulder to stop him from retorting rashly, and inflaming the situation even more. Lord Karstark locked eyes with Robb and he sneered.

A commotion from behind the assembled Karstark men, forestalled any action, and much to Jon's surprise a young red headed girl came running and pushing past the men, she looked about wildly before laying eyes on him. He saw relief there as she recognized him. He knew her as well, it was Alys Karstark. She was much younger than the first time he'd seen her at in the aftermath of the battle of the Bastards, and even more so than the attractive woman she'd grow to become during the war with the Others.

"You're finally here!" she cried out in relief.

The Karstark men tried to grab her, but she evaded them. She ran towards them, but her father Harald Karstark grabbed her and clamped a hand around her shoulder, his other hand covered her mouth as he made to carry her away with a cross expression on his face.

Alys bit her father's hand and then kicked him in the shins, then as he hobbled about on one leg while holding his abused hand, she used the distraction to escape from his grasp and ran to Jon's side.

"Gods damn it all! You have to fucking listen to them! If you don't we're all going to fucking die!" she screamed angrily as she glared at the rest of her family.

Rickard's face purpled and he stared at his granddaughter before turning to cast a baleful look at Jon.

Jon met Rickard's baleful stare unflinching again, "There is much you need to know, my Lord. Far more than you could possibly imagine," he said gruffly.

Rickard just continued to stare for several long pregnant moments before he snarled in disgust. He gestured widely, "Bread and salt for Lord Stark and his nephew!"

Servants came forward bearing trays of bread and salt, Father hesitated to move, his face still stony and emotionless.

Lord Karstark's face darkened and he snarled with derision, "I ain't no fucking Frey to break guest rights, Ned. I'm angry, but I'm still of the North."

Father nodded grimly and took the offered bread and salt. The rest of them followed suit and partook of the bread and salt and with many exchanged suspicious and angry looks; Robb and Rickard most of all.

Alys rolled her eyes in annoyance and called out, "This way. Let's speak inside." She led the way inside as the Karstark men parted to let her through, with more suspicious looks Jon and the rest of the Karstarks followed her into the Karhold.

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The tenseness of the situation didn't abate inside. Alys had led them to Lord Karstark's solar. Inside it was another standoff, Jon stood with his Father and Robb. Opposite them sat, Rickard Karstark sat with his sons standing behind him, trying to look intimidating. Bran sat between the two groups with the same unconcerned look he always had now. Alys sat next to him, though she squirmed disquieted by her proximity to Bran. Not that Jon could blame her, most who'd encountered the Three Eyed Raven didn't enjoy the experience.

Lord Karstark broke the silence first.

"The Boltons?" he asked gruffly.

"Dead," Father replied simply.

Lord Karstark smiled snidely, "Good riddance! The North's better off without that pale fucker! And his bastard?"

Father nodded, "Dead."

Lord Karstark cast a dark look at son, Harald before answering, "Even better. I've heard enough stories about that bastard to know he was a stain on the North's Honor more than your son's fuck ups. Even your wife's fuck ups!" he spat angrily, he cast another angry look at Harald, who shifted uncomfortably.

Robb bristled again at the insult, but Jon's restraining hand, stopped him again. Instead Robb just glared daggers at Lord Karstark...and Lord Karstark return the glare.

Father's face was still frozen and icy, "Mistakes were made by all. And I have chastised them both...but what of your crimes?"

Lord Karstark bristled, "My crimes?! What crimes? It was justice! Justice for my murdered sons!"

"Justice? To murder two innocent squires for the crimes of their cousin?" Father retorted with icy derision. "They were valuable hostages, Tywin Lannister would have done much for the safe return of Kevan Lannister's sons."

"Hostages didn't matter! We were winning! We would have crushed them all!" Lord Karstark jumped up in a rage. "What did it matter if we had two less hostages?! Better that the fucking Southerners knew loss! Let them know what it feels like to pay in blood!"

Alys was grimacing and sighing at her grandfather's obstinacy as Father's face darkened further at the remarks, "Nothing is sure in war till the end. You should know this, many battles have turned at a moment's notice...and your actions forced these changes on Robb. You weakened the North with your pride! If I had been in Robb's place, I would have executed you as well!" Father snarled back, rising from his chair to meet Lord Karstark's angry gaze.

Lord Karstark's expression was unreadable for a moment before he bared his teeth and snarled, "This is what you wanted to tell me?!" he demanded, "To call me a fool and threaten me in my own castle?!"

Jon rose from his seat and stood next to Father, they shared a look before Jon answered him.

"No. We cam to warn you. The Others are coming." Jon stated evenly.

Lord Karstark looked at them for a moment before throwing his head back and laughing, his anger disappearing, "Ha ha, the Others? And are the snarks and grumkins coming with them?" he smirked.

"You're a damned fool! I told him already and he doesn't believe me. And he calls himself a Northerner," Alys fearlessly retorted with a rude snort.

Lord Karstark's smirk disappeared at his own granddaughter's insult. He stepped towards her and raised his hand at her, "You shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you! I'll have no lip from own flesh!"

Jon was there by side in an instant, grabbing Lord Karstark's hand. He stopped him from hitting her, they're eyes met and they stared for a moment before Lord Karstark retched his hand free in a huff.

Alys was undaunted, she raised her hands and waved them all around, she shouted at her grandfather, "This was done with magic! How else do you think any of this was possible?! How else are you all back from the dead? After you all died, the Others and the army of dead came and killed us all!"

"First a hidden Targaryen King and then the Others?!" disdain coloured his every word, "And you expect me to believe you? You're not the Ned I knew and swore fealty to, he would never be taken in by these stories! And he would never lie about something so important as a Stark King!" he spat in disbelief, he paused and gave Father a long look, "the Ned I knew would never have lied!"

"You knew what happened to Elia Martell and her children. What choice did I have but to hide Jon?" Father retorted urgently.

He waved the comment away, "The dragons are gone, name yourself King in the North and teach proper manners to your stupid pup and I'll swear the Karhold and all our lands to you once more! Fuck the Southerners and their fucking Iron Throne!" Lord Karstark boomed, "The North is for Northerners!"

"And you're a damned fool!" Robb cried out finally having enough with Lord Karstark's insolent manner.

Lord Karstark sneered, "I'm the fool, you damned cunt? You fucking lost the North!" he shouted wrathfully.

Robb stepped forward towards him, but this time it was Father that grabbed Robb, "Sit down Robb." he commanded.

Grudgingly, Robb swallowed his anger and sat back down.

Bran stood up suddenly, he walked up to Lord Karstark, "You are wrong. The Others are coming and Jon is the rightful King." He stated in his emotionless tone.

Lord Karstark scoffed at Bran, "There more believable lies, boy."

Bran was unmoved by Lord Karstark's denial, he began speaking quietly instead, his face as blank as it always was. Jon was listening but he didn't understand what Bran was saying, most of it didn't mean much to Jon. Lord Karstark was listening with a disdainful look. The disdain didn't stay there very long, suddenly he was frowning, a confused look coming to his eyes. Lord Karstark's sons, who had been quietly watching the confrontation seemed not to understand the words either at first either, but each stiffed as Bran began mentioning them as well.

Bran spoke about several situations involving Lord Karstark and his sons, and a after a few minutes he was finished.

Lord Karstark was pale and gaping at Bran, "How...how can you know all this?! How?"

Bran blinked slowly, "I am the Three Eyed Raven."

Karstark was still pale, "What does that mean? I don't understand."

Jon cut in, "It doesn't matter now, as we said, there is much to be said but we are telling you the truth about the Others and my heritage."

Lord Karstark seemed uncertain now, his eyes didn't leave Bran as he asked, "The Others are truly coming?"

"Aye, they are. I have faced the Night's King and the army of the dead. The Wall fell. Then the North, then the rest of Westeros," Jon stated gravely hoping that now Lord Karstark would be more reasonable.

Lord Karstark's eyes left Bran and he stared at Jon, "And you truly are Lyanna's son?"

Jon nodded grimly, "Aye...it was a surprise when I finally discovered the truth."

Lord Karstark ran a hand over his face, as a harried expression came to his face, "Fuck me...fine then, you promise me Jaime Lannister's head and I'll swear fealty to you."

Jon winced and grimaced, he couldn't promise Karstark that. "I cannot my Lord. You have your sons back, all that he did against you has been undone...and this is a new world we are trying to build. We are not here to repeat the mistakes of old."

Lord Karstark ground his teeth angrily, "And why the hells can't I have the Kingslayer's head?!"

Father was looking at him strangely now and deep in his gut Jon knew this would not end well.

Jon sighed deeply, bracing himself, "Because Jaime Lannister is on our side now...and he is an ally now."

Lord Karstark gaped for a moment.

"What?!" shouted Father, beating Lord Karstark to the punch.

Father was trembling and red with such rage. Jon had never seen him that angry before.

"Jaime Lannister...an ally?!" he demanded of Jon. "How in the name of the Old Gods and the New is he an ally?!" Father's tirade wasn't finished as he descended into an exceedingly unflattering tirade about Jaime and his perverted origins.

Jon kept his face blank, but he was shaken as he watched his Father suddenly let out his anger cursing out Jaime with crude and foul language he would have expected to come from the mouths of any of the Free Folk...not from the honorable Lord Eddard Stark, lord of Winterfell. Robb had shrunk back into his seat in shock as Father's tirade continued, he couldn't recognize his own father now either.

He was walking back and forth in the solar, everyone staying out of his path, he turned on Lord Karstark his eyes wild with rage, "...and I can't even trust my own godsdamned bannermen to keep their own words!" Father screamed with disgust, as he slammed his fist down on the nearest table. He lent heavily on the table for a moment before whirling around, he raised his hand and pointed at Lord Karstark's face as he stepped up to him, "...You will remember your oath to me and bend the knee to our rightful King! And if you don't I will have you and all your sons attained and give the Karhold to Alys! After I put all of your heads on spikes!" he roared in Lord Karstark's face.

Lord Karstark made to open his mouth in indignation, but Father cut him off again, "The only fucking words I will hear from you now is, yes Lord Stark! Do I make myself clear?" He roared as he grabbed him by the shoulder staring down the man, his eyes filled with a cold fury, cooler than the deepest depths of winter.

Lord Karstark's defiance had disappeared and he was staring up at Father now, as if he couldn't recognize his own liege lord now. His sons were frozen were they stood staring in disbelief at father. Even Alys looked disturbed now.

"Answer me Rickard! Or I will attain you and your sons and name Alys, the Lady of the Karhold!" Father roared again when Karstark didn't answer quickly enough.

Lord Karstark mumbled something.

"I didn't hear you! Speak louder!" Father commanded.

Lord Karstark swallowed fearfully, "The Karhold is...yours...my lord...I...ah...willingly submit to our new King...long may he live!" he babbled nervously, all trace of his previous defiance completely gone and vanished from him.

Father released his hold on Lord Karstark and turned towards Jon and gave him a grave and disapproving look, "Tell me, Jon, in what world can Jaime Lannister possibly be considered an ally?!" Father's eyes shone with disappointment and rage now as he spat the last word, "Have you forgotten what he did to Bran? What of the good Northern men that died on his blade? He killed Jory! Never mind that he was fucking his own sister?! He is a perverted oathbreaker of the most foul kind!"

Jon squared his shoulders and faced his Father's piercing stare.

"It doesn't matter now," Bran stated evenly before Jon could speak, "We must all stand together against the coming storm."

Father's head twisted towards Bran in surprise, "He threw you from a window! He crippled you!"

Bran shrugged, "So?"

Father gaped at Bran, appalled by his words. Robb was just as aghast. Lord Karstark and his sons were equally bewildered and angry at this though Alys had recovered enough from her shock to just let out a long suffering sigh. She gave Jon an unhappy look as Bran continued to give Father the same emotionless stare that was so characteristic of him now.

"We must all look to our survival now, the grudges of old have no place now," Jon quickly spoke firmly.

Father turned back to Jon, "How can you possibly trust him?" he asked again.

Jon sighed, mentally noting that Jaime would be upset that this was spreading, "Because I know why he slew the Mad King. The real reason...and it had nothing to do with Tywin Lannister's wishes or commands."

Father frowned for a moment, uncertainty filling his eyes for a flicker of time before hardening again into icy grey flints, "And what possible reason could drive him to rightfully break his oath?"

Jon cast a look at Robb and Lord Karstark before answering, "The Mad King lived up to his name. His Hand at the end of the Rebellion was Rossart, the head of the Pyromancers' guild. He had him stockpile caches of Wildfire under the the entirety of King's Landing. The Mad King intended for Robert Baratheon to be King of the Ashes. He would have seen all of King's Landing burn. Every man, woman and child- all five hundred thousand of them..." Jon trailed off letting that atrocity be absorbed by his father and the others present...but only for a moment.

As the words registered with them, he saw disgust and horror blossom on the faces of all assembled. Father's rage was still there but it was cooling. Robb was gaping at Jon now. The Karstark men were all pale and horrified. The only ones not shocked were Bran and Alys, they'd already known the truth of the matter.

"...Jaime killed the Pyromancer first, then the Mad King to stop him from giving the order to anyone else," Jon continued, "Before you say anything else think about this, when the order was given the Lannister army was already sacking King's Landing," he paused again and gave father a heavy look, "The Mad King's body was still warm when you found him, you were in the Red Keep. The rest of the Northern army was in the city as well...how long would it have taken for the Pyromancers to burn the city? And how many Lords of the North and the Westerlands would have burned with the city?"

As Jon finished, Father stared coolly at him, the rage had cooled considerably but it was still there simmering under the surface. Overshadowing it was the surprise and disquiet of the catastrophic and disturbing possible sequence of events that Jon had just described.

"Old Gods preserve us! That's..that's...he saved...us?" Lord Karstark was gaping now, right along with all of his sons.

"Yes, Lord Karstark, he even saved you," Jon stated giving the man a hard look.

Lord Karstark looked away from the hard gaze and quickly sat down, and Jon turned back to Father.

Father's jaw was clenched, his nostrils flared as he let out a noise breath, "This isn't finished," he stated unhappily.

"We can speak later..." Jon turned to back Lord Karstark, "Now we have preparations for winter we must begin."

A dazed and much more plaint Lord Karstark nodded, "Of course, your Grace."

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A tense peace had settled in the Karhold, after Lord Karstark had renewed his fealty, albeit fearfully, to Father and then acknowledged Jon as the rightful King. The mess with Father over Jaime would be settled latter...somehow.

After the initial unpleasantness, even the knowledge of an alliance with the Wildlings was accepted with less cursing, and soon enough Lord Karstark would marshal his banners in his name to reinforce the Wall and the Night's Watch.

A tense dinner later and ravens had flown from the Karhold, to the other banners and back to Winterfell. Sansa would be relieved to now that the Karstarks were once more loyal to House Stark and had accepted him as their new king.

Jon sighed, Father, on the other hand had barely spoken three words to him that were not relevant to their plans. After dinner Jon had excused himself and left to see to Ghost. Which was why he was sitting out in the quiet courtyard of the Karhold with Ghost by his side.

Ghost- and Grey Wind were the size of large hounds now, they were growing well just as the first time around.

He was sitting on a bale of hey, brushing Ghost's fur when Robb found him, Grey Wind at his heels.

Robb came to stand by him, but he didn't immediately speak, Grey Wind yipped at Ghost and the two direwolves began to playfully wrestle ignoring their human companions.

Jon stood up gave Robb an inquiring look. Robb still looked a little shocked, but he wasn't as unsettled as before.

"You know, I was going to be mad at you for keeping the Kingslayer's true loyalty from us but I think father is mad enough for the entire North," Robb began sheepishly, with a slightly stunned expression, "...probably for the whole of the North and the Riverlands..."

Jon winced but couldn't disagree. Father hadn't reacted to that revelation well. It had actually been much worse than he'd expected. It had reminded him of a time when Robb had thrown a tantrum back when they were still children. It was extremely uncharacteristic of the usually soft spoken Lord of Winterfell.

"Jaime Lannister crippled Bran...and yet he also saved father from the Mad King," Robb's words were a statement and not a question.

Jon nodded anyway, "Aye. He saved Father as well as so many other that day...and father named him an oathbreaker and judged him for it."

Robb winced, "But why didn't he say anything? Father would have understood. Gods! All of Westeros would have understood." He said in exasperation.

"Because he's Jaime...and he's an idiot. He also a smug cunt, but that's just who is," Jon replied dryly.

Robb stared for a moment before snorting, "Aye, even as a prisoner he was a smug cunt." He admitted grudgingly.

Jon agreed with him, no one had believed Jaime when he shown up in Winterfell with news of Cersei's obvious- in hindsight, betrayal. He'd been as smug as usual, but he'd also been earnest in his desire to- finally, do the right thing.

"What about afterwards? Assuming we all survive?" Robb asked quickly. "Assuming we all survive the Others, what will you do about him? He still committed many crimes."

"Assuming we survive..." Jon paused and gave Robb a speculative look before deciding to be brutally honest, might as well see how he would react to that, "He'll probably be exiled to Tarth."

Confusion filled Robb's blue eyes, "Tarth? Why Tarth? Wait...so he'll be Lady Brienne's prisoner? I don't envy him." He laughed haughtily at that jape.

"In a manner of speaking..." Jon stated and then he wagged his eyebrows suggestively and winked at his cousin.

Robb frowned for a moment, before suddenly gaping, "You...you can't mean..."

"I don't think anyone wasn't surprised when that little piece of gossip spread," Jon confirmed dryly, "Well except for Bronn and Podrick."

Robb was just staring with his mouth open, "But...but...she's taller than him! And he's prettier than her!" he sputtered.

Jon shrugged, "It's a mad world we're living in now."

Robb huffed and looked angry now, "So instead of being punished, he's to be rewarded?" he demanded angrily.

"It's more we're rewarding Brienne for saving Sansa than punishing Jaime," Jon retorted pointedly.

Robb's anger cooled as his lips twisted, "Many still won't be happy with that...including father."

"Unfortunately, I'm well aware of that," lamented Jon, "But Brienne has served us faithfully and she even kept her vow to your mother- even after Lady Catelyn's death."

Robb looked unconvinced but after a moment he nodded in acquiescence once and didn't anything further.

A thoughtful silence descended on them as thoughts of Jaime Lannister's possible fate. Robb was right many would be unhappy with that possibility. Exceedingly unhappy in some cases.

Robb's eyes focused on something behind him and he jerked his head for Jon to look, interrupting Jon's thoughts.

Jon turned and found Harrion Karstark cautiously approaching them, he eyed the direwolves at play warily as they played next to Robb and Jon. When he reached them, he cast an unsure look at Jon, before turning to face Robb, "Your Grace..." he began hesitantly.

Robb's face twitched, "It's just Robb now."

Harrion blinked as he reddened in embarrassment, he cast an apologetic look at Jon, "I'm sorry, your Grace...it's just..."

"It's disorienting," Jon finished the sentence for him.

The red lessened and Harrion nodded, "Aye, disorienting...that's one word for it." He paused for moment before continuing, "Mad is another." he finished dryly.

Jon and Robb laughed and then shared a look.

"Aye. It's all mad." Robb stated with commiserating smile. He pointed at Jon, "He knew what was coming and he was still surprised at how it all turned out."

Jon frowned, "Not exactly," he waved his hands around, "All of this wasn't a part of the plan."

Robb snorted, "Wasn't part of the plan?" He looked to Harrion and complained, "One second I was in the Twins- the next I was in my own room in Winterfell! The last time my head spun that much was that time I fell hard off my horse and hit my head! And I was ten at the time!"

Harrion rubbed the back of his neck, "I know what you mean. One second I was dying on the Kingslayer's blade, then I was..." he trailed off and smiled sheepishly as his face turned red, "the next I, uh, I was in a brothel. I thought I was suffocating for a moment before I realised my head was being squeezed between a pair of tits."

Robb looked at him for a moment before throwing back his head and laughing loudly. Jon grinned, glad to see Robb so mirthful.

Harrion just shrugged and continued to smile sheepishly, "It is what it is. Thought I was being rewarded for a good life for moment...then I saw her face," he added quickly with a depreciating smile, "Buck teeth, splotched faced and crossed eyes...but she has such sweet tits," he continued crudely.

Jon joined Robb as they descended into mirthful laughter, Harrion joined them this time. They continued to laugh for a short time.

The laughter subsided, and Jon asked him in an insightful tone, "Was there something you were trying to tell us? I don't think you came here to us about the Karhold's brothel, did you?"

The red returned to his face, Harrion looked a little more embarrassed now, "No...uh, what I wanted to say was...thank you. Thank you for this second chance. My father may not say it but I will. And you can depend on my loyalty in all that's coming." He nodded at Robb and Jon, "Thank you, Lord Robb, your Grace."

Jon and Robb shared a smile before Jon laid a hand on Harrion's shoulder, "We will not forget your words...but a word to the wise, listen to Alys, do not dismiss her just because she looks like the little girl you once knew."

Harrion nodded once, looking chagrined, "Of course your Grace...and I'll try to keep my father in check, he won't dishonor himself like the last time."

"Good man, Lord Harrion, too much depends on us all to let our pride get in the way." Jon commended him.

Harrion stood taller now, and he just nodded in acknowledgment of the praise. He then bowed and excused himself leaving Jon and Robb alone again.

Jon turned and Robb a long look, "Well that makes two Karstarks that like you now."

Robb gave him a pained look in response, "I'm not holding out hope that any more will like me."

Jon gave him a hopeful smile, and put a reassuring arm around his cousin's shoulders, "In this new world...who knows?

Notes: