Chapter Text
Robb knew that while the words were written in Sansa’s hand, they were not her words. He would not just ride to King’s Landing and bend the knee to Joffrey, but he also could not allow his father to be executed or for his sisters to be kept as hostages.
He turned to Maester Luwin, “Call the banners.”
“All of them, my lord?”
“They swore to defend my father, did they not?” Luwin nodded at this words, “Then let us see what their words are worth.”
Theon remained with him at the table as the maester went off to prepare to summon the Northern lords. Theon looked at him and asked, “What are we going to do?”
Robb was quiet a moment before saying, “If the Lannisters cannot be reasonable, then we shall be going to war.”
“Are we going to become rebels like our fathers?” Theon asked, a pleased smirk on his face.
“I don’t want a crown or throne. I just want to get Father and the girls back. If we can do that without a war, I’d prefer it.”
Theon nodded, “Hopefully the lords of the North agree, we are going to need all the help we can get.”
“Aye, we are going to need all the help we can get.” Robb said, his blue eyes landing on Greywind sitting a few feet away before looking back at Theon, “How would you feel about making a trip to the Wall?”
Theon frowned, “The Wall? What help is there at the Wall?”
“Jon.” Robb answered simply and started walking back toward the castle proper, “He went there as a volunteer, as long as he hasn’t said the words yet, he should be allowed to leave. I want you to go and be there to convince him if my letter isn’t enough.”
Theon was quiet for longer than Robb thought was possible before he said, “I will get him.”
Robb smiled at his friend, “Good.”
Jon was in the training yard when the gate opened, letting in three riders. He wouldn’t have given it a second glance if it wasn’t for the Stark banner, and that second look made him realize the lead rider was Theon Greyjoy. He walked over to them and frowned at Theon dismounted.
Theon gave him a big smile, “Did you miss me Snow?”
“Why are you here Greyjoy? I know it isn’t because you have decided to join the Watch.” Jon said, resting his training sword on the ground tip down.
“I see the Wall has not improved your mood.” He replied and pulled a scroll out of a pouch, “Read this, it explains everything.”
“Oi! Who are you and why are here?” Ser Alliser yelled, stomping over to joining them.
Jon ignored the man and read his letter, his breathing increasing with each word, barely listening to the words being said around him.
“Theon Greyjoy, I am here on behalf of Lord Stark to bring Jon Snow back to Winterfell, assuming he has not made his vows yet.”
“Lord Snow has not yet made a vow.” Ser Alliser responded, “Take him with you, good riddance.”
“That is not your decision to make Ser Alliser.” The Lord Commander’s voice said, causing Jon to look up, “Snow volunteered for the watch, that is true, it is a choice whether to say the words or return to his old life.”
“Are you the Lord Commander?” Theon asked and then produced another scroll, “From Lord Stark for you.”
Jon watched as the Old Bear read his scroll, Jon’s own was now crushed in his hand, he knew what he needed to do.
“Which Lord Stark would that be? The traitor or the traitor’s son?” Ser Alliser asked, his contempt clear in his tone.
“Enough.” The Lord Commander said before Theon could respond, he turned to Jon, “The decision is your own Snow.”
Jon spoke without hesitation, “I appreciate everything you have taught me Lord Commander but my place is in Winterfell, with my family.”
“Very well. It is late, you may stay the night and start the return journey to Winterfell in the morning.” Mormont replied before walking off, Ser Alliser close on his heels.
Theon clapped his hand on Jon’s shoulder, “Knew you would make the right choice.” He smiled wide and then pointed to the top of the Wall, “Can you take me up there? I want to see what the world looks like from the top while I have a chance.”
Jon shook his head and laughed at Theon’s excitement and led him over to the lift.
“Is it true Jon, are you leaving?” Sam asked, sitting down across the table from him in the dining hall.
“I am, my family needs me more than the Watch does.” Jon replied, glancing around to make sure no was listening before saying, “You should come with me, you don’t belong here.”
“I don’t belong at Winterfell either.” Sam answered, looking down at his food.
“You should go to the Citadel and become a maester, that is something you would be good at. If you come to Winterfell, Robb can speak to Lord Manderly about getting you on a trip to Oldtown, they trade with them regularly.” Jon insisted.
“My father….” He started to say, but trailed off as Theon sat down beside Jon.
Jon quickly introduced them, “Theon Greyjoy, Samwell Tarly.”
Theon nodded at Sam before taking a bit of his bread, “Bet you won’t miss this food Snow.”
Jon ignored Theon and focused back on Sam, “Fuck your Father, he sent you up here to die. You’ve already renounced your claim to Horn Hill, go to the Citadel, don’t die here.”
Theon looked between them as the silence lengthened, which Jon had never known him to be able to handle, “I see I interrupted something. May I ask what is going on?”
“I am trying to convince Sam to leave with us tomorrow and to go to the Citadel.” Jon explained, leaving his eyes trained on Sam.
“Are you a volunteer too then?” Theon asked, and Sam nodded, “I don’t know you, but I saw you in the yard earlier. Listen to Jon, go to Oldtown.”
“My father would kill me if he found out.” Sam said with a frown.
“Sounds like a cunt to me.” Theon commented, slowly eating his stew, “You shouldn’t listen to him.”
“Sam, there is a greater chance of you dying here than there is of your father finding out you are at the Citadel. Take the chance to live.” Jon said, trying to keep his frustration in check.
Sam shook his head and got to his feet, “You just don’t understand.”
Jon and Theon watched him walk off before going back to eating their meal in silence. It did not last long before Theon said, “He is an odd person.”
“Shut up Greyjoy.” He said just as Green and Pyp took over Sam’s vacated spot on the bench, both of them wondering the same question as Sam. Jon smiled at them and nodded, “I’m leaving in the morning.”
“Shit, gonna be crap here without you Snow.” Grenn said.
Pyp lowered his voice and leaned forward, “You are going to take Sam with you right? You know what Thorne will do to him once you aren’t around to protect him.”
Jon sighed, “I asked him to come, he is too afraid of his father to defy him.”
Grenn and Pyp shook their heads in disappointment, but there were not further words on the subject.
Jon looked up at the Wall, taking in what could possibly be the last sight of the structure he would ever have. Theon was already in the saddle, waiting for him to finish up his goodbyes. Jon knew he was delaying, hoping that Sam would change his mind and join them. He checked that Longclaw was secure on his saddle, a gift from the Lord Commander for Jon saving his life from a single Wilding assainsan the sennight before. Ghost was waiting patiently beside him and he smiled at the direwolf, his constant companion. He looked up to see Maester Aemon watching him depart with his unseeing eyes. The old man had confessed to him last night that Jon was doing what he never had the chance to do twenty years earlier when his own house was in danger. He swung up into his saddle and was about to call for them to depart when Grenn shouted for him to wait.
He turned in the saddle and frowned over at his friend, about to ask what he was doing, when he saw a nervous Sam coming toward them with a horse.
Ser Alliser laughed from his place above the gate, “Should have known you couldn’t leave without your lady love Lord Snow. I am sure you will have a lovely life together until the Lannisters remove your heads.”
Jon ignored him and watched as Grenn and Pyp helped Sam up onto the horse. Once he was settled, they said their final goodbyes and rode out the gate. Jon waited until the castle was nothing but a dark spot on the horizon before turning to Sam and saying, “I am glad you came.”
Sam hesitantly returned the smile, “Me too.”
Most of the lords and ladies had already arrived by the time Jon and Theon rode into Winterfell. The banners of many different houses were lined up in the yard, announcing those currently residing inside the castle. Jon saw Manderly, Mormont, Glover, Bolton, Karstark, Crewyn, and many more. Ser Rodrick was the one to greet them in the courtyard, he looked Jon over, “Good to see you lad.”
“Ser Rodrick.” Jon greeted, “Where is Robb?”
“Great Hall, entertaining some of the guests. We are just waiting for Lord Umber to arrive before beginning discussions, he is expected this afternoon.” Rodrick said.
Jon nodded, “We should go announce our arrival. Ser Rodrick, this is my friend Samwell Tarly, if we have any rooms still available, could you find someone to show him to it?”
Ser Rodrick nodded, “Follow me my lord, I will have one the servants show you the way.”
The two walked off, Sam giving him a nervous smile as he did. Jon was not worried about his friend, he knew that going to be a maester was the right choice for him.
Theon smiled and started walking off, Jon right behind him, with Ghost at his side towards the Great Hall. The guards pushed open the doors and the sound of the crowd met them. No one turned to look at them, not until Greywind and Summer both got to their feet, tails wagging.
The crowd parted as the two large wolves came toward them, Ghost rushing forward to greet them. Happy yips of greeting replacing the silence from the lords. Robb stood and walked in front of the table. Jon stepped forward, going around the pile of fur and bowed to his brother, “My lord.”
Robb laughed and pulled Jon into a hug, “I was worried you’d be stubborn and insist you had to stay at the Wall.”
Jon shook his head, “You made it clear that my place was here.”
“Good, I had a spot made for you at the high table.” Robb said, and pointed to the empty seat on the other side of Bran.
“I am not a Stark.” Jon said, habit coming through.
“You are to me. Take the seat, you are my advisor now.” Robb told him before turning to Theon, “You get to sit with the other retainers.”
Theon nodded, “I understand, I am not of a Northern house.”
Jon leaned down and hugged his little brother before taking his seat, smiling at Bran, “I am so happy to see you awake.”
“Robb told me you said goodbye, I am glad to see you again.” Bran replied and Jon heard the change in his voice, his little brother was becoming a man.
Jon gave him a small smile, “I would have stayed if I could have.”
Bran nodded, “I understand, Mother didn’t want you to stay.”
He looked away and around the room, frowning before asking, “Where is Lady Stark?”
Bran sighed, “Starting a war.”
Jon was about to ask more when the doors opened again, this time one of the largest men Jon had ever seen walked in, his hair dark and wild from riding.
“Lord Stark, Jon Umber, Lord of Last Hearth.” A man called out, Jon assumed he was the new steward.
Robb stood, “Welcome Lord Umber, we were waiting for you before we began. If you need time to rest after your long….”
“No need. Let's get this started.” He said and took a spot let open for him next to Lord Karstark.
Robb nodded, “My lords, my ladies. I have called you all here because the Lannisters have arrested my father and are holding him on charges of treason. We cannot allow that to stand.”
Things were thrown into motion quickly, all the lords had readily agreed that they needed to attempt to save Ned. The issue became with other things, like who would lead the vanguard. Jon was getting tired of listening to the bickering. It all came to head one night where Lord Umber refused to march in the army behind the Glovers and threatened to take his men home. Robb told him he was free to do so but it would not be forgotten when the war was over. Jon had been ready to physically defend his brother if need be, and Lord Umber’s hand had been ready to draw his sword when Greywind nearly bit off his hand. Instead, the direwolf only took a few fingers. Robb, and in a way Jon, were treated with much more respect after that, and their wolves were given wide berths.
Jon had been looking forward to saying goodbye to his younger brothers, but there must always be a Stark in Winterfell and Rickon was too young to be acting lord. The duties would unfortunately fall to Bran, who at 14, was asked to take many responsibilities.
Bran looked up from his chair as the four brothers ate dinner together in the Lord’s solar. The four wolves were sleeping in a heap in front of the fire, their different colorings making it look like a strangely put together blanket. Jon could see in his brother’s blue eyes he wanted to say something, but he remained silent and eventually looked back at his food.
Jon gave him a slight smile, “You can speak freely Bran, we will not be angry.”
Bran looked at him once more, “I don’t want you to go. I worry you won’t come back.”
“We cannot ask men to fight battles that we are not willing to fight ourselves.” Robb responded, his own smile grave, “We will return.”
“You cannot promise that!” Rickon shouted, causing all three to look at the 10 year old, “Father said that, so did Mother, and where are they? They aren’t coming back.”
Jon turned to Robb, unsure how to answer that without lying to his baby brother. Robb seemed to be debating the same thing, before he let out a sigh, “You are right. I cannot promise that we shall all return, but I can promise we will do everything we can to make it back home. All of us. Father, Mother, Jon, myself, and the girls.”
“What about Lady and Nymeria?” Rickon asked.
Jon shook his head, “The Lannisters might have killed them. The girls are important, their wolves would only be trouble.”
Rickon frowned and angrily poked at his meat, “I wish I could come with you.”
“I know you do.” Robb said and reached over to ruffle his hair, “You will be doing something important however, you will be helping Bran run the North in our absence. Just because there is a war going on, does not mean everything else stops, and winter is coming.”
Bran’s voice was nervous as he asked, “Do you truly think I can be the Lord of Winterfell?”
Robb nodded, “You are a very smart boy Bran. Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrick are remaining behind as well to advise you. I trust you will make the right decisions.”
They feel back into silence for the rest of the meal, simply enjoying being in each other’s company. Jon wanted to try and memorize his brother’s features, who knew how long it would be until they saw each other again. Could be anywhere to a few moons to maybe even years. Robert’s Rebellion lasted just shy of a year. Jon wondered how long theirs would take and what the maesters would one day call it in their histories.