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Jon was livid. He was more than livid. He was furious, murderously so. He never liked Theon Greyjoy, but he never thought...

He walked into The Crag at a thunderous speed, barely acknowledging the soldiers who nodded at him or called him my lord. That still took getting used to, being Lord Jon Stark, but his anger far outweighed that. The soldiers saw his countenance and wordlessly pointed him to where Robb was. Edmure was walking out of the Westerlings’ solar with an amused smirk on his face.

“Ah, Lord Snow.” 

Edmure insisted on still referring to him as a Snow where Robb could not hear... or Greatjon Umber. The beast of a man had taken a quick liking to Jon after Ghost saved his life twice.

“Where’s Robb?” Jon asked curtly.

Edmure waved nonchalantly at the door behind him.

“He seems quite loose today. Last night’s activities, no doubt. You’ll have caught him in a peculiar mood,” Edmure replied, a knowing grin on his face. 

Jon wanted to punch the man. How could he smile at a time like this? Wasn’t his house’s words Family, Duty, Honor? Jon brushed past him without another thought.

Robb sat behind the desk of the Westerlings’ solar deep in thought when Jon thundered in.

“Give me a retinue of men, and I will ride to Winterfell and bring back Theon’s head,” he said by way of greeting. 

Robb gave him a tired look.

“We can’t. We haven’t the men to spare to drive all those Ironborn out.”

“I can sneak in and find Bran and Rickon.” 

Robb looked at him like he’d grown another head.

“They’re dead.”

“All that was found were burned bodies of two boys. No one saw the deed but Ironborn, and they have every reason to lie. Besides, they were led by Theon, who is a traitor to be sure, but a sniveling one. I’ll believe Bran and Rickon are dead when we see their bodies.”

“I don’t want to believe he killed them either.”

Jon knew Robb’s affection for Theon well, so he was careful in what he said next.

“Either way, they say he publicly beheaded Ser Rodrik. He burned the keep. He killed Northmen within Winterfell’s walls.” 

Robb’s eyes turned steely as Jon spoke Theon’s crimes.

“Yes, and everyone in the North knows it now. He will be dealt with soon enough, but there is another pressing matter. My impending marriage tonight.” 

Jon looked at him with confusion.

“Did Walder Frey send his daughter along? I heard no word of this.”

“Not to any Frey. To Jeyne Westerling.” 

Jon stared at him for a long moment.

“Your attempt at levity is admirable but not exactly timely,” he replied eventually. 

Robb’s gaze didn’t waver.

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

“What are you... why would you...?”

Edmure’s amused words played back in his head.

‘He seems quite loose today. Last night’s activities, no doubt.’ 

“Tell me you didn’t,” Jon groused, rubbing his temple.

“I’ve dishonored her. Now I must do my duty.”

“Your duty?”

“I will marry her, and we will have the Westerlings on our side.” 

Jon stared at Robb, wondering if the news of Theon’s betrayal had thrown him off the deep end into insanity.

“They’re Westermen. They’re pledged to the Lannisters.”

“Jeyne will be my wife; their loyalty will be to me.”

“How can you know anything about her sense of loyalty, much less her family’s? You’ve known her for less than a sennight.”

“Then I’ve known her longer than I have my betrothed. Not to mention the Freys aren’t exactly renowned for their unwavering fealty,” Robb retorted.

“They are pledged to your mother’s family at least, not our enemy.”

“Look, it’ll be fine. I will just explain to Walder Frey—”

“Explain what? That you broke a solemn vow? That you made a deal with him, which he upheld, and you let fall to the wayside?”

Robb’s eyes blazed as he stared at Jon.

“I am your king before I am your brother, you will watch how you speak to me.” 

Jon ignored the words and plowed on.

“How might your men find themselves to respect a king who seemingly can cast aside his own words in a single ill-thought action?”

“They got over my pardoning and legitimizing a bastard deserter, they’ll get over this too I’m sure.”

Jon could see his brother instantly regretted the words as soon as he had said them. He drew himself to his full height, which was only over Robb because his brother sat, before continuing to speak.

“You said we don’t have enough men to take back Winterfell and find out the truth of our little brothers. Do you think we will after you insult Walder Frey?” 

Robb stayed silent at that question.

“You will not marry Jeyne Westerling.” 

Robb seemed affronted again at Jon telling him what to do. He stood up and moved around the table.

“How will you stop me?” 

Jon had no answer for that.

“I am marrying her tonight,” he replied, turning around with dismissal. 

Jon gritted his teeth and stormed out of the room. He took a deep breath as he stepped out. He had to do something to stop this. 

A thought stopped him in his tracks.

Dare he?

Well, he must if only to stop his brother from losing them an ally.

He sighed as he made his way back outside of The Crag and quickly saddled a horse. He rode out without a word, ignoring Edmure’s lewd calling and amused taunts.

Robb would not be marrying that girl.

~*~*~

Catelyn looked up with surprise as Jon Snow entered her tent while she ate her meager midday meal. No, Jon Stark. He was Jon Stark now to her dismay. Robb legitimized him, and there was nothing Catelyn could do to stop it. However, a part of Catelyn’s surprise laid in the fact that he was at the encampment they set up some miles from The Crag at all. He was supposed to be with Robb holding the Westerlings’ ancestral seat.

“My lady. I see you are eating, and I’m sorry to bother you, but I wanted to speak with you on an urgent matter.”

The former bastard had mostly avoided her if he could after he rode into the camp following Ned’s execution. Catelyn was not impressed that he had deserted the Night’s Watch, but Robb was quick to pardon him before he legitimized him. Catelyn was sure that hadn’t gained him any respect amongst the lords of the North. She had been vocal about it to Robb, but her son dismissed her words, claiming the boy would prove himself to the lords and thus prove Robb had made the right choice in pardoning him. Since he came, her husband’s son had not been alone in a room with her. She was confident he would never do so voluntarily unless it was urgent, so she bid him entry.

“What can I do for you, Lord Jon?”

She refused to call him Lord Stark. She just couldn’t.

“It’s Robb. I need your help with him,” he said, his voice edging on desperate.

The tone made Catelyn raise an eyebrow.

“Is he hurt?”

“No. Well, he was, but he’s okay now. He and the men are holding the Crag. He took an arrow, but the Westerlings nursed him to health. He was there when we learned of Winterfell and the boys.”

Jon paused then and Catelyn was glad of it as she felt grief fill her up once more. She always thought the bastard would be the one to usurp them, to hurt them. She could never bring herself to trust Theon Greyjoy, but she had hoped for Robb’s sake that he was right about his friend. He wasn’t, and her baby boys paid the price. She remembered that Jon had supported her when she told Robb not to send Theon to Pyke. Robb hadn’t listened to them. Catelyn made herself push through the hurt to pay heed to the conversation.

“What is the matter with this? They are Westermen, it is true, but Robb holds the Crag.”

“It’s not a military matter I require your assistance with but rather a matter of the heart, if one can go so far as to call it that.”

Catelyn’s other eyebrow rose now.

“Robb says he is to marry Jeyne Westerling.”

That made Catelyn’s eyes practically bulge out of her head.

“He’s to do what,” she asked incredulously.

“He says he dishonored her, that he laid with her in his grief, and to protect her honor, he will wed her.”

“When?”

“...tonight.”

Catelyn stood up, her meal forgotten in her disbelief at her son’s actions. This was the last thing they needed.

“I’ve tried to talk him out of it, but he won’t hear it. He says it’s the honorable thing to do.”

“The honorable thing would’ve been not sleeping with the girl when he is betrothed to another. Anything can come of it,” she said, her voice hard and full of implication.

Jon nodded after a pause.

“I know. That’s why I came to you. I hoped you would be able to do something to stop him from making this mistake and insulting Walder Frey,” he replied, his voice steady.

The boy Catelyn knew would shrivel under her gaze or run away, but he was no boy any more than Robb was. This was war, and war made boys into men. A part of her felt sorry that both of them were forced to grow up so fast, but that was the way things went. Still, she focused on the matter at hand.

“Does anyone else know of this?”

“Me, you and Lord Edmure. He didn’t seem to think it was much of a problem, but he also didn’t think Robb need marry the girl. He thought he had his pleasure and should move on.”

Catelyn repressed an eye-roll. Of course her brother would think so. Her eyes flickered to Jon Sn... Stark. He looked so like her Ned it hurt to see at him sometimes and others it comforted her to be able to gaze on some part of her lost husband. Then she would think of her lost daughter, her Arya, who always ran so wild and who Catelyn felt she should’ve hugged more than she scolded and she’d feel sad and hurt all over again. But the boy had been a good advisor to her son. Robb oft times listened to his half-brother. She knew while some lords scorned him for being baseborn and a deserter, others respected his battle prowess and burgeoning abilities as a tactician. He had even backed her up in her plans to make a match between Robb and a Frey girl, though he’d been less than thrilled that Arya was betrothed to a Frey boy. He understood more about the necessary compromises and maneuvering war entailed than she had previously given him credit for. If nothing else, it benefitted Robb and the North’s cause.

“What did you think?”

Jon seemed surprised at the question.

“The girl’s honor has been besmirched, that is true. To protect her, she’d need to marry, but that doesn’t mean it has to be Robb who marries her.”

“And did you tell Robb that?”

“He wouldn’t give me a chance.”

Catelyn took a moment to think before nodding.

“Thank you for telling me. I will handle the situation.”

Jon nodded courteously and walked out of the tent. Catelyn watched him go and felt some curiosity fill her, but what she was curious about, she knew not.

~*~*~

Robb stayed holed up in the solar as the hour he would meet Jeyne drew closer and closer. Her mother and uncle had already been informed and seen him. They both seemed an equal mix of disgusted and pleased with the announcement of her marriage to him. His mind worked fast, trying to place how he got there: marrying Jeyne. She was not overly beautiful, but she probably looked like Cersei Lannister compared to any Frey girl. That thought didn’t make him feel better at all. Maybe Jon was right. Maybe this was a huge mistake. Walder Frey was not a man many people crossed. Perhaps this was a poor way to kick his reign off. Still, he had to take responsibility for his actions. He took a deep breath, tightened his cape around his shoulders, and made to leave the room.

He went to walk down the hall when a hand suddenly wrapped around his ear and pulled him forcibly back into the solar. He turned on high alert, which promptly fell to shock as he saw his mother was the perpetrator. She was not meant to be there.

“Mother,” he said in shock, his tone higher than he’d have liked.

His mother gave him an unamused look, and he knew he was in trouble. He tried to pull himself together, portray himself as the Young Wolf, the King in the North, but with his mother looking at him like that, it was hard to do.

“What are you doing here? How did you get here so quickly?”

“The better question is, what are you doing? Are you seriously thinking of marrying Jeyne Westerling when you are betrothed to Walder Frey’s daughter?”

“Mother, I—”

“I know very well what you did.”

Robb felt himself turn red at her knowing gaze. It was one thing for his brother and uncle to know, it was another for his mother to.

“I have to preserve her virtue and my honor. My actions have wrought this. I sent Theon to Pyke, and I laid with Jeyne. I must right my wrongs. My duty—”

“Your duty? What about the duty to your family? Family, then duty, then honor. Walder Frey is how we get the girls back. It’s how we bolster our numbers so we can defeat the Ironborn when that time comes. It’s how we will hopefully be able to recover what is left of the boys’ remains and ensure they are put in the crypts where they belong.”

Robb looked down, shame filling him. He didn’t dare tell his mother that Jon believed them alive.

“But Jeyne—”

“Your duty is to your family, not a stranger’s. Though Jeyne will be family soon enough.”

Robb gave her a confused look.

“She is being wed to Edmure even as we speak.” Robb’s eyes widened at that.

“I had to speak quite strongly to him, but he found my point eventually. He will take Jeyne for his wife.”

Robb was sure there was more story there, but he did not ask.

“Mother—”

“You will marry the wife Walder Frey chooses for you, and you will never repeat this mistake,” she said firmly.

He should be upset with her for commanding him, instead he nodded weakly.

“Good.”

She turned to walk away, but Robb stopped her.

“How did you know?”

His mother paused for a moment before answering.

“Jon told me.”

Robb’s eyes widened again.

“He told on me to my mother,” Robb asked incredulously.

“It worked, didn’t it,” she asked rhetorically, leaving the room.

Robb watched her go, stunned. He was more in shock that his mother and Jon had apparently managed to put aside their differences to stop him from making a mistake than anything else.

~*~*~

Jon liked Lady Dacey Mormont, truly he did. She, her mother, and sisters were among the few who didn’t seem to care he was a bastard. They gave him a fair shake when he showed up a deserter. He trained with Dacey often, sparring with her regularly. He didn’t even mind that she was taller than him, despite how people teased him. She was equivalent to Robb’s kingsguard, so he saw a lot of her. That also meant Robb saw a lot of her, and when, after The Crag, Jon noticed a twinkle beginning to form in his brother’s eyes, he knew there would be trouble.

He could understand the appeal. Dacey was a formidable woman. She could go toe to toe with Robb in battle, both physically and verbally. More than that, she was also beautiful and a Northman through and through. However, it was different for Jon to appreciate Dacey as he was not engaged to another woman. He did not want to turn around only to be blindsided by another secret engagement. He knew Dacey would say yes. She had looked at Robb with that same twinkle in her gaze since the Whispering Wood. Robb hadn’t taken notice until now. Jon hoped like hell they hadn’t done anything.

He was sure he wasn’t the only one who noticed it, but still, he was surprised when Lady Catelyn came to his tent.

“My lady,” he squeaked with surprise.

His eyes flitted around his tent on the clothes and accouterments that littered the ground. He felt embarrassed as she eyed the mess judgmentally.

“Lord Jon, I’m sorry to call on you at such a late hour.”

“No, it’s fine. Anything you need, my lady,” he replied.

Catelyn nodded after a moment before her face turned slightly pained.

“I… I need you to do something for me.”

Jon looked at her curiously.

“I need you to speak to Robb for me. He and Lady Dacey are… getting too close for comfort. I’ve talked to him about it, but he seems still embittered regarding my decisions with Lady Jeyne.”

“I don’t know that he’ll take it any better from me. He’s just as angry with me, if not more so for telling you about it.”

Catelyn was silent for a moment before speaking again.

“When you were boys, toddlers really, you followed each other everywhere. Did you know that? Wherever you went, Robb was sure to follow and vice versa. Robb’s first word was Jon. You had a secret language between you that no one else knew. You two would cry for hours if separated. I hated it. I hated you.”

Jon listened to her, feeling himself growing uncomfortable.

“Robb shot Lord Yohn Royce’s son in the arm with an arrow after he and his brother tried to jump you. He threw himself off the weirwood tree when you broke your leg in training so he would be hurt too and could spend his days with you. Robb is stubborn. He is his father’s son. However, he listens to you. Ned was the same way with Benjen.”

Catelyn was silent for a moment, seemingly reminiscing to herself about his father. Jon could understand, he got lost in himself thinking about Lord Stark sometimes as well.

“I only ask that you at least try.”

Jon nodded his head in acquiescence.

“I will do my best, my lady.”

She nodded in return.

“Just… tell me how it goes after.”

Jon felt his body deflate as she left. He did not think to ever see Lady Catelyn in his tent. She’d never been in his room at Winterfell. Quarters were closer here at the war camp and they usually found themselves on the same side when it came to decisions in this war. Funnily enough, it was generally on the opposite side of Robb. Robb’s sudden complicated relationship where women were concerned had been trying for them both, and it seemed they would have to handle it as a team once more.

Jon waited until nightfall when he knew Lady Dacey was with Lady Maege before approaching Robb’s tent. He was looking over some missives with a smile when Jon entered. He thought he caught the seal of The Twins, but Robb’s finger covered it slightly.

“Brother,” Robb greeted when he saw him.

Jon nodded in response. Robb had been angry after Jeyne, but more so because Jon had gone behind his back to Lady Catelyn than because Jeyne was married off to Lord Edmure. He’d get over it soon enough.

“I wanted to talk to you,” Jon replied, sitting down across from him.

“Am I going to like this talk?”

“Probably not.”

Robb sighed, putting his letters to the side.

“Fine then, let’s get on with it.”

Jon paused before wondering how to proceed. He decided to be direct and blunt to get this over with.

“Your relationship with Lady Dacey has been noticed, and it is concerning.”

Robb rose an eyebrow at that.

“Our relationship?”

“Don’t pretend not to know what I mean, it’s too late in the night for that.”

“Dacey is a fine warrior and a loyal bannerman. Her honor is beyond repute.”

“I agree.”

“Then what is the point of this conversation?”

Jon stared at his brother for a long moment.

“Even if you lay with her, you can’t marry her.”

Robb’s face instantly became sour.

“I won’t hear of this.”

“You will because you need to. This war is more important than you or me or Lady Dacey. It’s about our family. We need to get Arya and Sansa back. We won’t get them back without the Freys. Whatever feelings may exist between you and Dacey, it can’t ever be. You know that, I know that, and so does she. You have to act like you know it, or your bannermen will begin to lose heart. They may not care if you sleep with every whore from here to the Red Keep, but they’ll care if you break your betrothal to marry another woman, even if she is of the North.”

“Dacey understands me. She is my friend first and foremost.”

“No, she’s your bannerman first and foremost. She is a loyal guard to her king and a valiant warrior and a more than agreeable heir to Bear Island. One day, she will make a man a happy if cowed husband. That man cannot be you.”

Robb gave him an annoyed look.

“And what would you do if I did marry her? Run off and tell Mother on me again?”

“If I must.”

“I don’t even know Roslin. I know nothing about her, and I’m meant to marry her.”

“Who’s Roslin?”

“Mother didn’t tell you? I’m surprised seeing as how you’re her new best friend all of a sudden. Walder Frey decided that I was taking too long and chose a bride for me.”

Jon hid his wince at that.

“Well, if you’re so worried about not knowing your bride, perhaps you should write to her. It might acquaint you to her before your wedding.”

Robb made a noncommittal sound. Jon could see that he was done with the conversation, but before he left, he would have his word.

“Robb, look at me.”

His brother looked up at him, meeting his eyes questioningly.

“Promise me you’ll not do anything with Dacey that might prompt you to think you have to marry her. Swear to me, as your brother, that you will not.”

Robb gave him a withering look. Jon returned it with a steely gaze, making Robb look away.

“Promise me.”

“Fine. I promise I won’t do anything with Dacey.”

“Good,” Jon replied, getting up and leaving the tent.

As he walked out, he caught sight of Lady Catelyn and nodded at her. She nodded him to follow her as she retreated to her tent.

“Well?” She asked when he entered.

Jon sighed heavily.

“He was as stubborn as ever, but I made him promise he wouldn’t do anything with Dacey that might prompt another Jeyne Westerling situation.”

“He will listen, you think?”

“I made him swear as my brother, not my king. He will not break his promise to me, he never has before. Not to any of his siblings,” Jon replied, a slight smile on his face.

It was hard to know whether he or Robb was older, but Robb had taken on the role of big brother entirely after Sansa was born. Jon fell under that umbrella for him often. Jon didn’t mind, most of the time.

“Good. I’d hate for Maege to throttle him with her mace.”

Jon quirked a smile at the image of Maege running after Robb for sleeping with Dacey. He knew Alysane Mormont had two children whose father she would not disclose for fear her mother would kill the man.

“Arya would like them.”

Jon’s eyes flickered to Lady Catelyn then. That lance he always felt when Arya was brought up went through him now. The lady had a soft smile on her face as she looked into the distance.

“Sorry?”

“The Mormonts. She would like them very much.”

“She would,” Jon acquiesced.

He paused, thinking of his little sister who, according to Ser Cleos, had not been seen in King’s Landing since his father’s men were killed.

“I gave her a sword,” he admitted.

Catelyn’s eyes went back to him.

“You what?”

“Before I left for the Wall, I had Mikken make a sword for her. It’s small, it won’t hack a man to pieces, but it can still help protect her. She named it Needle. I’ve shown her basic things about swordplay: footwork and the like. She sent me a letter saying Father got her a teacher to train her further. Arya’s resourceful and smart. If anyone can survive out there, she can.”

Catelyn was quiet for a long moment before nodding.

“You’re probably right.”

Jon felt that was the end of the conversation and turned to leave, but Lady Catelyn called after him.

“Lord Jon?”

“My lady?”

“Thank you. Thank you for… always being what Arya needed even when I was not.”

Jon knew what she meant by that but still felt compelled to reassure her.

“Arya loves you. You’re her mother. She knows you love her too.”

“I’m not sure about that. I never showed it well towards her. I always tried to force her to be something she wasn’t, to be a perfect lady, but that wasn’t her. She was her own person. I didn’t understand her, Ned was the one who did, and you. No matter what, you always did. Thank you for being there for her.”

Jon opened his mouth before closing it again. He simply nodded and turned to leave once more.

~*~*~

Brynden Tully was old, he knew that. His life had whittled down to extremely basic things, so he needed to find amusement where he could. Young fools were always amusing, and it seemed his grandnephew was one of the biggest ones. He shook his head as he watched the boy stare besotted after the nurse who had joined them after Oxcross. The nurse barely gave him the time of day initially, but she was crumbling slightly, smiling back at him and the like.

Brynden would’ve let that continue, but he remembered what Cat had told him.

“If it seems Robb is making the same mistake as he did with Jeyne Westerling and Lady Dacey, then give this letter to his brother.”

Brynden took Cat’s word seriously. Afterall, Catelyn had been the one to talk Edmure into getting married. Of course, Brynden had still had to practically drag his nephew down the aisle and hold him at swordpoint to marry Lady Jeyne. Now Edmure was even more besotted with her than Robb seemed to be with every pretty woman he crossed. Every word out of Edmure’s mouth was now Jeyne this and Jeyne that.

The fools, Brynden thought to himself. Still, he approached Lord Jon’s tent and handed off the letter with little fanfare. He watched the former bastard read it before sighing long-sufferingly.

“Thank you, Ser Brynden. I will follow Lady Catelyn’s instructions to the letter.” 

Brynden nodded, even though he wasn’t sure what the letter said.

Later, when he saw Lord Jon getting between Robb and the nurse and noticed the nurse’s smiles turning brighter and brighter every time Lord Jon was around, he shook his head with even more amusement. He had hoped Lord Jon was immune to the idiocy Robb and Edmure had fallen to, but it seemed not. Now he had three fools to deal with.

At least they were entertaining.

~*~*~

Catelyn had heard that The Battle of Oxcross was a bloody one. She knew it was one that kept men up at night. She was upset that while the battle raged she was stuck watching Renly play at war, but she had gained Lady Brienne in the process. Robb’s men marched into the encampment, almost trudging. There were multiple prisoners amongst them, Lannister men. Catelyn watched out for a head of auburn-brown curls and a direwolf. Soon she found Robb riding in, Jon a few steps behind with Grey Wind and Ghost at their sides. She felt relief when she saw them. Interestingly, she felt relieved to see them both alive.

That night the camp was lively. Robb had brought back deer and rabbit. Catelyn sat by the fire to herself and watched across the yard as Jon approached Robb only for her son to walk in the opposite direction. Grey Wind went after him, licking Jon’s hand as he passed. Jon watched him go with a look of dejection before a tawny skinned woman approached him from behind. She watched the two smile at one another and talk in an almost nervous and awkward manner. Catelyn rose an eyebrow at it.

“Curious display, isn’t it,” her uncle said, sitting next to her.

“Who is she?”

“Talisa Maegyr of Volantis. She’s a nurse. She’s been traveling with us since Oxcross. Robb took a liking to her. Probably because she hated him on sight and made no qualms about telling him.” 

Catelyn sighed with exasperation. Brynden quirked an amused smile.

“Funny, Lord Jon had the exact same reaction when I pointed it out to him. You two sound like you’re raising a rambunctious child together.”

“He’s a man grown, but it still feels like it.”

“You wanted me to keep an eye on him. You told me to give that letter to Lord Jon should the need arise. I did so. What did it say anyway?”

“I just asked him to make sure Robb did nothing foolish and act as a distraction if it became necessary.”

“The Greatjon always says Lord Jon looks prettier than any Umber girl he knows. He probably sent enough girls swooning about even when his name was Snow.”

“I asked him to get between Robb and whichever woman, distract them from each other if he could. I didn’t think the boy would go and fall for her instead.”

Catelyn watched the two some more. The woman, Talisa, said something to make Jon laugh before he walked with her over to where she had set up to eat.

“Well, at least we know Robb won’t decide to hitch himself to her. Hopefully, we’ll reach The Twins for the wedding before someone else catches his fancy,” Catelyn said, sipping her water.

“Aye. This wedding couldn’t come any sooner.”

~*~*~

“Did you liken yourself engaged or in love with this one?” Catelyn asked Robb later.

“I’m never speaking to Jon again.”

“You most certainly are. Your brother did nothing wrong, stop behaving like a child.” 

Robb spent the rest of the night grumbling.

~*~*~

Jon was with Talisa in his tent, listening to her talk about Volantis and how the triarchy worked when Robb burst in.

“What’s wrong?” Jon asked with alarm.

“Nothing. Hello, Lady Talisa.”

“Just Talisa, King Robb,” she replied, her tone indifferent.

“Look what I got,” Robb said with some excitement, handing Jon a letter. 

The seal was of The Twins.

“Walder Frey?”

“No, Roslin. I took your advice and have been corresponding with her. This is our third letter. She is witty and smart and kind and has excellent advice.” 

Jon shot a look at Talisa, who gave him a sympathetic but amused look.

“She sounds lovely.”

“She is,” Robb said dreamily.

“I have to go write back to her.” 

Robb practically snatched the letter from Jon and swept right back out. Jon turned to Talisa and shook his head.

“He’s spent months fighting this engagement even though he agreed to it in the first place, and after three letters, he’s miraculously changed his mind. Unbelievable,” he said incredulously.

“Brothers can be tricky and very stupid.”

“At least he’s actually falling for the person he’s meant to marry this time.”

“All of this for a bridge. You Westerosi certainly have strange customs. I hope it is a very pretty bridge and a happy bride,” Talisa said teasingly. 

Jon stared after her for a moment.

“I don’t have a bridge to offer you. I don’t even have a holdfast.” 

Talisa stared at him quietly before stepping closer and dropping into his lap.

“I don’t care about that. We can go to Volantis, or we can live here in the Riverlands helping passersby, or go back to the North and contend with ice spiders and grumpkins. It doesn’t matter, let’s just stay together. Let’s stay together always. You should marry me.” 

Jon chuckled.

“You’re proposing to me?”

“Why not?”

“Is that a Volantanese custom?”

“Something like that. So? Will you marry me?”

“I will,” Jon replied, smiling and pulling Talisa into a kiss.

~*~*~

Catelyn felt more relief than she could articulate when she sat in the banquet hall of The Twins after watching Robb finally be wed to Roslin Frey. They now sat at the high table, Robb eating blueberries out of Roslin’s hand. Robb had looked excited when Roslin was led down the aisle. The eager look in his eye reminded her of Jon who, weeks ago, wed Talisa before the weirwood tree at Raventree Hall. Robb had smiled when Roslin’s veil was lifted to reveal a girl with no immediately discernable Frey features, except perhaps the Frey forehead. She had smiled impishly at Robb.

“I hope I’m not a disappointment to you, Your Grace.”

“You’re a delight to me.”

Now they sat in the banquet hall eating and drinking. She looked over to her left where Jon sat with his wife. Talisa rubbed her stomach, which was growing larger every day with the child inside of her. She watched Talisa kiss Jon’s cheek before she walked over to greet Edmure and Lady Jeyne. Catelyn sat contemplatively before getting up with her wine goblet and walking over to Jon’s table.

“May I sit?” 

He looked up at her with surprise before nodding to the chair Talisa had vacated. They watched Robb and Roslin silently for a moment.

“He’s complained more about this marriage match than he ever did about anything as a child and now look at him,” Catelyn commented with amusement. 

Jon shook his head indulgently.

“He’s a fool.” 

Catelyn looked over at him with a raised eyebrow.

“He’s my brother and my king. I love him, but he’s a fool. At least when it comes to women.” 

Catelyn acquiesced to this.

“Well, hopefully that will no longer be a problem.”

“He’ll be a true husband, a just king, and one day a good father,” Jon replied with certainty in his voice.

“Thank you for helping me with that. We made a good team where he’s concerned. Congratulations, by the way. A child is a wonderful thing to have.”

“Thank you. I always thought I’d name my son Robb. If it’s a girl… well, we’re still deliberating on that.” 

Catelyn could tell there was something he didn’t want to say.

“Tell me,” she asked more than demanded, the wine making her feel looser than she had in a long time.

“I was thinking, well Talisa suggested, that for a girl Eddarya might be a good name.” 

Catelyn took that in for a moment.

“Aye, it’s a good name. A Northern name.” 

Jon looked surprised but nodded.

“Once upon a time, Jon Stark, I promised the gods I’d be as a mother to you. I didn’t keep that promise, I couldn’t. I suppose it’s too late for us now, but you will be in Winterfell with us for a while yet when we take it back from the Ironborn. Probably until Robb gives you a holdfast. If you grant me, I would be a grandmother to your child. I would teach them about Ned and who he was, what he meant.” 

Jon seemed stopped up and gobsmacked before gathering himself.

“I… I would like that. Thank you.” 

Catelyn smiled a little at him, just a tiny quirk of her lip, before patting his hand and walking off. Jon sat stunned as she went.

~*~*~

Robb watched the exchange between his mother and brother out of the corner of his eye as Roslin placed fruit in his mouth.

“Did it go well?” She asked.

“It looked like it. She smiled at him. Only slightly but that’s still something.”

“And you’re sure they’re none-the-wiser to your plan?” 

Robb smiled then.

“I’m certain. How could they know we’ve been having correspondence since I left The Crag?”

“Thank you for telling me the truth of Jeyne Westerling, by the way.”

“No good marriage can start on a lie.”

“And thank you for telling me of your mother and brother. Your saga regarding them has been quite entertaining,” she replied with a smile.

“I should thank you for the help and suggestions in getting my mother and brother to a better place. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. I even managed to push him straight into the path of his own wife. And they think me an unruly child.”

“You’re not far from it.” 

Robb scoffed in response to his wife’s tease and kissed her fingers. 

He was glad to meet her after months of exchanging letters only. He was glad Jon suggested it, even though Robb had started doing it himself before then. Roslin was everything he had wanted and hoped for. They had the Freys, soon they would march on Casterly Rock and once King’s Landing fell, they’d march North and take their home back.

At least now he could stop pretending to be attracted to every woman they met for the sake of his family’s conciliation.