ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ʙʏ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ

010

Jon V

Riverrun was not what Jon had expected. It was a three sided castle built on what looked to be an island. It was not particularly big, at least not compared to Winterfell, but it had its own sort of charm. The walls had a reddish-yellow color to them, and Jon could not tell what stone had been used. Walking the battlements were men wearing scale mail armor and fish-crested helms.

Above the keep flew the banners of House Stark and House Tully side by side.

Jon and Sam pulled up just a short distance from the castle, knowing full well that their journey from the Wall to Robb was close to its end. Jon couldn't resist a smile from spreading across his face. His brother was close at hand, and he couldn't wait to see him again.

"This is it," Sam said quietly. For the past few days, the large lad had become increasingly quiet and it often took Jon several attempts to get his attention. The young warrior didn't know why his friend was so quiet, but all his attempts at finding out had come up short.

Jon nodded. "Aye, it is," he said. "I wonder how Robb will greet me?"

"You're his brother," Sam said with a shrug. "He will welcome you as such."

"It's been months since I've seen him Sam," Jon said. "Who knows what has happened in that time."

Sam gave his friend a reassuring smile. "Do you want to stand here and wonder all day or do you want to get it over with?"

Jon chuckled and kicked his heels into the flanks of his horse, cantering the remaining distance to the castle. As they got closer, Jon got a better look at the castle. It wasn't in fact, a natural island. Under the drawbridge was a massive man-made ditch that looked from a distance like a river.

Man in red and blue tabards manned either side of the drawbridge, spears and shields in hand.

He nodded to them as he got closer. "Hello…." he began before he was interrupted.

"Arrest him!" Someone demanded, their voice snapping with anger.

Jon looked up to see Lady Stark striding across the courtyard, an older looking man flanking her. The Lady of Winterfell had her finger pointed at Jon, her blue eyes blazing with fury. Jon slid out of his saddle, gesturing for Sam to do the same. He bowed easily.

"My lady," he greeted.

By now, Lady Catelyn was standing in front of him, and she was far scarier up close. As always, her appearance was pristine and perfect. Her dress was clean and pressed. Her hair was done up in a southern fashion with not a hair out of place. She looked like a proper lady of Westeros.

And a very angry one at that. Lady Stark rarely had the chance to yell at Jon, as Lord Stark had always been there to curb her anger. But Lord Stark wasn't present at the moment, and there was no one to prevent what was about to happen.

"You have no right to be here, bastard." she hissed. "You have abandoned your post at the Wall."

Jon shook his head. "I never took the Black…." he tried to explain before Lady Catelyn cut him off again.

"I will not stand here and listen to your lies," she snapped. "You are a deserter and I will make sure my son gives you the same fate all deserters deserve."