Jon Snow's POV
Jon trudged through the snow-dusted Wolfswood, the trees looming tall and bare around him, their branches stark against the grey sky. His boots crunched softly, the only sound aside from the occasional rustle of a bird or the snap of a twig beneath his feet. He carried a bow slung over his shoulder, but hunting wasn't his purpose today. He needed solitude, a chance to think and process the changes that had swept through his life, and the Catalyst for that change over the past year and a half was Robb.
It had been around eighteen months since Robb's fall, the day Jon had feared he might lose his brother forever. The memory still haunted him, Robb crumpled on the ground with a slightly bloodied head wound, and Maester Lewin's grim mutterings as they carried him inside. Jon couldn't have stayed by his bedside even if he had wanted to. With Robb's mother, Catelyn Stark, hovering nearby, he could not visit. Instead, he took to whispering prayers to the old gods, unsure if they would listen or ignore him as they had when he prayed for his mother. Still, when he saw his father doing the same in the godswood, he prayed anyway, hoping they would hear his pleas this time if not for him, then for Robb. It seemed to have worked, as Robb healed fully, and since then, he had transformed into someone Jon could hardly recognize.
Robb had grown taller, almost the size of his father, his frame filling out with muscle until he resembled a warrior of legend rather than the brother Jon had sparred with in the yard. His auburn hair had grown longer, brushing his shoulders while being shaved slightly on the sides, and his eyes held a familiar and knowing spark that he saw a lot of in the older men around Winterfell eyes including maester Luwins, Jorys, and his Fathers. But it wasn't just his appearance that had changed. Robb's mind was sharper, his decisions quicker, and his presence more commanding. He had always acted as a leader, even when dealing with Theon, but now he had truly become the leader—a figure the entire household could turn to with confidence, knowing he could and would help them. This filled most of the servants and guards with a fervor Jon hadn't witnessed before, surpassing even in some cases the admiration they had for their father.
Jon paused by a frozen stream, crouching to scoop a handful of snow and rub it between his palms. He thought of the day Robb had fought the leader of the Thenns and spoken with the giants. It was a day Jon would always remember like a dream come true from the age of heroes in the old stories he had heard from the household and old Nan as a child. As well as on the return journey, when Robb had led them into the clearing near Winterfell on their way to the Stony Shore so that the Thenns and the giants could swear their vows in person to Father. Jon had been there, witnessing the awe in the faces of the guards as the massive figures of furs and muscle knelt before their father with Robb at his side. The Thenns, with their bronze weapons and fierce pride, had sworn fealty, their voices echoing through the air. Robb had done most of the work alongside their father on that plan, uniting peoples who had been foes for centuries and bringing giants back to settle in the North once more like the ages of old all with a calm assurance that made it seem inevitable it was Inspiring jon thought that his brother had such a will and that even with his busy schedule he still made time to help him with his meditations as well."Jon!" a voice called, breaking through his thoughts.
He straightened and turned to see Robb approaching through the trees, with Hedwig gliding and most likely guiding him silently from above. Robb's cloak was dusted with snow, but neither his cheeks nor his body seemed bothered by it. There was a thought within the household that Robbs's presence itself could warm the air around him.
"I thought I'd find you here," Robb said, grinning and tossing a piece of bread in the sky for Hedwig to catch as he drew near. "Hiding from Dacy again? Have you not come to like her company, or would you prefer that Arya wasn't around when it's just the two of you?"
Jon chuckled, brushing snow from his gloves. He had figured out some time ago that Robb was trying to get him and Dacy to grow closer. It was also true that ever since Arya had met Dacy, she followed her just about everywhere. Jon did enjoy Arya's company, but he had also grown closer to Dacy and wasn't ready to confront his feelings just yet, even if Dacy had made jokes about bears not mating for life. "I just needed some quiet. You're the one pressed for time these days, what with teaching and studying so many things."
Robb laughed, a sound that echoed through the woods. "Fair enough. But for now, would you like some company?"
"Always," Jon said, and he meant it.
They fell into step together, walking deeper into the forest. Jon glanced at Robb, noting the ease with which he moved and the confidence in his stride. Hedwig landed on a nearby branch, gazing at them, and Jon felt a pang of wonder. Robb's warging was no secret to him; it had been revealed during his last name day when Robb pulled him aside and confessed his ability, which Robb referred to as a gift from the Old Gods to the First Men he said it was a Stark trait ever since their ancestors conquered a wag king of the North back from the multiple kings in the north thousands of years ago and that with the first man's blood and the olds gods magic all Starks had the gift.
"I also wanted to ask how you were progressing with your warging. Have you managed to connect with any of Lewin's ravens?" Robb asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Jon had doubted he could possess such a gift at first, but Robb refused to let him give up, sounding confident that he could. Thinking back to that day, they spent hours in the godswood, Robb guided him through meditations, teaching him to quiet his mind. At first, it had been frustrating for Jon. His thoughts always raced, and his doubts clawed at him, but Robb never wavered, offering helpful tips on shutting off the noise, as he would say.
"Try consciously relaxing your muscles, starting from your face and working down to your feet. While you're doing that, focus on taking deep breaths," Robb said, stopping beside the stream. "You're close to finding your calm; I know it."
Jon sighed, reflecting on Robb's words. That had been a long day, and at first, he hadn't understood the advice. However, with Robb's guidance and tips for finding that thread of connection, Jon eventually discovered what Robb had described over the following months.
"So, did you?" Robb asked, bringing Jon out of his thoughts.
"I think so," Jon replied. "Just for a moment, I was able to bond with one of Lewin's older ravens in the tower, though it didn't feel as deep as the bond you have with Hedwig."
Robb's grin was wide and bright. "I knew you were close, Jon. I told you all Starks have the gift. Don't worry; once we find you a proper companion, maintaining and deepening that connection will come naturally."
Jon shook his head, a mix of gratitude swelling in his chest. "Only because of your help, Robb. Your teachings were invaluable for my meditation, especially at the beginning."
Robb shrugged, warmth shining in his eyes. "I'm just doing what I should. What kind of heir and brother wouldn't help his own blood? Besides, I know you would have done the same for me."
Jon felt a lump in his throat. Robb had always been his brother, his rival, and his friend. Now, he was also a mentor, a guide, and a leader Jon would follow anywhere. He recognized how Robb had changed, growing taller, stronger, and wiser almost daily, and he respected him for it. All of Winterfell saw it, and with Robb and their father bringing back the giants, the rest of the North would soon hear of Robb's capabilities. Robb was becoming someone great, and Jon was proud to stand by his side. He no longer wanted to serve at the Wall, seeking to cleanse the reputation he thought his father had lost with his birth. Robb had dispelled that notion over a year ago; even Benjen had understood. Jon was now content to serve his family and brother, however they needed.
Robb then spoke again, "I know I helped, perhaps a little," he said with a slight nudge. "But you put in the effort for yourself. I can't teach talent; you know that. I have a feeling I'll need your abilities here in the future. Change is coming to Westrose, Jon; I can feel it. I can't quite explain what it feels like, but I know you'll understand in time. I trust you to have my back when I need you. You're part of my pack, Jon, and I know I remind you of that often, but it's because I mean it. No matter what Mother says, you're a Stark by blood, Jon, and that's something to take pride in." He finished with another nudge to Jon's shoulder.
They spent a few more hours wandering through the familiar woods before heading back in comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other's company.
As they made their way back, passing between the freshly worked roads and paths into Winter Town, Jon was once again reminded of another change Robb had brought about by helping Vayon Poole with ideas to improve the quality of life in Winter Town that were simple and affordable.
It had started with a noticeably better style of road which Luwin said would be easier to maintain and also a different style of house or hut for the residence which looked way better and with Robb having the Guards and men at arms help with building the new type of Dugout and pit houses that Robb said him and Luwin had come up with as well as working on a earthwork as Robb had called it around winter town in the name of endurance and strength training turning the town into a fortified settlementent.
Just over a year had passed, and now almost everyone in Winter Town had a home. Residents were talking about how warm and well insulated these new houses were. With wider streets and sturdier walls, many of the more traveled residents and guards remarked that it was one of the nicer towns they had ever seen. Vayon Poole was very pleased with the results and cost of the project, often praising Robb's ability with public works. Jon couldn't disagree; although he didn't fully understand all the details involved in organizing a town, he could see that it was easier to move throughout the area, which would benefit both merchants and troops. This point became more evident after Luwin had covered it in one of his lessons, discussing the increased efficiency of logistics and city planning.
Though Jon knew one thing for certain, whatever the future held, he was sure that Robb would be at the forefront, and he would help his brother in any way he could, and perhaps he could figure something out with Dacey as well.