Chapter 3

It was the Ironborn Rebellion when Robb began visiting the Godswood. He didn't go there to pray. Instead, he would sit in silence and meditate upon the natural energy that was abundant around the heart tree.

Back at the castle, Catelyn was looking for her eldest. She saw her husband's bastard training with a sword along with others of his age. She steeled herself walked towards the training yard. She still remembered a six year old Robb telling her, 'If you don't have something good to say to Jon, isn't it better that you don't say anything to him? If you hate him so much, just don't talk to him. He's happy not having to deal with your hatred for him. He's my brother and my dearest friend. Can't you, at the very least, be civil with him? For my sake?'

Robb's wisdomous words shook Catelyn. She felt like she was being scolded by her father and not her son. She felt herself giving in to her son's request and actively tried to swallow her hate.

"Jon."

The boy immediately stopped what he was doing and looked at her with widened eyes.

"L-Lady Catelyn?"

"Where's Robb?"

Jon lowered his gaze and replied, "Robb finished his training for the day and told me that he was going to the Godswood to sit near the heart tree, as he always does. I was planning to go there as well after I was done with my training."

Catelyn controlled herself with great effort. She nodded and said, "Thank you, Jon. You can go back to your training."

Having said that, she swiftly walked away as the boy sighed in relief and resumed his training. 'At least, she doesn't show her hate for me. I have to thank Robb for that.'

Robb was in the Godswood, feeling the natural energy around him. He could 'see' the energy in the air. It was ethereal and powerful. The heart tree in front of him was buzzing with the energy.

Robb allowed the energy to enter his body, consciously controlling to inflow. It revitalized him and strengthened his entire being.

Suddenly, he felt someone approaching him from the edges of the Godswood. "Mother? What is it?"

Catelyn was taken aback. 'How did he know that it was me?'

"It's the cadence of your walk, ya' know. You walk like a noble woman, so your cadence is different from everyone else at Winterfell."

"You could tell all that just from the sound of me walking towards you?" Catelyn asked with her brows raised to her hairline.

"I can always tell. Why are you here?"

Catelyn gently placed her hand on Robb's shoulder and said, "Since your father is away, you have to perform your duties as his heir and the acting lord of Winterfell Matters of the smallfolk need to be addressed by you. Go to the Great Keep. Maerster Luwin is waiting for you. He will be there to guide you."

Robb exhaled as he looked at the face that was carved into the heart tree. 'I feel like someone is watching me through the eyes of the tree. It calls for me... Like it's trying to tell me something.'

"Alright, mother. I will go to Maester Luwin."

Robb left the Godswood, and Catelyn quickly followed him, not wanting to be alone near the heart tree.

He visited Jon in the yard before going to Luwin. The latter was resting on the side. He was finally finished with the day's training and was catching his breath.

"Jon!"

The boy turned around and said, "Robb? You've come back earlier than usual. Lady Stark came here looking for you. I sent her your way. Did you meet her?"

Robb smiled gently and said, "Aye, I met her, ya' know. Come on, we have to see Maester Luwin. I'm the acting lord, so I have to listen to the small folk."

Jon frowned and asked, "Why do I have to go as well?"

"Just come with me, will you?"

"Alright! You don't have to be so snippy!"

(TTOTUGS)

They boys sat together with Luwin and listened to the smallfolk, solving whatever disputes and problems had arisen amongst them. Luwin was actually amazed by how astute Robb proved to be and was equally amazed by his ability to mitigate the disputes.

Jon mostly remained quiet. He whispered to Robb when he wanted to say something as the boy was quite shy to be there. Robb, rather than ignored his brother's opinions, addressed them in the best way he could and took them into account.

None of the smallfolk left the castle disappointed, and all were happy with the solutions that Robb had given. Luwin could see a bright future in Robb, and he rushed to inform Catelyn about it.

"Maester Luwin?"

"Lady Stark, Robb is the most astute young man I've seen in my life. He is a bright and talented boy. You should feel proud to have such a wonderful son. I can't wait to tell Lord Stark that both of his eldest sons have such promising futures ahead of them."

Catelyn froze at the mention of 'both'. Jon was competent as a lord. It made her feel paranoia.

'Mother, you're doing it again.'

Robb's voice echoed in her mind.

'Jon.. He.. That bastard! He will usurp your seat!'

'Remember the words of house Tully. Family, Duty, Honor.'

'That boy is no family of mine!'

'But, he's my family, ya' know. He's also my younger brother, so it's my duty to protect him. I'll always protect him... even from you.'

Catelyn took a deep breath to calm down and said to Luwin, "T-That is very good, maester. Thank you for guiding t-them to the best of your abilities."

The old man nodded and swiftly left to continue his work for the day.

Catelyn let her legs give away as she fell on the bed with worry. Jon was Robb's family, and it was his duty to protect the boy. But, what about honor? Jon was the result of Ned being dishonorable. How could she forget that?

'If you are against Jon, then you are against me.'

Hate filled tears rolled down her face. She cursed Jon's existence and cursed the love Robb held for him.

(TTOTUGS)

"Move your feet!"

*Clang*

"You're four name days older than him! Why is he far better than you?! Move faster!"

The boy breathed raggedly as Robb outperformed him. The nine year old was a beast in the yard and always managed to attack his opponents from the blind side. He was unnaturally swift and nimble, and the speed with which he swung his sword was a sight to behold.

*Clang* ×3

"Yield!" Robb commanded to the downed boy.

"By the Old gods! Robb! Have some mercy on them!" Exclaimed Rodrik Cassell. Robb's skill and ferocity never ceased to amaze everyone.

The said boy smiled mildly and said, "I'll be in Godswood."

The rest of the boys and men resumed their training as Robb made his way to the heart tree. He sat near the tree for quite a while as he meditated. He could 'see' the natural energy in the tree. He could 'see' it below the ground and in the roots of tree.

Robb frowned when he 'saw' the energy in the shape of something that wasn't a natural occurrence.

'It's shaped like a blade. Is there a sword buried underneath this tree?'