strengthanddevotion:

“My father did what was honorable – right up until he died.” Jon half growls. He doesn’t know much about his Uncle Brandon but he’s not entirely certain he likes him. From what he can tell, Brandon Stark couldn’t have been more different from his younger brother. “I’m not listening to a Greyjoy about who I am. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m a bastard. My mother could’ve been Queen Cersei Lannister and it wouldn’t change that.” 

“I’m doing my best to help my sister, to keep the peace in the North as my Lord father would’ve done. But I’m not his true born son.” Jon shakes his head. “The only way I could be is a legitimization from a King, right now Winterfell belongs to Sansa. When Bran and Rickon are found it will belong to one of them. If they’re not found it remains Sansa’s until she has a son or a husband.” 

From what he had heard Eddard had stuck to his thoughts and while he couldn’t say what Eddard did in the end was wrong but than again Brandon might have thought about self preservation, about his children and his house. “Winterfell may belong to Sansa but she knows her place as Lady of Winterfell. She’ll have to marry into a house.” Brandon was being practical, they had to look towards the future and success of their house.

Brandon sighed, he knew that if it came to it, he would have to rule, to be Lord of Winterfell he’d rather much have Jon take it. He didn’t know if he could do it after the years in exile. “Lady Brienne spoke of Arya, saying that she was still alive…” Brandon hadn’t expected to hear such news of his niece and he wondered if Jon was aware of that. “Least there is hope she is still alive.”