Jon was quiet and numb during most of the match back to the ancient castle and garrison of the Night's Watch, speaking mostly in monosyllables save to Harry or Ghost who could draw him out of the shell created by the confirmation of his bearer's death. He'd had the idea in his head when Benjen failed to report back that he'd finally fallen prey to a wildling or the bitter far northern dangers or even to a White Walker. But having it confirmed was another thing entirely.
Moreover, Jon knew that this was his only time to grieve.
The second he was back in Westeros proper, he'd have to make a decision about what to do next.
Did he try for the throne that was his birthright?
Did he join Robb in going south to save Sansa and Arya?
Would his cousins even support his claim to the throne?
Questions and questions that he had no answers to, so he set them aside, preferring instead to think of the good times he spent with his bearer and his uncle, learning of his history – and his birthright.
Jon had been raised knowing that someday the time might come where he could make a bid for the throne – if that was indeed what he wanted.
And with the way the Lannisters had shat all over his uncle and half of Jon's blood, he was leaning more and more towards shoving the Iron Throne right up the Lannisters' collective arses.
He also knew that if they haven't already one or both of Robert Baratheon's brothers would be making bids for the crown now that his uncle's suspicions regarding Joffery and his siblings had been made public. The Old Gods love his uncle – even in penning that news to Stannis Baratheon he hadn't betrayed the truth of Jon's own existence to anyone. No. If there was one thing Benjen and Ned Stark had disagreed on it was that Jon should be able to choose for himself whether to cast his lot for the crown or not.
Benjen had taken steps all Jon's life to prepare him for such a thing, making sure that the men of the Vale were loyal to his trueborn son as an Heir of the Eyrie through Benjen's mother, the sister of Jon Arryn. Robert Arryn was known to be a whimpering pup of a boy – and weak and crazed like his mother with it. None of the men of the Vale would support him over Jon, despite the boy and his mother currently acting as Lord and Regent of the Vale.
And by leaving Jon to spend much time with his cousins at Winterfell, Benjen had allowed him to gain strong ties to both the Heirs of the North and of Riverrun as Edmure Tully, his cousins' uncle, had yet to take a bride or sire a legitimate heir, leaving Bran to be second in line for the Riverlands.
The Martells would support a Targaryen for the Throne, especially after Tywin's butchery of the Princess Elia and her two children, giving Jon the support of much of the seven kingdoms or at least their neutrality in the case of the Vale and Riverlands.
And then there was King's Landing and the Crownlands, both of which had suffered greatly under Robert Baratheon and had even less love for the Lannisters.
The Stormlands would be fought over by the Baratheon brothers and in the end would likely be split down the middle, while the West would of course throw in for Joffery out of fear of Tywin if nothing else.
Jon also knew that the Tyrells could throw the support of the Reach behind Renly Baratheon – at least at first. Should he fail, they would likely come crawling to whoever was likely to elevate them the highest. Mace Tyrell had spent more time feasting during Robert's rebellion than actually supporting Jon's father Rhaegar after all.
It was a muddle – and that was before you threw in the Lords and Houses who had remained loyal to the Targaryens and the idea of a Targaryen king or queen with the Beggar Prince in Essos.
He didn't want to fight against his own blood for the throne, but rumor had it there was too much of the Mad King in his uncle Viserys Targaryen for Jon to ever support him to the throne of Westeros.
A moot point since of the two of them – three if he included his aunt Daenerys – Jon as the legitimate son of Rhaegar had the best claim to the Iron Throne, better even than his Baratheon cousins with Joffery being a bastard.
And even after considering all of that…Jon was still no closer to an answer in his grieving state.
…
They returned to Castle Black with little fanfare, bringing with them naught but a new ally and grim news.
Mormont went at once to treat with Maester Aemon while Jon retreated to pack his bags.
He'd made one decision at least: he would join Robb. But first he would speak with his uncle Aemon before anything else. Robb's council could wait until Jon joined him, Uncle-Maester Aemon's was much nearer – and more related to Jon's situation.
Before taking their leave, Jon and Harry stopped by the Maester's chambers, Harry interested in picking the old man's brain before spending who knew how long on the road.
Thankfully, Jon had brought a pair of horses with him in case one didn't survive the journey or died while on a Ranging with his bearer – which had happened in the past leaving him stranded until his uncle Ned sent him another to ride back to Winterfell. A lesson well-learned, especially with the knowledge that this time he might be bringing back a guest.
Though Jon still didn't know what to think about Harry – a feeling that was all-too-mutual between them.
:::
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