He stopped short of racing into his father's arms, unable to fully let himself believe. If he reached out for him and nothing but air passed through his fingers, it might truly break him. But he looked the same as when they last saw each other in the courtyard. There had been so much trust in his gaze, so much hope and belief in his heir. How far Robb had fallen from that. It almost felt like he was shrinking under his father's gaze (though no fault of Ned's), as if he were a naughty boy and had been caught.

"Are you really here?" He had speculated what might happen if his father appeared, but never believed it could happen. His father was too much of a memory, a longing and need to be truly granted to him. Not here, at least, where it seemed he was being punished.

"Gods, how can you be here?"