Not telling his mother, Robb could understand. She had been the best woman Robb had ever known, but she hadn't had his father's immovable steadiness. She could be fierce and even impetuous on occasion. But Jon...

"That makes no sense," Robb blurted, turning back to Jon, his face pinched. "He was going to tell you after you'd gone to the Wall and taken your vows? After you had no choice but to stay there? Did he think you a complete simpleton to not trust you wouldn't endanger your own life with this?"