Disclaimer: I do not own the Game of Thrones book or T.V. Show series, the awesome George R. R. Martin does. I think I can speak for all GoT fans when i say we thank him for that.
"Where are you from?"
"I was found at the Wall."
"Behind it or in Westeros?"
"Westeros."
"And who's were you?"
"I haven't the slightest idea."
"And why have you come here?"
"I need a place to sleep and a vendor to fix my bow and supply my arrows."
"We've got no place for you here."
"Then I shall leave."
I left with a curt nod and a slam of the door. It was pouring outside and I could see my yellow hair turning dark in the downpour. My horse looked at me as it too became soaked. It snuffed at me in a disgruntled manner, but I ignored it. I tried to find a place, but the farther south I rode, the less people seemed willing to take me in. With a sigh, I kicked my horses side lightly and he galloped towards the north.
Winterfell had always been my home. Ned had taken me in when Benjen rode up with news of a child abandoned at the Wall. None of the Night's Watch knew what to do with a child so Benjen offered to find a place. It had taken a long while before Benjen Stark had decided to go to his brother with it and I was already 8 years old. I remember the gentle smile of Ned after his brother brought me to Winterfell. It was the day I had said goodbye to life with the Night's Watch and days of sword fighting with the men and the Wall.
Now I returned to Winterfell, angry from the last time I was here and angry with the fact that I had ridden days, stopping only for a few bites to eat, in the rain. I slowed my horse to a trot then a walk as I came through the city streets. I glanced at the peasants and a few seemed to recognize me, but the rest just looked at me as if I were one of them. When I finally came upon the castle, I jumped off, my damp riding boots sticking to the dirt they touched, and brought my horse to the stables. When I walked out, Jon Snow and Robb Stark stood in front of me, arms crossed and straight faces. I tried to walk around them, but they blocked me, multiple times.
"Guys, move," I said, irritated. They did nothing and said nothing. "Come on, I'm tired and I need to change. I'm soaked through." Nothing. "Jon, Robb, I will personally stab each of you if you do not move." Still not anything. "Move already!"
"You hurt us," Jon said, still no emotion on his face.
"Look," I said, closing my eyes for a moment, "I'm sorry that I left without saying goodbye or anything. I'll make it up to you later, but can I just get through now?"
"No, stupid," Robb said, him and Jon finally letting out a little laugh, "you gave us each about seven cuts and at least nine bruises before you left."
"You are both dead when we get back to sword practice," I laughed, pushing through them. It felt good to laugh again. It had been more than a month since I left and even more since i laughed. Jon and Robb always knew the best ways to cheer me up. I kept walking, up stairs and through hallways, to the back of the castle where my room sat. I finally reached it and yanked open the door. Theon Greyjoy and some woman lay naked on the bed. I felt my eyes widen and jaw drop just before I slammed the door and walked back down the long hallways and down the stairs. I could hear Theon calling after me, but I refused to listen. I began running as soon as I saw the courtyard, passing Jon and Robb and rushing into the godswood.
I pressed my back up against the large tree with the red blossoms that fell and entangled themselves in my hair. I could feel my eyes stinging with imminent tears, but I held them in. I felt my hand fall onto my sword, but I refused to pull it out. I would not do anything in anger, I must wait until I have a clear mind to make decisions. I slid down and sat against the tree. I could hear Theon walking through the woods, calling my name, but I refused to answer. He had begged me not to leave, saying that he still loved me. He had been the hardest to leave and one of the reasons I had returned, but now he had forgotten about me.
Wiping away a tear that had escaped, I rose and ran out of the godswood and into the courtyard. Robb and Jon stood, conversing about something, and looking confused. They turned and saw me, my eyes a little red from a few tears, and instantly knew what was going on.
"Come," Jon said, Robb and him each putting an arm over my shoulder and walking me into the castle, "you can have my room tonight."
"And we'll stay with you, if you like," Robb said sweetly in my ear. I nodded and they continued to lead me to Jon's room. Once we arrived there, Robb volunteered to bring my clothes over and I nodded a thanks as I sat on the bed.
"He's an ass," Jon said and I felt a small laugh rise in my throat. "Good, you still have a sense of humor. But really, he is. It was like that not three days after you left. Robb and I told him to stop, but he refused."
"They were in my room," I said, suddenly feeling the tears break through. Jon rushed over and put his arms around me. I sniffled in his arms for a while, noting when Robb entered the room and put his hand on my shoulder reassuringly. I smiled at this. Robb and Jon had been my best friends since I arrived in Winterfell. They were both my age, 14, and hadn't said anything when I started dating Theon, who was 5 years older than me. It wasn't anything truly out of the ordinary: older men took younger women to be theirs all the time, but this was different. Jon knew it and Robb knew it, but they also knew that I wanted to forget that it was different. So, they didn't mention it once.
"I'm sorry," I said after a long while, "I'm really muddy and soaked right now."
"It's fine," Robb said, with a sympathetic smile, "I brought your clothes in if you want to change."
"Thanks," I said, wiping my eyes and walking to the clothes and selecting a blue dress with a wide red hem. I looked at Jon and Robb and they both turned around. I laughed quietly and changed into the dress, the fabrics soft on my skin. When I finished, they turned around and smiled at me.
"We should get dinner," Jon said with a hungry look.
"Yes," Robb said with a smile, "come on, let's go."
"You two are such boys," I said with a smile and we headed down to dining hall. The room was large, and smelled of pork and other foods. Jon and Robb both linked their arms through mine and I felt a loud laugh burst through as we entered the hall. Catelyn and Sansa looked up appalled, but Eddard and Arya looked amused. Still laughing, we took our seats and put food on our plates.
"Oh please," Jon said, laughing at one of Robb's stories, "we all know that you wouldn't give it up for the world, let alone before you were at least seventeen."
"I am appalled by your lack of faith," Robb said, looking hurt.
"Are you serious, Robb?" I asked, doubting him.
"Well," he began, but Jon and I could see it already. He was lying so obviously and we couldn't help but laugh.
"He couldn't get a girl for the life of him," Jon snorted.
"And what of you?" Robb retorted, "You don't have a gal either."
"Just shut up," Jon said, with a synical face.
"You two are so pathetic," I laughed.
"Like you could do better," Robb raised an eyebrow.
"I could, in fact," I said, "I could get so many men all of the other women would be so desperate they'd beg to take the Black."
"Lies," Jon said, taking a sip of beer.
"Just name the guy," I offered.
"Jon," Robb said, chugging some beer, "he's never met a girl he likes more than his hair."
"Ah," I said, glancing at Jon and taking a swig of ale, "too easy. And he's my friend anyway. I never sleep with my friends."
"Fine, fine," Robb laughed, "Tyrion Lannister."
"Even easier!" I howled in laughter, "It's a wonder he hasn't come across me yet! I mean, he's shagged most of the gals from Dorne to the Wall, for gods' sake!"
"So true," Jon said, laughing hard.
"C'mon," I snickered, "give it another go."
"How about me?" Theon appeared behind me and I almost choked on the beer in my throat. I scowled at him and looked back down at the table.
"Oh please, Theon," Jon spat, "just go ask your tavern wench."
"But I want the girl I love," he said, and I could feel his hand run through my hair.
"If ya' touch me one more time," I threatened, "I'll cut off your balls in your sleep."
"I'm sorry," he said sweetly and took his hand off of my hair, and I could hear Jon and Robb snickering, "Please, I am so sorry for what I did. Will you take me back?"
"Why the hell would I take you back?" I asked, turning in my chair to face him.
"Don't you love me?" he asked with a sorry look on his face.
"I thought I did once, but now I know that you're an ass that just wants pleasure anywhere he can get it," I spat.
"I don't know how I can make this up to you," he said, but I didn't care.
"You can leave," I said angrily, "and never speak with me or look at me or even think about me again."
"And if you do," Robb began, "Jon and I, along with Ghost and Greywind will be happy to tear your balls off."
"I'll be leaving then," Theon said, looking shaken. He walked to another table and took a seat. I turned back to my food and I could feel Robb pat me on the back.
"You did well, Brin" he whispered and I smiled a little.