Ages:

- Robb, Jon, Gendry, Meera, Ramsay – 19; Sansa, Joffrey – 18; Arya – 16; Bran, Jojen, Myrcella – 15; Rickon, Tommen – 11

BRAN

After several days of convincing their parents, they had finally agreed to let them go camping by themselves. Their father, Eddard had agreed almost immediately when his brother, Robb proposed the idea to them during dinner, but their mother had said an instant no.

The Stark household consisted of six kids total, with Jon, the son of Eddard's younger sister, Lyanna, adopted into the family after his mother died giving birth to him. He was the same age with Robb, only about three months younger. Nevertheless, Jon had only ever known the Stark household as family. And the kids saw Jon more than their cousin, but as their brother.

Robb and Jon almost went overboard with maps explaining the safety of them if they go out camping. They printed out a map of the entire Great Barrowton National Park.

"Come on, Mom," Robb pleaded. "It's just in the North."

"Yeah, Aunt Cat," Jon added. "It's only like five kilometers from Moat Cailin."

"And if we need any help," Robb added. "We'll just call Meera's dad since Greywater Watch is only a kilometer from Great Barrowton."

Their mother Catelyn was silent, until it was finally their father who spoke up. "Cat, just let the boys go." He said. "They'll be off to college in three weeks. Let them have their fun."

When Catelyn finally agreed, Arya spoke up. "Can I come with you guys?" She asked.

"No, Arya," Cat said. "You're not going."

"What?" Arya complained. "That's not fair! Meera's going with them. Why can't I?"

Catelyn turned to Robb. "Meera is going with you?" She asked.

Robb nodded. "Yep," He said. "She's bringing Jojen with her. And Gendry's coming too."

When she heard the Reeds were coming, their mother had allowed Arya and him to go with their Robb and Jon, much to Rickon's dismay since he would be stuck spending the weekend with Sansa in the Stark manor. She allowed them to go on one condition, they bring their dogs with them.

The dogs were only puppies, but you can hardly tell since they were already as large as two-year-old hounds despite being only four months old. The dogs' breed was called Northern Husky. It was three weeks into summer vacation, their father had been escorting President Robert Baratheon in one of the Military Bases in the North when he came upon six pups, which he had brought home to his six children.

Their mother had been convinced that the dogs had been gifts of the gods to them to stand as their protectors, that is, when Rickon had wondered in the Wolfswood with his husky, Shaggy, when it drove away a wild animal with its loud bark about last week.

Robb and Jon's best friend, Gendry Baratheon is the eldest child among the four children of Robert Baratheon, the President of Westeros and his wife Cersei Baratheon. They had been friends with him since about pre-school, alongside Meera Reed, the only girl in their clique. Meera was the daughter of Howland Reed, their father's good friend from Greywater Watch. Meera's younger brother Jojen was Bran's best friend together with Myrcella Baratheon, Gendry's younger sister.

Like the Starks, the Reeds were also from the North Region of Westeros. Even before Bran and his siblings were born, the two families lived quite close to one another.

But despite being Northerners, they were all enrolled in a private school in the capital, King's Landing Academy. Robb, Jon, Gendry and Meera had just graduated high school and were off to college in three weeks. Sansa will be a senior; Arya, a sophomore; Bran along with Jojen and Myrcella, will be freshmen and their youngest brother Rickon will be moving on to fifth grade.

According to what Robb had told him, they were attending Aegon Targaryen University in Dragonstone Island in the Crownlands, except for Jon, he was going further north to attend the Westeros Military Academy or the WMA just like their uncle Benjen.

Their parents had them used the family SUV, not Robb's car since there were four of them, plus their supplies, their own sleeping bags, paper plates and plastic utensils, toilet paper and rechargeable lamps, which were full charged before they left home. Robb and Jon had agreed to bring the three tents, one big one and two small ones. And they're also bringing their pet Huskies with them. Gendry was bringing the raw food, grilling pan and the cooler with drinks, and he was going to pick up the Reeds on the way Great Barrowton.

They left Winterfell a hour after lunch and drove for about thirty minutes, with Robb on the wheel, Jon on the shotgun, and Arya and himself in the middle row of seats. Most of their stuff was in the back row. Their Huskies weren't placed in cages. Arya's Husky, Nymeria had her head on Arya's lap, where she was caressing the dog's pelt; Bran's Husky, Summer was sitting on his lap, looking out the car window; Robb's Husky was quietly sleeping on the space between Arya and Bran; Jon's Husky, Ghost was with him in the shotgun, doing the same thing Summer was doing.

The entrance arch said, Great Barrowton National Park.

"Here we are," Robb said as they drove through the entrance arch. He glanced at the rear mirror to the backseat where Arya and Bran were sitting. "Well, Little brother and sister, Welcome to Great Barrowton National Park, where it covers one fifth of the entire North's land area and—"

"Robb, shut up." Arya interrupted. "You're not the freakin' park ranger."

"Sheesh," Jon said. "Why so grumpy, Arya?"

"Just park this thing so I can run to the bathroom." Arya replied. "I've been holding it in for like fifteen minutes."

They reached the parking lot, which had about eleven cars parked. At the edge was Gendry's pick up truck parked adjacent to a tree.

The Reeds, Meera and Jojen were already out waiting for them to arrive. Gendry was talking to some guy who looked like a park ranger.

"Bran, can you hold Nymeria while I use the bathroom?" Arya said, handing her Husky over to him.

"I'm positive that she will follow you wherever you go." Bran pointed out.

"That's why I need you to hold her for me," Arya argued. "So that she won't run off."

Bran reluctantly picked Nymeria and placed her on his lap next to Summer, who growled at his littermate. "Whoa, boy," Bran patted Summer's hide to calm him down. "There's no need to get jealous."

Robb parked their family SUV car next to Gendry's pick up. Just as soon as the engines died, Arya raced out the car and ran for the restroom stalls.

Robb reached out his hand to his Husky, Grey Wind, who was sleeping beside Bran. "Come on, buddy." Robb said. "We're here."

Grey Wind then jumped out the through the car door Arya had left open.

Bran opened the door on his side and settled Summer and Nymeria onto the ground, then helped Jon with their stuff.

"Bran," Jojen called.

"Hey, Jojen." Bran gave him a fist bump.

"So, you brought the dogs." Jojen noticed.

"It was Mom's one condition." Bran explained. "She'd allow me and Arya to come with, as long as we bring the dogs with us."

"Extra protection, she said." Arya spoke up, as she picked up her backpack from the back row.

As if right on cue, a voice called from behind them. "S'up, Starklings," The voice sounded familiar. "Reedlings, Mr. President."

They all turned and saw Ramsay Bolton, grinning like crazy. "Didn't expect to see you guys here."

Robb, Jon, and Jojen immediately went to defensive stance with deathly glares on faces.

Bran remembered Ramsay Bolton. First he started hitting on and stalking Meera in a weird and scary way. When Gendry, Robb and Jon found out about it, they had insisted that she always sit between them. They eventually tell on him to the school's guidance counselor and he stopped. But a week later, Ramsay started on about it again, but this time, with Arya. At that time, Robb had insisted that Arya sit with them during lunch and free periods. The school eventually called for his father, Roose Bolton and they advised him to consult a psychiatrist regarding Ramsay's unusual behavior. That was all he knew, and now he was here.

Robb shoved Arya behind him. "Ramsay," He said, his voice harsh and cold. "What are you doing here?" He demanded.

Ramsay shrugged. "Same as you, I guess," He said. "Camping out before the school term starts." Then his eyes turned at the edge of the group. "Hi Meera," Then waved at Arya behind Robb. "Hello Arya, you both look beautiful today."

Both Arya and Meera rolled their eyes in annoyance.

Ramsay took a step closer to them, but Nymeria growled and barked at him, which made him jumped back.

"Good girl," Arya said in small voice, then stepped forward. "I guess we'll see you around, Ramsay." She taunted. "Unless, you want Nymeria to bite off your fingers. Your choice."

Ramsay still had his eyes on the growling Husky, and he looked terrified. He looked like he wanted to make a run for it, but scared that Nymeria would follow after him and chew off his foot.

"Have a nice day, Ramsay." Meera added.

Ramsay sighed, slowly took steps backwards and ran off.

"Well," Bran spoke up. "I guess Mom was right about the dogs after all. They're our protectors."

"I'm telling you, that guy is a total psychopath!" Jojen said. "For all we know he followed us here."

"Well, don't worry about it, little brother," Meera assured. "I think Nymeria already gave him a warning to stay away."

"Yeah," Arya agreed. "And I think Meera and I can handle Ramsay Bolton this time."

"Alright, now that that's settled," Robb said. "Where are we going to pitch our tents?" He asked.

"Somewhere away from that psychopath, please." Arya suggested.

"I agree with your sister." Meera concurred.

"He won't be able to get near anymore," Bran assured. "We've got four Huskies with us."

"Good point," Gendry said. "What about near the lake?" He recommended.

"The lake is a five hundred meter hike from here." Jon said, showing them a map of the entire park. "Any objections, people?" He asked.

No one complained.

"Okay, then," Robb said. "Follow me."

Robb and Jon went ahead and led the way to the lake, since they've been here several times more than he and Arya had been. They carried the cooler with them as Grey Wind and Ghost walked beside them. Jojen and Meera followed just behind Robb and Jon. That meant, he was left with Arya and Gendry.

"This is great." Gendry said. "I've never actually done this sort of thing before." He turned to him. "Robb said your dad would take you and your siblings camping sometimes during the summer. I wish my dad had the time. But apparently, he's too busy running the country to spare us his hours."

"Just us boys, really." Bran said. "Rickon and the girls had never gone camping with us."

"Our mom is the problem." Arya spoke up. "You had no idea what Robb and Jon had to do to convince her to allow me to come with."

"It was pretty funny." Bran said. "They actually printed out a map of the entire Great Barrowton National Park."

"No way." Gendry said in disbelief.

Apparently, Meera heard them. "Really?" She asked. "That's pretty sick. I'd like to see that."

"Yep, it went that far." Arya confirmed. "But when I mentioned you were coming along, Mom eventually agreed."

When they reached what was called Torrhen's Square Lake, Robb tossed Bran one of the smaller portable tents. "You're sharing that tent with Jojen."

The other small portable tent will be shared by the girls, and the large one will be shared by Robb, Jon and Gendry.

By sunset, the girls volunteered to make the campfire as Meera and Arya were both girl scouts during their elementary years, which made them very different from their younger brothers, Jojen and himself.

Bran used to love being outdoors. He especially loved to climb, that is until he was camping with their dad and Robb and Jon one summer and climbed one of the trees near their tent. He had stepped on a branch that was not strong enough to hold his weight. He lost his footing and fell to the ground. He was confined to a wheelchair for five months. He was ten at that time, and he was, of course the reason why their Mom had Arya quit the scouts when she was eleven. He had never climbed again for fear of losing his legs for good.

As for Jojen, his health was really delicate. They found out the hard way. Bran and Jojen were only six at that time when the Reeds were visiting during one Christmas break and they playing in the Stark manor's backyard, throwing snowballs at each other. After a few hits, Jojen's nose started bleeding, which panicked them and Meera screaming at them for attacking her brother wasn't helping. Turns out, his health was delicate due to being born a month premature which had also taken the life of their mother, Jyana.

As it became dark, they huddled around the campfire, roasting marshmallows for s'mores, and exchanged ghost stories while they're at it. Surprisingly, it was Jojen who told the scariest ghost stories, which almost made Robb wet his pants. The mood even got scarier as their Huskies would howl from time to time.

. . .

That night, they settled into their tents. Jojen fell asleep almost immediately after he slipped into his sleeping bag, and he was snoring. All that hiking probably made him exhausted.

Bran, however, tossed and turned but he couldn't sleep. His sleeping bag seemed comfy enough, but he still couldn't sleep, so he decided to do something otherwise. He put on his shoes and stepped out of the tent.

His Husky, Summer, who was guarding outside the tent, stood up and wagged his tail as soon as he saw him.

Bran gently patted his head. "Hey, buddy," He said. "Sorry, I woke you."

It was cold. That's one of the best things living in the North, even in the hottest time of the year, Northern summers are cold. That's why people travel north and spend their summer vacation in the coldest region of Westeros.

The campfire, Arya and Meera had made, was still ablaze, keeping them warm inside their tents.

Bran glanced far at the lake. Its calm waters shone from the moonlight. On one of the docks not far from their tents, he could see a silhouette of someone sitting. Curious, he walked towards the dock with Summer on his tail. As he got closer, he began to recognize who it was.

"Meera?" He called out, before he could stop himself. He didn't want to disturb her.

Meera was sitting on the dock with her feet dangling out on the edge. She was also leaning back and had her arms spread out behind her, supporting her weight as she stared up in the sky.

When he called her, she turned to him and smiled. "Hey," She said. "Couldn't sleep, huh?" She guessed.

"What about you?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Same reason." She patted the place next to her. "Would you like to join me?" She asked.

"Is it okay?" He hesitated.

Meera smiled. "It's a free country, Bran."

"Okay, then." Bran trotted further down the wooden dock and sat beside Meera. His husky, Summer went over between them.

Meera patted Summer's head. "I seriously love these dogs." She said. "They're cuddly and really helpful. I've always wanted a furry little friend."

"So why didn't you get one?" He asked.

"My dad," She said. "He's sort of allergic to animal fur. He offered to buy one, you know, but…we can't risk it if it affected his health. He's the only parent we have left."

He didn't know how to respond to that. Jyana Reed had always been a difficult and dangerous topic to the Reed siblings, especially to Jojen.

"So," Bran spoke up, breaking the silence. "So you guys are going to college in three weeks. What program are you going to take?" He asked.

"Well, I've always wanted to be a Vet." Meera answered.

Bran blinked. "Really?" He asked in surprised. "Well then, maybe I should go to you when I'm taking Summer for a regular check-up." He rubbed Summer's hide. "Isn't that right, buddy?"

Meera chuckled. "We'll see." She said as she reached out and patted Summer's head.

"You're going to be a great Vet." Bran said before he could stop himself. He didn't know where the compliment came from.

Meera frowned at him. "The semester hasn't ever started yet." She said. "Or you're just saying that to flatter me."

Bran could feel himself turning red from embarrassment. He didn't know how to respond to that.

"You know, Bran," Meera smiled. "You're really sweet. Has anyone ever told you that?" She asked.

"Besides my mom," Bran answered. "Probably my sister Sansa. But she always had this knack for giving compliments. Don't know if she actually means it."

"It's a big sister thing, believe me." Meera said as she lay on his back on the wooden dock. "But unlike your sister, I actually mean what I said. I'm pretty straightforward that way."

"Arya's like that." Bran brought up, lying next to her. "Most people find it rude, but it's just the truth. And she's just being honest." He stared up at the sky. "Wow, it's been a while since I stared up at the stars like this."

The starry sky was beautiful. The moon and the stars shone out crystal clear in the blackness of the night. Unlike in cities and towns, with all the commercial and residual lighting, you can barely see the stars. This time, there were no clouds and the only light came from above.

"When was that?" Meera asked.

"What?" He asked, for a moment staring up the sky, he'd forgotten Meera was beside him.

"You said it's been a while since you stared at the stars like this," She recalled. "When was the last time you did?" She asked.

"Oh," Bran got up and glanced back at the tents, making sure no else was around.

Meera sat up. "Bran, you okay?" She asked.

"Can you keep a secret?" He asked. "Promise me you won't tell anyone."

Meera shrugged. "Alright, I won't tell anyone."

Bran took a deep breath. "Before my accident, and when everyone else was asleep, I use to climb to the roof of our house from my bedroom window to stare up at the stars."

Meera frowned. "Isn't your room like, two storeys from the roof?" She asked.

Bran nodded. "Yep." He had sworn to himself that he wasn't going to tell anyone about his past late night hobby, climbing to the roof of Stark manor, but he wasn't sure why he opened up to Meera.

"Oh my god!" Meera exclaimed, then gave him a slow clap. "You're a freakin' daredevil, I'll give you that." She said. Bran had expected to be scolded, but he was surprised with her reaction to it.

"But what if you fell and no one knew about it because they're all asleep?" She asked.

"But I didn't." Bran said.

"Well, you're lucky you haven't fallen." Meera said. There it is, he thought.

"I did fall," He said. "But not at home. It was in this park."

"Anyways, you and Jojen are going to be freshmen when school starts." Meera brought up. "You excited?" She asked.

"I wouldn't say excited." Bran replied. "I'm more nervous to be honest, unlike Jojen who couldn't wait until school starts. Well, if you ask me I think it's his excuse to say he couldn't wait to be in the same building as Alys Karstark."

"Wait, what?" Meera asked as if she'd misheard.

"Crap." Bran cursed. "I'm not supposed to tell you that."

"It's fine, Bran." Meera assured. "I know. He's had a crush on her since you guys were in fifth grade. But isn't she like in Arya's year?" She asked.

Bran nodded. "Yeah, she's a year older." He said. "But that doesn't matter, right?"

"Of course, it doesn't." Meera agreed. "What about you?" She asked.

"What about me?"

"Aren't you crushing on someone already?" She smirked.

At that, he could feel himself blush from embarrassment. He never told anyone about it, not even his best friends, but he did have a little crush on Meera. He didn't really think much about it, because Bran knew that she would never like him back, never in a million years.

"Come on, Bran, you know you can tell me anything." Meera persuaded.

He didn't know how to respond to that. "I don't have one, yet." He lied.

"That's a shame." Meera said. "I might've helped you."

"Help me with what?" He asked.

"Certain things."

"What certain things?"

Meera's smiled. But it was a different, it wasn't friendly it was more like hungry and mischievous. Like a predator found its prey and she was up to something smile.

Bran looked away from her and stared out in the lake.

A moment passed.

He had been looking away, when suddenly Meera's hand skimmed over his knee, and he jumped in surprise.

"Bran, it's okay." Meera assured. "It's just me. If I'm making you uncomfortable, just tell me. You'd tell me, right?"

Bran didn't respond. He didn't know how to respond to that.

"It's fine." She assured as her hand rested down on his knee, cupping it lightly. "Don't worry about it."

He was aware of her touching him. Slowly, he glanced back at her. Meera must have leaned forward, because her face was closer to his not a moment ago. The weird thing was, he didn't lean away from her. He allowed her to come closer.

"Just relax." She said in almost a whisper. "Close your eyes and don't do anything."

Bran hesitated, then out of curiosity, he did close his eyes.

Even with his eyes closed, he could feel her face before she made contact. Her unruly brown curls that fell down her shoulders and the faint smell of her skin. Then he felt the side of her face brush his and then felt her lips softly touch his own.

Bran's heart pounded. He was struck by how it felt pleasantly good to have kissed someone on the lips for the first time, especially if it's Meera.

Meera pulled back an inch or two. Feeling a bit disappointed, he opened his eyes experimentally.

Her green eyes sparkled, like the stars above. "I told you," She said. "It's fine—"

His body seemed to know what to do even when his brain didn't, because he didn't even let her finish her sentence. Bran's hands cupped her neck, with his thumbs on her cheeks and pulled her back into the kiss, startling her.

Even with his eyes closed, Bran could feel her smile through the kiss. It felt so good. She felt so good. Her mouth was wet, and he wanted more of it. Her lips moved on an inhale and her momentum, and so did his.

Her hand crept gently on the back of his neck as she drew back, changed the tilt of her angle, pushing forward again. Despite the cold breeze, heat was rising in his chest as she pulled him against her.

Then suddenly Summer stood and barked, causing them to break apart. The husky was barking at the direction where their tents were pitch.

"Summer, what is it?" Bran asked, caressing his hide to calm him down.

A figure walked towards them, and as it got closer he could see little tuff of dirty blond hair gleaming dimly from the moonlight. It was Jojen.

"Bran?" Jojen called. "What are—Meera? Why are you both still up?" He asked.

"Uh…" Bran started to say.

"We can't sleep." Meera spoke up, basically saving them both an explanation from what actually happened. "So, we decided to pass time, stargazing and…talking." She said. "What's wrong?" She asked.

Jojen sighed. "The campfire's dying," He said. "I don't know where the guys put the extra firewood. And I'm thirsty."

"It's just beside the largest tent," Meera instructed. "Beside the cooler."

"Oh, okay. Thanks." Jojen said, then walked towards the largest tent. The tent where Robb, Jon and Gendry were sleeping in, carefully not stepping over Grey Wind and Ghost.

Bran turned back to Meera, who still had her mischievous smirk. He leaned to kiss her again, but she placed her index finger before his mouth, stopping him.

"You should go." Meera suggested. "You don't want to raise any suspicion."

He reluctantly nodded. "Of course." He said as he stood. "Goodnight, Meera."

"Goodnight." She replied. "See you in the morning, Stark." Then she winked at him.

That made him smile. Bran walked back to the tent he and Jojen shared, with Summer following behind him.

Jojen was tending the fire and eating a s'more. Summer went over to him and ate the s'more from his hand, which made him laugh.

"What—are you kidding me?" Jojen complained. "Seriously, Bran, your dog needs training." He said. "He could've bit off my fingers."

"Summer wouldn't do that." Bran assured. "He's a good dog." He said, patting Summer on his head. "Anyways, I'm starting to get tired. I think I should crash. Goodnight."

That wasn't technically a lie. He wasn't sleepy yet, yes. But he was tired. Tired from all the lip exercises Meera had given him.

Bran slipped into his sleeping bag thinking about the kiss he and Meera shared. It had been his first kiss. And that's another thing he'd remember Meera for, not just his best friend's sister or one of his brother's best friends.

That kiss wasn't the end of it, it was only the beginning. The beginning of something far more complicated to explain.