It's been a while since Bran's fall. I can't tell how long it's been. I've been at his bedside with Catelyn, praying for my visions of him being okay to come true. All the days seem to run into each other. I've told Catelyn, Ned, Robb, Jon, Sansa, Arya, Maester Luwin, and many others whom have come to visit that the boy will survive, but sometimes I do not fully understand my visions. Maybe I read into them the wrong way. Jaime has tried to talk to me many times since the incident, but I simply ignore him. I haven't even spoken to Tyrion. I hope he gets mad at his brother for my neglect of him.
I hold Bran's left hand with both of mine. I close my eyes and pray silently to the Gods. The old mostly, but really to any higher being that could possibly be out there. I pray for my visions to ring true and for the boy to live. I hear Catelyn making her offering to the Gods. They keep her busy whenever one of the children is extremely ill, and she believes it helps with getting the Gods to help the poor child. The door to Bran's room is open and I hear footsteps gradually getting louder as they get closer. They're light, so it can't be any of the men, yet they're too heavy to be from a child. I only recognize the person when they speak.
"Please." My anger builds as I hear the queen's voice. She's half of the reason my nephew is in this mess.
"Oh, I would've dressed, Your Grace." Catelyn tells her.
"This is your home. I'm your guest." The queen replies. I stay quiet as the woman walks closer to the bed. "Handsome one, isn't he?" She starts. "I lost my first boy. A little black-haired beauty. He was a fighter too-" I take a deep breath to calm myself as she tells her story. I'm not fond of her to begin with, then she causes this to happen to Bran. But now, she's trying to open up to another grieving mother. "Tried to beat the fever that took him. Forgive me. It's the last thing you need to hear right now."
"I never knew." Catelyn says.
"I'm surprised your little Oracle said nothing." The queen points out.
"It was a private matter." I respond. "If you wished to tell us you would have sent word. It was not my business to tell anyone." This was true. I knew of the poor boy's fate, and never told a soul.
"I thank you for that." She says to me. before addressing Catelyn once again. "Robert was crazed, beat his hands bloody on the wall, all the things men do to show you how much they care." There is a pause before she continues. "The boy looked just like him. Such a little thing... a bird without feathers. They came to take his body away and Robert held me. I screamed and I battled, but he held me. That little bundle. They took him away and I never saw him again. Never visited the crypt, never." Another pause as she tries to gather herself and keep her emotions in check as much as possible. "I pray to the Mother every morning and night that she return your child to you."
"I am grateful." Catelyn thanks her.
"Perhaps this time she'll listen." With that last word the queen turns and leaves the room. Catelyn and I sit in silence, praying for the boy laying before us on the bed. I don't know how long it's been when a knock sounds at open door.
"Hey Cat." I hear Benjen's voice address the other woman in the room. "How you holding up?" He asks her.
"As well as I can be." She answers.
"We could both use some food, though." I say as I stand from my chair. "Could you escort me to the kitchens to get some food for the both of us?" I ask my brother.
"Of course." He replies. "I'll say my goodbyes to the boy when we get back." He comes over and takes my hand before guiding me to the door and down the hall. Once I felt we were a good distance down the hall I start a conversation with Benjen.
"Thank you." I tell him. "I was beginning to think I would be stuck in there all day." It may seem like a joke, but I can't be more serious.
"Well, it's my duty to help you in any way I can while I'm here." His words drive my emotions down a bit further.
"You're leaving today aren't you?" I ask him. There is a pause, then a sigh, before he answers my question.
"I'm afraid so, little Ara." I grip onto his arm as tight as I can.
"I have a bad feeling I won't be around you ever again once you leave." I tell him.
"If that's what the Gods have decide for us, then it's for a reason." He says. "It has to be."
"You have so much faith in the way the Gods want our lives." I tell him.
"Well, they made you an Oracle." He points out. "That has to be for some reason."
"I can barely decipher my dreams most of the time." I shake my head as I continue. "If I were meant to do something great with what I have, I would be able to read my visions with no problem."
"Perhaps you will do something great in the future, Ara" He stops us in the hallway and turns me so I'm facing him. "It just means you're not meant to know everything just yet." I feel his hand caress the right side of my face. "I know you'll understand your part in this world, as I have mine."
"I could have prevented what happened to Bran." I tell him. "What purpose could harm coming to that boy serve?" Benjen pulls me into his chest and embraces me in the tightest hug he's ever given me. It's then I realize I've started crying. He can't stand it when I cry. He's always told me that seeing me cry causes him to cry.
"I'm sure the Gods have plans for our little nephew." He tells me in a shaky voice that only I can hear. The sound of footsteps coming towards us break us apart. "Well, Kingslayer, I'm sure you're happy to be leaving soon." I take a deep breath as I grasp onto my brother's arm once again.
"Yes," Came the answer. "I do find it quite dull here without anyone new to talk to." That was a comment towards me I'm sure. I haven't talked to him since Bran's 'accident'.
"Benjen, I'm quite hungry." I tell him to change the subject to something that doesn't concern Jaime. "I'm sure our sister-in-law is as well. Let's go to get some food."
"Yes, let's go get you two some food then." My twin replies. "Have a nice day, Kingslayer." He directs the comment towards Jaime as we walk by him. We walk in silence the rest of the way to the dining area. Benjen helps me sit and get some food before making a plate for Catelyn and leaving to bring it to her. As Benjen leaves I hear two voices enter. One is excited and almost seems to be jumping around with happiness. The other is chuckling at the other.
"Jon what has happened to little Arya that she's so happy?" I ask the two with a smile. "You two know you're both leaving me. You can't be that happy." I joke. Arya's happy footsteps break into a run as she comes closer to me.
"Can I tell you a secret?" She asks me.
"I won't tell a soul." I tell her. She leans closer to my ear to whisper her secret to me.
"Jon got me a sword." She says. "I've named it Needle."
"Is that so?" I react with a skeptical nod of my head. "Well, I bet you'll do great things with your Needle." I tell her.
"Really?" She asks.
"Oh yes." I say. "You only need to hone your skills and you will be a fearsome foe to many." I feel the young girl's joy emanate from her in waves until a new person enters the room.
"Arya!" The scolding voice of Septa Mordane shouts out. "Have you folded your things properly, as I've said?" Arya pauses before running away, hoping the Septa wouldn't catch up to her. Jon and I chuckle at the little girl's actions. Jon sits across the table from me and starts to pick at some of the food on the table.
"At least you won't be completely alone up at the wall." I break the silence between us.
"I'm sure Uncle Benjen won't be around the entire time." Jon replies.
"Sure, not all the time, but you'll have a familiar face roaming around Castle Black somewhere." I clarify with a smile. "You already have a leg up on everyone else there."
"How so?" He asks.
"You'll learn that the stories of the types of people who are stationed at the wall are not always the truth. In fact they are mostly lies." I tell him.
"Serving at the wall is a noble cause."
"I do not doubt that, my nephew. But the Wall is not as it once was many years ago when those stories were told." I inform the boy.
"Did you see something in a vision?" He asks me and I giggle.
"No." I answer." Benjen tells me of the things that go on up there in his letters. Whenever he can get a chance to write one to me. He's told me of the criminals that they've had to take in because there are no noble knights willing to take the vows of the Night's Watch."
"I have to believe those stories, Aunt Ara." Jon sounds sad and desperate. "Or I won't go."
"Then don't, Jon. Stay here. With your family." I suggest as I feel the sting of tears at my eyes.
"But I must." Jon fiercely voices. "I don't belong here."
"This is your home Jon. You do belong here." I feel the tears break free and make their way down my face as the boy sitting across from me stands from his seat and runs around the table to get to me. "And anyone who says otherwise is a fool." I feel his arms circle my shoulders as he hugs me from behind.
"Please." The boy says in my ear with a shaky voice, just as Benjen had done earlier. "I must do this."
"You are just like your uncle." I say to try and lift the emotional heaviness in the room. I lift my hands up to wipe at my eyes.
"I'll take that as a compliment." I smile at the boys words. He releases me before sitting next to me. He gently turns my head to face him even though he knows I can't see him anyway. "I want to make people proud of me." I go to say something, but he stops me by speaking over me. "I already know you are, dear aunt, but I want everyone to be proud of me. I will be a disappointment if I stay." I close my eyes and take a deep breath to calm myself. I have such a bad feeling about my family leaving Winterfell. I fear I will never be in their living presence again. I feel Jon come closer and press a kiss to my forehead. "Pray for me." I can hear the smile in his voice.
"You know I always do." I force a smile as more tears cascade down my cheeks. He wipes them away with his thumb before standing.
"I must say goodbye to Bran." He tells me.
"Go." I tell him. "Perhaps your voice will rouse him from his deep sleep."
"Perhaps." With that, my nephew leaves the room and my two brothers walk in laughing and joking with each other. It causes my tears to dry up and my frown to turn to a smile.
"Sister, have you been crying?" Ned asks me.
"Yes, I've cried too much today." I chuckle.
"You'll probably do more once we leave." He points out.
"Of course I will." I say. "What if these are the last moments you two are around me?" I ask. "I have not been shown another meeting among the three of us." The two get closer. "And it scares me." They sit down on either side of me.
"You can always come with us." Ned says from my left.
"She won't go." Benjen says from my right. "She would hate the Capital."
"He's right." I tell Ned. "It's a dangerous place for anyone whom enters it's gates." I point out. "You need to be careful, brother."
"I will be." He answers.
"I know you, and I know you won't be as careful as you need to be." I say as I feel my face heat up in anger and my hands ball up into fists on the table. I feel Ned's hand cover my fist and it calms me down a little.
"I know I will be in your presence again, Ara." He tells me. "I feel it." He takes hold of my hand as my fist relaxes. "Do not worry so much, dear sister." He leans forward and kisses my temple. "If you worry too much it may kill you." I chuckle a little as he stands from the table. "I'm going to go visit Cat and Bran. Would you like to come with me?" He asks. I shake my head to deny his offer. "Will you see us off then?"
"I suppose I should." I answer. Ned ruffles my hair before leaving. His actions make me smile.
"He has such a positive outlook, and that could kill him before my worry does." I comment to Benjen as he sits next to me still.
"Only the Gods know the truth." He comments. "Come, escort me to the stables. I must get my horse ready for the journey." He stands and grabs my hand, helping me to stand. We walk in silence to the stables and I stand nearby as Benjen saddles up his steed and loads up his minimal belongings.
"Lady Ara!" I hear the voice of the only lion I feel I can talk to. "It's so nice to see you outside and walking around."
"Yes. It's nice to breathe in the fresh air, Lord Tyrion." I smile at him.
"I know you're mad at my brother for some reason, but it seems I've fallen under his punishment this whole time I've been here. It's caused much friction between my brother and I."
"I am truly sorry about that, but making you mad at the Kingslayer has made me happy." I joke. I know that Jaime loves his brother more than anyone else in their family. Having the small man mad at Jaime could set the knight straight. It could help him see the wrong he's done to me.
"You don't usually call him that." I hear the sadness in the small Lannister's voice. We sit in silence until Benjen comes over.
"I think we're ready to head out." I hear him say.
"I suppose we are." Tyrion replies to my brother. "I'm going to visit the Wall with your brother and nephew." He informs me. "I hope to see you on my way back."
"I hope so, as well, dear friend." I tell him. Benjen calls over Robb and Theon.
"Make sure she gets back inside once we've gone." Benjen tells them.
"Of course, uncle." Robb says. The three of us stand in the courtyard and watch as everyone begins leaving. I take deep breaths to keep my emotions at bay. Once they are all gone Robb walks me back to Bran's room. As we make our way down the hallway to Bran's room we hear Maester Luwin and Catelyn talking in loud voices.
"I don't care about appointments!" Catelyn shouts at the man. Robb walks me into the room and speaks.
"I'll make the appointments." My eldest nephew says. "We'll talk about it first thing in the morning."
"Very good, my lord." Maester Luwin replies. "My lady." Maester Luwin addresses me. I nod in acceptance at his words. "My lady." He says to Catelyn before leaving the room. Robb leads me to the chair on the side of Bran's bed and helps me sit before going to the window to open the shudder. Howling can be heard outside.
"When was the last time you left this room?" My nephew asks his mother.
"I have to take care of him." Catelyn answers.
"He's not going to die." I tell her.
"Maester Luwin says the most dangerous time has passed." Robb reminds her.
"What if he's wrong?" She asks. "What if you're wrong, Ara? Bran needs me."
"Rickon needs you." Robb tells her. There is a short pause filled by the continued howling outside. "He's six. He doesn't know what's happening. He follows me around all day, clutching my leg, crying-"
"Close the windows!" Catelyn bursts out as I hear the shake in her voice. "I can't stand it! Please make them stop!" There is another pause until Robb breaks it.
"Fire." He sounds surprised and slightly fearful. "You two stay here. I'll come back." Robb's running footsteps carry him out of the room. I grab Bran's small hand and start praying for everything to just stop. I hear the bells ringing outside and Catelyn stands and walks over to the window. She looks out the window and stops walking. I hear very soft footsteps come into the room. If I didn't have slightly better than normal hearing I would not have heard him.
"Cat?" I call out to her.
"You're not supposed to be here." I hear a man's voice say. "No one's supposed to be here. It's a mercy. He's dead already." I hear the man remove a blade from it's sheath and begin walking towards the bed.
"No!" Cat yells as I hold onto Bran tighter and continue to pray. I hear the struggle, but I can't do anything to help. Someone is thrown to the floor and all that can be heard in heavy breathing. It doesn't last too long, though. I hear the growling of one of the dire wolves them the screaming of the man. The ripping of flesh makes it's way to my ears and I calm down enough to loosen the grip on my nephew's hand. The sounds stop and I feel the bed move a little as the wolf jumps on the bed. It comes closer to Bran and licks and nuzzles my face before laying down on the bed next to Bran. It doesn't take long for Rob and Theon to run into the room.
"Mother!" Robb shouts as he goes to her. No doubt she was harmed by the attacker's blade. "Your hands. What happened?"
"Someone came to kill Bran." I say from my seat.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Theon asks me.
"I'm fine. He didn't get to me." I tell the two boys. "Catelyn fought him off then this amazing creature finished him off." I reach out to the dire wolf still laying on the bed and softly pet him.
"Theon, send for Maester Luwin." Robb orders the boy. The Maester is brought to the room and Catelyn is taken away to get her taken care of. Then, Theon helps me to my room where my handmaidens help me clean the blood from my skin where the wolf rubbed its own bloody muzzle on me. They get me dressed for sleep. They tuck me in and leave me with my thoughts. They are all of the fear I felt. I could do nothing. What could I have done? Nothing. If I had tried to fight it would have been easy for me to just walk into the blade. Sometimes I curse my blindness.
The next morning I am awakened by Robb. He lets my handmaids in to help me get ready for the day. We break our fast and then Catelyn calls a meeting between me, Robb, Theon, Rodrick, and Theon. Theon leads me to where we are all meeting and Catelyn speaks.
"What I am about to tell you must remain between us." She starts. "I don't think Bran fell from that tower. I think he was thrown."
"The boy was always sure-footed before." Maester Luwin. I nodded at his words.
"Someone tried to kill him twice." Catelyn says. "Why? Why murder an innocent child? Unless he saw something he wasn't meant to see."
"Saw what, my lady?" Theon asks.
"I don't know. Ara would have a better idea than I." Catelyn answers.
"I only saw the boy falling from the tower." I lie. "I didn't see the cause of it."
"I would stake my life the Lannisters are involved." Catelyn adds. "We already have reason to suspect their loyalty to the Crown."
"Did you notice the dagger the killer used?" Rodrick asks. "It's too fine a weapon for such a man. The blade is Valyrian steel, the handle dragonbone. Someone gave it to him."
"They come into our home and try to murder my brother?" Robb states. "I know you are friends with them, Aunt Ara, but if it's war they want-"
"If it comes to that, you know I'll stand behind you." Theon interrupts.
"What, is there going to be a battle in the Godswood?" Maester Luwin asks them. "Huh?"
"Too easily words of war become acts of war." I voice my opinion. "The truth is still unknown." A pause of silence ensues before Maester Luwin breaks it.
"Lord Stark must be told of this."
"I don't trust a raven to carry these words." Catelyn voices her concern. I nod my head in agreement.
"I'll ride to King's Landing." Robb offers.
"No." Catelyn rejects. "There must always be a Stark in Winterfell."
"But, Aunt Ara would-"
"You thank you for your faith in me, nephew, but I will be at Bran's bedside for as long as it takes for the boy to wake. I will be of no use to Winterfell until that happens." I tell the boy.
"It's settled then, I will go myself." Catelyn says.
"Mother, you can't." Robb tries to fight the decision that's already been made in his mother's mind.
"I must."
"I'll send Hal with a squad of guardsmen to escort you." Rodrick offers.
"Too large a party attracts unwanted attention." Catelyn points out. "I don't want the Lannisters to know I'm coming."
"Let me accompany you at least." Rodrick says. "The kingsroad can be a dangerous place for a woman alone." There is a slight pause before Catelyn finally accepts his help.
"What about Bran?" Robb asks.
"I have prayed to the Seven for more than a month." Catelyn answers. "And Ara has said that she will continue for as long as it takes. Bran's life is in their hands now."
Later in the day, Catelyn says her goodbyes to everyone including Bran. She engulfs me in a tight hug and I can't help the tears falling down my face. I didn't get the same feeling as when Ned left, but my family is growing smaller and smaller around me. We pull apart, and she wipes my tears away.
"We shall see each other again, dear Ara." She tells me.
"I know." I say as I calm myself. "Can you tell Ned that I miss him?"
"Of course." She answers before leaving me in Bran's room. I sit next to my nephew and pray for him as I hold his little hand in mine. At some point I fall asleep.
When my eyes open I can see. This dream is already moving slower than usual. I look around to see Bran standing in the courtyard of Wintefell. Actually standing. He's aiming his bow at an unknown target. A raven flies into the area. Both Bran and I watch as it lands on a wooden cart near the front gate. He doesn't even look back at me as he slowly releases the strain on the bowstring and follows the bird. When he gets closer, the raven flies farther away. I follow Bran as he follows the raven. As we get closer, the raven flaps it's wings to fly farther away.
The creature leads us down to the crypt. The dark wet feeling is not enjoyable, which is why I rarely visit even while awake. The raven's caws reverberate off the walls. It almost echoes. Bran walks forward but this time the raven stays put. He stops walking and just stares at the bird. I walk up behind him and smile at the carrier of an amazing message. I put my hand on my nephew's shoulder. He looks up at me and I smile down at him. We look back at the bird as it turns to look at us. I see it's third eye and know that this little boy will become something incredible.
"You're going to be just fine, Bran." I tell him. "You'll do great things."
I wake to the feeling of the little hand I'm holding, squeezing mine.
"Bran?" I ask. Testing to see if the boy is awake.
"Aunt Ara." He answers back. A smile grows on my face as I bring his hand up to kiss it. "You were in my dream."
"I know." I answer.
"You had ice blue eyes." I nod at his comment. "Could you see?" I nod once again. "What did that all mean?" He asks me. "Am I like you now?"
"To some extent, yes." I answer him. "But you will become something even more remarkable than I." I feel the boy start to move around, and I can feel his panic take over. "Be calm." I say as I squeeze his hand.
"Why can't I feel my legs?" He asks me. "What happened?"
"You fell." I tell him.
"I know."
"Do you remember how it happened?" I ask. I feel him move, probably to shake his head, but he remembers that I am actually unable to see him and he voices his answer.
"I don't." Once his words leave his mouth I hear the running from down the hall.
"He's awake!" I yell to them. The running only becomes quicker, and soon Robb and Theon barge into the room. There are many shouts of excitement, and joyful celebrating ensues. Later in the night I am led back to my bedchamber and my handmaids help me get ready for sleep.
Once in bed, I think about the good fortune of my family. Sure, there have been some bad events recently, but I have faith that our family will survive anything that comes our way. My thoughts then go to the golden knight, Jaime Lannister. I miss him and Tyrion dearly. I do believe I miss Jaime the most, though. When I think of him, it's mostly good, but his deliberate act of harm against my nephew is hard to forgive. I can't forgive it.
A/N: Sorry this update took so long. I was thinking about where this story could go. I would love to know what you guys think about my story so far. Where do you think it'll go? I would love to read your comments and reviews.