Here's the second chapter. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the first chapter. I tried to make each POV section at least 1,000 words, but Brynden's sections will always be the longest. Some will still be shorter than the others.
Did not expect to gain this many followers in one chapter. I'm glad that you guys are enjoying it as I am writing this story. And thanks to all those who have reviewed so far.
First time writing as a wolf's mind, but hopefully it will get better as the story progresses.
Where was he? Brynden felt like he was walking; yet he was walking on four legs and not two. He was strong and swift, and he could feel the ground underfoot. He knew that this was a dream, yet he had never felt like this before in any of his dreams. A howl rang in the air and his head perked up, looking over in the direction his brother was at. He could smell his brothers and sisters, a familiar scent. His brother howled and he knew that he was also worried about them. There was nothing they could do but howl for them and wait.
Hearing the howl of his brother again caused him to bound off and to enter his human's chambers. Creeping through the halls of Winterfell, he slipped into his room and jumped onto his bed.
Brynden woke up startled as Shadow was on top of him, licking his face. His dark golden eyes stared into Brynden's as he licked his cheek. "It's good to see you too, boy." Brynden chuckled as he scratched Shadow's ears. A jolt of pain shot through his arm and Brynden winced as he lowered it back onto the bed. Taking in his surroundings, Brynden noted that he was back in his bedchambers.
"Brynden!" His twin brother Robb was standing up beside his bed, with a shocked look on his face. "You're awake." It was just like Robb to be worried about his younger twin.
He grinned at his brother, as Shadow curled up on the bed next to him, resting his head on his chest. "You can thank Shadow for waking me up."
"You and Bran have had us all worried sick. The others will want to know that you are up." Robb told him.
Bran, Brynden thought as he remembered how he had ended up in this mess. He still couldn't believe it when he remembered seeing Bran falling from the broken tower. His little brother had always been sure footed and if it had not been for Shadow and Bran's wolf, Brynden didn't want to think about what would have happened to Bran if he had not been there. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell, his father had told him before leaving on the hunt with Robb and the king. When father would leave for King's Landing, Robb would become the Stark in Winterfell in their father's place.
"How is Bran?" Brynden asked. Their mother was not here so Brynden guessed that Bran was in a condition worse than he was.
"Maester Luwin says that Bran will live, but it will take some time before he will be able to walk properly again. He has still yet to wake after his fall however. You took the brunt of the impact and broke your left arm. It will take time for it to heal." Robb informed him. That was why his arm hurt so badly when he had tried to lift it. Brynden was just relieved that Bran was all right.
Even if Bran had yet to wake, he was lucky that he would be able to walk again after a fall like that. Breaking his arm was a small price to pay now that Brynden knew that his little brother would recover from his fall. He sighed in relief and laid back down onto his pillow, scratching Shadow's ear with his right hand. Bran owed him big time now for breaking his fall from the broken tower. He would never let Bran forget about it for as long as he lived.
"I still can't believe that Bran fell," Brynden muttered, as he ran his right hand through his hair. Since Bran had started climbing, he had never fallen, not once. It didn't make any sense.
"None of us can," Robb agreed. "I'm certain mother will give Bran an earful when he wakes." There was no doubt in his mind that their mother would do just that.
"Almost makes me feel sorry for the poor lad," Brynden chuckled. They all knew how their mother could get when she was angry. He doubted that their mother would ever let Bran climb again after this incident, not that she would be able to stop him of course. "Are father, the girls, and Jon still here?"
The thought of not saying farewell to father and his sisters was too much for Brynden. He had no idea when he would be able to see them again as their father would be fulfilling his duties as Hand of the King for King Robert Baratheon while his sisters would be settling down in court at the Red Keep. Brynden wondered how Arya would be able to handle life in King's Landing, as his little sister had no desire to be a lady. He didn't worry that much about Jon, as Brynden would be able to visit him at the Wall when his arm was fully healed.
"They're all still here," Robb assured him. "I can go and fetch them if you would like."
"I would appreciate that," Brynden replied. He was relieved that they had not left yet without giving him the chance to say goodbye to them. Looking down at his broken arm, Brynden knew that it would be a while before he would be able to wield a sword again. Robb soon left his chambers, leaving him alone with Shadow.
Shadow looked up at Brynden and he smiled at him. It was all thanks to Shadow and Bran's wolf that Bran would be able to walk again. Robb was right when he had told Brynden that he believed that the old gods had sent the direwolves to them. Without them, Brynden doubted that he would never have known about Bran falling from the tower until it was too late. It was thanks to them that Bran would be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a knight. All Brynden could do now was hope that Bran would wake up soon.
It made Brynden wonder if Bran would still be going with father and the girls to King's Landing. He had yet to wake up and Brynden doubted that the king would stay at Winterfell forever to wait. Brynden was lucky that he had woken up while they were still here. Father would have no choice but to leave Bran behind and his brother would miss the chance to get to meet Ser Barristan Selmy. Not for the first time, Brynden wondered how it was even possible for Bran to fall with his climbing skills. Of all the days, why would Bran choose now to fall while climbing? It was the last day before they all left for the south with the king.
His thoughts were interrupted when Robb came back in with Father, Sansa, Arya, Rickon, and Jon. Arya's face lit up when she saw Brynden and Shadow lifted his head as Rickon jumped onto the bed. He was glad that Rickon had not landed anywhere near his broken arm. Jon looked relieved when he saw that he was all right. It was a shame that Brynden wouldn't get one last chance to spar with Jon before he left for the Wall with uncle Benjen. Winterfell wasn't going to be the same with Jon not around.
"How are you feeling, Brynden?" His lord father asked, with a concerned look, as Brynden messed with Rickon's hair.
"I'm fine, father, just a broken arm is all," Brynden replied.
"Sansa thought that you and Bran were going to die," Arya blurted out.
"No I did not," Sansa snapped.
"Did too," Arya shot back.
It was just like his sisters to get into an argument with each other. The two of them had never gotten along and Brynden doubted that was going to change when they were in King's Landing. Arya would certainly not enjoy life at court.
"Hey, can you two not argue for once. I just woke up." Brynden interrupted before things got out of hand. He was in no mood to deal with one of their usual arguments, even if it would be a while before he would see them again.
"Sorry," Arya apologized.
Sansa smiled. "I'm just glad that you are awake, Brynden. Now we all just have to wait for Bran."
"He'll wake up. I'm certain of it." Brynden said. It was good to know that Sansa hadn't forgotten about her family. Ever since the king and the royal family had arrived, all Sansa seemed to focus her attention on these days was the crown prince.
"When do you think you will be able to wield a sword again?" Jon asked.
"Soon, I hope," Brynden, replied. He could still use his sword hand, but it would be a pain to swing a sword while his other arm was still broken. For now, all he could do was wait for it to heal.
"Before we all know it, you'll be back in the courtyard, training with a sword again," his father said. It was still strange for Brynden when he realized that his father was now Hand of the King.
"Aye," Brynden agreed, nodding his head. It was then that he noticed that his father wanted to say something else to him when he saw the look in his eyes. What was troubling him? "Is something the matter, father?"
"Robb, take your siblings outside. I want to speak with Brynden alone for a bit." Their father commanded and Brynden noticed that Robb seemed to know what their father wanted to talk about.
"Yes, father. Arya, Rickon, come outside. You'll have plenty of time to speak with Brynden later." Robb said and led their siblings out of his chambers.
When the door was shut, father came over and sat down on the bed while Shadow rested his head back onto Brynden's chest. What could father want to talk about that he didn't want his brothers and sisters to listen to? This was not at all what he was expecting after waking up. "What is it, father," Brynden asked.
"It seems that I have you to thank for saving Bran's life," Father said.
"Not just me," Brynden said, looking down at Shadow, and scratching his ear. "If it were not for Shadow and Bran's wolf, I would never have been there when Bran fell." The wolves deserved as much credit as Brynden did for saving Bran's life, even the wolf that Bran had yet to name.
"Either way, I believe that you have earned this." His father laid out on the bed a greatsword taller than Brynden and he instantly recognized it as Ice, the ancestral sword of House Stark. Brynden couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the sword that his father had often let him handle. "Robb and I agreed that the sword should pass to you."
When Brynden had been Bran's age, he had dreamed of doing great deeds, as boys always did. As the second son, Brynden knew that he would never be able to wield Ice as the sword was used only by the Lord of Winterfell, but it didn't stop him from thinking about it. The sword would pass onto Robb though as their father's eldest son and heir. He had never believed that their father would bestow Ice onto his second son.
"Robb agreed to this," Brynden muttered, as he brushed his fingers across the scabbard. If it were not for his broken arm, Brynden would have unsheathed Ice and tested it out with Robb and the others. He still couldn't believe that this was real and wondered if he was still dreaming and had yet to wake from saving Bran from his fall. "Why?"
"Because Bran will be able to walk again because of you. You saved your brother's life, and that should be more than enough reason as to why you deserve the sword." His father told him.
"It just doesn't feel right, father," Brynden said as he rested his hand on Ice. This was Robb's birthright, not his.
"A sword's small payment for a life," Father concluded. "Take it, I'll hear no more of it, is that understood?"
"Yes, father." He knew he should be honored, and he was, but it still didn't feel right to him. Robb would be the Lord of Winterfell, not him.
"Besides, I would rather leave Ice here then take it down south with me." His father did not at all sound like he was looking forward to going to King's Landing. "I will send the others back in. Your mother will be pleased to know that you are awake." His father left his chambers, leaving Brynden alone with Shadow and Ice.
It seemed that he was going to have to get used to wielding a greatsword taller than him for now on.
His place was here, in the north, but at Catelyn's insistence, Ned had agreed to accept Robert's offer. Four days had passed since Bran had fallen and three since Brynden had woken up. He would need a new sword now to take with him to King's Landing now that he had bestowed Ice onto Brynden. No matter what his son believed, Ned knew that Brynden had earned it for saving Bran's life. Ice belonged in the north as well and he was relieved that Robb agreed Brynden had earned it. Robb and Brynden had always been close as twins, compared with the rest of their siblings.
It was quiet in his solar now that Catelyn spent most of her time in Bran's bedchamber, looking after him. Maester Luwin had assured them that Bran would recover and be able to walk again, but Catelyn would take no chances. She wanted to be with Bran until he woke up. Ned wanted to stay as well for the sake of his son, but it was only a matter of time until Robert decided that they ride south for King's Landing. If his king commanded it, he had no choice but to obey for he was the king's Hand now.
Not for the first time, Ned thought that these honors should not have been his, but Brandon's. He was the eldest son and heir to Winterfell, born to be a King's Hand and father to queens, not him. Ned had never asked for this, never wanted it, but it had fallen onto him all the same when the Mad King Aerys Targaryen had his father and brother executed. He was not at all looking forward to going to King's Landing as Robert's Hand. The south was nothing but a nest of adders that he wanted to avoid.
Damn you, Robert, Ned cursed. He was no Jon Arryn, to curb the wildness of his king and teach him wisdom. Robert would do what he pleased, as he always had, and nothing Ned could say or do would change that. Winterfell was where he belonged, with Catelyn and their children. It was for Jon's sake that he was going through with this, to find out if he truly was murdered by the Lannisters as Catelyn's sister Lysa had told them. He did not know what kind of answers he would get in King's Landing and could only hope that Robert would listen when he had found them.
A sudden loud and unexpected knock came at the door, interrupting his thoughts. "What is it?"
Desmond's voice came through the door. "His Grace requests an audience, my lord."
What could Robert want with him now? He had already given Robert his answer to his offer. Ned hoped that this meeting was not about them leaving for the south. He knew that they would have to leave eventually, as they were both needed back in the capital. There was nothing keeping Robert here in the north now that he had gotten what he wanted.
"Send him in." Ned got up and crossed the room as Robert was shown in. "Your Grace."
"Enough with the formalities, Ned, we are more than that. I thought I told you the first time." Robert shook his head. He had not forgotten, but Robert was his king now and his liege lord. "Address me as if we were back in the Eyrie, when we were just boys, not kings or lords."
"We aren't those boys anymore, Robert," Ned said as he offered Robert a seat. "We both have a responsibility now to the realm."
Robert gave a small, spiteful laugh. "You always were the more serious one, Ned. But you are right, we aren't those boys anymore." It was still hard for Ned to believe that this was the same Robert he had known all those years ago. "I am sorry about your sons, but I hear that the elder one is already up and about."
"Brynden," Ned told him. Ever since his second son had gotten out of bed, Brynden had spent most of his time admiring Ice and checking in on Bran. He had always been close with the younger ones.
"Ah, yes, Brynden. He is named after Catelyn's uncle, the Blackfish, if I recall." Robert smiled.
"He is," Ned nodded. Catelyn's father, Lord Hoster Tully had not at all been pleased when she had named their second son after the brother he had disowned. According to Catelyn, Ser Brynden Tully was the one she and her siblings would run to with their problems and stories. He wanted to take Brynden with him to the capital, but believed that his son's place was in the north.
"I'm surprised the Blackfish didn't come with your wife and sons to Winterfell as the lad is his namesake. He should have felt obligated to protect your son, as I am with Jon's son."
But not obligated to bestow his son with his rightful title as Warden of the East. The memory was still bitter in Ned's mind, as he still couldn't believe that Robert would deny Jon Arryn's son his birthright, even if he were still a child. He decided to push it out of his mind for now as he was in no mood to get into an argument with Robert. He was still conflicted about going south with Robert as the King's Hand. Ned wanted more than anything to refuse Robert's offer, but he had already agreed to it, and there was no turning back now.
"He decided to enter into Jon Arryn's service before the boys were born." Lord Hoster Tully had taken it as a personal rejection when Ser Brynden had informed him of his intentions and had disowned him afterwards. The Blackfish eventually came to serve Jon Arryn as Knight of the Gate.
"A shame," Robert muttered then shook his head. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, as I know you are still waiting for your other son to wake up, but it is time for us to leave. We have stayed here longer than I had expected to. I'm sorry, Ned."
"I understand." He should have expected that this was the real reason why Robert was here. "When will leave?"
"On the morrow," Robert replied. "You may say your farewells until then." Robert then took his leave, leaving Ned alone once more in his solar.
The moment that Eddard Stark had been dreading had finally come. It was time for him to say farewell to the family he would be leaving behind at Winterfell.
It was hard for Jon to believe that this could be his last time in Winterfell, as he slowly climbed the steps to Bran's bedchambers. Ghost padded silently beside him. For days, Jon had been waiting for a chance to say his farewell to Bran, but Lady Stark had remained by his bed, day and night, never leaving his side, despite being informed that Bran would be able to walk again when he woke. Jon had run out of time waiting for a chance to say farewell, as uncle Benjen was preparing to return to the Wall, and had told Jon to say his finale farewells.
Ghost nuzzled at Jon's hand as he reached the landing outside of Bran's room. He took courage in that and was relieved when he saw that Brynden was was also inside with Lady Stark. Strapped over Brynden's back was Ice, the Valyrian steel greatsword of House Stark. Ever since their father had bestowed Ice to Brynden, he had kept it in his sight at all times, and took it with him wherever he went. His wolf Shadow sensed their presence and turned around to greet Jon and Ghost. He suddenly realized that this would also be Ghost's last time to see his littermates as it was for Jon and his siblings.
Lady Stark looked over from her conversation with Brynden. "What are you doing here?"
Brynden spun around, but frowned at the tone his mother had used to greet Jon. "Jon."
"I came to say farewell to Bran and to Brynden," Jon said, steadying himself. Now was not the time for him to be afraid as his eyes met hers. Lady Stark looked as though she had aged twenty years.
"You've said it. Now go away."
"Mother!" Brynden cried out, and Jon could hear the appalled tone in his voice, directed at Lady Stark. Brynden was always the one who would stick up for Jon whenever his mother would make Jon feel unwelcomed and unwanted. He was also the only one of his brothers to take after their lord father like Jon and had grown closer to when Robb had begun to befriend Theon. Brynden had never trusted Theon as his family had rebelled against the Iron Throne, causing their father to leave to go to war. He would sometimes treat Theon like how Lady Stark treated Jon.
"It's alright, Brynden," Jon assured him. He would face worse dangers than Catelyn Tully Stark as a Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch at the Wall. He would not be able to rely on Brynden forever to shield him from Lady Stark's wrath.
"I told you to leave," she said.
"He's my brother," Jon said. He was grateful that Brynden was not interfering as he had to do this himself.
"Shall I call the guards?" Brynden narrowed his grey eyes, cold as ice, at his mother, and balled his hand into a fist.
"Call them," Jon said, defiant. "You can't stop me from seeing him." He crossed the room, keeping the bed between them, and looked down on Bran where he lay.
"Bran," he said, "I'm sorry I didn't come before. I was afraid." He could feel the tears rolling down his cheeks. Jon no longer cared. "We're all waiting for you to wake up. Me, Brynden, Robb, and the girls, everyone . . . "
Lady Stark was watching. She had not raised a cry. Jon took that for acceptance. Outside the window, the direwolf howled again. The wolf that Bran had not had time to name.
"I have to go now," Jon said. "Uncle Benjen is waiting. I'm to go north to the Wall. We have to leave today, before the snows come." He remembered how excited Bran had been at the prospect of the journey. It was more than he could bear, the thought of leaving him behind like this, wondering if he would ever wake up. Jon brushed away his tears, leaned over, and kissed his brother lightly on the lips.
"I wanted him to stay here with me," Lady Stark said softly.
Jon watched her, wary. He did not know whether she was addressing him, Brynden, or both of them.
"I prayed for it," she said dully. "He was my special boy. I went to the sept and prayed seven times to the seven faces of god that Ned would change his mind and leave him here with me. Sometimes prayers are answered."
Brynden remained silent, staring at Lady Stark with a look that reminded Jon of their father whenever he donned the face of the Lord Stark of Winterfell.
Jon did not know what to say. "It wasn't your fault," he managed after an awkward silence.
Her eyes found him. They were full of poison. "I need none of your absolution, bastard."
Jon lowered his eyes. She was cradling one of Bran's hands. He took the other, squeezed it. "Good-bye," he said.
He had passed his brother and was at the door when she called out to him. "Jon," she said. He should have kept going, but she had never called him by his name before. He turned to find her looking at his face, as if she were seeing it for the first time.
"Yes?" he asked.
"It should have been you," she told him. Then she turned back to Bran and began to weep, her whole body shaking with the sobs. As Jon turned to leave, he saw the cold look that Brynden was giving his mother, one Jon had never seen his brother give Lady Stark before. Jon left, but heard footsteps follow him out the door. It seemed that Brynden was done talking with Lady Stark.
"I apologize for my mother's behavior. She is exhausted and worried about Bran when we both know that he will be fine when he wakes up." Despite the coldness that Brynden had directed at his mother early, Jon understood what his brother was doing. He was just trying to protect his mother's image and Jon could not blame him. He would do the same thing for his mother, wherever she was or if she was even alive.
"There's no need to apologize, brother. We both know how your mother feels about me." Jon had grown used to it, the coldness that Lady Stark had always treated him with. Where there had been a time when he would have run off and cry, it only made him angry.
It was a long walk down the yard as they walked in silence, with their wolves trailing behind them.
Outside, everything was noise and confusion. Wagons were being loaded, men were shouting, horses were being harnessed and saddled and led from the stables. A light snow had begun to fall, and everyone was in an uproar to be off.
Robb was in the middle of it, shouting commands with the best of them. He seemed to have grown of late, as if Bran's fall and his mother's collapse had somehow made him stronger. Grey Wind was at his side. His wolf approached Shadow and Ghost as they came up to greet their littermate.
"You look like a true lord now, Robb," Brynden smiled as Robb approached them. "Though still not as good looking as me."
"Shame, I thought I was looking at a mirror." They chuckled and Robb looked at Jon. He was truly going to miss his brothers and all the adventures they had together. "Uncle Benjen is looking for you," he told Jon. "He wanted to be gone an hour ago."
"I know," Jon said. "Soon."
For days before Bran had fallen, Arya could scarcely wait to be off for the capital of King's Landing. She would get to travel along the Kingsroad with her father and Sansa, and explore the places that were on the way to King's Landing. She would even get a chance to see Brynden's future seat, Moat Cailin before they left the north. Now that the day had finally arrived, she felt lost. Winterfell had been the only home she had ever known, and she would be leaving her brothers and mother behind. She wished that Bran was coming with them as now it was just going to be her and Sansa going to King's Landing.
It saddened her that Bran had yet to wake from his fall when Brynden had woken up a day after the incident. She had visited Bran a few times while also wanting to see her mother, as she had not left Bran's side since the fall, and had cried soon afterwards when she was alone. It was hard for her to look at Bran in the state he was in, despite being assured by Maester Luwin and her family that Bran would recover and be able to walk again. If only Bran would wake so that he could come with them and not leave her alone with Sansa.
Then there was Jon's farewell Arya was dealing with. She didn't understand why Jon had to go to the stupid Wall anyways. He could have simply gone with her and father to King's Landing, or stayed with Robb and Brynden in Winterfell, with his family. Yet Jon had gone off north with uncle Benjen and the Queen's funny little brother ahead of the king. Arya had watched them leave with Brynden, holding back the tears as she did so. Arya and Brynden had always been close with Jon, as they were the only ones to take after father. She knew that Brynden had taken Jon's departure harder than she had, as he had known Jon longer than her.
Amidst all the commotion of the royal departure, Arya had searched for a place to hide Needle, dodging the men shouting and horses snorting. She had to find a good place to hide Needle, as she didn't want Sansa or Septa Mordane to find about about the gift Jon had given her before he had left. Once she had found a good spot, Arya made her way back to the South Gate where they would be saying farewell to Brynden and the others. Her mother had not come as she had locked herself up with Bran in his bedchambers.
As Arya approached the South Gate, she saw Brynden by Robb's side, with Ice strapped onto his back. Father had a new sword strapped to his belt as he said his farewell to Brynden and Robb, with Jory Cassel lingering in the back. Sansa was with them along with Septa Mordane and Jeyne Poole. Not for the first time, Arya wished that she could stay at Winterfell, as it would just be her and Sansa down in King's Landing with their father.
"Arya, where you have been?" Father asked, as Arya made her presence known with Nymeria trailing behind her. Nymeria greeted Lady, Shadow, and Grey Wind, as Arya joined the group.
"Not getting into any trouble, were we, little sister?" Brynden asked, with a grin on his face.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Arya replied, with her own grin, causing her brothers to chuckle. She wished that her mother were here to say farewell and for Bran to wake up.
"Just try not to get into any fights with Sansa while you are away," Brynden said. Whenever their father and mother weren't around, it was always Brynden who would end any fights that Arya would get into with Sansa.
"That will never happen, brother," Robb said.
"No promises, my lord." Her brothers laughed at Arya's impression of Sansa, while Sansa frowned at her. The memory of their laughter warmed her on the long ride south.
I planned to have five POV sections for this chapter, with a Catelyn one at the end, but decided to stop for this chapter.
Reviews
jeanne d'arc: I'll do my best to make Brynden not like those other OC's that you have read. If I start to fall into that pit, let me know, and I'll do my best to fix it.
