My Sweet Cripple
(Btw if anyone is wondering about her being a Warg or not she has Stark Blood but that's not the only determining factor and her ability only appears to work with Flare no one else. Think of it as she Warg's but only because of her insistence to protect Bran)
"Flare stop pulling on my dress ow" Laria complained as Flare tugged at her dress in a panic "I'm coming please stop ow! You bit my leg silly pup!" Laria followed her pup who led Laria from the room she had been in down the halls and towards part of the old buildings where she knew she'd find Bran climbing and her breath caught when she realized what it was Flare was leading her to "Bran!" Flare whined causing Laria to glance over at her pup who licked faces with her brother as Summer whined back apparently glad to see his sister but was in distress and looked over at Laria with a worried look "Alright then Summer lead on." Summer bolted suddenly with Flare and Laria close behind him as he ran toward the old walls suddenly stopping kneeling down near something on the grass. "No" Laria breathed out as she saw it was Bran lying there in an awkward position on the ground "Bran no what happened?!" Looking around Laria cried out hoping that someone could hear her as tears fell down her face "Somebody help! Somebody!"
"Oh my poor boy" Catelyn said looking down at Bran with tears in her eyes a few days after he had been found both her and had Laria never left his side and had been pretty much silent since "My sweet boy what happened to you?" "I found him on the ground in front of the place he likes to climb" Laria said distraught tears would come again ever now and then to fall down her face as she gazed at Bran's face which she knew although peaceful looking might never wake again "He was lying there and he just looked so terrible, oh mother what if he dies?" "Shush child don't say such things" Catelyn said pulling Laria in close for an embrace "He will pull thru make no mistake of it dear, he's a wolf after all." "I know" Laria said after a moment nodding silently "I know I just wish I could've prevented it…" "I know you love him" Catelyn said shaking her head "But you can't spend your days here in his room." "The seven hells I can't" Laria said arguing back and placed a hand onto Bran's hand breathing with a sigh as she looked at her mother determinedly "I can't leave him mother… I won't." Stunned into silence at her daughter's insistence Catelyn stared for a moment as if she could see the future and saw that the two of them would survive as long as they had each other giving her daughter a nod and took a seat in her chair looking over at Laria "If you insist upon it then I will allow you to stay here with me while we watch over him, however if you are going to stay here with me than I need you to do some sewing so pick up a needle." "Fine" Laria said picking up the needles "What are we making?" "A blanket for your brother" Catelyn said earning a small smile from Laria as she proceeded to continue with the sewing "I think he'll like it when it's done." "I'm sure he will" Laria said noting that they were making a grey blanket with the vigil of a Dire wolf sewn into the middle for the Stark family and Laria felt that with each stitch she made she was adding more love into the blanket watching as Flare and Summer lied on opposite sides of Bran protecting him.
"Sister" Sansa asked coming into the room as Laria lied in the tub Catelyn having finally convinced her to get out bathe and eat "Oh sorry I've come at a bad time I'll come back later." "No please come in it's fine we're both ladies after all" Laria said glancing over her shoulder as her hair clung to her back and boobs covering them slightly and motioned to the stool next to the tub "Take a seat and tell me what troubles you sister." "Well I wanted to first apologize for before for being so rude to you" Sansa said taking a seat as she looked down at her older sister envious of how round and desirable her chest was becoming and wondered what she'd look like when she was fully grown "I understand that I was being silly and rude for to you when I forgot that Joffrey only has eyes for me, it was stupid on my part." "Huh oh yes I guess it was pretty stupid" Laria said feeling that the conversation was in fact even stupider "I was just worried about losing you is all." "I was hoping that you'd come and see me off tomorrow when I leave for King's Landing" Sansa said her eyes full of hope "I know after we leave and Jon leaves it'll be tougher for you since you'll be more alone." "Of course I'll come to see you off" Laria said smiling softly at her sister "And father and Arya as well since it'll be some time before I see you again and well I'd be so saddened if I didn't get in a proper farewell with my family." "I know I feel the same way too" Sansa said standing up with a small bow "Well then I'll see you later sister." "Yes see you later" Laria said watching as she walked away and closed the door while Flare came over and placed her nose into her owner's hand earning a sigh from Laria as she stroked her wolf affectionately "What do you think Flare a bit of a dreamer is she not?" Flare made a noise in the back of her throat of agreement before nuzzling further into Laria's hand as Laria smiled and began to scratch her ears "Your so much like me wolf it doesn't surprise me at all while I picked you, you know to protect your siblings as well… Now what do you say we go and see if Bran again?" Making another sound that Laria knew was one of agreement she stood up out of the tub to get ready hoping that a decent sleep by her still comatose brother's side would bring her enough courage to say goodbye to half of her family members.
"Arya I will miss you dearly" Laria said placing something into Arya's hands that had Arya glance at her sister curiously blinking at it "What's this sister?" "It's my trusted Valyrian steel dagger" Laria said unsheathing it with a small smile "I heard that Jon was making you a sword and well I thought this might help you as well if you would learn how to use a dagger properly, this way you'll have a piece of me to carry with you." "Thank you sister it's lovely" Arya said placing the dagger back in its sheath before she embraced her sister happily practically jumping up on her "I will carry it with me always." "Good I'm glad you like it" Laria said chuckling softly "You be good for father now you hear." "I will don't worry" Arya said nodding sweetly "Can't help it though if Sansa gets on my nerves though." "I heard that Arya" Sansa said making a face as she came in the room and Arya chuckled under breath before leaving letting her two sister have their privacy "I thought you were going to watch us ride off Laria, I guess this is goodbye." "Not so fast Sansa" Laria said shaking her head amused by her sister's ability to put a damper in the mood so easily "I will watch you ride off with father but before I do I thought both you and Arya would like a gift and since I gave Arya my dagger I had this made for you." "Oh sister" Sansa said as Laria held out to her a silver circle pendant with the Stark Dire Wolf sigil carved in the center the pendant held on by a metal chain "It's beautiful thank you but why did you make this for me?" "So you'll never forget me or the rest of your family" Laria said and pointed to her own identical necklace "Robb and Bran made this me for my last name day, always remember you're a Stark Sansa." "I will sister" Sansa said as Laria put the necklace around her neck "Thank you I will treasure this dearly." "Now if you will walk with me I do believe I have father left to say goodbye to" Laria said as she and Sansa locked arms and walked towards the front entrance "Actually I do believe it's only goodbye for now and not farewell forever correct?" "Of course" Sansa said nodding "I will come and visit you whenever I can after I become Queen, this is my home after all."
"Hello father" Laria said slightly bowing as Sansa let go of her arm to go to her horse while Lord Stark wanted a moment alone with his eldest daughter "Are you prepared to become the King's Hand?" "Yes I am do not worry dear I will come back when I can" Eddard said and embraced her sweetly inhaling her hair which smelled like lavender "I heard you gave Arya and Sansa gifts for their departure, so what is my gift dear?" "How bout a song" Laria said looking up at her father with an embarrassed look before she began catching the attention of everyone as her melodic voice carried "Across the hills, over the sea, thru the winters and times of heat, I will not forget you. You are my light, you are my life, you are the key, I keep out of sight. I am your pup, you are my wolf, I will follow you wherever you go. All I ask if you don't ever forget me, don't ever forget me… My papa wolf."
"I could never forget you my sweet strong pup" Eddard Stark said surprised by her sweet song "Could you write that down for me actually so I don't forget that song?" "Already done I put the scroll in your luggage" Laria said as Eddard kissed her forehead "Take care of your mother and your brothers Laria till I see you again." "Of course father" Laria said watching as he got onto his horse beside Sansa and Arya "Take care all of you remember we're a pack!" "Bye Laria" Arya and Sansa could be heard saying as they waved their horses taking off "Bye sister!" "Bye you three" Laria murmured as she watched them take off "Be safe…" The nudge by her side alerted to her Flare's prescense and she smiled petting the wolf as Flare made a sound in the back of her throat as though she could sense her owner's sadness and Laria smiled shaking her head "Come on Flare, let's go see how Bran is doing."
"You take care of him" Robb said when Laria came in and saw Rickon clinging to Robb's leg crying "He won't let me go." "Hey Rickon come here pup" Laria said her brother eagerly let go of Robb's leg and crying came over to her practically jumping into her arms as he sobbed "Shh hey what's wrong my little pup?" "Does Mama not want me anymore" Rickon asked shaking as he buried his head into her chest "She won't come and I've been asking for her for days?" "Shh no she'll always love you my pup" Laria said kissing his head sweetly as she watched Robb trying to sneak off in the background "Not so fast Robb, you need to speak to mother about this do you hear?" "Oh I know I'm going to have a word to her about this" Robb said nodding as he eyed the way Rickon was practically falling asleep in her arms "He just needs someone who knows how to deal with children right now and that's not me." "Rickon come on I'll take a nap with you" Laria said picking up her brother as Rickon mumbled something about not being sleepy but it was too muffled and obvious he was already falling asleep in her arms as she walked up the stairs toward his room with Flare and Shaggydog behind them. Laria knew Shaggydog was a bit more aggressive than the others of the pack but it appeared as though he knew to behave around Flare who was easily becoming the largest one of the pack and was like the Alpha behind Grey Wind of course the two of them practically knew how to control the others.
"Come in" Laria said when she heard the knock on the door and smiled when she looked up and saw it was Uncle Benjen who came in stepping softly as he saw that Rickon was asleep "Oh hello Uncle Benjen how are you?" "I'm alright thanks" Uncle Benjen said looking her over with a small smile as he saw how Rickon was practically clinging to her "Sweet boy isn't he?" "Yes well he's also frustrated because he feels like Mother doesn't love him anymore since she's always with Bran" Laria explained looking at her brother's sleeping face "He just fell asleep in my arms when I picked him up, poor thing I've been occupied with Bran too I feel guilty for not remembering to care for him." "I'm sure he doesn't see it like that" Benjen said approaching them and took a seat by the bed "He's worried about Bran and your mother and he's too young to understand that she's just so shaken about the whole thing that she wishes she could takeaway Bran's pain, is it true they think he'll never walk again?" "Yes it's true" Laria said looking down sadly "I don't care though he'll always be my little wolf no matter what cripple or not." "I seem to recall that I have a gift to give you before I leave" Benjen said causing Laria's eyes to light up as he pulled something from his cloak "So I thought these might suit you, I seem to recall you saying something about your feet were getting larger and you didn't have any proper snow boots that wouldn't soak thru." Looking up at the two white and fluffy snow boots Benjen held in her hand Laria let out a small sound of glee as she let one hand stroke them her smile widening as she felt the material "They're so soft." "They're rabbit boots" Benjen said nodding with a small smile and reached out softly stroking Laria's hair "Thought they might be just what you were looking for they'll certainly keep your feet warm." "Yes I think those are perfect" Laria said as Benjen set them beside him on the floor "You have to go now don't you?" "In a little bit yes" Benjen said standing up "Jon wants to say bye though before we head back for the wall and I figure you want to wish him farewell as well, I'll send him in after me Laria you take care alright." "Yes of course" Laria said and caught one of her Uncle's hands with her own placing a soft kiss on the top of it "See you when you visit next Uncle Benjen and take care of Jon for me." Chuckling Uncle Benjen nodded before he left leaving Laria to snuggle more into Rickon a protective look on her face as she gazed over at Shaggydog and Flare who were curled up on the floor next to each other the two wolves sound asleep.
"Hey look Laria I know you're probably mad at me for wanting to join the watch" Jon said as he came in and Laria motioned for him to speak more quietly gesturing to Rickon who stirred in his sleep and Jon sighed as he took the seat Benjen had been sitting in and saw Laria looking at him with a small smirk "What?" "I'm not mad at you Jon" Laria said shaking her head chuckling softly "Gods know I'm concerned for you and worry about what will happen to you out there but I know you want to do this and as your sister I will support you in your decision." "…You know I'm glad you're my sister" Jon said after a moment a relieved sigh escaping him "I was worried you were going to be like mother and chase me out when I came to say goodbye and act like me saying goodbye to Rickon is forbidden or something like she did with Bran."
"She's changed Jon she's not the same strong person she used to be" Laria said knowing someone needed to say it "I see it in her eyes seeing Bran like that it's broken her and father leaving her it's torn her apart even further so I'm sorry she treated you like that." "Well when you put it like that I can see why she's so determined to keep me away" Jon said looking down at the ground "Did she try to kick you out of there?" "Many times but for the most part I've been pretty determined at staying" Laria said looking over at Rickon "I can't keep obsessing over it though because I forgot that there's others besides Bran that need to be taken care of and I feel guilty that I almost became as broken as she is I need to remain strong for not only him but Rickon as well." "You're going to be a great mother someday" Jon said her eyes flashing over to him questioningly as Jon smiled "Rickon and Bran both adore you and even if he won't admit Robb does to, when mother couldn't be there you were kissing and patching up scratches and wounds Robb and I had from the time we were young and onward, face it someday you'll be an excellent mother."
"I'm going to miss you Jon" Laria admitted biting her lip "Promise me you'll take care of yourself." "Of course I will" Jon said as Laria unhooked something from her wrist and held it out to him "Take this then so you have a piece of me with you." Jon eyed Laria's bracelet which she had made herself some time ago the colors of white, grey and black woven into it for Stark colors a smile breaking from it as he took it from her "But this is yours." "I know but I want you to have it" Laria said watching as he put it on his wrist "I know it's not girly or anything so need to worry there Jon, wear it and don't forget who is your family." "I know and I won't" Jon said smiling and kissed her on the forehead as Rickon woke his eyes looking over at Jon as Jon sighed holding his arms open "I'm going to go to the wall Rickon." "No" Rickon said flying into Jon's arms "You can't leave I won't let you!" "Don't worry I'll come back" Jon said chuckling as Rickon buried his head into his shoulder "Until then I'm going to need you to help Robb and look out for your sister, mother and Bran… can you do that for me?" "I'll try" Rickon said wiping away at his tears as his gazed fixed onto Jon "But you better come back!" "I will" Jon insisted as he stood and placed Rickon back at Laria's side "I'll come back for you both don't you ever doubt that." The two of them watched as Jon left them before Rickon whined asking about food and amused Laria carried him downstairs where they ate together and fell asleep next to each other it seemed like the next few days flew by as Rickon didn't leave Laria's side.
Laria knew she was fast asleep so why were her eyes open and why did she feel like she was lower to the ground? Walking down the halls she knew she spied Robb outside of Bran's room and brushed up against him watching as he caught sight of her and sighed bending down and patting her on the head muttering something about how she always knew when something was wrong and opened the door letting her inside and she walked over to the bed. Jumping up she nuzzled into Summer the wolf licking her cheek as she licked him back before she lied down beside Bran on his other side and glanced down at her paws, wait paws! Now it all made sense she must be Flare and knowing her wolf Flare was protecting Bran for a reason and she stretched trying to listen to Robb's conversation with her mother. Robb appeared to be in distress telling Catelyn she needed to leave the room as Catelyn said that Bran needed her as Robb crossed got angry and mentioned Rickon and how he was clinging to Laria and Robb a lot more and Laria agreed he was too young for mother to just suddenly shun him. Catelyn argued back as Laria could hear the howling outside and Robb suddenly went silent and went towards the window becoming panicked as he told Catelyn to stay something about a fire being heard as he took off. Laria could smell the change in the atmosphere and growled when she saw the man approaching Catelyn whirling around and grabbed at the man's blade Laria barking as she leapt forwards and bit at the man's leg with a growl trying to let him release her mother when he dropped Catelyn before looking towards Bran. "Summer now" Laria felt herself say in wolf language and Summer wasted no time in hopping down and devouring the man's neck while Laria went over to her mother. Her mother looking dazed and afraid Laria gently lapped at her wounds with her tongue watching as her mother looked her over thankfully before she placed a hand upon the wolf's head "Good girl…" Making a noise in the back of her throat Laria continued to lick at her mother's wounds hoping cleaning them would help when a sudden force knocked her back and she was thrown back into darkness.
_
The next day Laria found her mother leaving the old castle and sighed when Catelyn's eyes found her a small part of her hoping her mother wouldn't hate her "Mother I know that Bran was almost assassinated last night." "How" Catelyn said looking at her daughter curiously "Who told you?" "Flare did" Laria said without thinking her mother looking as if she thought her daughter had gone crazy "Look mother I know it sounds farfetched but believe me when no one else is around it's like I can hear her thoughts and she can hear mine." "In any other circumstance I might not have believed you" Catelyn said looking at her daughter with a sad smile as she held up her hands showing the bandages "However that wolf of yours last night did something I never thought a wolf would do and I'm ever so grateful she did, somehow I believe you. If that is the case then and you know then I need you to come with me we have something we need to discuss." "Alright" Laria said looping her arm with her mother's "Whatever needs to be done I'll follow your lead." Nodding gratefully Catelyn took them back towards the castle where she soon gathered a small party and they met in the woods to discuss her findings.
"What I am about to tell you must remain between us" Catelyn said while the others looked on Laria sitting beside Robb who was standing "I don't think Bran fell from that tower… I think he was thrown." Suddenly it all made sense the dream she had seen the night before Bran had gone in a coma and how he had asked her why she hadn't stopped them to Laria it all appeared to make perfect sense. "The boy was always surefooted before" Maester Luwin said looking to the Master at Arms who appeared to agree with him as Catelyn continued "Someone tried to kill him twice…Why? Why murder an innocent child? Unless he saw something he wasn't meant to see." "Saw what Milady" Theon questioned as the others looked to Catelyn for the answer "I don't know, but I'd stake my life the Lannister's are involved. We already have reason to suspect their loyalty to the crown." "Did you notice the weapon the killer used" the Master at armssaid holding the dagger "It's too fine a weapon for such a man the blade is Valyrian steel the handle dragonbolt, someone gave it to him." "They come into our home and try to murder my brother" Robb said obviously pissed at the situation "If it's war they want…" "If it comes to that you know I'll stand behind you" Theon interrupted as Laria looked on curiously as Maester Luwin blinked "Is there going to be a battle in the Godswood huh? Too easily words of war become acts of war. We don't know the truth yet, Lord Stark must be told of this." "I don't trust a raven to carry these words" Catelyn said shaking her head as Laria silently agreed and Robb looked at them "I'll ride to King's Landing." "No" Catelyn said looking between Robb and Laria "There must always be a Stark in Winterfell, I will go myself." "Mother you can't" Robb said as Laria placed a hand on his arm knowing she didn't want their mother to go as well while Catelyn protested "I must." Laria tuned out the rest of the conversation knowing her mother wouldn't back down until she heard Robb's protest "What about Bran?" "Yes mother what about our brother" Laria said finally speaking up as their mother looked at them with sad eyes "I have prayed to the Seventh for a month, Bran's life is in their hands now." Looking at her brother sadly Laria knew their mother had made her decision and left the party shortly thereafter traveling towards Bran's room.
Catelyn later entered and went to hang up the wreath she had been working on Laria remaining silent as she watched her mother push Bran's hair back and kiss him on the forehead before turning to her. "Protect him while I'm gone" Catelyn said eyeing her daughter with a knowing look "He'll need you when he wakes." "I know" Laria said sighing sadly and ran over embracing her mother "I'll never leave his side till you return." "That's my good sweet wolf" Catelyn said placing a kiss on her cheek "Take care till then Laria they'll need someone who's as wise as you are." Nodding Laria watched her mother go not even shedding a tear before she went to join Bran again by his side.
A few nights later Laria could sense something was dreadfully wrong and opened the windows hearing the wolves and dogs howling as if something was in pain as Laria placed a hand to her head wincing in pain she felt a headache coming on. Still in Bran's room Flare jumped off the bed and joined her owner's side howling sadly as well but in a more quiet way as though she knew not to disturb Bran. "What is it" Laria questioned as Flare looked up at her "Why are they all so sad?" 'My sister will die tonight' a small whisper flickered thru Laria's mind and she knew from the warmth of the sound that it was Flare speaking to her and sat down beside her wolf as she joined in the howling knowing it was their way of mourning their lost member. A huge amount of pain suddenly entered Laria's body and she whimpered slightly before it was all gone and the howling stopped as she looked to Flare the wolf's eyes confirming what she already knew, Lady was dead. A sudden gasp had her bound up her eyes sparkling with happiness as she leapt onto the bed and smiled sweetly down at her brother and stroked a hand thru his hair "Hi…" "Hi Laria" Bran said looking up at her tiredly "How long was I asleep?" "Too long my brother" Laria said placing a kiss on his forehead "Far too long."