Begin Again

by Salamon2

After the end of A Dance with Dragons, the minds of the four youngest Stark children are sent back into their bodies at the very beginning of A Game of Thrones. Now the four youngest Stark children must cope with a return to the safety and family they lost, while the older members of the family slowly realize just how much the youngest ones have changed.

4. Bran I

BRAN

Bran knew immediately something was wrong when he felt his right foot was cold from sticking off the bed-and was shocked when his leg had upon his desire, returned to the warm enclave formed by the furs under which he'd slept.

At first he thought it was a vision, but upon rising and walking about his room, and purposely kicking his foot into his bed and stubbing his toe, he quickly determined that no-it was no vision and indeed no dream. He had not only returned to Winterfell, but he'd recovered use of his legs. But then he began to wonder if not Bloodraven had been a dream. Quickly throwing on some breeches, a tunic, and a leather jerkin over his smallclothes, he stepped into his boots and rushed out the door of his chambers.

The sun had already risen and the day was just beginning. Barely anyone was up and moving about the courtyard at this hour. For once appreciating the use of his legs he ran about the courtyard, ecstatic for no other reason than being able to run. He would not take for granted his legs ever again, this he vowed along with to henceforth being more cautious with his climbing. Sneaking into the kitchens, Bran broke his fast there and then eagerly ran out to climb one of the more sturdy walls of the castle that wasn't so high that if he fell he'd lose his legs again-or for the first time, he imagined. Doing so reminded him of the last time he'd climbed and how Summer had whined and whimpered at the foot of the Broken Tower-the last thing he had remembered of that day. But that had been part of his dream. This was reality, right?

Thinking of Summer allowed his mind momentarily to slip from himself and his climb. And in an instant he felt to be in a warm place-a relaxing heartbeat soothingly keeping time. He couldn't see anything-it was like his eyes were glued shut. He could only hear the heart, and feel the warmth, surrounded at once by his pack and a presence he'd never known before... to whom that heartbeat belonged.

The vision had been swift but meaningful, enough for him to reconsider any more climbing. Sitting down at the foot of the wall he mulled over the vision. He hadn't warged into Summer. Summer had been a part of his dream... and yet to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, he tried yet again to touch the mind of Summer-and once again found him in the dark, warm, soothing place-where time seemed to lose all meaning outside of keeping a steady beat for the heart. In what felt like a few moments, but could have been as long as a few minutes or hours later, he felt himself being shaken and he returned to his human body and looked up to see his father standing above him.

"Are you all right, my son?" There was clearly a taut and tense worry in his father's grey eyes.

"Yes father. I was only thinking."

This answer did not seem to satisfy Eddard, who then knelt down to Bran's level and felt his forehead with his leathery and well callused hands.

"You're a bit warm. I think you should see Maester Luwin."

Bran obligingly rose, but paused for a moment after he had. He was unsure of whether he really wanted to see the old Maester, until his father took his hand in his, to have him follow to the Maester's Turret above the kitchens.