AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hey-oh again. Sorry I know been a while since my last one. School started up again, so updates will be less frequent, cause I like to get good grades lol. This stuff doesn't qualify for h/w assignments. I will still be updating just don't expect one every week. I'll try to get them up as fast as I can though.

Oh and about the cliffer last time, sorry...well not really. I will however try not to do it too much. Promise.

Anyway here it is.

As always Mr. George R.R. Martin owns all rights.

A week had gone by, since the day of the tourney. Robb's lance had glanced off of the Kingslayer's shield, bouncing up to his helmet knocking it off of his head. Yet the Kingslayer was able to hold on. Robb on the other hand wasn't so lucky. The Kingslayer hit Robb dead center on his wound. He fell off of his horse almost immediately. His head hit the ground first, making a loud thump. The audience thought the impact had broken his neck, he hadn't moved a muscle. Robb was then moved to the Tower of the Hand, where he was now resting in bed unconscious.

That night, Ned had conscripted the aid of Archmaester Ebros, from his seat at the citadel in Oldtown. Archmaester Ebros was considered one of the best healers in all of Westeros, if not the best. Ned didn't trust Grandmaester Pycell. In all the meetings, he always managed to take the side that favored the Queen, and her interests. Varys had proven Pycell to be untrustworthy, he wouldn't put his son's life in his hands.

Ned was now standing at the foot of Robb's bed with his arms folded in front of him. His hand under his jaw, as he felt the scruff of his beard He looked at his first born, lying in bed. The Archmaester was currently examining him, and treating Robb as he lay in the Archmaester had told him before, that he wasn't completly sure if Robb would wake. If he remained in this state for too long, his body wouldn't be able to hold any nourishment, and his immune system will start to shut down.

"Still no change?" King Robert said, walking into the room standing besides Ned, at the foot of the bed. Ned slowly shook his head, to his longtime friend.

"I'm sorry Ned. This is my fault." Robert said looking down on the boy.

It would be too easy to blame Robert for his condition. Robb was old enough now to make his own decisions. He was going to participate in that tourney one way or another. He was like his uncle in that regard. "He only has himself to blame. He's the one who went back out there, with such an injury." He was mad at him, for going back out there, but his concern overcame any anger that he felt.

Robert put a hand on Ned's shoulder. "C'mon Ned, so you remember us at his age? Feeling invincible, like nothing in the world could dare take you down...Gods, those were the days."

Ned looked at his friend and, reluctantly agreed. He still hadn't told him about what Varys had told him about the Targaryen girl, and her supposed dragons. Not while Robb was still in this condition.

Robert gave a soft laugh from his belly. "Bloody hells I still act like that today. You on the other hand were a different case. Your boy has some of that wolfs-blood in him, like his aunt, and uncle...May the gods give them rest." Robert said looking down onto the floor.

Ned looked at his friend giving him a sad smile. They didn't talk about her much. It caused them both too much grief. The sight of her lying there in her bed of blood, still haunted him every night before he went to bed. He needed to change the subject.

"How is Bran, I have scarcely seen him the these last few days. Does he like his training?" Ned asked Robert. The King's head picked up from the floor.

"The boy is learning, he makes mistakes, but you needn't tell him more than once, before he corrects it. He's a lot like you that way. I think Barristan has really gotten on with the lad." Robert said.

"Just be sure to make that he doesn't start climbing the walls. Winterfell was bad enough, Cat would have a heart attack, if he started climbing the Red Keep." Ned said turning to his friend.

The King laughed slightly. "Remember when we were at the Erye. Gods, how many times did Jon Arryn have to tell me not to do that, what was it he called it?"

"The Mountain Man."Ned said smiling. "You would swing your sword, without looking where you were going losing your balance almost everytime." He finished laughing at the memory.

"I remember I did it the one time, down by the creek. I had a leeches all in my small clothes. After you knocked me into the water." Robert said laughing.

The Archmaester stood up, now finished treating Robb. He walked over to the King and his Hand. "I've done what I could. If the boy should he wake, he will regain full control of his arm. The extent of the injury isn't a permanent one. Though I fear for him in the coming days. Right now he is in a fever dream. It will get worse, before it gets better. Most don't make it trough the first three days. He seems a strong lad, he has a better chance than most. Though he will have a tough battle ahead of him. I will stay in the guest room, and keep an eye on him." The Archmaester said.

Ned nodded his head to him, and thanked him, as Ebros left the room.

Robert put a hand on Ned's shoulder, taking one last look at Robb on the bed. "If there is anything at all you need Ned, don't hesitate. I promise, for real this time. I'll watch over your younger boy, while he's with me. On this you have my word." Robert said to him, with all the sincerity the man possessed.

"Thank you Robert." Ned replied.

The King then made his way out of the room. Leaving Ned alone, he walked over standing next to his son's head. Grey Wind was in the room with him. The wolf had been sitting vigil beside him on the other side of the bed by the window, for the past week. Not once moving from his spot next to Robb. Ned had to bring the wolf food, and water, himself. Sometimes Arya, and Sansa, would bring it to him, from the kitchens. All of the staff were too afraid to go anywhere near the direwolf.

"Get some rest" Ned said putting a hand on Robb's head. He looked at the wolf, who was staring at Ned. "You too boy." He said to the wolf, before walking out of the room to get some sleep himself.

Margaery was sitting out in the gardens, underneath the pavilion in King Landing. She had visited Robb once a day, ever since he was knocked from his horse. No one was telling her much, other than he needed rest. She found herself hoping that he would wake up.

What her grandmother had told her about the young Stark had proven to be true. He had been honest with her, every chance he could. Straight forward and blunt. It was somewhat endearing to her. She was used to men who played with her. With their own agendas. Robb had been like a breath of fresh air. He had also seemed to be a bit brighter than she had anticipated. Though he was still a fool. To charge the Kingslayer like he did, especially so injured, was just plain stupid. Proving he still had a young man's arrogance.

She let out a heavy sigh, as she pondered what might happen if he were not to wake. Would she be made to marry the younger Stark, Bran? Or be sent back to Highgarden? Or would her father or grandmother find her another match. She turned her head slightly from the bay, as she heard the sound of men in armor slowly approach her.

She couldn't hide the surprise on her face as the newcomers approached her. Margaery gracefully stood up from her seat, as she greeted the one leading the men. The Queen Cersei Lannister, and four of her guard were standing before her. "My Queen" she said as she curtsied before the her. Cersei gave her an amused smile as she did so.

"Please excuse me your grace, I wasn't expecting you. Would you like some fruit, or drink?" Margaery said, gesturing for her to sit down next to her, by the table. The Queen ignored her question, and moved passed her. Making her way over to the edge of garden, Cersei put her hands on the stone wall. She looked out over Blackwater Bay, the sun shinning down on her long golden mane. "I'm sorry to hear about Robb Stark. I hear he is in terrible condition." Cersei said to her, turning her head slightly still facing out over the bay.

Margaery moved tenderly up besides her leaning up against the low stone wall herself. Looking at the bay, looking at how the sun sparkled on the blue water."The Archmaester believes he may still make it through." Margaery said cautiously, trying to gauge the Queen's true intentions.

"Oh? Grand Maester Pycelle tells me he has been in a fever for five days now. Surely you know the odds are no longer in the boys favor." Cersei said.

"I pray that the gods are still in his favor, even if the odds are not." Margaery said, keeping her gaze on the water.

Cersei turned her body towards the smaller girl next to her. "Of course." the corner of Cersei's mouth forming into a small smile.

"Walk with me" Cersei said. The guards began to follow the two ladies, as they began strolling through the garden. "Tell me, have you any designs on living here in Kings Landing." Cersei said to her, giving her a look as if she already knew her answer.

"I'm not sure I understand your meaning your grace." Margaery replied, though knowing full well what the Queen was implying.

"Come now, don't be this way with me. We both know, you are smarter than that." Cersei said to her.

"I don't know, I would have to talk with my father. But isn't it all for not, Sansa Stark is already set to marry Joffrey. She will be Queen one day." Margaery said.

"The King's proposal, not mine." The Queen said stopping abruptly. "I think with the proper...Guidance the King will change his mind." Cersei said putting her hand on the young girls arm, pulling her closer to her. "Now tell me again, do you have any designs on one day becoming queen?" Margaery looked back at Cersei, a small smile forming on her face.

The Queen smiled in victory. "Good, now would you like to come and see a more detailed tour of the Castle."

Bran had been training with Ser Barristan, in the White Sword Tower of the Red Keep for the past week. In just that short amount of time, he felt like he had learned so much. Ser Barristan was one of the best swordsman he had ever seen. He watched as he defeated Ser Marryn Trant as easily as slicing bread. Parrying his attacks perfectly, he was an artist with that steel in his hand. Bran was so exited about his training, he hadn't even gone to see Robb yet in his condition.

He didn't feel that he needed to. He knew for certain that Robb would wake up, he always did. By that time, Bran wanted to show his brother how much better he had gotten with the sword. He put everything he had, into whatever Ser Barristan had instructed him to do. It was so much different with Barristan than with Rodrick. Their styles were completely different. Bran found Barristan's stances, and instructions far more delicate than Ser Rodrick's approach. Whenever he made a mistake, Barristan made it easy for him to understand, what he did wrong.

Bran held his practice sword, in front of him, as Ser Barristan was giving him instructions. "No, your feet are too close together. You wont win many battles, if you remain unbalanced." Ser Barristan said, moving Bran's feet to their proper form, with his long practice blade.

Bran did as instructed. They had been at it all day, Bran couldn't get enough. He never wanted to stop training with him. His childhood hero was now his mentor. Everything Ser Barristan asked, he did as quickly, and as best as he could. Summer had come with him, everyday to practice, watching him from the corner of the Barracks. It made some of the gold cloaks in the castle uneasy, the large direwolf roaming around, but Barristan made sure no one did anything did anything. The King had said it was alright, for the Direwolf to be there. Sometimes Barristan took Bran out into godswood to train. Which Bran loved, the godswood had an almost magical effect on him. Every time he entered there, he was able to focus so much better.

"Like this?" Bran said, his feet now where he had been told to put them.

Barristan nodded his head, as Bran held the practice sword, over his head perfectly horizontal. His stance, an overhead position. Barristan had told him he had to stay like that, for as long as he could. Then he was told to cast his sword out, like a fishing rod, using his left hand to pull down the sword like a lever. Then letting the sword drop down in front of him.

"No, not like that. You're using to much force in your right hand. The right hand is for guidance only. This time just use your left hand." Barristan said. Bran nodded his head, but was distracted by the new faces that entered the White Sword Tower.

The Queen was slowly walking into the training barracks, with an entourage of people. Among them were her son, the Crown prince Joffrey, and his personal pet bodyguard the Hound. Her twin brother Jaime, walked behind her, his white cloak flowing behind him. Bran's face turned angry, at the sight of him. He wanted to go over and "practice" his new techniques on him, for what he did to his brother. What Bran found odd was that Margaery Tyrell was with them. She was in a conversation with Joffrey laughing elegantly, at whatever he was saying to her.

"Focus Bran." Ser Barristan said to him, his gaze lingering too long on them. He then continued his exercise.

Joffrey was leaning closely on Margaery, and was saying something to her close to her ear. She laughed again, at whatever he said. "Are you learning the ballet?" Joffrey said, loudly to Bran as he pivoted to his right, with his sword still held above his.

"Come Dog." Joffery said. The two then began making their way over to one of the practice dummies in the room. Joffrey pulled out his sword, gazing at it with a confidant smile. The Hound set up one of the straw men, in front of Joffrey.

Joffrey smiled again at Margaery, then he started hacking away at the straw man. He swung his sword with wild abandon, yelling loudly as he hack off it's limbs one by one. When he was done, all that remained was a small wooden post, that was splintered down the middle. Joffery looked up, his mother clapping, along with Margaery. Littlefinger and the Kingslayer, didn't look up from their conversation, still by the door. Though Joffrey turned in rage, when he heard the sound of a small chuckle from behind him.

Bran had watched Joffery and his attack from the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but laugh at how undisciplined his form was. He redirected his stance, so he was facing Joffrey as he saw him start to march over towards him. "Something funny." Joffery said to him, his breath smelling of wine, and cheese.

"I'm sorry, I just thought your attack was funny. It was supposed to be funny right?" Bran said, he could hear Ser Barristan slightly chuckle next to him.

"It's called taking down your opponent. It works better than whatever stupidity your doing." Joffery said leering at him.

"Of course, my lord." Bran said still chuckling to himself.

Joffrey shook his head in frustration. "What foolery do you call that?" he said with a snicker.

"It's called training. Maybe if you did it too, you wouldn't have to fight things who can't hit back." Bran said bodly, he wasn't afraid of him; He trusted Ser Barriston's teachings, to that of anyone eles's in his family.

Joffery pulled out his sword. It's golden pommel hitting the sunlight that cascaded trough the open window. The light Casting, a golden glow on the blade. It's edge sharp, unlike Bran's own blunted training sword. The blade's razor edge, came in close in front of Bran's eyes. Bran kept his sword above his head, his eyes following the path of the blade in front of him.

"I call it the Lion's Tooth, it, could beat you in any duel there is Stark." Joffrey said.

Bran stepped back quickly, with a lightning fast swing parrying the blade out of his face. Joffrey slightly stumbled backwards at Bran's forceful swing. "Prove it." Bran said in a challenge. Raising his sword, back above his head, a few feet away from Joffrey.

"The Prince, doesn't have to do anything he doesn't need to." Cersei said, from behind her son. Margaery standing next to her, her face was a jigsaw puzzle to Bran. Jaime walked up next to his sister after sending Littlefinger away. He lowered his head slightly, whispering something in her ear. He could see her face turning towards her brother in a sly smile.

Joffrey turned around, and glanced between his mother and Margaery. "I will show this pup, what happens when you challenge the crown." he said giving a menacing smile to Margaery.

Joffery then spun around, with his sword in his hand and violently attacked Bran, yelling loudly as he did so. Bran had just been waiting for him to attack. He easily parried Joffery's crazed attack, and sidestepped out of the way. Joffery had almost fallen over onto his face, completely missing Bran.

"Crown Prince huh? More like the Crazed Prince." Bran said, putting his sword back up above his head, waiting for him to attack again.

Joffrey growled in rage, as he turned back around and charged him again in the same fashion. Bran called on his new footwork, and training easily anticipated Joffery's approach. He quickly sidestepped, and slashed at Joffery, sending his body screaming past him again. This time Bran gave him a quick, but solid whack, with his blunted blade on his back. Joffrey stumbled past him onto the floor, falling right in front of Margaery and his mother.

"This is too easy." Bran said to himself smiling. He noticed Ser Barristan unable to hold in a smile as Joffrey started to pick himself up off of the ground.

"I'm going to put you in that bed, right next to your dead brother!" Joffery yelled as he charged Bran again. Bran's eyes turned to solid ice when he said that. He stepped forward into Joffery's attack easily redirecting the golden blade. He then came down hard, with his blunted blade. Hitting it at the base of the blade sending it flying out of Joffery's hands. bran then quickly brought his sword back up, hitting the prince in his gut with a hard slash. Sending Joffery flat on his out in pain.

Bran stood over him, as Joffery held his stomach. "My Brother, is not dead." Bran said, he looked back up at their audience and glared at them; wishing he could freeze Jaime Lannister solid with his eyes. He then turned back around, not caring for another second, what any of them thought of him. He walked back towards Ser Barristan, who smiled at the young Stark. "That's enough for today Bran. Go home, see your brother." Barristan told him softly. Bran nodded at him, he then made his way towards the corner to put his sword away. Though he didn't turn back around until it was to late.

Joffery had gotten back to his feet, his whole body had turned red at being embarrassed. When he got to his feet he picked up "lion's tooth" and charged at Bran, as he was putting his sword away. He ran towards him as fast as he could. His sword out in front of him, he jumped in the air, swinging wildly at the young Stark's head. The razor edge, about to come away with it's first blooding, when Joffery was violently tackled to the ground.

Bran turned around, at the sound of Joffrey screaming in pain. Summer was on top of Joffrey biting at his sword arm. He stood wide eyed at his direwolf, he looked up and watched as The Queen yelled "Kill that Beast!" Jaime took his out his sword, and made his way towards them. "Stop Summer, come here." Bran said quickly. The wolf immediately picked its head up, stopping it's attack, and bounded towards Bran. Joffery slowly got to his feet crying, making his way back towards his mother.

Bran watched as Jaime came closer and closer to him, with a deadly purpose. He glanced behind him, Summer was standing there growling. Jaime was halfway throught the room, when Barristan caught his arm. "Come now, if that wolf hadn't done that, the prince would have just killed the Hand's son." Ser Barristan said, putting his hand on Jaime's sword arm, by his bicep.

Jaime turned towards Barristan. "Who's fault would that have been?"Jaime said turning to him him.

"That wolf attacked my son! Those beasts should never have been allowed here in the first place. I demand that you kill it!" The Queen shouted, as she nursed Joffery's hand with a wet cloth a servant had gotten.

"Surely, there must be another alternative your grace." Margaery said, to Cersei. Who looked back at the younger girl with fire in her eyes. "Lesson number one, protect your children." The Queen said to her. "Now Kill that filthy thing!"she yelled out again.

Bran's eyes grew wide, as he watched Ser Barristan reluctantly, let go of Jaime's arm. He glanced behind him, as Summer continued to growl. Jaime was just a few feet in front of him now. Bran pulled a real sword off of the rack, and held it in front of him.

"I wont let you hurt him." Bran said, with tears in his eyes, looking up at the Kingslayer. Jaime towered over the young boy, as he stood in front of him.

"Stand aside boy, you don't need to watch." The Kingslayer said.

Bran didn't move. "Ser Barristan please." Bran said through a sniff, unable to stop the tears flowing down his face. The Commander put his head down, he couldn't go against the Queen's demands.

"I promise to make it quick." The Kingslayer said, surprisingly gently.

Bran held his sword higher in front of him, stepping forward. "No" he said in defiance, before attacking the Kingslayer. Jaime easily parried the boy's sword, he then moved inside the boys advance, grabbing Bran by the collar of his shirt, tossing him aside. He then turned his sight on the Direwolf.

Bran picked his head up off the ground, trying to get back up, when a loud voice, came crashing into the hall.

"WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS IS GOING ON IN HERE!" The booming voice of Robert Baratheon blasted into the room. He stomped into the White Sword Tower his face red with anger. He had just come back from visiting Ned, when he heard cries coming from the White Sword Tower, he went to find out what was going on. He could see in the corner, Bran on the ground with tears in his eyes, sobbing, as the Kingslayer stood over him.

The Queen turned to her husband. "You just missed another one of those filthy wolves attack your son again. Jaime was just taking care of it for me." Robert glared at his wife, before making his way towards the young Stark. The sobs grew louder, the closer he got. Robert noticed blood, on the Kingslayer's sword. When he got to Bran, the boy's head was resting on the Direwolf's body as he cried into the Direwolf's fur. He had been to late. Robert put a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "What happened?" He said, turning his attention solely on Ser Barristan.

The Knight Commander moved besides the King. "The prince got angry, when the Stark boy beat him in a duel. He then attacked Bran, while he was putting his sword away. The Direwolf intervened." Barristan said.

The King eyed Ser Barristan for a minute. "Is this true? You attacked him, while he was unarmed? After you were beaten?"The King said, turning towards his son.

"No, he cheated, he..."Joffery said.

"That's exactly what happened your grace, he used that sword right over there." Margaery said, moving away from the Queen, and Joffery striding towards Bran as he wept, into his Direwolf. She picked up the sword, and handed it to the King.

The Queen glare at her. "That's not exactly what happened. The Stark boy was being too rough on him. Besides, those Beasts shouldn't be here anyway. I was protecting my son." Cersei said

The King picked up the blade, and put his his hand to the tip, it slightly cutting his finger. "You attacked him with this blade?" The King said, dumbfounded. Joffery looked down at the ground. Robert walked over to his son, grabbing his hand. There were some teeth marks, that barley pierced the skin. He then looked back at Bran still sobbing into the Direwolf's body.

He looked down at his son, in complete anger, that he couldn't control. He lifted his hand up, and with a loud smack, hitting Joffery with the back of his fist across the boy's face. The boy was sent screaming to the ground knocked out cold. Robert stared at Cersei, with the fury of the Stormlands. His eyes daring her to say anything in protest. "Ser Barristan take the boy, and his wolf back to his father. Tell him... I'm sorry."

A/N

dun dun dun... Yea I know, summer sad stuff. There will be a turnaround for the Starks, if your running for the hills. What will Ned do when he finds out, or Robb... if he makes it?

I have most of the next one written so wont be as long of a wait just a few more scenes I gotta write. It's in my head though. So stay tuned if you wanna read more.

Let me know what ya think

Cheers